Jessica Cheeks

Guard provides standout performances for USC after sitting out a year

By JASON W. DAVID
Staff Writer

She doesn't talk much on the court. Her laid back demeanor gives the impression that she isn't trying very hard. She doesn't express the most optimistic attitude either. But freshman guard Jessica Cheeks is a determined warrior inside her 5-foot-9 frame, bound to leave a definitive mark in history.
Hailing from high school women's basketball powerhouse, Narbonne High in Harbor City, Calif., Cheeks is accustomed to success. She knows what it feels like, knows what it takes to achieve it and isn't afraid to find it again.
But she also knows what it's like to watch from the sidelines the season she should be playing, her love of basketball in limbo due to academic misfortunes. Cheeks, whose basketball career began at age 9 in the backyard against her father and brother, spent last year's season off the court and in the classroom.
Fulfilling mandatory requirements, she took Algebra II at Harbor City College and tuned up her SAT score. "The SAT was no joke," explained Cheeks who feels herself gravitating toward becoming a sociology major at USC.
An exciting guard with explosive quickness and a good outside shot, Cheeks is one of the biggest reasons the team is looked on with a profound air of optimism. Part of a solid core of freshmen, Cheeks established herself as an offensive threat early on this season.
She finally got her chance to show off to the Pacific-10 Conference. As the season winds down, her average currently settles at 7.5 points, 2.5 assists, 1.7 steals and 24 minutes per game.
With one of the most intimidating game faces in all of women's hoops, Cheeks is a quick and versatile player capable of putting up big numbers rapidly. A two-guard turned ball handler, she seems to know where her teammates are on the floor at all times.
"On the court, she's nonchalant, that's just her attitude," said fellow point guard Camille Norwood.
USC coach Chris Gobrecht knows Cheeks is a crucial asset, whose value will only increase as her game continues to develop.
"Jess is a very, very gifted player who I think at times wow's all of us," Gobrecht said. "The big word for her is Śconsistency.' When she becomes consistent, she can be one of the best players in the conference."
Cheeks had her eyes set on USC at an early age. Recalling the days of legend Cheryl Miller as coach and the influence of current senior Tashara Carter and 2000 alumnae Tiffany Washington who both participated on Cheeks' summer traveling team, the decision to become a Trojan came relatively easy.
A history of success was important to this athlete who was used to nothing less at Narbonne High. There, she was part of the Southern Pacific League Championship from 1997-99. Named the Los Angeles Times South Bay MVP in 1998, she also earned All-American honors by USA Today, Street & Smith, Nike and Student Sports Magazine.
"We were winning all the time," she said. "Every game was fun because we came out and played together. We never used to play the second half because we blew teams out."
While she mentioned the luxurious free time allotted by a season outside of basketball, Cheeks gives the obvious impression that she would've rather suited up in a USC jersey and been a part of the Trojan tradition last year.
Putting her love for basketball in perspective, she explained that she wouldn't be enrolled in school if it wasn't for the opportunity to play NCAA hoops. Books were never her thing, but that by no means reflects her intelligence.
This year itself has had numerous tests for Cheeks. Underachieving for most of the season, the Women of Troy went through tremendous highs and lows, ultimately digging themselves into a Pacific-10 Conference hole early on. A postseason berth required a similar showing of last year's stellar 7-2 finale to the conference season.
Cheeks was fighting for time amongst two other very talented point guards, freshman Ryane Alexander and Norwood.
"We're struggling," admitted Cheeks. "Hopefully next year we can get our act together."
The change in position this season meant Cheeks would be put in the situation where looking for her teammates would take priority over looking for her shot. The explosive Cheeks welcomed the switch with an I'll-do-what-I-have-to-do-for-the-team attitude. "I like having the ball in my hands," she said.
Her teammates show a lot of faith in Cheeks, whose verbal contributions on the court are kept to a minimum and whose style of play can get flashy at times.
"She does a lot of good things out there (on the court) for us," said junior Tiffany Elmore. "On the court she's quiet. Off the court, she's a totally different person. She talks a lot and likes to have fun."
While Cheeks may go to work on the court, she is undoubtedly infatuated with specific elements of the game that make playing a treat.
"I like having fun and making people look stupid," Cheeks said. "I like it when people talk smack, it makes me play harder. I don't really say anythingit's just not me. I'm quiet. I just go out there and shoot and do what I do."
Fun makes its way onto the court, especially when Cheeks least expects it. She vividly remembers an away high school game against Dorsey.
"We were on a fast break," she said. "One of my teammates was in front of me; it was raining and it was leaking through the roof. Just as I was about to pass the ball, I fellright on my side. Everybody was laughing."
The future looks bright for this often misunderstood and frequently prejudged courtside character. With a knowledge of success and an unprecedented comfort in the face of pressure, it is unlikely that Cheeks will ever be held back by anything again.

Copyright 2001 by the Daily Trojan. All rights reserved.
This article was published in Vol. 142, No. 38 (Wednesday, March 7, 2001), beginning on page 16 and ending on page 13.