Lady Vols signees make most of time in Chicago together

CHICAGO — Tennessee’s four women’s basketball signees convened in Chicago last week for the McDonald’s All-American girls game and used the time to get better acquainted.

 Kasi Kushkituah, Evina Westbrook, Anastasia Hayes and Rennia Davis now know enough to get on each other’s nerves.

“For me and Evina, I like Beyonce and she likes Drake and other people,” Kushkituah said. “So that’s what we’ve been going on about.

“Anastasia doesn’t like that fact that Evina and I like chocolate milk, like we’re addicted to chocolate milk. So that’s another thing.”

The exchanges came under Westbrook’s general heading of “random girl stuff.” Hayes didn’t consider them to be a dangerous byproduct of too much information. On the contrary, the 5-foot-7 guard from Murfreesboro believes they’re useful, perhaps even essential   

“I feel if I’m that confident that, you know, I can make fun of you and laugh about it and joke about it,” Hayes said, “then I feel like we’re going to be great teammates.”

Joking aside, the four future Lady Vols, who comprise the nation’s No. 1-ranked recruiting class, seem to take the process seriously. Kushkituah thought "every second" the players spent together last week was important.

Westbrook had to hustle more for her time with the other three. The 6-foot guard from Salem, Ore., played for the West squad in the McDonald's game. Kushkituah, a 6-4 center from Atlanta, Davis, a 6-2 forward from Jacksonville, and Hayes played for the East. Yet Westbrook made a point to visit them before team practices.

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“I wasn’t on a (recruiting) visit with any of them,” Davis said. “So for me to be here and have face-to- face contact with all three of them at the same time is pretty neat.”

The players expressed excitement rather than apprehension about next season. They share a common disdain for losing, which gave them pause before reacting to Tennessee's 20-12 season. And, regardless of their taste in music or beverage, they’re getting along fine.

“Everyone is cool with each other,” Westbrook said. “It’s mutual respect.”

The following is some of their answers to several questions:

 What are your impressions of Tennessee’s season?

Davis: They beat very good teams and then they lost to teams that the should’ve beat by 30.

Kushkituah: It seemed like in a lot of games they were up and then it would shift, gears would shift.  

Westbrook: I think we all know what we have to do. I don’t think they’re terrible in any way. They have amazing talent.  It’s just some things that need to be worked on.

What do you all have to do then?

Westbrook: We really have to make a point to play our hearts out. The four of us, we’re not used to losing. We’re definitely not going to come in and expect to lose. Losing is not an option for us, the four of us. We have to play hard every single game.

Kushkituah: We have to go and represent Tennessee well and bring them more energy, bring them more wins, more everything really. Just change the whole atmosphere.

Hayes: I can’t come in like I’m a freshman. I have to come in with a confidence that I’m going to be able to play. I have to put in the work after practice so that I have the ability to do these things. … I have to come in with the mentality that I’m going to work as hard as the other people and see where that gets me.

How competitive are you? Can you give me an example?

Davis: I really hate losing. I hate it with a passion. Losing is just not me. In high school, we don’t lose. If we lose, it’s embarrassing. We don’t have that type of coaching established at Ribault (High). I feel like Tennessee has the same type of coaching. That’s one of the reasons I picked that school. So next year we won’t have, hopefully, the ups and downs like they’re having now.

Hayes: Me and my sisters can be eating and we’ll be like … we’ll have a race to see who gets done eating first. Me and my family are very competitive.

Kushkituah: Me and my uncle, if he wants to play basketball, I’m like OK let’s go. If he wants to race, OK let’s go. If he wants to play soccer, then let’s go.

What are the essentials for succeeding at a program like Tennessee?

Westbrook: Everyone has to be on the same page. If one teammate’s not on the page, the operation fails. … All the coaches have to be on the same page. That’s very important to me as a player, as a point guard coming in, having everyone just flowing the way we’re supposed to. Especially the coaches, if the coaches aren’t vibing correctly with us or each other it’s not going to work.

Is there anything you’re nervous about regarding next season?

Davis:  See I don’t get nervous about anything. The bright lights and stuff, I embrace that kind of stuff. I think I’m going to get that every night on a consistent basis from the Tennessee fans. The fans are great. I embrace stuff like that.  

Westbrook: I’m more excited than anything. More excited to get out there and start bonding with the girls and really start talking to my coaches, just getting better.”

 Why did you pick Tennessee?

Westbrook: I never thought I was going to go to Tennessee. But on my (recruiting) visit, it totally just changed my perspective. Honestly, it felt like a home away from home. … The culture and the fan base are amazing. I wanted to be in a place where women’s basketball is appreciated. I feel so appreciated since the day I committed to Tennessee, just with the fans saying how excited they are for us coming in. I know it’s going to be an amazing experience for me.