Freshman Feature: Haley Troup
10/24/2017 12:43:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Mizzou freshman guard Haley Troup is no stranger to the hardwood. Growing up with basketball —from playing the sport to having a basketball coach as a father—has greatly influenced who Troup is today.
"It was huge," Troup said of her basketball-oriented upbringing. "There are pictures of me in huddles during the game and I'm right over his shoulder watching what he's drawing and I was always there at practice, playing with the guys."
Troup cites her father's influence as a reason for her devotion to the sport.
"I was always around basketball and I think that's one of the reasons it came really naturally to me," she said. "I just loved it from a young age and that had a lot to do with my dad."
Troup comes out of high school as a highly touted, versatile guard who accumulated 2,284 points, 1,235 rebounds and 842 assists throughout her remarkable career at Gadsden High School in Gadsden, Alabama. Over the course of her career, Troup amassed an impressive list of distinctions, being named 2016-17 7A Alabama Player of the Year and receiving Alabama Super All-State First Team recognition.
After originally signing with South Carolina, Troup will sit out the 2017-2018 campaign due to NCAA transfer rules. The year away from game action is not deterring Troup from making the most of her first year at Missouri.
"I really want to improve all aspects of my game and also be a great teammate," Troup said. "I just think I need to keep encouraging them and pushing them to be the best."
On the court, Troup prides herself on her natural passing and shooting abilities, apparent in all aspects of her game.
"I would say a lot of people recruited me for shooting," she said. "I think I can pass it really well too. I also put a big emphasis on rebounding just because I feel like not enough guards do that and I feel like it's an important part of the game," Troup said.
While acknowledging her strengths, Troup remained humble in mentioning what aspects of her game she plans on improving this year.
"I have to get better at everything," she said.
Troup understands the difference in level of competition between high school and college, which is magnified in the Southeastern Conference, and plans on using her year on the bench to progress her skills.
"Just getting faster and stronger and also improving on my skills," she said. "I think it's important to do that."
Off the court, Troup has found the transition to Columbia enjoyable. As the season quickly approaches, the Alabama-native is beginning to feel at home.
"I'm already starting to feel like part of the family. I got here late because of the transfer, but all the girls were super nice to me and really welcoming and I really appreciated that. I'm just really excited to be here and really excited to be a part of the culture and Coach Pingeton's program with all these girls," Troup said.
The Tigers open their exhibition slate Nov. 2 as they take on Southwest Baptist at Mizzou Arena.
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