Layups with Kyra Lambert

DURHAM, N.C.— Only 15 days until the 2018-19 Duke women's basketball season kicks off on the road at Northwestern. As the DWB countdown continues, we touch base with redshirt junior Kyra Lambert.

Our No. 15, Lambert hails from Cibolo, Texas., and is coming off missing the entire 2017-18 campaign, after suffering a torn ACL in the first round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament. She has started 56-of-65 career contests and was recently named one of 20 preseason watch list candidates for the Nancy Lieberman Award as the top point guard in the nation.

GoDuke.com: What have you learned from being out of action for over a year with the knee injury?
Kyra Lambert: I learned a lot, just watching a whole lot of basketball. It's a different perspective not being on the team—not being on the floor—but I've learned mainly different ways to lead because usually I would lead by example. I'm out there, I'm in the fight with them. So now it's more of a communicative piece, more verbal, also knowing how to approach each of my teammates in a different way.

GD: Do you see the game different now after being on the sideline sitting with the coaches last year?
KL: Yes, I see more from both sides of the spectrum as from a player and coach's perspective. I can see why they yell so much because sometimes it is frustrating to watch and stuff, but other than that I think that my IQ is just really elevated.

GD: The team lot a lot from last year. How is it coming together and gelling as a team?
KL: It's been great. We have a lot of personalities on the team. We have a lot of charismatic people, a lot of veterans, a lot of newcomers, and I think that you know overall, everybody gels, everybody gets along very well and I think we'll see that chemistry translate on the court.

GD: What will it be like to be able to step back on the court with your teammates and play a game again?
KL: I literally dream of like the moment I step on the court and like actually fully dressed and ready to play. It's—I don't know. I'm excited. I'm just really like kind of just waiting with anticipation to get back out there.

GD: What did you do over the summer?
KL: This summer: rehab. A whole lot of rehab. Being in the weight room, getting strength back, agility, quickness, pretty much the whole rehab process. Summer McKeehan, Jordan Busse and Ashleigh Beaver have been extremely helpful and have done so much. I can't thank them enough and the athletic training staff here for just all the time, effort, hours that they put into me. You know, going into rehab and all that. So super grateful for them.

Quick Hitters:
Most used emoji? 😁
Role model? My Parents
One thing that always put you in a good mood? Music
Favorite dance move? Milly Rock
Which teammate would make the best president and why? Me, because I'm a people person and care about the well-being of others
Nickname? Ky or Lambo
Favorite color? Blue
Favorite snapchat filter? Deer filter with the voice change
Favorite Disney movie? Lion King
Song playing on your phone right now? Sure Thing by Miguel
Last show you binge-watched? Insecure
Go to song to practice to? Tell the World by Lecrae
Favorite color? Blue
Best thing you did over the summer? Go to LA to visit friends
One word your teammates would use to describe you? Happy
Best advice you have ever received? Work twice as hard as everyone else
Favorite TV show growing up? Living Single and Jeopardy
Favorite vacation spot? LA
One place you would like to travel to? Greece
Do you have any pre-game rituals? Listening to Tell the World by Lecrae
Best class you've taken at Duke and why? Black Popular Culture with Mark Anthony Neal because we discussed things that were relevant and happening in society.
Beach or mountains? Beach
Do you have any relatives involved in athletics? No
Instagram story or snapchat? Instagram Story
Favorite type of ice cream? Salted Caramel
Food you miss the most from home? Authentic Mexican Food
Favorite athlete? Chris Paul
Goals upon graduation? Keep playing basketball and travel the world
Hobbies? Watching Netflix and Online Shopping
Do you play a musical instrument and if so what? I used to play the marimba
If you could play another sport in college what would it be? Track & Field

Players Mentioned

Kyra Lambert

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