International Experience Has Readied UF's Stewart
Thursday, October 13, 2011 | Women's Basketball
For the typical college student, his or her senior year can be a bit of a scary time. After all, for most, it means entering the real world and trying to decide what career path to choose.
But for Florida senior center Azania Stewart, it won't be the typical job search. For each of the past three summers, Stewart traveled to Europe to compete on different teams for her home country of Great Britain with the goal of making the 2012 Olympic Team. It's an honor that would be even more special considering the Games are set to be contested in London.
This past summer, Stewart, a native of Wood Green, England, competed in the 2011 European Championships, averaging 4.2 points per game, 4.5 rebounds per game and averaging 20 minutes of play during the six-game qualifying stretch in Poland.
While Stewart has her sights set on the Olympics, she also knows the experience against strong international competition will make her a better player for her senior season at Florida.
“The summer was great,” Stewart said. “It was yet again another good experience for me playing overseas. That was really good and that's obviously ongoing for the Olympics next year.”
At 6-foot-4, the tallest female athlete on any UF roster this season, Stewart returns after playing in each of Florida's 35 games a year ago, averaging 6.6 points per game and a squad-best 6.1 rebounds per game. She also led her team in blocked shots with 62, which ranked second in the Southeastern Conference, and shot 52.7 percent from the field.
To be an effective post player in the SEC, one must both be tough and experienced. She must be ready for a battle in the paint against tall, strong, athletic opponents. Stewart, in playing against veteran international players each summer, has found perhaps the best possible way to prepare for what she will see on a nightly basis this season.
“Every year, I get better and better from it, playing against more experienced women who have been playing for years,” Stewart said. “It definitely steps up my game and changes my game by having to go out and defend the three-point line, so it improves my game tremendously.”
Stewart, one of just seven players in UF school history to block 100 or more shots during the course of her career, may have a trip to the Olympics on the line. But, for now, she is just focused on improving and helping make her senior season one of the most memorable in program history.
“Really, I just want to be consistent on the offensive end,” Stewart said. “My defense has been pretty sturdy and that is what I rely on, so I want to get that same confidence on both ends. Right now, we are figuring out our team identity and it has been defense. We just want teams to be worried about playing Florida. We obviously want to do big things and make history.”
Despite what may remain on the horizon, Stewart is determined to help lead the Gators to new heights in 2011-12. She doesn't want her collegiate career to come to a close without a championship.
But when it does, Stewart won't have the same fear as most students completing their collegiate careers. After all, isn't it a worry for many that they will have to return to their hometown and move back in with their families?
If Stewart is fortunate enough to return home after her college days, it will mean that she has earned a spot on the 2012 Olympic Team.
“This is my senior year and I really want to do big things here and I think, as a team, we deserve it. This will get me ready for the Olympics because as soon as I'm done here, I will be in training camps and getting ready for the Olympics.”
Updated 10/12/2011
By: Sean Cartell, SEC Digital Network
