A quiet, confident guard, freshman Jordan Chavis (Lexington, N.C.) is already making noise for Mizzou this season.

Chavis' deadly outside shot hasn't gone unnoticed in the first 11 games of the season. During a four-game stretch in a week's span, she totaled 42 points in 77 minutes, 33 of which came from behind the arc. She's buried 15 three-pointers this season, the second-most on the team, including a career-high five treys in Mizzou's victory over Indiana State.

"My teammates and coaches have confidence in me when I shoot and that helps me more in the game to know 'Yeah, they want me to shoot,'" Chavis said. "With my teammates and coaches helping me through everything, that is what has been building me up." 

Although a small guard by SEC standards, Chavis, known by her teammates as JoJo, doesn't see any sort of limitations by her size, saying that she has always lived by a quote from Nate Robinson that says "I would rather have the heart than the height." Her determination and the support from her teammates has made her feel at home.

"In the beginning it was a bit of a struggle to getting used to things; to know new plays, new people, getting to know the whole atmosphere," Chavis said. "I've always told my parents that if I ever go far away it would be because it is a family atmosphere. I know a lot of people say it's a family atmosphere here, but it's very true. When I visited I just fell in love with everything so that's why I came here. The players are just a bunch of sisters that you could never even imagine to have.  It's really fun to be around them and the coaches."

Mizzou head coach Robin Pingeton describes Chavis as relaxed and levelheaded in her play, something Chavis says comes naturally and has visibly helped her adjust to the higher level of play.

"I was expecting as a freshman coming in, knowing people have gotten hurt, that we would have to step up, all the freshmen have had to," Chavis said. "I was expecting to play as much as they needed me to."

At Central Davidson High School, Chavis was selected to the Associated Press All-State team, named the MVP of the North Carolina-South Carolina All-Star game and named to the All-Conference team. With those accolades and more, she was recruited by many universities but chose to be a Tiger. However, Chavis has quickly learned that playing SEC basketball is not anything like high school.

"Everybody has helped me realize that this is not high school, this is college and they have helped me so much," she said. "I have never really been a loud talker, so one thing that has changed about my game is I have had to become more of a talker. Communication is key and very important."

For Chavis, the focus is her contribution to her teammates.

"It's not about the player I am, it's about how I can contribute," Chavis said.  "Lately my three point shot has been on a roll so that's one thing I am contributing but it's about the team. They've helped me grow as a person and they are helping me more each day. My goal is to help the team. We all want to win so that's the big goal. "

Chavis and the Tigers are 8-3 as they finish up a four-game homestand with games on Saturday and Monday. Tip off on Saturday vs. UT-Martin is set for 11 a.m.