Attention to details

Women's Basketball, Oct 2003 by Boyko, Lara

SA'DE WILEY-GATEWOOD

Keeping the game of basketball a game where you are having fun while being successful has been the focus of Sa'de (pronounced Shaw-Day) Wiley-Gatewood during her career.

Wiley-Gatewood enters her senior year of high school in southern California (she is in the process of changing schools) as a nationally ranked high school player with an armload full of accolades that only the best of the best usually possess.

"She brings a lot of awareness with her on the court, like that of a player-coach," says her former high school coach, Lynwood (Calif.) High School coach Ellis Barfield.

"From her ball-handling skills, passing skills to her creativity, her skill level is balanced. These also contribute to her court savvy and willingness to win. She creates opportunities for others and can also finish the shot. During crunch time, she likes to have the ball in her hands when a lot of people run away from that responsibility."

This 5'9'' point guard has distinguished herself as one of the best in the country as a three-time Nike All-American, a 2002-03 Parade magazine All-America first team honoree and the 2002-03 California State Player of the Year, all while leading her former team to back-to-back California state titles.

"Eight years ago, I never imagined that I would be where I am today," says Wiley-Gatewood. "This is an exciting moment for me. I just thought this would be a game to have fun and do something instead of just going to school. The game is still fun and I keep playing."

One reason the game continues to be fun for Wiley-Gatewood could be the exciting prospect of playing college basketball at the University of Tennessee, which is merely a year away. She gave a verbal commitment to Tennessee after her sophomore year.

"Tennessee has been my dream school while I have been growing up," Wiley-Gatewood says. "I like Tennessee's style of play and Coach Summitt's coaching style, but I never thought she would recruit me. Then when I heard she was recruiting me, I wanted to commit to her because that is where I wanted to go. Also, I committed so early to take the pressure off. I don't have any reservations about leaving home."

Another reason the game is still fun for Wiley-Gatewood may be that she has enjoyed the experiences in her eight years of playing.

"I've been doing a lot of traveling this summer," Wiley-Gatewood says. "I just got back from the Oregon Trails tournament, where my team (the West Coast All-Stars) came in second place. Now I have to go to Nike camp, then my team goes to Washington D.C., and then to New Orleans. I guess I am a busy body this year. It will be a good way to get ready for the traveling involved at the college level."

Her travels this past summer also included a stop in Colorado Springs, Colo., where she was a member of the 2003 USA Basketball Women's Youth Development Festival.

"When my dad told me I made the team, I was happy but didn't believe him at first," Wiley-Gatewood says. "I wasn't expecting to be there, but I was excited to go up there, have fun and compete against some of the greatest players in high school. I learned about playing team ball more than basketball just being a one-man show. My job as a guard there was to get everyone involved. It was fun and I had a great time because everyone was real."

While she is having fun being "Goofy" (her nickname) on the court, the things that make her happy off the court include following the careers of her basketball idols.

"Tamika Catchings is my idol," Wiley-Gatewood says. "I've never met her, but I love the way she plays."

With the summer over and the high school season starting, Wiley-Gatewood has a chance to use her experiences from the summer to lead her new school.

"I don't really have any goals right now, but I know I will be able to bring my USA Basketball experience back to my high school team this year," Wiley-Gatewood says. "I am excited that this is my last year of high school and can't wait to get to Tennessee."