Athlete of the Week: KaCee Kyle

Midway through the season, UTRGV Women’s Basketball freshman guard KaCee Kyle is averaging 5.4 points, 1.9 assists and 1.7 rebounds per game. The communication studies major’s season-high came against Texas A&M University Corpus-Christi on Dec. 14, when she tallied 14 points, played all 40 minutes and made four three-pointers. A native of Greenwood Village, Colorado, Kyle graduated from Cherry Creek High School. She helped her team win the 5A state championship in 2019 and was a two-time All-State team honoree.

Q: Are you into astrology and what is your sign?

A: “I’m a Virgo. … If I read it correctly, they say Virgos are organized. So I, personally, feel like I’m organized and I have, like, places for everything. My room has a certain spot for everything.”

Q: What athlete inspires you and why ?

A: “I’ve always really loved Skylar Diggins [Smith]. I originally started getting into her because my basketball trainer knew her and so I went to one of her games when I was younger. And we play the same position and just her work ethic and how she manages life and then basketball in general.”

Q: What made you start playing basketball?

A: “I really started because my grandpa was really good. [He] went off to play in college. So that was kind of the sport that stuck.”

Q: What are some of your favorite hobbies?

A: “I like going to the movies. It has recently been a thing, like, actually going into theaters and watching, you know, all the new Marvel movies that have been coming out. And, then, I’ve really gotten into reading books. I’ve never been a big, like, hard-copy-reading-a-book [person], but I found myself making a cup of coffee and going outside on our little picnic tables at the Village [Apartments] and reading a book.”

Q: What has been your favorite memory, so far, during your first year at UTRGV?

A: “It was when I was first here, in the summertime. And me, Taylor [Muff], Sara [Bershers] and Boo [Burcu Soysal]. It was late at night. There’s a field right where we live. And, it was dark and the sprinklers came on and we were all, like, ‘Let’s go run in the sprinklers.’ And, so, we spent like 20 minutes out there. Just playing with the sprinklers and just kind of talking.”

Q: What do you listen to on game day?

A: “It really changes between my moods. So, some days will be like Pop Smoke and he’s one of the rap artists that I listen to all the time. But then some days, it will be, like, chill [vibe] and I’ll listen to worship music.” 

Q: What is your favorite season and why?

A: “I want to say fall because it’s not freezing cold. Because Colorado can be cold and I don’t like it. But it’s also not summer. And then, I feel like I can wear more, like, cute outfits in the fall. Like, I can layer up and add a little bit more pieces to an outfit.”

Q: What do you plan to do after graduation?

A: “I have no idea. So, my major is communication and I’m going to minor in marketing and graphic design. Personally, I’ve enjoyed stuff with social media. So, if that’s staying in sports and, like, running a social media for a sports team or going into the marketing business. Something along those realms, but, right now, I just want to stay in the sports area, but it could be something totally different in the next four years.”

Q: What is a random fact about you?

A: “I have a black belt in Taekwondo.”

The Vaqueras’ next game is against Sam Houston State University at 6 p.m today in the UTRGV Fieldhouse. 

“We’re good,” Kyle said. “Our record is kind of off but we’re good. And so, if you have the time to come out to a game, just one game, like, come and watch and support us and, hopefully, we’ll make it worth your while.”

–Compiled by Omar E. Zapata