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Experience, hoops pedigree help Nance lead UMKC

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Sports
Wednesday, 07 January 2009 00:00
Growing up, University of Missouri-Kansas City women’s basketball forward Kalei Nance always had access to a fountain of basketball knowledge in the person of her uncle, former longtime NBA player Alton Lister.
Known for his solid rebounding and shot-blocking proficiency, Lister played for five teams spread over his 16-year NBA career.
Nance says those lessons from Lister and dinners with Lister and former Golden State Warriors teammates such as Chris Mullin and Tim Hardaway have helped her into the role she fills for the Kangaroos this season.
Nance is one of only two seniors on the UMKC roster and is playing the big-sister role to seven freshmen on the squad. In fact, the young players have dubbed her “Great Aunt” and fellow senior Heather Wimberly “Grandma.”
“I just had two of them staying at my house,” Nance said of a pair of freshmen. “I love having them over and taking all of their college questions.”
Nance has had to up her role for the Kangaroos in a number of ways. Along with her duties as a leader on the team, she has also come into a more significant role on the court. A starter, she ranks second on the team in scoring and rebounding, averaging 7.5 points per game and 5.6 rebounds per contest.
Playing as an undersized post player at just 6-0, Nance said she has had to learn how to be successful without always being the tallest player in the key.
“I think my mental toughness has improved the most,” Nance said. “It’s an aspect of the game a lot of people don’t work on. Coach (Candace) Whitaker has pushed us to limits we never thought we could reach. I’m glad I have experienced that.”
Nance said Lister has provided her with some game plans on how to beat taller players in the post.
“He told me to face up,” Nance said. “He said since I am smaller I shouldn’t try to keep my back to the basket. He forced me to face up and go around bigger girls.”
Nance calls Lister her “best friend.” She said Lister currently is coaching in the Philippines but has served as a junior college head coach and NBA assistant coach since he retired from the league.
“When I was at Central Arizona and New Mexico State, we would talk every day before games,” Nance said. “In the summer I was always in the gym with him.”
Nance started her college career at New Mexico State before transferring to Central Arizona College, a junior college. Last season she averaged 3.7 points and 4.5 rebounds per outing for UMKC.
Last season Nance watched a talented senior class lead the team and knew she had to assume that role this season. During the holiday season, she said the team spent plenty of time practicing. The players had three days off to go home for Christmas, but Nance admits to thinking plenty about her team.
“The girls become part of your family,” Nance said. “You miss them over the break.”
The Kangaroos are 6-7 this season and heading into the heart of their season with Summit League play.
“I think we’re really hungry and ready to start conference,” Nance said. “Our wins over Central Missouri and Air Force were really good for us. Coach has put things in perspective for us. She said there are three seasons. The non-conference is the tune-up to see where people fit. But conference is what we’ve been running and working for (leading into that ‘third season,’ the post-season). The younger girls can sense it’s time to turn up the heat a little.”
Nance said she continues to see opposing teams gear up to stop the Kangaroos’ leading player, junior forward Chazny Morris. Morris leads the team, scoring 18.1 points per game and grabbing 7.5 rebounds per game.
While other teams have taken to throwing tremendous pressure at Morris, Nance said other players have to help contribute when Morris is being hounded.
“We’ve had an opportunity to see who will step up when Chazny is double and triple-teamed,” Nance said. “She knows when people are gunning for her. We know that teams want to take us out of our game plan.”
Nance said for the time being, the team is focused on making waves in the Summit League and building for the end of the season. Personally, Nance still has big goals in basketball.
“My parents will help me in getting agents after the season,” said Nance, a liberal arts major. “I really want to keep playing if that’s possible. It not, I will continue on with grad(uate) school somewhere.”
Before she moves on from UMKC, Nance said she has a message she would like to send opposing teams.
“Hopefully I will come out and surprise a few teams,” Nance said. “I wasn’t as consistent as I wanted to be in non-conference. So I want to be more consistent the rest of the season.”

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