Dec. 30, 2002

By MU Media Relations Office

A year ago at this time, Megan Roney was not having any fun playing basketball.

"I didn't care my senior year," said Roney, who hails from Independence, Mo. "I was always tired. I'd get in the game for 10 seconds and I'd signal to come out. I just thought I didn't want to be out there. I didn't realize why I was tired. I thought I just hated basketball and didn't want to play."

However, that was not the case at all as Roney, a freshman center this season for the Tigers, discovered she had anemia during her last prep season. That discovery was made just one week prior to her arrival at MU.

Roney's recovery has enabled her to play a role in Missouri's 8-2 start. However, there was a time when playing basketball this year might have been the furthest thought from her mind.

"After sitting there for a year thinking you hate basketball, it's really kind of hard to be 'I love basketball.' I think I made myself hate basketball, even though I didn't," said Roney. "It was just that I was so tired and didn't have the physical energy to do it.

"Basketball has always been a part of my life," she continued. "I think it's made me the person I am and I can't see me without it. After my whole 'I'm not playing' incident, I guess I just want to prove to myself that I can play it here and I'm not as horrible as I thought I was. I just want to prove I can get better and overcome whatever obstacles come my way."

One of those obstacles is making the adjustment to college basketball, particularly playing inside.

"I have to learn how to be a post player. In high school, I don't think I ever posted up anyone my entire senior year," said Roney. "I stood on the wing and shot. I'd rebound but I didn't play in the post.

"It's like starting all over. It's tough," she said. "You have to be more physical. It's a matter of preparing yourself for that style of play."

Roney has started to make that transition. She scored two points in her collegiate debut against UMKC and recorded a career-high six points in MU's win over Arkansas-Pine Bluff. Roney claims no one will see her get excited about her on-court contributions.

"I'm really not an emotional person. I don't get excited, I don't get down," she said. "I pretty much stay on an even plateau. I do get excited but you can't tell. No one will ever be able to tell if I get excited because I try to keep a cool head. You won't see me jumping up and down, pumping my fist, just because I scored."

But one thing that does get Roney excited is being a member of the women's basketball team. That role is more than just performing on the court, according to Roney.

"When I first got here, I didn't know the rest of the team but they became my best friends in about five minutes," said Roney. "It's cool just knowing they're there for you despite not knowing you for years like the rest of your friends have. Knowing they're there makes the rest of college go easier."

And Roney could use some smooth sailing after already dealing with tough issues in her life.