“Welcome to the Team” is a Q&A series where the Collegian sits down with first-year 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 this season and some personal tidbits that you won’t find anywhere else.
This week, staff reporter Molly Scheuer sat down with four first-years from the Butler women’s basketball team: Laniah Wills, Olivia Hastings, Lexi Baer and Sage Miskel.
Laniah Wills is a 6’0” guard from Anderson, Ind. Photo by Mason Buysse.
THE BUTLER COLLEGIAN: Why did you choose Butler?
LANIAH WILLS: I chose Butler because they had everything I was looking for. [The coaching staff] made me feel like I had a family. Even though I’m not very far from home, family was what I was looking for. I like how the school is an academic school too. So outside of basketball, the campus is nice, and [I like] the fact that it’s 40 minutes from my hometown. All my family, friends and fans can come watch me [play].
TBC: What is your favorite basketball memory?
LW: One of my favorite [memories] is going to state my freshman year. Even though we lost by one, that was our first time going to state. [It] put us on the map. My next one is probably scoring my 2,000 [points] because that’s not common for [many] people. Also [getting] 1,000 rebounds too because no one’s getting 1,000 rebounds.
TBC: What is your pre-game superstition/ritual?
LW: I have to put on the same sock on the same foot every time before I do the other. Same with my shoes, and then I have to smack every door frame [or low-hanging ceiling] I can [reach]. I like to talk to myself and I talk to God. I have two coaches that passed away, so I like to talk to them in my head too.
TBC: How did you become interested in basketball?
LW: I grew up in a family that played basketball. My mom, aunt and uncle all played in college. I was kind of forced into it [because] as a child I didn’t want to play. I was a cheerleader, but I tried [basketball] out. My aunt was a high school coach at the time, so she started working me out in third grade. [She] had me in the weight room and the gym and all kinds of stuff. From there, I started really liking [basketball] and taking it seriously in seventh grade. I knew that that’s what I wanted to do with my life. [I had] all kinds of people in my family to help me out, like coaches and stuff. It made [basketball] something that I [knew] I wanted to do and I had to do.
TBC: If you could have dinner with any basketball player, who would it be?
LW: If I could have dinner with any basketball player, I would have dinner with Kevin Durant. He’s just cool, and he’s so like me, and I’m so like him. I call him my dad because we’re just the same. He’s nonchalant, tall and lanky. I’m nonchalant, tall and lanky [too]. I want to know what goes through his head. He can score whenever he wants. I want to talk to him about that.
Olivia Hastings is a 6’3” forward/center from Sydney, Australia. Photo by Mason Buysse.
TBC: How did you find Butler and know it was the school for you?
OLIVIA HASTINGS: I found Butler through playing for New Zealand at the World Cup. I also went on a group [trip] with ATC, and I got to play in front of coaches in America. That’s where I got scouted, and then [I have] been talking to them forever. I went on a visit here and met the people, saw the place and saw how [much] basketball means to the school. So then I thought, ‘Yeah, this is definitely the place for me.’
TBC: How did you get into basketball?
OH: In Australia [we have] netball. I played and got scouted through netball. One of my best mates, she said, ‘Oh, basketball’s so much better! You have to [play] basketball.’ I gave it a go and loved it. I started playing from there.
TBC: What are you looking forward to this season?
OH: Getting to play and be amongst [basketball at] the [college] level, especially in the Big East. It will be awesome to see this new level of basketball.
TBC: What have you learned playing internationally that you hope to bring to Butler?
OH: I think the different style of [play] in Australia and New Zealand. Bringing over some of that, but also learning a new style here is very important as well.
TBC: What is your favorite home-cooked meal?
OH: Meat pie!
Lexi Baer is a 6’2” guard from Peoria, Ill. Photo by Mason Buysse.
TBC: Why did you decide to come to Butler?
LEXI BAER: I decided to come to Butler because I love the culture that they [ built] here. I love the campus. Originally, I was recruited by the old coaches, and I committed under the old coaches. But I talked to Coach [Marchesano] and the staff at their old school, so I knew them coming in. I trusted what they do, and I really liked them as people and as coaches. So it didn’t change [my desire] to come here.
TBC: What is your favorite basketball memory?
LB: My favorite basketball memory was going to state back-to-back my sophomore and junior year in high school. Another [favorite memory] was going through the process of recruitment for college because it’s always been a dream of mine, and so actually being able to experience that was an amazing thing.
TBC: How did you become interested in basketball?
LB: I grew up around [basketball]. Both my parents played in college; my brothers and all of my family play basketball. At first, when I was really young, I didn’t actually want to play, but I came around to it. Ever since I truly started playing, it’s always been my favorite sport and what I wanted to do.
TBC: How do you plan on bringing your successes from high school to Butler?
LB: I plan to bring my successes from high school to Butler by doing what I do and what the coaches are expecting from me. In high school, I was primarily a shooter, and so I want to be able to be a consistent person that the team can rely on. I also [want to] expand my game. [I want to bring] the winning culture and push everyone to be the best they can be.
TBC: If you could have a superpower on the court, what would it be?
LB: I’m deciding between two. The first one would be I’d never miss a shot. It’s a great one, but you could say I already have that. Or I’d say super speed because I’d never get beat on defense, and I’d just be able to beat everybody.
Sage Miskel is a 5’6” guard from Whitefish Bay, Wis. Photo by Mason Buysse.
TBC: Why did you pick Butler?
SAGE MISKEL: It was an easy choice for me because this was my dream school growing up. Both of my parents went here and my dad played here, so it was always my dream to come here. It was something I worked towards as a goal when I was younger.
TBC: How did you get into basketball?
SM: Obviously, I started playing basketball because my dad played. Actually, when I started playing, I was awful, like actually horrible at basketball. My dad [asked me], ‘Hey, do you really want to do this or not?’ And I said, ‘Yeah, of course.’ Then I ended up actually pursuing it.
TBC: What are you most excited for this season?
SM: I’m most excited about being on a team that has such big goals, and I’m really excited for what we can show this season. We’re a whole new team, and [I am] excited to exceed expectations.
TBC: You helped lead your high school basketball team to its first state championship. How do you plan to use that experience at Butler?
SM: In that experience, I learned a lot about leadership and putting the team before yourself. I plan to continue to grow in my leadership. Especially as a freshman, there are so many people I can learn from here to continue to be a leader, and being able to work with a team and succeed helps to become a better person.
TBC: What is your go-to game day hairstyle?
SM: My favorite game day hairstyle is two braids into a ponytail.