If Nikki Blue wasn’t such a risk taker, she would be at
Connecticut right now, rubbing elbows with All-Americans and
signing autographs by the dozen.
She would have two national championships, one from both her
freshman and sophomore seasons. Each time she buried a jump shot or
pick-pocketed some hapless opposing guard, UConn students would be
chanting her name and ESPN would send cameras to chronicle her
every move.
Yup, she would have had it all, right? Wrong, actually.
The UCLA guard rejected a scholarship offer three years ago from
UConn, the reigning queen of college basketball, instead taking a
gamble ““ well, more like a leap of faith ““ that she
could lead the struggling Bruins into the national title
picture.
That’s exactly what leaders are made of.
Blue, a Bakersfield native, said it would mean much more to be
the engine that propelled UCLA up the rankings instead of just
another cog in the UConn assembly line.
At the time, people told her she was crazy. Now that the Bruins
have broken into the national rankings three years later, she is
beginning to make them eat their words.
“I’m the kind of person who likes to take
risks,” Blue said. “It was more intriguing for me to
come here. I like to take the hard way instead of the easy
way.”
This, however, wasn’t just the hard way. This was more
like trying to knock down a heavy wooden door instead of just using
a key to open it.
Before Blue arrived, UConn had just captured its third national
championship. UCLA, on the other hand, was essentially talent-bare
after suffering through a pair of agonizing 20-loss seasons.
But Blue’s decision to become a Bruin helped UCLA coach
Kathy Olivier restock her roster and build some momentum. First
Lisa Willis signed. Then a year later it was Noelle Quinn and
Amanda Livingston. Now that Newhall Hart High’s Ashlee
Trebilcock has signed a letter of intent to attend UCLA next
season, it marks the third straight recruiting class since
Blue’s that Olivier has signed at least one
Prep-All-American.
“We’re right on track,” Blue said.
Maybe even a little ahead of schedule.
UCLA, which advanced to the NCAA Tournament last season for the
first time since 1999, has the pieces in place for a magical season
this year ““ one that could certainly help Blue sleep a little
easier at night.
She doesn’t regret spurning UConn to come to Westwood.
She doesn’t regret not being in the spotlight, not playing
for Geno Auriemma, and not winning 30 games a season.
But at the same time, even though Blue says she has no regrets,
a run deep into March might ease those last few nagging doubts.
“Sometimes I think what if I would have gone to UConn and
already had two championship rings,” Blue said. “Then
again, what if my mom couldn’t watch me play every game? What
if I had to wear four jackets to class because I’m anemic and
I hate the cold weather?”
Chances are UCLA won’t get that national title this year
““ and maybe not next year either.
But Blue says all she wants to see each season is progress.
That means contending for the conference title and winning at
least two games in the tournament this year, then gearing up for
one final push in 2006.
“As long as we’re making progress,” Blue said.
“Even if I don’t get to that point where I win a
championship, maybe somebody a year or two after me will win a
championship, and I’ll feel good for laying down the
foundation.”
The foundation was laid three years ago when Blue decided to
stay close to home.
Now it’s up to her and the rest of the Bruins to prove
that risk was not in vain.
Eisenberg is a former women’s basketball beat writer.
E-mail him at jeisenberg@media.ucla.edu.