St. John's University Athletics
Photo by: BWILLSCHPHOTO
Unique Drake Thrives in New Role
2/20/2023 4:15:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Senior guard ranks first in the conference in scoring among bench players
QUEENS, N.Y.— In her senior season, St. John's women's basketball Unique Drake has embraced a different role and shown an unwavering commitment to helping her team win.
During her sophomore and junior campaigns, the speedy point guard served as one of the Johnnies' primary ball handlers, starting in 39 of 54 possible games over the two seasons. In 2020-21, Drake was apart of the starting five in all 23 contests.
After the arrival of Ole Miss transfer Mimi Reid, who has started all 26 games at the point guard position, Drake found her role change becoming the first person off the bench, but it hasn't slowed her production or determine to win in the slightest.
"I'm only worried about winning and whatever my team needs me to do to accomplish that goal," Drake said. "I know I have to enter the floor with a spark to maintain the same intensity that the game started with."
Statistically, her numbers closely compare to her prior seasons, ranking third on the team scoring 8.8 points per game. The guard has been impressive from downtown ranking second on the team with 31 3-pointer's made and is shooting 38.8 percent from beyond-the-arc, which also ranks second on the squad behind Jayla Everett.
Her scoring average ranks just outside top-30 in the league but first among bench players in the entire conference. Every BIG EAST player ahead of Drake has started 18 games or more this season, she has just one start logged, at Butler on Dec. 2, 2022.
Over a crucial three-game stint in late January, Drake averaged 15.7 points per game and shot 65.5 percent from the floor and 80 percent from the charity stripe during that span. She scored a season-high 19 points on 8-of-12 shooting in a win over DePaul on Jan. 21. The road victory snapped a 13-game losing streak against the Blue Demons.
A four-star recruit coming out of high school, the Columbia, S.C., native joined the program in 2019. Her high-motor and ability to score the ball earned her an instant spot in the rotation, appearing in 28 of 31 contests.
"Coming out of high school, we knew she was a dynamic scorer and we knew she had speed," Head Coach Joe Tartamella said. "She has grown in areas where she has been challenged, like defensively and mentally, on the court."
Drake, who has now played in over 100 career games in the Red & White is now has continued to contribute throughout her time here and sits just 10 shy of 800 career points. Her comfortability with players and staff made it easy transition from day one.
"I had never been to New York before my visit, but when I met the team and the coaches as well, it just felt like a very family-oriented program," Drake said. "I feel like Coach Tartamella cares a lot about his players' success, on-and-off the court, which made it an easy transition."
This season, Drake has been an integral part of a Red Storm squad that got off to its best start in program history and spent multiple weeks ranked in both national polls.
Drake and the Red Storm will be back in action tomorrow night when it faces No. 4/6 UConn at the XL Center at 7 p.m.
During her sophomore and junior campaigns, the speedy point guard served as one of the Johnnies' primary ball handlers, starting in 39 of 54 possible games over the two seasons. In 2020-21, Drake was apart of the starting five in all 23 contests.
After the arrival of Ole Miss transfer Mimi Reid, who has started all 26 games at the point guard position, Drake found her role change becoming the first person off the bench, but it hasn't slowed her production or determine to win in the slightest.
"I'm only worried about winning and whatever my team needs me to do to accomplish that goal," Drake said. "I know I have to enter the floor with a spark to maintain the same intensity that the game started with."
Statistically, her numbers closely compare to her prior seasons, ranking third on the team scoring 8.8 points per game. The guard has been impressive from downtown ranking second on the team with 31 3-pointer's made and is shooting 38.8 percent from beyond-the-arc, which also ranks second on the squad behind Jayla Everett.
Her scoring average ranks just outside top-30 in the league but first among bench players in the entire conference. Every BIG EAST player ahead of Drake has started 18 games or more this season, she has just one start logged, at Butler on Dec. 2, 2022.
Over a crucial three-game stint in late January, Drake averaged 15.7 points per game and shot 65.5 percent from the floor and 80 percent from the charity stripe during that span. She scored a season-high 19 points on 8-of-12 shooting in a win over DePaul on Jan. 21. The road victory snapped a 13-game losing streak against the Blue Demons.
A four-star recruit coming out of high school, the Columbia, S.C., native joined the program in 2019. Her high-motor and ability to score the ball earned her an instant spot in the rotation, appearing in 28 of 31 contests.
"Coming out of high school, we knew she was a dynamic scorer and we knew she had speed," Head Coach Joe Tartamella said. "She has grown in areas where she has been challenged, like defensively and mentally, on the court."
Drake, who has now played in over 100 career games in the Red & White is now has continued to contribute throughout her time here and sits just 10 shy of 800 career points. Her comfortability with players and staff made it easy transition from day one.
"I had never been to New York before my visit, but when I met the team and the coaches as well, it just felt like a very family-oriented program," Drake said. "I feel like Coach Tartamella cares a lot about his players' success, on-and-off the court, which made it an easy transition."
This season, Drake has been an integral part of a Red Storm squad that got off to its best start in program history and spent multiple weeks ranked in both national polls.
Drake and the Red Storm will be back in action tomorrow night when it faces No. 4/6 UConn at the XL Center at 7 p.m.
Players Mentioned
Guard
/ Women's Basketball
Guard
/ Women's Basketball
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