Getting to Know Freshman Forward Gwen Rucker
October 05, 2008 | Women's Basketball
Oct. 5, 2008
Louisville, Ky. - The second of three in-state players, freshman forward Gwen Rucker looks to get back on the basketball court and help her squad any way she can. The Lexington, Kentucky native is not only on the women's basketball roster, she holds a slot on the Cardinal volleyball team as well. Brining good rebounding ability and strong defensive skills to Louisville, Rucker anticipates doing a lot of the dirty work for the Cardinals this season.
"I think I'll contribute more of the dirty work, like rebounding, the hustle plays, and getting deflections," comments Rucker. "Getting deflections and being the back up to someone, just being energetic and vocal is what I anticipated doing."
Considered one of the top basketball players in the state Rucker was ranked 84th in the nation among the 2008 recruiting class. Widely known for her defensive presence, Rucker demonstrated her offensive ability shooting 56 percent from the field her senior season.
The two sport wonder was an all-state selection in both basketball and volleyball as a junior. Starting off her junior season ranked 4th in the Courier-Journal's preseason coaches poll, Rucker saw success throughout the year. She averaged 13.3 points and 7.3 rebounds earning her a spot on the Kentucky Junior All-Stars team. She earned all-city, all-district and all-region honors both her junior and sophomore seasons. As a sophomore, Rucker averaged, 11.8 points and 10 rebounds per outing.
Looking to make great strides on and off the court, Rucker wants to attend medical school after earning a bachelors degree in Chemistry. Her long term aspiration is to become an anesthesiologist.
Aware of the pressures playing not one, but two Division I sports entails along with earning above par grades, Rucker understands the value of finishing what you start. Talking with one of her volleyball teammates put a good perspective on what she is trying to accomplish and U of L.
"When it gets tough I can't just quit, I have to remember why I even wanted to do this to start out with," explained Rucker. "I have to go back to the basics and go back to keeping myself into it. If I start I have to finish it, that's exactly what she said."
Already standing out on the volleyball court, the freshman hitter has seen action in all 12 matches this season and ranks third in blocks, averaging 1.04 blocks per game.
At the conclusion of the volleyball season, Rucker will join the Cards on the basketball court. Rucker says that getting into basketball shape will be her first step towards helping the historical squad reach their goals.
Up Close with Rucker
FULL NAME Gwendolyn LaReece Rucker
PARENTS Byron and Stacy Ingram; Keith McGlon
FAVORITE FOOD Lasagna and garlic bread
FAVORITE COLOR Red and pink
FAVORITE MOVIE Superbad
FAVORITE TV SHOW Grey's Anatomy, Private Practice and Bad Girls Club
FAVORITE MUSICAL GROUP Lil Wayne
FAVORITE PROFESSIONAL TEAM Boston Celtics
FAVORITE ATHLETE Kevin Garnett
ONE THING I HAVE TO TAKE ON EVERY ROAD TRIP My purse
REALITY TV SHOW I HAVE THE BEST CHANCE OF WINNING Wipeout
ONE WORD THAT DESCRIBES ME Understanding
THE BEST GIFT I EVER RECIEVED My first gameboy when I was young
