Audrey Faber (#45 | 6-2 | F | Fr.)
One of the top recruits in the Big East for the 2015-16 season, the 6-foot 2-inch forward made a strong first impression by shooting the lights out of the Championship Center during the first couple official practices. She hit a cold spell after that, but her contributions this season will go beyond her ability to shoot the basketball. She can rebound, defend, score inside and has a nice mid-range game. As a freshman, she is very advanced in how well-rounded her game has been. Even on nights when she doesn’t shoot the ball, she will still be able to make an impact on the game and help the team have a chance to win because of her versatility.
Creighton didn’t have a lot of turnover from last year’s team, but the one spot where they did lose a big time contributor was Faber’s position. Alexis Akin-Otiko had a breakout senior for the Bluejays in 2014-15. She earned a spot on the All-Big East Second Team and was named the conference’s Most Improved Player after averaging 13.1 points, 6.3 rebounds, 1.4 blocks, and 1.3 steals per game. Akin-Otiko shot 42.8% from the field, including a surprising 34.1% from beyond the arc. While the Bluejays do return a majority of their production from last season, the loss of Akin-Otiko might add to the pressure that Faber puts on herself as she attempts to replace the former Bellevue West standout.
With a host of scoring options returning at Jim Flanery’s disposal, there won’t be as much pressure on Faber on the offensive end of the floor, at least not as a true freshman. Where a lot of her value will come this season will be her ability to help Creighton in the post, defensively and on the glass.
Dowling Catholic High School
- named 2014-15 Gatorade Iowa Girls Basketball Player of the Year
- ranked #72 by ESPN for incoming 2015 freshmen
- averaged 18.9 points and 6.2 rebounds per game as a senior
- averaged 15.7 points and 5.5 rebounds per game as a junior
Head Coach Jim Flanery on Faber:
“Audrey is super versatile. She’s a kid who was really efficient from the three-point line in high school. She’ll probably shoot more from the three-line in college, but she’s an inside-outside kid, and she’s got a good understanding of what she needs to do defensively. She’s going to be a kid that we are counting on to help, because she’s just solid in every area. Even though she’s a little slight of build I think she finishes it well around the basket. She’s played on a winning club program and a winning high school team, so we think she’ll help us a lot this year.”
5-on-5 with Audrey Faber:
Q: What were the factors in why you decided to play at Creighton?
A: “It was the school I felt most comfortable at. At all of my visits I really liked what the coaches said to me, and I felt comfortable with them, and built relationships with them and the team over time. I think I took the most visits here, and I just felt most the comfortable here.”
Q: Through getting into classes and being with the team on the court and off, what has been the most challenging part of the transition from high school to college?
A: “You have to be very organized. Your schedule is a lot busier. Basketball takes up a lot more time, and you have to be able to balance school and basketball better with study hall hours and everything like that.”
Q: The team was picked 4th in the Big East preseason poll. What are your thoughts on that, and what are your expectations for this group this season?
A: “I thought it was a good selection. Obviously we’re in the top half, and I think other girls were happy with it, and I think we’re all really excited for this year. I think we’re going to be successful.”
Q: Which game on the schedule or trip are you most looking forward to?
A: “I’m really excited to go to Drake, because that’s my home town, just to play there with all of my family there. I think I’m most excited to travel to New York, play out there, and sight-see.”
Q: When your time at Creighton is over, what will you have hoped to accomplish as a Bluejay?
A: “I definitely want to make it to the NCAA Tournament, get a win there maybe. I just want to help the team be successful however I can.”