Newcomer Notebook: Jordyn Merritt
Hear from women's basketball's new talented Texan
Sam Stolte
9/18/2020
JORDYN MERRITT
6'3 | Forward | Plano, Texas | Plano High School
ESPN Scouts Grade: 97 | ESPN Rank: 5-Star | ProspectsNation Rank: 4-Star, No. 31 Overall
On Her Key Takeaways from COVID-19
MERRITT: “Family wise I would definitely say that we have created a stronger bond. I have two younger sisters so normally if it's not me having practice, it is one of them having practices and just all these extracurricular activities. So just us not being able to do those things, we were in the house more playing a lot of games and hanging out and watching movies. Our bond for sure grew during the pandemic.
It’s taught me patience for sure and to take a step back from my normal life and realize what a blessing it is to be able to play basketball and to have an outlet that most people don't have. Next time that I have the opportunity to step on the court again, I’m going to take full advantage of that.”
On Being the Oldest of Three Sisters
MERRITT: "They (her two sisters) look up to me for everything that I do. I mean it's hard at times, because you want to set the best example possible for them. Even when you do make a mistake you just got to say ‘look I messed up’ and say if you got in this situation, don't do this'. So you just have to be careful what you do because you know they're always going to be watching you so you have to set a good example. That goes for life in general and being active and playing sports because whenever I'm working out they’re always working out as well. I have to make sure I am doing what I am doing to the right way to help them get to where they want to be and set the tone for them.
I feel like me going to a Division I school, playing basketball, and doing something I love definitely helps them realize, you know if I do what my sister did, day in, and day out this will be able to be what I achieve one day. That’s my ultimate goal. I’m the first one in my family to go to college so this is a big step not just for me but for my entire family. It’s a lot, but I am so grateful that I can set the example for my sisters so they can have someone to look up to."
On Why She Chose to Play at UF
MERRITT: "I knew from like the moment that I stepped foot on campus and I met Cam, that he had a ton of energy. It's like with everybody he meets he is a big ball of energy and I kind of loved that. I had never really been around such an energetic person like that. Really the coaching staff was what drew me in, but then once I got here and I met the girls and saw the campus, it was special. On my visit, I felt like I was with my family. I was just hanging out with people that I’ve known for years. It didn’t feel awkward to me, it didn’t feel weird. Everybody made me feel comfortable and was checking in on me all the time to make sure everything was good. So I got the family atmosphere from them.
Also they (coaching staff) were able to help me take a look at the veterinarian school at UF and that’s what I want to be. They’re really good here at the vet school. That was also a really big aspect because I didn’t really look at like ‘I’m going to pick a school only because their basketball team is good’. It’s academics for me. I want to make sure that I can play basketball to provide the proper education I need to get the career I want."
On Winning a State Championship
MERRITT: “That was so so so exciting and I would definitely have to say that was one of my best high school basketball memories. Because I mean a state championship, I can say I’m a state champion. It’s just a great feeling. The team that I was with, we had a lot of good people and from the beginning of the season we were just like, look this is our goal and we are going to do everything we can to work towards it. It was very hard and a lot of emotions going on, but at the end of the day we got the job done. I feel very proud to say that I’m a state champion.”
On Who She Looks Up To
MERRITT: “I’ve seen my parents and how they work day in and day out to provide the best life they can for us, and how hard that is. So I just want to be better than them and I just want to be able to provide for my family in the future and be set for life and not have to struggle. That’s something that’s really important to me. I want to have a career not a job and make sure that I’m happy doing what I’m doing so I don’t have to work a day in my life. You know go to work and live my best life.”
On Battling a Knee Injury in High School
MERRITT: “That was very tough. I tore my ACL in a preseason tournament. Right before my senior year. It was going to be a big senior year, like it was going to be amazing. Having to sit on the side and cheer for them, I definitely learned there’s much more to basketball than just being out there on the court. In practice you need to be present whether you’re on the court, on the bench, whatever part, everybody plays a role. I just had to learn how to play a different role which was kind of hard for me, just sitting on the sideline not being able to be out there in the action. I feel like I came out better as a leader, just supporting them vocally. I came out a lot stronger in that aspect.”
On Being Named to the Jordan Brand Classic Roster
MERRITT: "That was actually a surprise for me. You know as I said before the injury, I was aiming for a McDonald’s All-American spot and the Jordan Brand Classic, so just to have one of those things off my bucket list that I’ve had since I was a little kid, that was just amazing to me. Even though I had an injury and wasn’t able to play, they still recognized me as a player and what I did for my team and how I was playing. I really appreciate it and it’s great to be a part of the something that all those others that came before me were.”
On Her Favorite Part of Being on Campus So Far
My favorite part has been bonding with the team and getting to know the freshmen better. Being able to get here and get our own place and just like the late night conversations and the early mornings together are great. The team bonding, even though like there’s a whole pandemic going on right now, we are still able to hang out safely. So I mean just getting to know the girls and building a better bond. These are my sisters.
Favorite Pair of Jordan's:
“I have some Jordan I’s, the Fearless ones. I absolutely love those, they’re so cute. They’re yellow, blue, brown and white. It’s a pretty weird color combination but we make it work. We love those.”
Favorite Food:
“Seafood. I like crab legs a whole lot.”
Least Favorite Food
“I actually really like all the vegetables I’ve ever had but one thing I refuse to eat is sushi. I hate sushi, just the texture of it, the smell. I can’t do it. It’s a hard no for me.”
Favorite Hobby off the Court
“I like watching Netflix. I’m watching How to Get Away with Murder and a show called Shooter. I've finished Grey’s Anatomy like five times but I’m still rewatching it. It gets better every time, I think. It’s just a great show.”
On What She's Looking Forward to the Most This Seaon
Something I’m looking forward to is just all of us being able to come together on the court as a whole entire team. I like the little groups that we are in now but just to be able to see everyone’s individual talents come together as a puzzle piece will be awesome. To see the bigger picture and see what we have this year. We are very talented and can make it very far, but just to be able to visually see what everybody brings to the table, who fits where and what roles everybody has. I’m just super excited for that first official day of practice with the whole team.
