Feb. 28, 2000
by Heather Walker
It is often said that good things come in small packages. For the Clemson women’s basketball team this year, there is no saying more descriptive of freshman phenom Chrissy Floyd.
“Most people probably think I am too small,” said Floyd.
For the slender 5’9″ guard, nicknamed “Twig” by teammates, her size has apparently not been a disadvantage. Floyd has come off the bench this year to become the Lady Tigers’ leading scorer with an average of 12.4 points per game. She is shooting 46 percent from the field, and also leads on defense with 48 steals so far this season.
“She is obviously very skilled and talented,” said Women’s Head Basketball Coach, Jim Davis.
“It is not very long after she gets in the game that she makes something happen.”
Floyd has been making things happen ever since she first picked up a basketball and stepped onto the court. Throughout her high school career at Laurens High School in Laurens, SC, Floyd was chosen All-Region four times and All-State twice. She helped to lead her team to two state championships, and during her senior year was named “Miss South Carolina Basketball” by both the Sports Report and America General.
There may soon be another award for Floyd to add to her ever-growing list as she is a strong candidate for the ACC Rookie of the Year. She has already had the honor of being chosen ACC Rookie of the Week early in the season after leading the Lady Tigers with an average of 13 points per game against #15 North Carolina, #3 N.C. State, and #11 Duke. In those contests, the Lady Tigers were victorious against both North Carolina and N.C. State.
The modest Floyd, however, is much more concerned about her work ethic and contributions to her team than she is about her chances of receiving the award.
“I’m just going to keep working hard and doing my best, and we’ll see what the outcome is,” said Floyd. “But it will be a big accomplishment if I do get it.”
Davis will be looking for a performance from Floyd this weekend that epitomizes that of an ACC Rookie of the Year. His Lady Tigers will be traveling to Greensboro, NC for the ACC Tournament, and the pressure will be on as they enter the tournament as the defending ACC Champions.
“We certainly need point production out of her if we are to win the ACC Championship,” said Davis.
But the Lady Tigers’ freshman star is not worried.
“If we play like we are capable of playing, we’ll come out on top,” said Floyd. “The games that we lost during the season, we should’ve won. We weren’t executing at times that we should’ve been. If we put everything together, we should do good.”
Perhaps it is this confidence and positive demeanor that makes Chrissy Floyd such a success whenever she steps onto the court. Davis is quick to point out that he was drawn to the “winning attitude” that she would bring to the program.
For Floyd, it was the winning tradition that drew her to Clemson. After the Lady Tigers took the ACC crown last year, Floyd was looking for the opportunity to join the program and contribute early on for the chance at another championship.
And contribute she has certainly done.
“Everyone has to contribute something,” Floyd said. “I contribute a lot in scoring. Some people contribute a lot in rebounds. We have to put it all together to get a win.”
The small framed Floyd has big dreams for her team at the tournament this weekend. But if she continues her style of play that has been catching the attention of so many this year, the Lady Tigers will have an excellent shot at capturing yet another ACC title.
A pretty “good thing” to come from such a small package.
December 4, 2024
