The women’s basketball team welcomes three first years from Indiana. Photos by Grace Hensley. 

JIA SKRUDLAND | SPORTS REPORTER | jskrudland@butler.edu 

“Welcome to the Team” is a Q&A series where the Collegian sits down with student-athletes who are entering their first season at Butler University. These articles will address why they chose Butler, what they hope to get out of their first season and some personal tidbits that you won’t find anywhere else. 

This week, sports reporter Jia Skrudland sat down with the three first years who are playing for the Butler women’s basketball team: Karsyn Norman, Riley Makalusky and Cristen Carter. 

All three were named to the 2022-23 IBCA Senior “Supreme 15” team —  a recognition of the top 15 players in the state regardless of school classification. 

Karsyn Norman is a 5-foot-6-inch guard from Bedford, Indiana studying exploratory business. Norman attended Bedford North Lawrence High School. 

JIA SKRUDLAND: When did you find your passion for basketball and realize you wanted to take your game to the next level? 

KARSYN NORMAN: I started when I was four [in] a church league. I always want[ed] to play on the boys team [because they were] super competitive. Then, I played softball and basketball growing up — I was always super competitive in both. I realized that I was better at basketball and then a love grew [for it] from there. In eighth grade, I got my first Division 1 offer, and that’s [when] I knew, ‘Okay, this is what I want to do.’ 

JS: At Bedford North Lawrence, you set the school record for career assists with 352. How have you been able to bring one of your greatest strengths to Butler? 

KN: I can score, but I’m more of a creator than anything. As a point guard, that’s something we need. [Coach Parkinson] always talks about the speed we have at the point guard position this year because we’re really fast. I [have] to have something since I’m small, [so] I would say speed and creating [plays] for my teammates. 

JS: You and Riley Makalusky were teammates before Butler, having played AAU basketball together for Indiana Elite. What has it been like playing alongside Makalusky throughout the years? 

KN: We only played together last year, but we definitely had fun. It felt so short because we only played together the very last year, but whenever we would go and play in All-Star games [throughout] our senior year, we already had that chemistry and it’s just going to carry over. 

JS: What set Butler apart from the other schools you received offers from throughout the recruitment process? 

KN: The coaching staff. They definitely made me feel like a priority.

JS: What are you most looking forward to this season? 

KN: Playing in the Big East Conference. I really want to get to the NCAA tournament. 

JS: How have you enjoyed working alongside Coach P thus far? 

KN: We like to make fun of each other. He reminds me a lot of my dad. He’s super super hard on me, but in a loving way. We like to make fun of each other, [and] it’s a very comfort[ing] thing for me, because I don’t need someone to be my best friend, I need someone who’s gonna coach me. 

JS: What does it mean to you to have the opportunity to play in front of your friends and family? 

KN: Oh my gosh, it means a lot. In Bedford, it was such a basketball town. We probably had more people there for the girls games than the boys games. There’s a lot of little kids that will be here hopefully — my [previous] team. I know a lot of people [who] are [going to] follow me up here. That’s one thing, I want to play in front of a crowd, so I hope that they all come here and support us. 

JS: Do you have a treasured piece of clothing item that you couldn’t fathom to get rid of? 

KN: I have this huge oversized Nike gray zip-up. I literally do wear [it] like every day. 

JS: What is your craziest hottake? 

KN: Water. I hate water. I cannot drink plain water. During practice I’m squirting flavoring in my water and filling it up. Plain water [is] gross. 

Riley Makalusky is a 6-foot-2-inch guard/forward from Fishers, Indiana studying exploratory business. Makalusky attended Hamilton Southeastern High School. 

Jia Skrudland: When did you find your passion for basketball and realize you wanted to take your game to the next level? 

RILEY MAKALUSKY: My mom played at Villanova. She played in the Big East, so it’s always been my dream to play within the Big East. I realized I [wanted] to play basketball, but not competitively until seventh or eighth grade, so I started a little later than everyone else. After I got my first offer, which was around freshman year, I feel like [that] definitely skyrocketed my love for basketball. 

JS: How did playing all four years of high school basketball as a starter on varsity prepare you for Butler? 

RM: I would say [it definitely] prepare[d] me to play under pressure. My coach in high school held us accountable, so I feel like [that helped teach] me how to be a leader and work good with others. It just prepared me well to show leadership and show teamwork. 

JS: What was your defining moment throughout your recruitment process to commit to Butler? 

RM: I would say my relationship with Coach P. He [had been recruiting] me since my freshman year when he was at IUPUI. He [recruited me] the longest and definitely pushed the hardest for me. He made a better connection with me as a person, so he knew me really well and knew my strengths and weaknesses. He definitely did a great job. When he got the job at Butler, I was the first one in my class he had on campus. It’s just really exciting how much he cared about me.  

JS: You and Karsyn Norman were teammates before Butler, having played AAU basketball together for Indiana Elite. What has it been like playing alongside Karsyn throughout the years? 

KN: It’s been fun since we knew each other already [and] didn’t have to meet each other like all the other girls. It’s fun [because] we already had that chemistry. We know each other really well. 

JS: What does it mean to you to have the opportunity to play in front of your friends and family? 

RM: Honestly, that was everything in my decision. I think it’s so great. I’m so close to my family, so it’s just [going to] be amazing to have them come to my games, and all my friends and even my high school teammates — to have them come. I think it’s [going to] be a great atmosphere when we have more people at the games. 

JS: How has Coach P helped you adjust from the high school level to college? 

RM: Like Karsyn said, the toughlove. He cares about us a lot, but he’s definitely honest. He’ll tell us what we need to work on, but also care about me as a person which is really important. 

JS: What book or TV show impacted you most growing up and why? 

RM: “Good Luck, Charlie”. My sister and I used to watch that religiously. I don’t know, it’s just awesome. [Also,] “Girl Meets World”. It’s a fun one [because] I’m Riley and my sister [is] Maya, so we resonated with that show. 

JS: Who is your celebrity crush and why? 

RM: Oh my gosh. I don’t even know, this is so hard. Jayson Tatum. He just looks amazing. 

Cristen Carter is a 6-foot-4-inch forward from Indianapolis, Indiana studying health sciences on the pre-med track. Carter attended Ben Davis High School. 

Jia Skrudland: When did you find your passion for basketball and realize you wanted to take your game to the next level? 

CRISTEN CARTER: I’ve been playing since third grade, [but] I [would] say it [wasn’t until] freshman year. I started playing AAU really late, but that’s when I realized I was actually decent at basketball and found a love for it. 

JS: At Ben Davis you set the single-season school record for rebounds with 355. How have you been able to bring one of your greatest strengths to Butler? 

CC: I’m just trying to do the little things: [running] the floor, feel [the game], rebound and [boxing] out. 

JS: When did you know that Butler was the school for you throughout the recruitment process? 

CC: I was actually committed somewhere else and then I de-committed and decided to come here. I’m so grateful. I feel like everything works out how it’s supposed to, like being close to home. I love [Butler] and an education while playing in the Big East — it’s great. 

JS: What does it mean to you to be playing college basketball for your hometown school? 

CC: A lot, because my mom and dad don’t miss a game. I’m really excited to be close so they can come to all the games. 

JS: What are your favorite characteristics about Coach P? 

CC: He’s very honest. I like that he doesn’t sugarcoat things. He tells you what you need to hear, and we need a [coach] like that. 

JS: What are you most looking forward to this season? 

CC: Playing, traveling and experiencing new things. 

JS: What is something that you like that others don’t like? 

CC: Black licorice. Y’all can hate on that.  

JS: If you were to win an award like a Grammy or Oscar, what would it be for and why? 

CC: Dancing. I feel like I’m a great dancer from TikTok. 

Interviews have been edited for length and clarity.