In the previous season, the Fort Bend Austin girls’ basketball team achieved a 14-2 record in 6A Region III District 20. Despite making the playoffs, they were defeated in the first round by Seven Lakes, 66-50. This season, the team has returned with determination, boasting an impressive overall record of 29-1 and maintaining a flawless 14-0 record in district play.
“Last season we had more of an inside dominant presence. This season we have some really good, strong guards,” said Ft. Bend Austin girls head coach Laqueisha Dickerson.
One of those strong guards coach Dickerson is referring to is Crystal Schultz, a 5-foot-9 senior with exceptional shooting abilities.
“Last season she played more as a combo guard, but this season we are using her at her natural position, shooting guard,” said Dickerson.
Crystal Schultz
Guard
IG: @crystals__10
Twitter: @CrystalS__10
Height & weight: 5-feet-9, 150 pounds
Players she studies: Caitlin Clark (Iowa Hawkeyes), Diana Taurasi (Phoenix Mercury)
Status: Committed to Prairie View A&M
Favorite artists: Lil Baby, BigXThaPlug, Money Man, Lil Toosii, Moneybagg Yo
Favorite subject: History
Shout-outs: Thank you to my coaches, trainers and family for the support throughout the years.
At the top of Schultz’s Twitter bio, along with her graduating year, position and on-the-court achievements, reads Phillipeans 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me,” taken from the King James Version of the Bible. That statement has been proven true as Schultz seems to be able to do whatever she wants when she steps on the court. Shooting 49% from the field, Schultz is an athletic three-level scorer who through 30 games, averaged 14.7 points, 5.4 rebounds, 3.2 steals and 2.3 assists per game.
“I’m a good teammate,” said Schultz. “I’m a shooter, I know at certain games I could score more, but it’s more about winning. My point guards do a good job of giving me the ball where they know I can score. If I have a smaller defender on me, I know how to attack because I’m stronger. If I have a post on me, I know how to drive past her into a pull-up jumper. I play good defense; I rebound and facilitate well.”
Schultz began playing basketball when she was in diapers and she eventually joined the I9 Basketball League at the age of six. Her first word after “daddy” was “ball.” As she got older, she played in the Upward League, hosted at Sugar Creek Church, where her passion for the sport deepened through active participation and observing games. Although she briefly explored track in 7th grade, the outdoor and running components didn’t resonate with her.
Schultz attended Bowie Middle School for 6th grade and then moved to First Colony Middle School for 7th and 8th grade. While at First Colony, she played basketball for the school team but opted to take a break during her 8th-grade year to prepare for high school, coinciding with the challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic.
In high school, Schultz enrolled at George Bush High School, earning a spot on the varsity team during her freshman year. The accomplished shooting guard achieved a significant milestone as a junior, scoring her 1,000th point in a game against the Fort Bend Austin Bulldogs.
“Originally, I didn’t know that was a goal players could reach,” said Schultz. “I was just playing a game. However, once I realized that was something I could accomplish and I got closer and closer to the point mark it became a goal of mine. It was very exciting.”
Schultz is a talented shooter who studies the gameplay of Iowa Hawkeyes guard Caitlin Clark who has won three gold medals with the United States, including two at the FIBA Under-19 Women’s World Cup, was named Most Valuable Player in 2021 and is projected to be the first overall pick in the 2024 WNBA draft. As well, Schultz studies Diana Taurasi, the second-most decorated FIBA athlete on the planet with five Olympic gold medals, three FIBA World Cup gold medals, and a FIBA World Cup bronze medal in her 23-year USA Basketball career.
“I like the way Caitlin shoots the ball, the way she attacks, she’s not just a three-point shooter,” said Schultz. “She can shoot the pull-up, attack off the dribble and get and ones. I like watching her game. I watch a lot of Diana Tara Rossi also. At her age the way she attacks, she’s not scared of contact and the way she shoots the ball with confidence.”
During her time at Fort Bend Bush, Schultz served as the primary guard, handling the ball frequently. However, at the conclusion of her junior season, Schultz opted to transfer to Fort Bend Austin. This transition led to a subtle shift in her role, transitioning from an on-ball dominant guard to a shooting guard, requiring her to operate without the ball.
“I think this is going to help me prepare for college because in college I might not be the primary ball handler, so I have to be able to expand my game,” said Schultz. “While at Bush I was a driver, a one-dribble pull-up person, now I’m a three-point threat and can do pretty much everything. So, the move helped expand my game. It also allowed me to play on the varsity team with my little sister who is a freshman this year.”
Schultz, a four-year varsity letterman, secured Academic All-District and Newcomer of the Year honors in her freshman season. She has twice earned the First Team All-District award and showcased her skills with CY-Fair Premier’s National 17U team. In her junior season, Schultz achieved recognition as Texas’ 6A-20 leading scorer.
Reflecting on her journey, Schultz acknowledges that the most valuable piece of advice she has received over the years came from her father.
“My dad’s my coach, my trainer, my best friend. I talk to him all the time. I think that’s what keeps me playing basketball and enjoying it. He told me to keep playing. There’s a lot of frustrating moments that I’ve had in my career, but keep it between the lines, focusing on what you can control,” said Schultz.
Schultz is committed to playing at Prairie View A&M next season. She loved the campus and felt the coaching staff was honest in their recruiting assessment of her and her role on the team coming in. While at Prairie View, she plans to major in criminal justice.
“I used to watch the show ‘Criminal Minds’ and that got me interested in law enforcement. Aside from playing in the WNBA, I would like to work in the FBI. That’s my main goal in life,” said Schultz.
Reflecting on her experiences, Schultz provides guidance to fellow athletes navigating the recruitment process. She highlights the significance of finding joy in one’s pursuits, staying humble, and dedicating oneself to ongoing growth.
“Enjoy what you’re doing and humble yourself to get better each day,” said Schultz. “Don’t be content with where you’re at. That’s something that I had to stay true to. Once I started being recruited, just making sure I didn’t get big-headed or anything, I was still excited, but just making sure I got better each day because there’s always going to be someone that is working just as hard or even harder trying to get your spot. So, humble yourself and get better.”
