Weber State women’s players begin growth into Lillard’s Basketball Alumni Classic
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- Larryn Brooks, left, and Zharia Hale embrace after Brooks made a halfcourt shot during the shooting stars contest at the Weber State Basketball Alumni Classic on Saturday, June 17, 2023, in Ogden.
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- Crystal Howe Nye warms up before the Weber State Basketball Alumni Classic on Saturday, June 17, 2023, in Ogden.
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- Damian Lillard, center, poses with members of the WSU women’s basketball team during the Weber State Basketball Alumni Classic on Saturday, June 17, 2023, in Ogden.
OGDEN — One of the most prominent players in Weber State’s basketball history was brought back to participate in the fifth Weber State Basketball Alumni Classic on Saturday.
Crystal Howe Nye was one of six former WSU women’s players to take the court, with women joining the action for the first time in the event. The two-time Big Sky champion joined Larryn Brooks, Zharia Hale, Julie Gjertsen Meurer, Tori Allen and Jamie Nadolski on the court for the shooting stars portion of the contests at the Dee Events Center.
“I got a call, ‘Hey Crystal, can you get some girls together?’ … It was a little short notice but we were able to pull enough together for at least the shooting contest,” Nye said. “I think it’s something that (Damian Lillard) wanted the women’s program here so I think that’s something that could grow into something big. It would be awesome to get the women involved. I think that’s what he wanted. It’s nice to see someone like him getting us involved.”
Nye, a native of Roy, was a three-time, All-Big Sky first-team player and led Weber State to the NCAA Tournament in 2002 and 2003. Being back at the Dee Events Center, and joining old friends at a reception at university president Brad Mortensen’s house the night before, were important things to get women’s alumni involved in, she said.
“It’s fun to be back here … it means a lot. Bringing you back to the Purple Palace floor, all those memories, the nostalgia kicks in. It’s fun to be back here and associating and being with those people who, for four or five years of your life, they were your family. Everybody from the athletic department, the administration, your professors,” Nye said. “Last night we were at a little reception and one of the professors that had me came up to me and I was just impressed that out of the hundreds of students they have, he remembered me.
“It’s just special that we’re all family and we’ll always stay a family. And the fact that they’re having us as women involved is awesome.”
Fifth-year player Jadyn Matthews attended her third alumni classic since coming to Weber State as a player; she was happy to see women getting more involved.
“I want to meet some of them, it’s not as emphasized as much as the men. I would love to get to know some of them and have them highlighted just as much,” Matthews said, “It’s a great opportunity. Hopefully, I’ll be back here someday just like them. … It’s really fun, really special to see Dame come out and do what he does, to see the other alumni.”
Two women figured prominently in the outcome of the shooting stars contest, too, a game where teams of three players try to make a layup, free throw, 3-pointer and half-court shot in as little time as possible.
Brooks (2017-18) made her team’s half-court shot in the preliminary round to give her, Nic Sparrow and Lindsey Hughey the best time of 15.9 seconds.
Hale (2016-17) claimed ultimate victory. She made the half-court shot to lift her, Davion Berry and JJ Overton to the win over the Brooks/Sparrow/Hughey team in the final round with a time of 21.2 seconds.
As for this year’s team, Matthews stuck around with fellow fifth-year star forward Daryn Hickok as head coach Jenteal Jackson takes over the program. Hopes are that Jackson’s coaching style and five new players via recruiting will lift the Wildcats into a more competitive team night in and night out.
“I think it’s going to be good. We’ve got a lot of new tools we can use on the floor and hopefully get our wins up a bit more,” Matthews said. “Coach Jax has been great. She’s had great communication with me, telling me her vision, her goals. She’s a big part of why I stayed, having those conversations with her and trusting what she’s saying. I’m trusting she brought in the right people to win and change the program around before I leave and give it one last go.”