New Mexico women’s basketball forward Kiana Keller may not be the tallest person on the team anymore, but her work ethic and strong character still stand head and shoulders above most.
After winning a program-best 13 conference games during her sophomore year, the team had a bit of a down year last season and failed to qualify for postseason play.
But the six-foot-four-inch senior said this team is mentally stronger than they were before, and ready to achieve a lot of goals.
Keller’s goals — a winning season, a conference title and an NCAA tournament appearance — all focused on the team rather than on her as an individual.
Keller said it has been a little weird being considered a team leader, because she’s always felt like the baby on the team growing up in the program. But being the oldest of four siblings may have helped her ability to guide and mentor the younger players on the team.
She said there isn’t one player on the team that she is closer with compared to another, and they all enjoy being around each other.
“I feel like we’re all good teammates,” she said. “We spend most of our time together — probably more than we should.”
Keller, a psychology major, said her teammates would probably say that she is the person to go to if someone needed a “pick-me-up.” She always seems to be happy and knows what to say to teammates, and when to say it.
Mike Bradbury, the new women’s basketball head coach, joked that if she is the team’s psychiatrist, he might need to call for her services sometimes too.
Keller said she is likely to begin grad school in the spring and hopes to find a job that makes her happy, perhaps something in counseling.
The forward’s mother, Kim Keller, said her daughter has always been good at reading people and putting them at ease.
“She initially can be kind of shy, but once she’s comfortable, she wants everyone to be comfortable,” her mother said. “Obviously at her height, she’s had to learn how to blend in, and it’s not always easy.”
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Kim Keller said she remembered her daughter going out of her way in high school to help freshmen deal with some of the same issues she faced. She said there are not a lot of women who are so tall, and she is proud that her daughter not only found a way to deal with the challenge, but also helps make others feel comfortable too.
Keller possesses a lot of other winning qualities as well. Bradbury perhaps paid his forward the biggest compliment, describing how hard Keller works on the court.
“I think she does work hard, I think she can lead, and from what I’ve seen, she does it by example,” he said. “She’s worked her way to where it’s going to be hard not to start her.”
He said he hoped Keller, along with six-foot-five Wright State transfer Richelle van der Keijl, can help protect the paint down low. He said he expects Keller to play a lot and have a big impact.
Keller played a lot in the first exhibition game Tuesday night, a 101-48 drubbing of Fort Lewis. She was in the starting lineup and was a presence in the paint, recording nine rebounds and rejecting three shots.
“I trust her, and the people that you trust are the ones who play,” the head coach said. “I trust that she’s going to do the right thing all the time.”
Keller said she has always had the inclination to go out and work hard, and she prides herself on defense. She said her father always told her that defense wins games, and as the tallest player on the court, she often had to defend the other team’s best player.
Kim Keller said her daughter has a very competitive drive — something she may have inherited from her — and wants to excel at everything she tries. She said the members of the family are tall and there have been many one-on-one battles and games of “Horse.”
Although Keller is asked about it a lot, she said she’s never really played volleyball. Still, Keller was a very busy student athlete in high school, something her mother said likely prepared her well for the rigors of college.
Kim Keller said her daughter took AP classes, played three varsity sports and performed in the marching band as well. She said Keller’s trainer has been great at helping her daughter continue balancing the load and overcoming struggles over the years.
Keller said running track and cross country in high school definitely helped her on the basketball court. Although it is different, she said it helped her get into shape and gave a boost in terms of endurance.
A native of Waukesha, Wisconsin, Keller said she made the decision to attend UNM, in part, because of the weather. Winter in New Mexico is somewhat milder than what she was accustomed to.
Keller’s mom said it was a little nerve-racking for her daughter to be so far away from home, but she knew it was a great opportunity for her. She said the time has passed quickly and Keller has enjoyed meeting a variety of people and getting to experience so many different things.
Kim Keller said she has taken several trips to Albuquerque to see her daughter play, and enjoyed the atmosphere.
“I’ve come every year at Thanksgiving to see her play in the tournament,” she said. “We had an opportunity to see her play at DePaul, last year we went to the Minnesota game and this year we’re really excited that she’s playing at Marquette.”
Keller’s mother said the Pit is a very exciting environment and there is good fan attendance compared to other college games she’s attended. She said she also saw a full crowd for one of the men’s game and remembered how loud the arena was.
Keller said she had never traveled to the west coast before her collegiate career, and has enjoyed traveling with the team. She even got an opportunity to represent New Mexico and play overseas.
“I want to travel a lot more,” Keller said. “My sophomore year, in the summer, we went to Italy to play (abroad). We spent 10 days there and played four teams.”
She hasn’t made any other trips out of the country — yet. But she said the experience was very cool and hopes do it again, perhaps getting to see former Lobo teammate Josie Greenwood in Australia one day.
Robert Maler is the sports editor for the Daily Lobo. He primarily covers football and men’s and women’s tennis. He can be reached at sports@dailylobo.com or on Twitter @robert_maler.
