Don’t look for Nanda McCormick’s name in any Gonzaga women’s basketball box scores just yet.
The Shorewood High School graduate is redshirting her freshman season with the Bulldogs.
McCormick decided in October to sit out the season and retain her four years of eligibility. She participates in practices and pregame activities and travels with the team on bus trips only.
“My coach (Kelly Graves) gave me the option, and I chose to (redshirt) because I felt that it would be best for me,” McCormick said via e-mail.
“Not only would it give me a whole year to become a much stronger basketball player, it gives me the chance to learn so much more about college basketball and it is a great transition into college.”
McCormick, a 5-foot-9 guard who averaged 16.7 points a game for Shorewood last season, is determined to make the most of the situation.
“I have already become so much stronger from lifting (weights) and just playing,” she said. “I get to learn so much by watching every game and hearing my coaches’ comments and I still get to be a part of an amazing team which I love so much.
“I don’t know how redshirting is at other schools, but besides the fact I don’t play in games, I feel just as much a part of our team as anyone.”
The Bulldogs will graduate just two seniors off this year’s squad, but McCormick expects to be a part of the rotation next season.
“If I keep working hard, I will hopefully get some time,” she said. “Nothing extreme for a few years I would imagine, but I hope to be a player that can provide a spark.
“I hope to be an impact player in a few years to come. For now, I just work as hard as I can.”
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