As theMurray State Racersprepare for their first round matchup in the NCAA Tournament against the Maryland Terrapins, they are led bySharnecce Currie-Jelks, the Division I leader in double-doubles this season.
Currie-Jelks, who gave birth to her daughter, Key'lani, in May of 2024, has a unique perspective as her team chases its first NCAA Tournament victory.
"She [Kay'lani] has motivated me to get up and go hard everyday," Currie-Jelks said. "Having somebody that small, that's mine, looking up to me. I want to be the best example that I can be for her."
In addition to posting 26 double-doubles, Currie-Jelks also broke the single-season rebounding record in Murray State women's basketball history with 386 total rebounds in her first season with the team.
A Jackson, Tennessee native, Currie-Jelks spent her first collegiate season at UT Martin before transferring to Indiana. Her daughter was born while Currie-Jelks was at Indiana. The junior forward transferred to Murray State before this season.
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Along with the support she has received from within the Murray State basketball program, Currie-Jelks has also been helped by her family.
"They've played a huge role," Currie-Jelks said of her parents. "Whether it's late night calls to check in on me, or coming up the next morning to give me breaks, or simply traveling to games to make sure she's [Kay'lani] taken care of."
Currie-Jelks cited assistant coach Monica Evans as being a strong influence in her parental journey.
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"Coach Monica, she's been a light, anytime I need to talk about anything," Currie-Jelks said. "She was one of the main ones that made sure I stayed focused and gave me a shoulder to lean on when I needed someone."
Evans was moved when speaking about her relationship with Currie-Jelks.
"It really brings tears to my eyes," Evans said. "Just in the year that she and I have built a relationship, we have been able to see her and she never skips a beat. She just wants to be the best example that she can be for Kay'lani."
The Racers' coaching staff also embraces kids being along for the ride, with many coaches having children of their own, and they have all become a strong part of the program.
Murray State head coach Rechelle Turner noted there are eight kids under the age of 6 that belong to coaches, which also includes Currie-Jelks' little girl, Kay'lani.
"I just think it lightens the mood," Turner said on having kids around. "One of our players can come in from having a bad day or maybe had a test that was tough, and they see those young kids run up to them and give them a hug. It just changes the whole mood."
TJ Frenchis a student in the University of Georgia's Carmical Sports Media Institute.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Murray State forward balances motherhood and Women's March Madness