Aggies' Buchanan Ready to be a Leader

KANSAS CITY, MO -- Until Big 12 Women's Basketball Media Day started, I didn't know which Texas A&M players would attend the event.

Thankfully, two players from the Houston area -- Sydney Colson (junior, Guard, Westside High School) and Damitria Buchanan (senior, center / post, Jones High School) appeared.

Here's my brief chat with 'Tree':

HRR: What did you this summer to improve your game?

Damitria: I got in the weight room a lot and worked on getting stronger. Playing pick up a lot back at home in Houston at the Fonde (Fonde Recreation Center) during AAU. I played a lot of basketball and lifted weights and worked on my shot.


HRR: Do you feel old?

Damitria: Oh, yes. I feel old every day. Just bodywise. After four years of hard competition, it starts taking a toll on your body; but, I get in the ice tub every day after practice. I’ve never been in the ice tub this much before. Plus, just the experience. I feel like I know a lot of more by being a senior.


HRR: Are you ready to be a leader?

Damitria: Yes, sir. Yes, sir. I’m ready to take on that role. It’s something I’m working on every day. I’ve gone from being a role player to possibly being a key player on the team which is a transition. That’s something I take pride in and work on.


HRR: How’s the team different this year without Takia Starks, Danielle Gant, and LaToya Micheaux?

Damitria: There’s a lack of experience now; but, we still have a lot of talented players on the team. We still have a lot of hard workers; and, people that’s ready to get the job done this season. This is not a rebuilding year. This is a transition year – just getting the younger players to learn our style of defense and our style of play; but, we’ll be pretty good.


HRR: Do the players know the team was picked fourth in the Big 12 preseason poll?

Damitria: Yea, we’ve heard about it; but, we try not to dwell on it. We’re not worried about preseason polls. We just try to go out there; work hard; and prove people wrong.