After spending three years playing basketball at the University of California-Riverside, Jordyn Marshall couldn’t help but feel like she needed more.
The Manvel product wanted more playing time, more freedom on the court, and more time with her family. She found the opportunity this past offseason with Vernette Skeete and the Texas Southern University women’s basketball program.
Marshall smiles broadly as she thinks about how much life has changed for the better.
“I was looking for somewhere close to home. I live like 30 minutes down the street,” said the senior from Pearland. “My family, my dog is out there. My siblings, my mom and dad and now my grandma lives out here, too.
“So, somewhere close to home, and this was the perfect spot.”
In many ways, Marshall and the Tigers have been exactly what both needed. Marshall had a strong desire to be close to home and family. The Tigers needed a shooter who could hit from long range.
It’s been the perfect union.
“It’s pretty fun,” Marshall said. “I appreciate it because I wasn’t really confident in myself at my previous school. But when I got here, everybody allowed me to be me. It’s different.”
Marshall was a last-minute signee of UC Riverside when the Highlanders’ point guard transferred. She was committed to Trinity Valley Community College when UC Riverside assistant coach Sean LeBeauf called with a Division I offer.
But after three seasons of limited playing opportunities and little ability to be herself on the court, Marshall realized it was time to move on. LeBeauf was also on his way to Rutgers.
Marshall, however, says it was a rough go for her really from the start until the end of last season, when she appeared in 30 games but averaged just 12 minutes per game.
“It was kind of hard for me to adjust to the college playing style and the pace, and then I broke my hand. So, the season ended for me kind of early,” she said. “I didn’t play from January through the rest of the season, so that kind of stinted my confidence. It was my shooting hand, so I was just in my head. My confidence was really low, and I never really got it back up.”
Things are very different at TSU. Not only is she playing a lot and contributing to the Tigers’ success, but Marshall has found a coaching staff that believes in her and allows her freedom to make mistakes and grow her game.
It’s been a refreshing reset.
“I was looking for growth. I felt like at my last school, I wasn’t getting anywhere,” said Marshall, a 5-foot-5 point guard. “I definitely improved on the court and off the court. TSU has provided me resources to further my career outside of basketball, which is what I didn’t have at my old school.”
“I think we are going to go far. I think we are going to be pretty good this year.”
Jordyn Marshall on the TSU Tigers
Marshall has rewarded Skeete and her coaching staff by being an effective ball handler, reliable defender and someone who can knock down shots from beyond the arc. She and Daeja Holmes lead the team in 3-point shooting percentage at 32% for the season, while Marshall also leads the team with 80% free-throw shooting.
Marshall gave the Tigers the outside shooting spark they needed in a recent win over Arkansas-Pine Bluff. She converted five 3-pointers and led the Tigers with 29 points. Marshall was recognized as the SWAC’s Impact Player of the Week after leading the league in scoring during wins over UAPB and Mississippi Valley State during that home swing. For the two games, Marshall averaged 22 points and shot 50% from the field.
“None of us are surprised at what Jordyn does,” said Skeete, whose team is 8-12 overall and 4-4 in SWAC play. “She does it day in and day out.”
Marshall credits the coaching staff for the confidence it has given her in the months they have been together.
“Since everyone has gotten here, they have given us a blueprint of what we need to do X, Y, and Z,” she said. “They will get in the gym with us anytime and help get us better.”
The same enthusiasm is extended to her new teammates, many of whom are also new to the program. It took them a while to get used to each other during the gauntlet of a non-conference schedule. But now they are meshing well.
“It’s been good. I love my team,” Marshall said. “I thought it was going to be hard to adjust to a new team because I was with my old team for three years and we were close. But it was really easy to come here.”
As a result, Marshall’s belief in herself and her game has grown immensely. Those closest to her see it, as well.
“I feel more confident,” Marshall said. “My family sees that I’m more confident. They feel like I have a little more umph to me. They see it, and I feel it, as well.”
