Katelyn Loper says the nation’s leader in double-doubles — her teammate and roommate Jillian Alleyne — hasn’t reached her peak yet.
Alleyne, who averages 17.7 points per game and 15.1 rebounds per game, has quickly become the face of the Oregon women’s basketball program in her junior year, and many around her are beginning to see what the future may hold for the standout forward.
Always upbeat and perhaps a bit quirky, Alleyne has kept up her statistical success in head coach Kelly Graves’ new scheme, one that has fewer possessions and scores fewer points with an emphasis on defensive sets.
“On the court, it’s unreal,” Loper said. “I tell her all the time, ‘Man. I wish I had your ability.’ It’s scary because she hasn’t reached her potential yet.”
Loper said Alleyne can improve if she continues to watch film and identify moments when she doesn’t lock down against her opponent.
Alleyne has received a flurry of player of the week awards, including the Ann Meyers Drysdale Award and an espnW honor. That doesn’t stop Alleyne, however, from continuing to think about her potential and future.
“I think about it in practice. I think about it when I work out,” Alleyne said. “I think about it when I lay in my bed. The sky really is the limit.”
Alleyne credits the people around her for her continued success. She said when people around her believe in her, she knows that she is capable of improving her game.
“I couldn’t tell you where I want to go or how far I am going to get, but I’m definitely pushing to be at the top,” Alleyne said.
Alleyne said areas of improvement she focuses on include developing a 15-to-18 foot jump shot and improving on her left-hand shooting ability and free-throw consistency.
“My teammates are very encouraging,” Alleyne said. “They really believe in me and I take that, I believe in myself. I believe that when you set an example, people will follow.”
Loper likely spends the most time with Alleyne off the court. As roommates, they often talk about basketball and ways to improve. Loper said she thinks people around the country don’t truly appreciate Alleyne’s ability level and predicts that Alleyne could average 25 points and 20 rebounds throughout the entirety of the season.
“I have a lot of respect for her,” Loper said. “I have a lot of envy because of her ability.”
Graves is no stranger to developing WNBA players. Over the last five years, he’s had a graduated student-athlete reach the next level every year.
“She’s got the opportunity to be a real good pro(fessional),” Graves said. “She has to expand her game and get better, but we still have lots of time to work on that.”
In Alleyne, Graves says he has a player whose success could attract other recruits interested in playing for a program that produces WNBA-caliber players.
“She has it in her brain,” Graves said. “She knows what she needs to do and what she needs to work on to become better.”
Follow Jonathan Hawthorne on Twitter @Jon_Hawthorne