Solid play by freshman forward Jaimie Givens has given the FAU women’s basketball program a needed boost and a glimpse into the future.
Fresh out of First Academy in Orlando, where she won back-to-back state titles, the 6-1 Givens is second in scoring on the Owls team with 11.9 points per game and is second on the team in rebounding at 6.7 boards per contest. A couple of breakout games early in the season showed that Givens came to play upon arrival at FAU.
“My strengths are probably my post moves and if I get someone on my back I’m pretty good at finishing,” said Givens.
However, Givens mostly sees herself as a team player. She bases her success this season on the help of her teammates.
“You can’t win a game with only one player, you have to have the whole team doing their jobs,” said Givens, “It’s not just one person, but everyone.”
“She has had a really good year so far,” said FAU head coach Chancellor Dugan. “I think she’s off to a great start.”
Most notable was the first game at the newly renovated FAU Arena, as fans got to see Givens at her best. Givens led the Owls to an 80-46 win over Palm Beach Atlantic. Dominating the game, Givens recorded 20 points and 12 rebounds. Following that effort was a road contest against the Kentucky Wildcats. In that game Givens posted 13 points and 15 rebounds in a losing effort.
While her talents provide reason to believe that FAU women’s hoops has a bright future, the game in Lexington, Ky. afforded Givens a look into her family history.
Givens’ father Jack played for the Kentucky Wildcats in the late 1970s and in 1978 he earned Most Outstanding Player honors in the Final Four. He scored 41 points as the Wildcats defeated Duke University 94-88 in the championship game.
Dugan praises Givens not on her physical play, but her basketball mindset which she cultivated while growing up in a basketball family.
“She is so basketball smart and her basketball IQ is so very high. She sees things developing and honestly she gets that from her father,” Dugan said.
Dugan is quite pleased with Givens’ impact and stellar play thus far into the season. Even with her star freshman’s early success, Dugan does see some areas that Givens needs to improve on.
“Her ability to get up and down the court for long periods of time isn’t there yet.”
Dugan thinks Givens’ future potential is great, and that the FAU women’s basketball program can reach new heights in the Sun Belt Conference.
“For four years she is going to be a great player for Florida Atlantic University,” added Dugan. “I see her being a part of winning championships here.”
“She has a great personality and comes from an outstanding family. She’s just one of those kids you want to have in your program, she will attract other players to this program.”