By MAYAN PAZ
Tiger Media Network
Talexa Weeter dominated the MIAA and NCAA Division II basketball this past season, averaging 27.5 points per game — the best in the nation.
With a season-high 46 points scored in the first round of the DII Central Region tournament and high-level performance throughout the season, Weeter was awarded the D2CCA Ron Lenz Player of the Year Award.
Winning that award, and especially performing as she did in the NCAA tournament, it was clear Weeter might draw attention from Division I schools and pursue other challenges. Shortly after the season ended, Weeter entered the transfer portal
Last week, she declared her commitment to Oklahoma State University in the Big 12 Conference.
It wasn’t an easy decision for Weeter. But wanting to explore a higher level of basketball, she decided she couldn’t pass up that opportunity.
“It wasn’t an easy decision at all. I love Hays,” said Weeter, a standout athlete at Goodland High School before coming to FHSU. “I didn’t want to leave, but I know there’s something bigger out there for me. And if I have the talent, if I have the ability to go higher, like why not? And I just want to challenge myself in the best way possible and just become the best version of myself. And I believe that was just the decision that needed to be made. And Division I has always been a lifelong dream for me.”
Weeter had several Big 12 schools express interest in signing her, including Kansas State, the University of Kansas, Iowa, and Iowa State — in addition to OSU. After visiting Kansas State and OSU, she opted for the Cowgirls from Stillwater, Oklahoma, who last season were ranked fourth in the Big 12 and lost in the second round of the NCAA tournament to eventual national champion UCLA.
Weeter said OSU head coach Jacie Hoyt, a Kansas native and former graduate assistant coach at Fort Hays, played some part in her final decision.
“I kind of know the coach a little bit. She’s from northwest Kansas, so I wanted to see what their program was all about,” Weeter said about Hoyt, who graduated from Hoxie High School. “And honestly, it just felt like another home to me when I went to visit. I love the coaches, and it was great.”
The transition from Division II to Division I is not going to be easy for Weeter, but she is ready to battle that challenge. She has one more year of eligibility to take advantage of.
On the other side of the transfer is FHSU, losing its top player — and possibly the best player in school history.
FHSU head coach Talia Kahrs said she understands Weeter’s aspiration of playing at a higher level. She believes Weeter can be successful in the Big 12 as well.
“She really believes that she can play there,” Kahrs said. “She’s going to have a different role than she did here, obviously, and it’s going to look different than it does here. But I think for her, I think she can go be successful at the highest level possible. When you’re dreaming about it as a little girl, you’re seeing that level of basketball being played, and you dream about doing that. And she had that dream, and I think she has the ability to go, to make that possible.”
For the Tigers, it is going to be a busy summer as some other seniors have graduated and ran out of eligibility. Coupled with Weeter’s transfer, the team will look different next year.
For Weeter, on the other hand, it will be an opportunity to showcase her ability at the highest collegiate level — and perhaps impress WNBA scouts as well.
Weeter said having more spotlights from professional teams as a Division I player also played a part in her decision to transfer for her senior season.
“I’ve thought about continuing my basketball career after this year,” said Weeter, who shot 52% from the field and 40% from 3-point range this season. “I’m just gonna see where I’m at at the end of the year, see how much my game has developed.”