Auburn's DeYona Gaston 'a player you can trust'

In her college basketball finale and her lone season on the Plains, the 6-2 forward ranks in the top 10 in the SEC in scoring and rebounding, fueled by her love of the game.

by Jeff Shearer
Auburn's DeYona Gaston 'a player you can trust'Auburn's DeYona Gaston 'a player you can trust'
Grayson Belanger/Auburn Tigers

Auburn's DeYona Gaston averages 22 points per game, third in the SEC

AUBURN, Ala.  The SEC’s third leading scorer averaging 22 points per game, DeYona Gaston delivers for Auburn.  

 “Whenever the lights come on, I’m going to play my best game every game,” said Gaston, who ranks No. 10 in rebounding in the Southeastern Conference with 7.2 per game.

Preparation, Gaston says, positions her to excel.

“Doing extra work helps me not be nervous,” she said. “I’ve seen this quote: ‘If you’re nervous before a game, you didn’t prepare well enough for it.’  I do play a big role on this team, so I’m just trying to stay consistent.”

Shooting a career-best 54.6-percent from the field, Gaston has answers for however defenders guard her, ready with a quick trigger to launch her trademark turnaround jumper.

“As soon as I catch the ball, I’m turning already into my shot,” she said. “If they’re guarding me on the top side, I spin the other way. If they guard me on the other side, I’ll spin the other way. However they’re playing me, I already know I can turn this way.”

Before coming to the Plains, Gaston played 106 games in four seasons at Texas, averaging 9 points per game, production she has more than doubled at Auburn.

“Going to a different environment that makes me explore all I can give to the team,” she said.

54.6 percent: With her signature shot, the turnaround jumper, Gaston is shooting the highest percentage of her career54.6 percent: With her signature shot, the turnaround jumper, Gaston is shooting the highest percentage of her career

Auburn’s primary scoring option, Gaston doesn’t force shots, preferring to see her teammates get their share.

“I like to get my teammates involved,” she said. “I’ve been more patient and more calm, trying to get my teammates involved and letting the buckets come to me. I don’t worry about scoring until it actually gets to the time that I can score.”

When freshman Yuting Deng joined the Tigers in January, she gave Auburn an outscoring shooting threat, requiring defenses to account for another scorer beyond Gaston.

“That helps a lot when you have somebody who can shoot the ball on the outside,” Gaston said. “If we’re both on the same side, you’re going to have to choose between going out or coming in. It’s been going really well playing inside out.”

Heading into the final week of the regular season, Gaston appreciates her time at Auburn.

“I’ve enjoyed having teammates who have confidence in me,” Gaston said. “Having coaches who are confident in me. Surrounding my space with good people.”

Head coach Johnnie Harris consistently applauds Gaston’s for her work ethic and dependability.

“She’s given me the opportunity to play my game, so I have to be consistent,” Gaston said. “That’s my mindset, being consistent, a player you can trust on the court.

“You have to have players you can trust on the court and I feel like I’m one of those players, knowing every game, foul trouble or not, I’m still going to come at you.”

“That’s my mindset, being consistent, a player you can trust on the court. Every game, foul trouble or not, I'm still going to come at you."

DeYona GastonAuburn senior forward
In her only season on the Plains, Gaston has more than doubled her career scoring averageIn her only season on the Plains, Gaston has more than doubled her career scoring average

Gaston aspires to play professionally before earning graduate degrees and becoming a sports psychologist.

“Not a lot of people see what we go through as student-athletes,” Gaston said. “I feel like I would be able to relate to other athletes. I know exactly how they feel so I would know how to attack it.”

After being named the Big 12’s sixth player of the year last season, Gaston will earn consideration for All-SEC honors, though she says points and recognition don’t motivate her as much as competition.

“I’m not one of those players who’s fetching for awards. I just love the game,” Gaston said. “I’m a person who wants to win and compete.

“It’s nice to hear. I really do enjoy being on that category, but I’m just here to hoop. I love the game so much and I put so much into it.”

20241114_WBB_vs_LR_AR_1583AUBURN, AL - NOVEMBER 14 - DeYona Gaston (5) during the game between the Auburn Tigers and the Little Rock Trojans at Neville Arena in Auburn, AL on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024. Photo by Addi Ray/Auburn Tigers

Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on X: @jeff_shearer