Lauren Hansen, a New Yorker, grew up playing sports in her neighborhood. Unfortunately, there’s nobody from Long Island that has truly become a basketball star. But that hasn’t stopped Hansen from achieving greatness both on and off the field. In a recent Sh3GotGame interview, she took a moment to reflect and acknowledged the remarkable progress the game has made since she started playing.
She openly expressed, “I’m happy to witness the significant growth and expansion of the game since my younger days. The visibility and support among women are truly amazing.”
Hansen’s basketball journey began with an invitation to a camp from a childhood friend. It didn’t take long for her to discover her genuine love for the game. Despite her initial lack of experience, she heavily relied on her instincts to excel on the court. From a young age, Hansen has always had a competitive spirit, sometimes even too much. However, she still incorporates the intensity and mindset inspired by the late Kobe Bryant into her game to this day. Additionally, she’s modeled her game after Diana Taurasi. As time went on, her scoring skills improved, but her natural competitive nature stood out the most. “Although I didn’t pattern my game after Kobe Bryant, I did embrace his mindset, which still influences me in my everyday life,” Hansen explained. “I love scoring and making plays in the game, but my competitive nature is the most instinctive aspect for me.”
Run that back… NY style pic.twitter.com/yjf5ei6oKz
— Lauren Hansen (@laurenhansen_1) April 28, 2021
Lauren Hansen’s Transition from HS to NCAA
Moving ahead, Hansen’s achievements in high school and her involvement with Exodus Basketball, one of the country’s most respected AAU teams, propelled her forward in her journey. During high school, she received a nomination for the prestigious McDonald’s All American award, although she didn’t win. She expressed how much of an honor it was to be nominated. Additionally, Hansen was ranked among the top 100 girls in the nation by ESPNW.
“It was truly an amazing experience. Despite facing adversity due to injuries, I felt a sense of accomplishment. While the nomination was appreciated, I strongly believed that I deserved to be in the game. Not being included only fueled my determination, and I embraced an underdog mentality.”
Hansen’s commitment to Auburn
Despite not winning the award, she continued to earn the respect of her peers and coaches throughout the country. Instead of dwelling on the accolade, she prioritized the importance of reputation and staying on the right track. Lauren Hansen desired the freedom to play and the trust of her coaches to lead any team she joined. Initially, she committed to Auburn University, as she believed they shared a similar mindset. She took pride in being unique and saw Auburn as an ideal fit within the SEC conference.
Committed to Auburn University ‘23 🐅🐾🦅 pic.twitter.com/mIv50EILql
— Lauren Hansen (@laurenhansen_1) August 3, 2018
She later transferred to Mizzou University, another SEC school. This move allowed her to showcase her skills in an open-style offense and contribute to playmaking for her teammates. During the transfer process, she continued to build connections with coaches and players. Like many others, the COVID-19 pandemic emphasized the importance of relationships, and Hansen was no exception.
“I’m grateful to Mizzou for giving me the opportunity to play in an open offense and express myself freely on the court,” Hansen explained.
New Beginnings!!🖤💛 #MIZ pic.twitter.com/rp0StCrkTJ
— Lauren Hansen (@laurenhansen_1) April 17, 2020
To such an extent, she even managed to overcome the reigning champions of NCAA Women’s March Madness, South Carolina University. While she acknowledges the crucial contribution of her teammates, she orchestrated one of the most significant upsets of the year. The Tigers emerged victorious with a narrow score of 70-69, with Hansen making valuable contributions of 21 points and 7 rebounds. Reflecting on her emotions during the game, she revealed a distinct mindset that led to her lack of surprise over the outcome.
“I entered the game with a firm belief in our victory, despite others counting us out,” Hansen said with a smile. “That mindset gave us the confidence to defeat any team in the country.”
How Basketball Has Impacted Hansen’s Life
Lauren Hansen reflects on her journey and acknowledges that without basketball, she wouldn’t be the person she is today. The sport has allowed her to forge meaningful relationships, experience countless travels, and develop her character. One quote that resonates with Hansen is “We Cannot Become What We Want By Remaining What We Are” by Max Depree. This quote holds a valuable lesson for everyone, but Hansen personally embodies its message. She contemplates how her life would have been different without basketball and aspires to make a lasting impact beyond the game. Her ultimate goal is to inspire confidence in others through her love for basketball.
“My main goal is to inspire people to embrace their true selves,” Hansen expressed. “Through my game, I aim to inspire others to have self-belief and make a lasting impact on the world of women’s basketball.”
In summary, Hansen remains true to herself and strives to push the game forward. If her professional aspirations don’t materialize, she is open to becoming a mentor or coach. Ideally, she would love to coach at the collegiate level, but ultimately, any opportunity to contribute to the future of women’s basketball would be fulfilling. When asked if she had any advice for younger girls and boys who could relate to her journey, she responded:
“Believe in yourself, because that’s all that matters,” Hansen emphasized. “The way you talk to yourself holds great power. And above all, never allow anyone to diminish the confidence you’ve built.”
