Kemya Willis

Year:
Senior
Hometown:
Indianapolis, IN
Position:
C
Height:
6-1

JUNIOR YEAR (1984-85)
The more Kemya Willis' game improves, the more her role increases. In her fourth season at Indiana, Willis may become the secret ingredient in Coach Jorja Hoehn's faster-paced game. Rhe 5-6 speedster, a walk on as a rookiem recovered well from a sophomore season foot injury and competed in 22 games during her junior year, with one starting assignment. Last season at Purdue, she hit 5-of-6 field goal attempts fr a career high 10 points to almost single-handedly salvage an 80-77 IU win. She also recorded careeer high rebound and assist marks last season with six and five respectively against Oregon and increased her scoring average in 1984-85 from 0.6 to 1.7. Kemya is a great leaper, strong defensive player, ans decent shooter, averaging .415 from the field during her career.

SOPHOMORE YEAR (1983-84)
Kemya Willis is determination and hard work personified. Those characteristics are originally what earned her a spot on the team as its only walk-on. Now scholarshiped, they may also earn her more playing time this year. One of the squads best defensive players and one of its quickest, Kemya's freshman season displayed flashes of potential. Further development of her talents was all but halted last year, though, when a foot injury put her on crutches nearly half the season. After a summer of intense conditioning, during which she ran 584 miles, 334 over the required minimum, Wllis returns in a state that makes her a prime candidate for "most improved." She is still showing her outstanding leaping ability and solid court vision, but her shot is looking more confident, possibly due in part to the introduction of the smaller ball.

FRESHMAN YEAR (1982-83)
A tribute to her determination and heard work, Kemya Willis is rhe Hoosiers' only walk-on. In an outstanding effort last year, Willis saw 26 minutes of action against Michigan, matching her quickness with the Wolverines' speedy Lori Gnatkowski and producing two rebounds with a season best of five assists. Willis' best scoring performance came in a fourt-point game versus Mississippi College in which she had two rebounds and one assist for 12 minutes. Prep honors included all-sectional, all-city, city MVP, and Indianapolis Star Athlete-of-the-Week. Kemya's natural athletic ability could help her become a steady contributor down the line.

PREP
One of two walk-ons to the team Kemya Willis possesses natural athletic ability and exudes confidence. She is quick, owns good jumping ability and is able to penetrate well with the ball. Kemya has set a goal for herself of working into the starting lineup this season, an aim coaches say Willis holds the potential to meet. Kemya was also one opf Indiana's top high school hurdlers, placing second in city and seventh in state championships. Willis played high school ball for John Allen at John Marshall High School where she earned honors that include all-sectional, all-city, city MVP, and Indianapolis Star Athlete-of-the-Week.