It was almost a year ago when the reigning CAA Freshman of the Year felt that pop in her left knee during an exhibition game against Glenville State. ACL? It couldn’t be, James Madison’s Kayla Cooper-Williams told herself.
An MRI confirmed just that for the 6-2 center, who watched the 2016-17 JMU season from the bench. The good news, though, is Cooper-Williams is healthy again, ready to contribute to a Dukes team in dire need of offense given the graduation of Precious Hall, the NCAA’s No. 3 scorer last season.
LadySwish caught up with the budding sportswriter (journalism is her major).
How it happened: “I was trying to do a takedown block and I didn’t get off the ground well. I never got into the air, really. I felt the pop.”
Her mindset: “It was tough, but the team had another game coming up (Tennessee in the Convo), so I tried not to focus on that. I tried to be there for my teammates in other ways.
“A lot of times it felt like they needed me for encouragement. I noticed sitting on the bench, I could see things they couldn’t see. They’d come out, and I’d give them a tip I saw.
“The whole year was hard. I’d go and see my teammates playing and practicing. That made me want to be on the court, too. I knew I needed a positive mindset, so I’d talk to my coach or call my mom and talk to her about it.”
Roughest stretch: “The hardest might have been the first game of the season when we played Tennessee. I had just found out and it was still fresh.”
On being ready from the tip this season: “That’s the plan, to get me so I trust (the knee).”
On becoming more of a scorer. Two years ago Cooper Williams set a single-season school record with 71 blocks and was named to the CAA all-defensive team while averaging 10.5 rebounds and 6.8 points. “The time out has given me a lot of time to work on my touch and shooting form. Sitting out gave me the time to focus on the little things. I can be more aggressive and focus more on scoring. That’s my goal: to be more of a scoring threat.”
Her improved skills: “I used rolling chair on the court. I’d sit in the chair and work on form shooting.”
On playing for Coach Sean O’Regan. “The main assistant we had was Coach O. He’s still the same guy; we can go to the office and talk to him. At the same time, he’s taken on a bigger role. Our team benefits from the fact that Coach O has seen both sides of it. It’s different, but it’s a good different.”
On being a sportswriter: “I like magazines. analysis pieces. I like when there’s trade deals and reading the different opinions.”
LeBron’s her fave so about that trade with the Celtics . . . “I think it might be a good thing. I think Isiah Thomas has good vision.”
*Photos courtesy of James Madison sports information