In high demand
ADAMS TWP — Lauren Wasylson's schedule is packed these days.
AAU basketball. Working on her shooting touch. Her dribbling. Her free throw shooting. Her agility. Her strength. Her deft defense and explosive offense.
And fielding emails and calls from a litany of college coaches, all clamoring for the services of the incoming Mars senior girls basketball star.
It can be daunting, but Wasylson isn't getting caught up in the grind of it all. She's taking a deep breath and allowing herself a moment here and there to enjoy it.
“I'm truly blessed,” said the 6-foot guard/forward, who averaged 16 points, 6.2 rebounds and shot 90 percent from the foul line for Mars as a junior. “Not many people have this kind of opportunity. I mean, it's very stressful at times — I can have four or five coaches a day on the phone — and it was difficult during the school year with homework to do. But not everyone gets an opportunity like this and I'm very grateful.”
Wasylson has been on the college radar for about a year since she got her first formal offer from St. Francis University last summer.
She's received 19 more offers since, most from Division I programs like Xavier and Richmond — two schools she has already visited.
Boston College, Georgetown and George Mason have also showed an interest.
While she said she hasn't narrowed down the list, she plans on making several more official college visits before she makes her decision.
Wasylson hopes to make her choice by the end of July or early August.
She said it's important to her to pick a landing spot before her senior year begins.
“People have told me, 'Why don't you wait until April?'” Wasylson said. “I just want to get it over with. I have teammates on my AAU team who have already committed and they are so happy and relieved.”
In the meantime, Wasylson has gotten her decision-making process down to a science.
She keeps detailed notes on each school that has offered her, complete with a list of pros and cons.
Wasylson also knows exactly what she is looking for in a school, both academically and athletically.
“Obviously, my major — business marketing — and what school has better academics is important to me,” she said. “How I'll fit in the program. How my style fits. The coach — I have to be close to the coach. Distance from home. Those are my definite boxes to check off.”
Wasylson isn't resting on what she has already accomplished.
She plays for legendary coach John Miller's Drill for Skill AAU team.
“I'm spending hours and hours in the gym, or in my driveway shooting or in the weight room lifting,” she said. “I don't want to let up. I want to keep improving.”
Wasylson started playing basketball when she was in the fourth grade and said she fell in love with the sport immediately.
Since, she has put everything she has into the game.
She's seeing it paying off before her eyes.
“I've seen the progress and I have a heart for the sport,” Wasylson said. “If you work hard enough, you'll get the opportunity.”
