The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
11.06.2017 | Women's Basketball
Hosey enters her junior season at Texas in 2017-18.
By: Riley Neuheardt
Texas Media Relations
Even during a tough practice, Jordan Hosey wants to give her teammates a reason to smile.
The junior forward embraces her fun personality during good times and bad. When she sees her teammates looking defeated, she tries to crack a joke or remind them of a funny memory.
"I'm just one of those people that hates to see other people down because I don't like to see myself down and I don't like to be down," Hosey said. "So I'd rather pick someone else up around me."
Last season, Hosey developed cues with some of her teammates. When she and Ariel Atkins felt the other was off her game, they exchanged a secret word to signal a needed change. When Joyner Holmes sought a boost in confidence, she could look to Hosey to offer support and tell her to relax. When Hosey saw her teammates struggling, she tried to get them back into "Texas mode" by offering encouragement.
But this offseason, Hosey worked to push herself into Texas mode.
Hosey played 27 games for the Longhorns last season, averaging 2.6 points and 1.6 rebounds per game. Although she brought energy to the court each time she came in, she said she knew she was capable of helping the team more than she was. Hosey set new goals for the upcoming season and focused on filling the needs of the team throughout the offseason.
"I kind of went into this offseason wiping everything away and starting over," Hosey said. "So I kind of rebuilt myself. I looked at it like that."
Hosey made the goal to play physically and have a charge in every game. She recognized the team's need for a rebounder, and focused to going for the ball in each practice. She also prioritized individual improvements, such as getting in shape and hustling when she was on the court. She said fine-tuning her own game allows for her to better help and connect with her teammates.
"It's one of those trust things," Hosey said. "I want my teammates to trust me in situations and I feel like it started with preseason, offseason, over the summer. If I'm going to bust my butt in practice, I feel like they can trust me on the court so I won't miss a rep or I won't lack on a rep. I'm going to give it my all and show that I can help them."
Hosey's offseason push was influenced by Associate Head Coach Tina Thompson, whom she first met as a freshman in high school before Thompson began coaching at Texas. The two shared a trainer who brought Thompson to one of Hosey's fall league games. Eager to make an impression with the former WNBA Champion, Hosey admitted to wearing her sister's red lipstick for the game. It worked, and from there Thompson became a mentor for Hosey.
"We ended up getting in the gym, and every time I got in the gym I feel like I got better," Hosey said. "I basically took everything she told me and ran with it."
Years later, Hosey considers Thompson her "mom away from mom" at Texas. Although the two have a close relationship, Thompson said her feedback for Hosey is rooted in honesty.
"When there's tough conversations that need to happen, I don't hesitate with having them with her," Thompson said. "And she receives them well because she knows that there isn't any ill intention. So whenever she's struggling, or not doing the things necessary, she looks for me to kind of give her the tough answers."
Hosey said that Thompson encouraged her to get her confidence back this season. She offered Hosey feedback on little things she knew she was capable of, such as going up to the basket with two hands and knocking down more shots. Mostly, Thompson encouraged Hosey to be herself in all aspects, including the silly, humorous personality.
"I don't think that's something that's going to ever leave her," Thompson said. "It's who she is and it's something that just kind of makes the people around her so comfortable, eases tension and all those good things. It's a great quality to have."
As the season approaches, Hosey said she wants to focus on her refreshed mindset and continue to be a player who can bring energy to the court to help her teammates.
"My goal is to be the Jordan Hosey that Texas recruited me as, and more of course because I'm working on my game," Hosey said. "But I want to go back to me being me."
