1997-98:
As a sophomore in 1996-97: Played in all 30 games, starting in 28. Earned Big Twelve honorable mention honors. Led the team in rebounding with 282, averaging 9.7. Finished the season ranked ninth on the MU all-time single season rebound list. Set a new single game record with 23 rebounds against Missouri-St. Louis. Finished the season ranked second in the conference in rebounding. Led the team in blocks with 30. Ranks eighth on the MU all-time career list in blocks with 67. Earned all-tournament honors in the Paradise Classic and the Mid-America Classic. Recorded 10 double-doubles. Best career performance was 23 points and 23 rebounds against Missouri-St. Louis. Ranked second on the team in scoring, averaging 10.4 ppg. Finished season ranked third on MU's career rebounding average list with a career average of 8.4. Ranks sixth on MU's single game rebound list with 18 boards two times. Ranks fourth on the single season blocked shots list with five against SEMO. Finished season ranked second on MU's career field-goal percentage list with a career average of .552.
As a freshman in 1995-96: Named Big Eight Freshman of the Year. Ranks eighth on the all-time single-season blocks list with 37. Played in 27 games, including 24 starts. Scored in double figures sixteen times. Recorded six double-doubles. Blocked a career-high six shots against Southeast Missouri State, tying the MU record for blocks in a single game. Scored a career-high 23 points against Southeast Missouri State. Averaged 11.5 points per game. Pulled down a career-high 13 rebounds against Sam Houston State and Missouri-St. Louis. Averaged 7.1 rebounds per game. Named Big Eight Player of the Week for Dec. 18.
High School: MVP of Missouri Hall of Fame All-Star game in July of 1995. Played on AAU team that went to Nationals this summer. Averaged 17.7 points, 17.2 rebounds and 6.7 blocked shots per game as a senior. Shot 64 percent from the field. Second-team all-state selection, two-time all-district pick and a first-team choice on the all-suburban Middle Six Conference team for four years. Scored 1,402 points, grabbed 1,431 rebounds and blocked 539 shots in her career at Winnetonka High School. A four-year starter, Bonds holds or shares 18 school records, including scoring. Had single-game highs of 42 points, 31 rebounds and 15 blocks. Also a four-year volleyball standout at Winnetonka and played AAU basketball for three years.
Personal: Majoring in finance and banking. Born October 10, 1977. Parents are Blanch and Woodie Bonds.
Full name: Rokesha Nikela Bonds
Nickname: Kesha
Favorite athlete: Keyshawn Johnson
My hobbies are: Volleyball
My favorite food is: Pizza
My favorite movie is: Faceoff
My favorite women's professional team is: The Houston Comets
My favorite women's basketball player is: Tina Thompson
My favorite quote is: You will because you can
My craziest ambition is to: Win the lottery and move to the country with my family
If I weren't playing college basketball I would be: Playing volleyball
My greatest moment in sports was: Beating Kansas by 20 points my freshman year
Before a basketball game I: Sleep
The one thing I like most about basketball is: The excitement
When I want to get away from basketball I: Go home and be with my family
The best athlete I ever played against was: Erika Martin
My primary inspiration in sports is: My whole family
My goal in life is: To become a successful business woman
My advice to youngsters is: Stay in school, because an education is the best thing you can give yourself
The best thing about being an athlete is: The respect you receive and staying in shape
The worst thing about being an athlete is: Time and missing out on the normal college day
1996-97:
As a freshman in 1995-96: Named Big Eight Freshman of the Year. Ranks eighth on the all-time single-season blocks with 37. Played in 27 games, including 24 starts. Scored in double figures sixteen times. Recorded six double-doubles. Blocked a career-high six shots against Southeast Missouri State, tying the MU record for blocks in a single game. Scored a career-high 23 points against Southeast Missouri State. Averaged 11.5 points per game. Pulled down a career-high 13 rebounds against Sam Houston State and Missouri-St. Louis. Averaged 7.1 rebounds per game. Named Big Eight Player of the Week for Dec. 18.
High School: MVP of Missouri Hall of Fame All-Star game in July of 1995. Played on AAU team that went to Nationals this summer. Averaged 17.7 points, 17.2 rebounds and 6.7 blocked shots per game as a senior. Shot 64 percent from the field. Second-team all-state selection, two-time all-district pick and a first-team choice on the all-suburban Middle Six Conference team for four years. Scored 1,402 points, grabbed 1,431 rebounds and blocked 539 shots in her career at Winnetonka High School. A four-year starter, Bonds holds or shares 18 school records, including scoring. Had single-game highs of 42 points, 31 rebounds and 15 blocks. Also a four-year volleyball standout at Winnetonka and played AAU basketball for three years.
Personal: Majoring in finance and banking. Born October 10, 1977. Parents are Blanch and Woodie Bonds.
The Bonds File
Full name: Rokesha Nikela Bonds
Nickname: Kesha
Favorite athlete: Dawn Staley
Favorite person: My parents
Favorite food: Pizza
Favorite sports team: Dallas Cowboys
Favorite movie: Sleepless in Seattle
Favorite TV show: Mama's Family
I chose Missouri because: It was close to home
What impresses me most about Coach Rutherford is: Her coaching style.
Before a basketball game I: Listen to music.
The best thing about being an athlete is: Staying in shape and getting an education.
The worst thing about being an athlete is: Not enough time
My most memorable basketball achievement is: Being named Big Eight Freshman of the Year
Most influential person in my basketball career: My parents
If I had a million dollars I'd buy: A house
My advice to youngsters is: Work hard at everything you do and get an education.
My goal in life is: To be successful at everything.
AWARDS & HONORS
- 1995-96 Big Eight Freshman of the Year
- 1996-97 All-Big 12 Honorable Mention
- 1997-98 Big 12 Player of the Week (Dec. 9)
- 1997-98 All-Big 12 Honorable Mention
- 1997-98 Led Big 12 in rebounds with 273 (10.1 per game)
- 1998-99 All-Big 12 Third Team
- 1998-99 Led Big 12 in rebounds with 266 (9.5 per game)