School: Buffalo Grove, 2000.
Position: Guard.
College: Illinois.
Guth led Buffalo Grove to the 2000 girls Class AA state basketball championship over Washington by scoring seven of her team’s nine points in overtime. She also was an outstanding high school golfer. After playing for Illinois’ golf team her freshman year, she gave up golf to pursue a walk-on role with the university’s women’s basketball team this season, just in time to play off-season games in Russia. She has played in only four games for the Illini, in part because she had mononucleosis last month.
What made you decide to join as a sophomore?
“I looked at schools in my senior year of high school, but they were Division II and Division III. I wanted to go to a bigger school. Basketball at U. of I. was tough–I wasn’t sure if the possibility would be there for me. At the conclusion of my freshman year, I decided I wanted to play, even if I had to leave Illinois. I wanted to pursue basketball because that’s where my heart was.”
You have a limited role on the team. Is that a tough adjustment after playing so much in high school?
“I was telling my dad: `I miss playing. I’ve been practicing the last year.’ I knew my role would be limited. . . . I couldn’t be happier. I think we have the best practice facilities, we travel with the best accommodations and it’s so exciting to play in Assembly Hall.”
Do you have hopes of winning a scholarship?
“A lot of people have asked me that–except my parents, because they don’t want to put pressure on me. Obviously, if it was offered, it would be incredible. I feel lucky to be a walk-on. You’re there for the love of the game.”
