Meet the Lady Frogs--No. 24 Eboni Mangum
7/21/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
July 22, 2008
Eboni Mangum is in her second year with the TCU women's basketball program after transferring from Louisiana Tech, where she played a pair of seasons from 2005 through 2007. Forced to sit out last season due to NCAA transfer rules, Mangum will play the upcoming campaign as a junior.
A versatile point guard who also possesses the ability to move over and play shooting guard, Mangum is one of four transfers who will see their first official competition for TCU in 2008-09. Her play this season will be important for a Lady Frog squad attempting to make a return to the NCAA Tournament while replacing last season's five-player senior class. Head Coach Jeff Mittie and his Lady Frogs will be looking to make up 68 percent of TCU's offense lost from last season, 57 percent of the rebounding totals and more than 75 percent of the team's assist numbers.
Mangum's success in handling the point will be just one of the many keys for the Frogs in meeting their goals.
A native of Houston, the 5-8 Mangum made 31 starts while playing 58 games over her two seasons playing for Louisiana Tech. She helped lead the Lady Techsters to a share of the WAC regular-season crown as a sophomore, when she paced the team in assists (3.2 apg) and ranked third in scoring average (8.6 ppg). A year earlier, she earned a spot on the WAC All-Freshman team after averaging 7.5 points per game in addition to Co-Freshman of the Year honors in the state of Louisiana by the state's sportswriter's association.
Mangum was a prized recruit in the prep ranks out of John Foster Dulles High School in Houston. In addition to being ranked as the 18th-best high school senior in 2005 by All-Star Girl's Report, she was named a finalst for the McDonald's All-American Team the same season. Mangum scored more than 2,500 points to go with more than 220 3-pointers during her prep career and averaged 20.5 points, 3.9 rebounds, 3.9 steals and 3.8 assists per game as a senior for the Vikings.
Going into your second year at TCU, how did you deal with having to sit out last season?
Eboni Mangum: It was very difficult, but there were positives. I was learning new things coming to a new program, and having to sit out a year helped make me mentally tough. I think it was a good experience.
What was it like having to sit out an entire year from competition?
EM: We had two other girls who also had to sit out, Chantelle (John) and TK (LaFleur). I know during games we probably joked a lot about trying to sub ourselves in, but it was just really tough not being able to compete and play the game that we love. We were only limited to practice, so that made it kind of hard.
Have you ever had an injury that made you sit out like that before?
EM: I tore my ACL (while at Louisiana Tech), but it was toward the end of the year and I continued to play anyway.
Did having two other teammates in the same situation help you deal with not playing?
EM: That helped a lot. I wasn't the only one who had to sit out during this process, so it made it a lot easier.
Why did you decide to come to TCU?
EM: TK came here and it was just a good opportunity at the right time. With the (transfer) restrictions that I had from my previous school, I would say it was a blessing that I was able to get a scholarship to come here. I was limited to where I could go. Coach Mittie really came through for me.
So, you knew TK before you came to TCU?
EM: We've known each other since we were 12. We've been playing ball with each other since then, so it was a good opportunity.
Did the chance to return to Texas play a part in your decision?
EM: It's a little closer than Louisiana Tech, but I don't really get homesick so it wasn't a big deal for me. It is a better opportunity for my parents to be able to catch most of my games, though.
If you could compare your style of play to one player, who would it be?
EM: I'm more of an all-around player at the point. I can run the point and score. I can play the 1, 2 or 3 (positions).
Being a point guard, what kind of leadership skills do you have?
EM: I think I'm more of a leader on the court. I know how to talk not only to the team, but also to each player individually. I've been playing this position throughout my basketball career to actually become a leader.
Do you have a favorite all-time player?
EM: Kim Perrot (Houston Comets).
Do you have any goals for the upcoming season?
EM: (As a point guard, I want) to get the whole team on the same page. As a team, we need to be effective during the preseason, and later to be more efficient in conference play than in previous years. We also want to try and be a ranked team.
How much have you seen the team change in the last few months with the loss of five seniors?
EM: Last year they had a pretty good team, and it was focused mainly on the play of the seniors. This year we will have mostly younger players, and it's forcing all of us to mature quicker. We're going to have to replace a lot of scoring in Adrianne (Ross) and Lorie (Butler-Rayford). That's our main concern--finding ways to replace those lost points.
How has the team gone about off-season workouts?
EM: We had a meeting where we decided that we were going to try and work out together, in addition to on our own, to try and get better. There are other players out there who are doing the same things we are doing, so we need to try and do even more.
What are you looking forward to most this season?
EM: Just getting the chance to play again. That year off really took a lot out of me. It's going to be really exciting to be back on the court again in a real jersey.
Have you decided yet on where you are going to focus academically?
EM: I'm a communications major now but trying to switch to business with a radio/TV minor. Hopefully I will get a business degree while keeping some of that communications emphasis.
What number are you going to wear this year and why?
EM: No. 24. I have worn it since I was in high school.
Players Mentioned
