Northwestern University Athletics
Business As Usual for Coffey Despite Eclipsing 1,000 Point Mark
11/16/2015 3:07:00 PM | General, Women's Basketball
By Amit Mallik, Northwestern Correspondent
Nia Coffey caught the ball at the foul line in the first quarter, spun past two defenders and finished a layup through a foul. She coolly stepped up to the free throw line, and drained the shot for her fifth point of the game.
The free throw was Coffey's 1,000th career point, but it was business as usual for the junior in the middle of an 11-point first quarter.
"I can't say that was my goal," Coffey said on reaching 1,000. "I just like to go out there and play hard."
Coffey did just that as she put on a dominant all-around display in the season-opening 89-49 win over Howard with 27 points, seven rebounds, three assists, a block, and four steals. She scored at will and shouldered a team-high 44 percent usage rate.
"I'm just going to fit any role of leadership that my team needs," Coffey said in response to handling an increased usage rate.
Coffey is happy to let the offense flow through her, but she doesn't dwell on her individual stats or achievements. Despite being named to the Preseason All-Big Ten Team and last year's First-Team All-Big Ten, Coffey has received her accolades with grace and continued to focus on team basketball. Coach Joe McKeown has consistently raved about Coffey's unselfishness and humbleness and it was one of the first things he addressed in his press conference after Sunday's win.
"It's an honor to coach her because she's so humble" said McKeown. "When you have a player like that who doesn't care who gets the credit, it makes my job a lot easier."
Coffey didn't even acknowledge her milestone in-game, and instead went right back to work. She followed her 1,000th point with a corner 3-pointer and a two layups in transition to give the Wildcats a 22-13 first quarter lead over Howard.
When she exited the game towards the end of quarter for a break, her achievement was announced over the PA system to rapturous applause from her teammates and the crowd.
Coffey's 1,000th point could just be a sign of things to come for a player of her caliber. Coffey is on pace to rack up more career accomplishments and she looks ready to improve on her average of 15.2 points per game last year, which was already top ten in the Big Ten.
For all of her honors, the focus for Coffey, a fierce competitor, is on winning. Last year, she helped the Wildcats to their first NCAA tournament appearance since 1997, and now she's hungry for more.
"We're not satisfied with what we did last year," Coffey said on Big Ten Basketball media day. "What we did was great for Northwestern because we haven't been to the tournament in forever, but that, at the end of the day, wasn't enough for us."
Coffey has the skill set to make shots from anywhere on the floor, and the passing vision to set up her teammates when she gets double teamed. On top of her offensive capabilities, she anchors the defensive unit with her outstanding shot blocking. She gets better each year, and has the elite talent to lead the Wildcats on a deep postseason run.
"I feel like we can do whatever we put our minds to," said Coffey at Big Ten Media Day. "I truly do."
Ultimately, her 1,000th point was a stepping stone in her pursuit of team success this season. Coffey, has consistently used her talent to make her teammates better, and the for her, the game has always been about the team.
"I'm honored to play for such an organization," Coffey said. "That's what felt good."
Nia Coffey caught the ball at the foul line in the first quarter, spun past two defenders and finished a layup through a foul. She coolly stepped up to the free throw line, and drained the shot for her fifth point of the game.
The free throw was Coffey's 1,000th career point, but it was business as usual for the junior in the middle of an 11-point first quarter.
"I can't say that was my goal," Coffey said on reaching 1,000. "I just like to go out there and play hard."
Coffey did just that as she put on a dominant all-around display in the season-opening 89-49 win over Howard with 27 points, seven rebounds, three assists, a block, and four steals. She scored at will and shouldered a team-high 44 percent usage rate.
"I'm just going to fit any role of leadership that my team needs," Coffey said in response to handling an increased usage rate.
Coffey is happy to let the offense flow through her, but she doesn't dwell on her individual stats or achievements. Despite being named to the Preseason All-Big Ten Team and last year's First-Team All-Big Ten, Coffey has received her accolades with grace and continued to focus on team basketball. Coach Joe McKeown has consistently raved about Coffey's unselfishness and humbleness and it was one of the first things he addressed in his press conference after Sunday's win.
"It's an honor to coach her because she's so humble" said McKeown. "When you have a player like that who doesn't care who gets the credit, it makes my job a lot easier."
Coffey didn't even acknowledge her milestone in-game, and instead went right back to work. She followed her 1,000th point with a corner 3-pointer and a two layups in transition to give the Wildcats a 22-13 first quarter lead over Howard.
When she exited the game towards the end of quarter for a break, her achievement was announced over the PA system to rapturous applause from her teammates and the crowd.
Coffey's 1,000th point could just be a sign of things to come for a player of her caliber. Coffey is on pace to rack up more career accomplishments and she looks ready to improve on her average of 15.2 points per game last year, which was already top ten in the Big Ten.
For all of her honors, the focus for Coffey, a fierce competitor, is on winning. Last year, she helped the Wildcats to their first NCAA tournament appearance since 1997, and now she's hungry for more.
"We're not satisfied with what we did last year," Coffey said on Big Ten Basketball media day. "What we did was great for Northwestern because we haven't been to the tournament in forever, but that, at the end of the day, wasn't enough for us."
Coffey has the skill set to make shots from anywhere on the floor, and the passing vision to set up her teammates when she gets double teamed. On top of her offensive capabilities, she anchors the defensive unit with her outstanding shot blocking. She gets better each year, and has the elite talent to lead the Wildcats on a deep postseason run.
"I feel like we can do whatever we put our minds to," said Coffey at Big Ten Media Day. "I truly do."
Ultimately, her 1,000th point was a stepping stone in her pursuit of team success this season. Coffey, has consistently used her talent to make her teammates better, and the for her, the game has always been about the team.
"I'm honored to play for such an organization," Coffey said. "That's what felt good."
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