Newcomer Feature: Lauren Hansen
12/12/2020 9:20:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Hansen Looks to Continue Strong Start to Collegiate Career
Different from Mizzou's three other newcomers, Lauren Hansen joins the Tigers with a year of collegiate basketball experience within the SEC under her belt. The Tiger sophomore spent her freshman campaign also as a Tiger, an Auburn Tiger, where she started 20 of the 25 games she played and displayed herself as an all-around team player on the court. She racked up double-digit scoring figures seven times, ranked second on the team with 40 three-pointers and ranked 10th among the entire SEC with 1.6 three-pointers made per game.
Originally from Long Island, New York, Her high school statistics also display nothing but consistency for Hansen as she ranked as the nation's No. 71 prospect (No. 20 guard) by ESPNW HoopGurlz. She set an all-time scoring record for both girls and boys at Ward-Melville High School.
"My AAU youth program really developed me into the person I am today," said Hansen as she discussed her most influential people and experiences. "I feel like it was my family all around as I played with them from sixth through eleventh grade and I spent all my time with them."
She believes her biggest influence is Kobe Bryant.
"He laid out a blueprint and I think that's why I do the things that I do."
She aspires to continue her education past her undergraduate degree and hopes to make it to the WNBA one day in the future.
Hansen chose Mizzou simply because of the family-like environment this team has.
"The coaching staff was part of my decision as our culture here is unmatched," said Hansen. "We are a community that you can't find anywhere else. I feel like we genuinely really care about each other and we really hold each other accountable and push each other every day on and off the court."
With a newfound culture she feels comfortable in, Hansen looks to continue the already strong start she has had to her collegiate career, this time as a Mizzou Tiger. The season began with good news for Hansen, as she was granted immediate eligibility on Nov. 17 and will be able to suit up for the Black & Gold this season.
