Point guard is the position on the basketball court that requires the most decision-making. Players playing the position need razor sharp awareness and the ability to make quick, smart decisions.
This is senior point guard Dortae Freeman's job for the Buffalo women's basketball team.
Freeman's journey began at Cass Technical High School in Detroit, Michigan, where she instantaneously became a star. Over the course of time there, Freeman received MVP awards, averaged great numbers and won state and national titles.
It is no wonder that Freeman was offered scholarships from big-time schools such as Duke, Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech, Boston College and Kansas. So why did the Michigan star choose to attend Buffalo?
"Well, it was Division I and the program was smaller than those other schools," she said. "I felt like I could immediately be an impact player. I am very happy that I made the decision to come here because UB has been like a second home for me."
The Bulls are just as happy with her choice.
Although her numbers at Buffalo may not be as gaudy as her high-school statistics, Freeman's impact still resonates throughout the women's basketball program.
"Dortae is a very competitive athlete who has great leadership qualities," assistant coach Crishna Hill said. "She is a vocal point guard with amazing court vision."
Court-vision is an attribute that allows Freeman to be successful on the court, but she insists that is not all she brings to the table.
"I'm known for my defense," Freeman said. "I'm more defensively-minded so I focus on defense."
Freeman also brings enthusiasm and energy to the court.
"I'd like to think that I'm an energetic player," Freeman says. "I play the game with passion and I give 100 percent every time I'm on the floor."
Freeman's head coach agrees with this statement and believes these attributes help the team as a whole.
"[Freeman] has the ability to infuse energy into her teammates when she steps on the court," head coach Linda Hill-MacDonald said.
But while Freeman considers herself a defensive presence for the Bulls, coach MacDonald insists that it is her offensive game that makes Freeman stand out.
"Tae sees the floor well and has the ability to get the ball out of her hands quickly to an open teammate," MacDonald said. "I would characterize Dortae as more of a playmaker than a scorer, which is typical for a player who is a point guard."
Including the skills she displays on the court, Freeman's attributes outside of the gym are as numerous and as important as her basketball game.
"I like to think of myself as silly around my teammates," Freeman said. "I also think of myself as a fun person to be around."
Her coach reinforces these beliefs. MacDonald believes Freeman's personality also helps her out on the court.
"Dortae has a sense of humor and the ability to make her teammates laugh," she said. "She has innate leadership ability and her teammates often look to her for advice and direction."
With her personality traits helping her as an effective player on the court, Freeman has the all-around skills and traits that stars possess.
Even if she possess the traits necessary to be a star, however, Freeman still considers herself a student of the game.
"I'm inspired by the game itself," she said. "I've been playing it for so long. It also helps when you are the sister of two older brothers [Dontez and Kenneth]."
Besides daily contests with her brothers, Freeman also attributes her high-school days of track for giving her greater foot speed.
Freeman, who majors in communication, should have no worries over whether or not her attitude and excitement will leave a lasting impression on the program she loves so much. It's her passion and love of the game that coaches here at Buffalo should point to for a long time.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
