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.