Player Profile - Natalie Bright
2/26/2002 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Feb. 24, 2002
MU Media Relations Office
When senior Natalie Bright joined the Missouri women's basketball program four years ago, she was unsure of what was going to happen. After her final regular season home game today against Oklahoma, she will once again be unsure of the future.
Bright, a native of West Des Moines, Iowa, would like to enter a career in federal law enforcement after graduating from MU in May. However, that will have to wait for the time being.
"It's gone by so fast. It really has," said Bright, who ranks among the program's all-time leaders in 3-point field goals made, 3-point field goal percentage and assists. "I think, 'Wow.' It's unbelievable to think of how many games have gone by, how many practices we've had. It's been the greatest experience I've ever had. I think it is a long and demanding experience but I'm going to miss it. I'm grateful I gave it everything I had all of the time."
Since arriving at Missouri, Bright and the Tigers' program have reached the postseason twice and await word on what will happen this season. Those results are a far cry from the program's status prior to her arrival and far still from where Bright sees it is headed.
"When I was a freshman, we didn't play in the postseason," she said. "The next year we went to the WNIT. It was a big step for this program just to get into postseason play. We turned it up last year and went to the NCAA Sweet Sixteen, which was unbelievable.
"Five years from now, when this program is a national championship caliber team, I'll be so proud to be a part of the Mizzou tradition and be part of that foundation."
But before that happens, Bright - one of Missouri's captains this season - has many things she wants to pass on to the team.
"I'm trying to tell them that pretty soon, you're going to play your last game," she said. "As much as you feel like it's draining and so hard, it's the best time you're going to have in your life. You're playing basketball and pretty soon you're going to have a job. It goes by fast. You have to take it one day at a time and enjoy it.
"I'm going to miss it so much," continued Bright. "It's going to be very emotional for me. I love playing the game of basketball. It's my love. It's the greatest thing in the world to play ... play Kansas, play Texas Tech ... It's the best experience in the world. I'm going to be so sad because I love playing basketball and I love these girls."
And as a result of those feelings, Bright knows today's game against Oklahoma will be special. Despite that feeling, Bright admits it will be difficult to shut down those emotions and play.
"I'm going to try. I did it in high school but it's a whole different experience here," said Bright. "It hasn't hit me yet. I don't think it'll hit me until a year later that I'm actually done playing basketball. Hopefully, I can get over it and play hard."
