Meet Lynetta Kizer
Lynetta Kizer doesn’t expect anything to be handed to her.
After competing for a spot on the USA Basketball Under-18 National Team next month in Colorado Springs, Colo., Kizer will join a Maryland women’s team attempting to replace the contributions of Crystal Langhorne and Laura Harper.
With those departures from the Terps’ frontcourt, playing time appears readily available. But according to Kizer, nothing is a given.
“They didn’t tell me anything as far as starting or anything,” Kizer said. “All the conversations I’ve had with the coaching staff [are about] how hard I work is going to determine the playing time. But they definitely said I was going to get minutes off the bat. But I’m just going to have to work hard to get the starting role with Drey Mingo already there and Demauria Liles coming in, so I’m just going to work hard.”
Since the winter, Kizer has done just that. She said she’s lost 27 pounds, and is getting more excited by the day to suit up for the Terps.
“Sometimes I’m kind of like, ‘I’m ready to go,’ and sometimes it’s like right around the corner, and I have to fill some big shoes,” Kizer said. “But the hard work needs to be put in now, and you can’t stop it from coming. ... I can’t wait.”
Here’s an introduction to Kizer.
Name: Lynetta Kizer
Birthdate: 4/4/90
Birthplace: Fort Belvoir, Va.
Hometown: Woodbridge, Va.
Nickname: Yah-Yah
Height: 6 feet 3
Weight: 232
Position: Power forward, center
High School: Potomac (Va.) High School
Senior statistics: 20.6 points, 12.5 rebounds, 3.5 blocks, 2.5 assists and 2 steals per game
Runner-up: Duke or Rutgers
Other schools considered: North Carolina, Virginia
Favorite pro basketball player: Kevin Durant
Favorite pro basketball team: Denver Nuggets
Favorite music: Lupe Fiasco, Jay-Z, Kanye West
Favorite book: Harry Potter
Favorite movie: Four Brothers
Favorite TV show: Law and Order
Favorite food: Pizza
Favorite high school class: Math -- Algebra 2
Favorite thing about College Park: “The atmosphere, the coaches and the people.”
Hobbies: “Shopping, hanging out with my friends, listening to music.”
Intended major: Undecided
Something that not many people know about you: “I like to write poetry a little bit.”
Best basketball moment: “Beating Stonewall this year. I hit a game-winner to go to regionals.”
Role model: “My mom, pretty much because she works really hard.”
Why Maryland? “I want to say because they’ve kind of been there the whole time with me. They’ve been recruiting me since they showed interest in me in my eighth-grade year. They didn’t just start showing interest when everyone else started recruiting me. And the players have always kept in contact with me and they didn’t hassle me like some of the other colleges did. They kind of gave me my space throughout the whole recruiting process.”
