Whether she's dribbling down the court, hitting the open three, or racing back on defense, Anna Prillaman is always beaming a confident smile.
"Basketball is supposed to be fun," Prillaman said. "And if it's not fun, then I shouldn't be out there playing it. That's how I keep my happiness alive, by smiling."
As she flashes her smile to both teammates and opponents alike, Prillaman, a 5-foot-9 freshman, displays the calm sense of a court leader usually associated with older, more experienced players.
"When people are panicking out there and they see people out there smiling and they see it's okay, you definitely chill a little bit," Prillaman said.
Having found a home as the starting point guard, replacing graduated Renee Robinson, Prillaman is averaging over five points and three rebounds a game on 54 percent shooting, including an impressive 43 percent accuracy rate from behind the arc.
The statistics only tell half the story. Prillaman contributes in ways that go unnoticed in the box score.
"I try to come out every night and not make too much of an impact but just do my thing," Prillaman said. "I try to do the little things. I think I bring a little bit of consistency. I bring the ball up, take care of it, and make some shots down the stretch if I need to."
Although Prillaman was named Virginia's Gatorade Player of the Year for leading Midlothian High to an undefeated state championship season, adjusting to the pace of the college game has been no easy feat.
"In the beginning it was tough because coming into college it's a much faster game," Prillaman said. "Practice after practice I think I've improved, just because of the coaches and the girls helping me out."
The practice obviously has paid off for Prillaman. Having made steady progress, coach Debbie Ryan has awarded Prillaman with more playing time and more control of the offense.
"I think Anna has really come a long way for us, and we've obviously called on her a lot in the last couple of weeks," Ryan said. "She really does do a nice job, and she distributes the ball well. She knows where the ball needs to go, and she gets it there."
As Prillaman continues to adapt to the college game, she also is adjusting to college life and the unique first-year experience at Virginia.
"It's like nothing I've experienced in my whole life," Prillaman said. "I didn't really know what I was doing coming into it but it's something that's new and fun. I can't imagine going to any other school than U.Va."
Although you are likely to see Prillaman performing a crossover dribble or draining a jumper, the bright-eyed freshman has made sure to enjoy all that Virginia has to offer.
"I like to have fun," Prillaman said. "I like the social life here at U.Va. Once I'm out of basketball practice, I go straight and get my work done, and then I go socialize. I'm just having a good time here."
As the end of the regular season approaches, the time of year most critical for an NCAA Tournament bid, Prillaman hopes to lead by her happy and confident example.
"I want to be known for someone that has fun out there and likes to keep my teammates up and smiles all the time," Prillaman said.
At the rate she's going, Prillaman's future seems to be as bright as her smile.
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