ARLINGTON — Arlington 2016 graduate, Jayla Russ was pretty much set to attend Tacoma Community College to play basketball until she got word from her AAU coach in late June that Eastern Michigan University was working on getting her a scholarship to play.
When it was confirmed Russ would be playing as another Eagle under former University of Washington assistant coach Fred Castro, she was “shocked.”
Russ signed away, and it was confirmed by Castro himself July 5 that Russ will be playing on his team.
“I’m excited to play at that high of a level,” Russ said. “It’s always been my dream.”
As soon as Russ heard the news, she called former high school coach Joe Marsh on what she should do.
“He said it was a great opportunity, and I shouldn’t pass it up,” Russ said. “He said it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
Castro, as EMU’s head basketball coach, saw Russ play a lot while he was in Washington. Russ practiced on a team camp at UW’s gym her sophomore and junior years.
“He’s been watching me for a while and likes how I play,” Russ said. “He says I can develop into a really good player.”
Russ said with Castro as her coach, she’ll be joining a great team.
The 6-foot-1 former Arlington post is expected to play in the stretch four position next season.
Arlington’s girls basketball team benefited from Russ’ athleticism as a post player and occasional shooter, averaging five points and 10 rebounds a game her senior season. She’s went to state all four years with Arlington.
The transition from junior college to Division 1 basketball means Russ will need to intensify her training.
She has consulted a strength coach to get her up to speed next winter and has got back into practice.
“I’m getting my workouts in,” Russ said.
At EMU, Russ plans to study nursing and eventually radiology. “I’m excited to experience moving and living on my own,” Russ said.
EMU went 22-12 last year, advancing to the NIT, where it went 1-1. During the season, EMU beat Harvard, Air Force and Michigan, but lost to Kentucky.
The squad returns its top three scorers, all senior guards. Russ would be among their tallest players, but the only one west of Minnesota. EMU, with 21,634 students, is located in Ypsilanti, eight miles east of Ann Arbor and 35 miles west of Detroit.
