July 28, 2008
- Meet the Lady Frogs Archive
TreKessa (aka TK) LaFleur is entering her second year with the TCU women's basketball program after transferring from Nebraska, where she played two seasons from 2005 through 2007. Forced to sit out last season due to NCAA transfer rules, LaFleur will play the upcoming campaign as a junior.
One of four transfers who will suit up for the Lady Frogs for the first time in 2008-09, LaFluer is an athletic player who is versatile enough to both get to the rim and shoot the three. She is also a very active presence on the defensive end of the court. Standing at 5-8, TCU coaches expect LaFleur to be a key cog in the team's task of replacing last season's five-player senior class. Missing from last season's team will be 68 percent of the squad's points, 57 percent of the rebound totals and more than 75 percent of the assist numbers.
A native of Houston, LaFleur played in 64 games during two seasons at Nebraska, the last of which ended in the team's first NCAA Tournament bid since the 1999-2000 season. She averaged 5.4 points, 2.7 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game while playing 19.7 minutes each contest as a sophomore. She scored in double figures four times, including a career-high 16-point effort against Florida Atlantic. She totaled 5.4-point and 1.9-board averages as a true freshman in 2005-06.
Like fellow Houstonian, former AAU and current Frog teammate Eboni Mangum, LaFluer was a prized high school recruit, finishing her prep career at Warren Township High School in Gurnee, Ill., near Chicago following two years at Langham Creek High in Houston. She was ranked as the nation's No. 5 two-guard by All-Star Girls Report as a senior in 2004-05 only one year after receiving the publication's No. 43 ranking on its Top-100 juniors list.
LaFleur earned honorable-mention All-America honors from Street & Smith's as a prep and was also a member of the USA Youth Developmental Festival North Team. Her junior season at Warren Township, when she was selected first-team all-area by the Arlington Heights Daily Herald, featured averages of 16.7 points, 5.4 rebounds and 3.3 steals per game.
First off, what does your family call you--TK or TreKessa?
TK LaFleur: My brother calls me `Kessa,' because when he was younger he couldn't say my whole name, so he still calls me that. But it's a little of both. More times than not my mom calls me TreKessa. When they call me TreKessa Lorraine, that means intense trouble right there.
How was your first year at TCU?
TL: It was good. I liked everything.
Was it tough sitting out the year?
TL: At the beginning, it wasn't, but when conference (season) started it was really hard.
Did having two other teammates (Chantelle John and Eboni Mangum) sitting out with you make it easier?
TL: That made it a lot better. I wouldn't have wanted to go through it by myself. It was nice when the team traveled. We would always hang out. It's not like I was all alone.
You used to play AAU ball with Eboni Mangum. Were you excited when she chose to come to TCU?
TL: I kind of helped get her here. I had already been here a month, and she was calling me and asking me questions about (TCU). I told her I liked it so far, the coaches were cool and that she would love the teammates if she came here. I just kind of tried to help sell the program to her. Then when she finally said she was coming I was excited, because we were going to get to play together again.
What attracted you to come to TCU?
TL: When I came on my visit I didn't get to meet too many of the players, but the place seemed really cool. (The university) was a lot smaller than Nebraska, so I kind of liked that aspect. I liked the coaches and felt really comfortable. I felt like I was myself when I was here and I enjoyed everything.
Did coming back to the state of Texas play a big part in your decision?
TL: It really didn't. I could go far from home. I wasn't necessarily looking to come back home, it just so happened that I felt really comfortable here.
Can you describe your style of play?
TL: I like to play in transition, in the open court. The half court is okay, but I'd rather run the floor and always create something. Usually I will create from the inside out. I usually want to try to attack first, get a few fouls and to the free throw line before trying to work my way outside. And even if I don't score, I still want to get the ball to my teammates. I just want to get the easy shot.
Do you have an all-time favorite player?
TL: I grew up watching Tennessee play. I liked Michelle Snow and Tamika Catchings.
Would you say that you are more of a vocal leader or a leader by example?
TL: I usually like to lead by example, but I once went to a point guard camp and they kind of forced us to speak on the court. I'm working on doing both, because our whole team is basically new and young. I think we need a vocal leader. Even though I don't have experience here, I do have experience in college and have seen how that works. I'm working to be one of those people to fill in that gap.
What kind of battle does the team face next season with replacing five seniors?
TL: I think it will be fun. It should be a true test of everyone's character and how well we will mesh together. Every team has high expectations going in, but I feel we may be underestimated a little. We need to use that to our advantage. I think we have a little bit of everything in every position. If you stop one of us, it shouldn't hurt us as much because we have so much talent in different places. I'm really excited for this upcoming season to see how everything works out.
Do you have any goals for the season?
TL: First, of course, if for us to get back to the NCAA Tournament, and I want us to win the Mountain West. That kind of stuff is special to me. Individually, I want to play like one of the top players in the conference. I want to be someone other teams need to watch for, someone who contributes at a high level.
What are you looking forward to most about the season?
TL: Not many people will say this, but I think I'm looking forward to practice just to see what the coaches have worked up for our team. I think we are a different team (from last season), and pretty much everybody is coming back the next season. I want to see what they are going to have us do, the plays they are going to run and how they are going to use us. I'm excited for practice to see how that all works out.
Have you notice since the offseason began anyone who has improved their game?
TL: Everyone has a new-found confidence. In practice last year there might have been some players who were like, "We'll just let the seniors do it," where now it is their time to shine and they are taking advantage of it. I have seen improvements in confidence, what they can do and are capable of doing.
In what area have you decided to focus academically?
TL: I changed my major. I am an advertising/public relations major with a minor in business.
What number are you wearing now, and is there any significance to it?
TL: #12. To be honest, in high school I was the only freshman on varsity and the rule was that all (upperclassmen) had to get their jerseys first. Everyone grabbed their jersey, and the next one left for me was 12. I have just stuck with it since then, nothing special.
