NSU women’s hoops is a family affair

By Bella Giaquinto and Emily Potter •

The NSU women’s basketball team’s culture is cultivated through a unique relationship between head coach LeAnn Freeland-Curry, and freshman point guard and business administration major Kailyn Terrell.

“She’s just always there and you could always count on her,” Terrell said about Freeland-Curry.

After earning her third Sunshine State Conference Coach of the Year honor, there’s no doubt that Freeland-Curry has done an exceptional job leading her team to victory during the 2024 season. Freeland-Curry knows her players well but holds a different connection with Terrell due to her friendship with her mother, Daria Terrell, dating back to their college years at the University of Southern Indiana in the 1990s.

“I understand her DNA a little bit more because I was close with not only her mom, Daria, but also her dad, Sam,” Freeland-Curry said about Terrell. “She’s very tough, very gritty and I know that she’s ready for any challenge.”

Prior to coaching at NSU, Freeland-Curry coached at the University of Indianapolis from 2006-11 where she owned the highest winning percentage in program history at 89-35 while taking the university to three-consecutive NCAA Tournaments.

Terrell attended Brownsburg High School where she started all 26 games her senior year, averaged 10 ppg, 4.1 apg, 3.5 spg, while also shooting 84% from the free throw line. Freeland-Curry and Terrell both found their way to NSU from Indiana at different times.

“I had no plans to leave the University of Indianapolis, but I heard so many great things about NSU that I had to at least come check it out,” Freeland-Curry said.

Freeland-Curry was pleasantly surprised when visiting the campus.

“I came down for the interview and fell in love,” Freeland-Curry said. “So when they offered me the job, it was kind of a no-brainer because I felt like it was an amazing opportunity and a gold mine in NCAA Division II.”

After coaching at NSU for more than a decade, Freeland-Curry reached out to Terrell during her junior year of high school, informing her of the opportunities at NSU.

“I loved the sound of what she could do with the program, then when I had a visit, I loved the campus,” Terrell said. “I got to meet the players, understand what her goal was, the coaching style, and it just fit along with what I wanted.”

Terrell has enjoyed her experience playing for NSU so far, contributing most of her team’s success to their chemistry.

“We’ve been playing good together,” Terrell said. “Our team chemistry is amazing and I think that’s what’s getting us the championship.”

Freeland-Curry is aware of the talent her players possess throughout the season, leaving her confident in their performance.

“I knew the talent we had in the room and the highly competitive spirits that they were,” Freeland-Curry said. “To motivate is a different beast, so we’re very fortunate and that’s why we’ve been so successful because the players are motivated from within.”

Currently, Terrell ranks fifth on the team overall, while also earning Sunshine State Conference Freshman of the Year for the 2023-24 season. That makes Terrell the third women’s basketball athlete from NSU to win Freshman of the Year since 2016-17.

“I wouldn’t have got this award without my teammates and coaches,” Terrell said. “I’m grateful to play with such amazing players, they always encourage me every single day, and they give amazing vibes, just like my coaches.”

Freeland-Curry shares that Terrell’s spirit will carry her far throughout her basketball and academic career.

“I don’t think there’s any challenge she’s ever had or will ever back down to,” Freeland-Curry said. “She has that fearless spirit that will serve us well in this postseason run, but also for the next three years of her career here and at school.”

Freeland-Curry also expresses her gratitude to the team, as they secured 20 consecutive wins throughout the regular season, making program history.

“The players were amazing throughout the whole experience in terms of just being gritty and tough,” Freeland-Curry said. “A few games they only had nine players active, but those nine players got it done and we’re excited looking forward to the postseason.”