MOBILE, Ala. – The University of South Alabama women’s basketball team will welcome four newcomers to its lineup for the 2010-11 season.  Over the course of the summer, usajaguars.com will sit down with the incoming players so that fans have an opportunity to get to know each of them off the court.  The second in the four-part series is Mary Nixon, a 5-9 guard from Gulf Coast Community College in Panama City, Fla.  Nixon was one of three players to sign with the Jaguar women during the spring signing period.

As a freshman, Nixon was a key reserve for the Lady Commodores who finished with a 32-1 record and outscored their opponents by an average of 22.3 ppg.  Gulf Coast also captured the program's third national title under head coach Roonie Scovel.   The Pensacola, Fla., native played in 32 of GCCC's 33 games, averaging 5.4 points and 4.1 rebounds per game.  She also had 37 steals, 19 assists, three blocks and shot 48.2 percent from the floor. 

Prior to her one season at Gulf Coast, Nixon was a four-year letterwinner at Pine Forest High School in Pensacola, Fla., under former Lady Jag Chris (McClammy) Godwin.  While at PFHS, the two-time all-state selection averaged 20.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 5.0 steals per game, while also being selected as the Pensacola News Journal Player of the Year as a senior.

Where were you born and where do you call home?
“I was born in Toms River, N.J., but I grew up in Pensacola (Fla.). We moved there when I was about two years old.” 

Growing up, has there been anyone who has made an impact on you, whether it be in your life or in basketball?
“There have been a lot of people in my life who have done that, both coaches and others. I have a lot of people who support me and keep me on the right track.  The really help me keep my head on my shoulders.”

How do you think your experience of winning a national championship last season with Gulf Coast will help you and how can you translate that attitude to your teammates?
“Being a part of a team that won a national championship helps you be able to focus on what it takes to achieve that goal.  You have been able to experience what it feels like to go through big games.  Having gone through that, I can help my teammates know how to prepare for those types of games.”  

How has the adjustment to the college life been for you since arriving at South Alabama?  Did your one year at the junior college level help you in making the transition?
“I feel that starting out at the junior college level helped me a lot.  I was able to get a feel of how college life would be.  Since I have arrived at South Alabama, it has been work, work, work.  Having already experienced a little bit of that in junior college has really helped me with adjusting to that kind of schedule.”

What are you majoring in at South Alabama?
“I am still undecided right now on my major.  I was interested in architecture when I first started junior college, but right now, I’m just trying to figure out what I want to do.”

What is a routine day for you at USA?
“I have classes beginning at 8 a.m. Monday through Friday.  Then I have study hall and then we have afternoon workouts for our strength and conditioning.”

What other schools did you have offers from or recruited you?
“I wasn’t really getting recruited out of junior college because most schools expected me to stay another year at Gulf Coast.  South Alabama had been recruiting me since I was in high school, but after my first year in junior college, I just decided that I wanted to come to South Alabama. I like the fact that it was close to home.”

Why did you choose to go the junior college route out of high school?
“I was unsure about what I wanted to do and I wasn’t sure if I was ready for DI out of high school.”

What do you see as your strengths in basketball?
”Defensively, I am long and quick.  Most people call me lanky because I can fit through small spaces.”

Do you enjoy trying to defend an opponent and be a defensive stopper?
“I definitely have more fun playing defense.”

What type of player can fans expect to see when they come see you and the rest of your teammates next season?
”They can be ready to see someone who is full of energy, both on the court and on the bench.  If I’m not in the game, I will be on the bench just trying to encourage my teammates who are out on the court.  I hope to provide a spark for the team.”

Do you have any other relatives that have an athletic background?
”I have some cousins that are playing high school football right now.  My mom and my aunt played basketball and ran track when they were younger.”

Are there any other sports that you have competed in?
“I was a member of the track team in high school as a junior and a senior.  I competed in the triple jump, high jump and long jump.  I also played volleyball during my ninth and 10th grade years.”

Who is your favorite player to watch in the WNBA?
“My favorite player in the WNBA is Diana Taurasi with the Phoenix Mercury.  I also like the way Candice Parker of the Los Angeles Sparks plays.  Over my career, I have played a bunch of positions.  She is someone I can look up to because she has proven that it is possible to play numerous positions and be good at them.”

Having played a number of different positions, do you prefer to be at the guard spot or play down in the post?
“I really don’t have a preference between playing in the two areas.”

For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com.  Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).