USF Athletics

Rader Relishing Her Run With the Bulls

January 23, 2018

By TOM ZEBOLD
USF Senior Writer
TAMPA, JAN. 23, 2018 – Alyssa Rader is cherishing every game in green and gold after taking the long road to becoming a Bull.

USF's productive redshirt sophomore post player was once a rising senior for Horizon High School in Colorado, where she was getting ready for her big audition for the Bulls.

With head coach Jose Fernandez planning to watch her in game action, Rader was trying to stay sharp for her huge opportunity when the snap happened in an open gym session.

"(USF) was obviously my No. 1 choice," Rader said. "I broke my ankle the day before he was supposed to come and see me play. I thought it kind of wasn't meant to be, so I took my second choice."

From her home in Thornton, Colo., Rader took her growing talents to Northern Arizona University, where she took the Big Sky Conference by storm. Back in 2015-16, the 6-foot-2 standout led NAU in scoring (14.5 ppg), rebounding (8.8 rpg), assists (80) and blocks (28). Ranking 38^th nationally with 13 double-doubles, Rader was rewarded for her efforts with Big Sky Conference Outstanding Freshman honors.

"All throughout high school, I would take a three but I was more of an inside player," she said. "When I went into my freshman year at Northern Arizona University, my coach there, Sue Darling, said, 'Nope, all my players do everything. Every player posts up, every player shoots.' "

After deciding to transfer, Rader continued to diversify her game in August 2016, when got to once again work with her club coach, Keirsten Walters, who played for Geno Auriemma at UConn.

"I grew up playing for her. She developed me to be able to get a Division I scholarship. I worked out with her almost every single day," Rader said.

By December 2016, Rader finally got her wish of becoming a Bull and spent the next calendar year learning the system and serving as a valuable scout team member due to NCAA transfer rules.

"Sitting out, in general, is super hard, especially when you practice every day with the girls and do everything," she said. "Being on the scout team when they're playing against you, it's tough but I really appreciated it. It helped me better myself, get into better shape and stronger - every type of athlete I needed to be able to hit the ground running."

And that's just what she did once it was time to suit up as a Bull in game action.

Rader posted 13 points and six rebounds in 19 minutes of her USF debut on Dec. 15, a 108-48 home win over Southern University. Rader scored in double digits the next two games, posting a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds against Dayton on Dec. 20, before bringing it against the best in nation.

Playing in front of a record crowd of 6,659 at the Sun Dome, Rader scored a team-high 11 points against top-ranked UConn and confidently knocked down three of five attempts from long range on Jan. 6.

"You have to take it for what it is and better yourself while playing against the best," Rader said.

Rader Brings Instant Leadership to the Bulls
Averaging 7.5 points and 5.8 rebounds, Rader has given the Bulls a boost in 11 games this season but she's made an impact with her leadership skills since the start of preseason practice.

Once a week last semester, Rader gave USF's freshmen a lift off campus and treated them to lunch, which served as a valuable college orientation for the young Bulls.

"College is hard. Being a student-athlete is hard," she said. "But being able to show them the ropes and kind of give them my input, it really does help. Taking them to lunch is an easy way to do it. You get food."

Rader learned how to lead from her older sister, Kaylie, who played basketball at Regis College. Rader's mother, Traci, also was a strong leader as a swimmer at Denver University and her father, Joe, a director for Verizon, also has shown her how to guide people the right way.

"Growing up with leaders, it helps you become a leader," Rader said.

With three years of college experience, Rader has learned a lot and is never too tired to help a teammate in need. One prime example was after a road game at Memphis, when the communications major provided pointers for freshman guard Vanessa Blagmon, who was preparing to dish out her first speech in college.

"It's just a good investment into your future, being able to mesh and gel with your teammates," Rader said. 

With two-plus more seasons to go with USF, it will be fun to see how far Rader can help take the Bulls.

"Now being a part of it is great," Rader said with a smile.

Catch Rader's next run with the Bulls on Sunday at home against Temple. Tip-off is set for noon and fans can reserve their seats at USFBullsTix.com.
 
About USF Women's Basketball
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USF notched its fifth consecutive 20-win season. The Bulls tallied its 20th win in their 24th contest of the season which tied the fastest any program has reached 20 wins. This is the eighth 20-win season in program history and head coach Jose Fernandez has been at the helm for all eight 20-win seasons. The 2014-15 team reached 20 wins in 24 games, and still currently holds the best record for most wins in a season (27).
 
USF has made 13 postseason tournament appearances and had five NCAA Tournament berths in Head Coach Jose Fernandez's 17 seasons. The all-time winningest coach in program history, Fernandez has guided USF to eight 20-win seasons, two WNIT final four appearances, the 2009 WNIT championship and won more than 300 games.