Jamillah Bonner: ‘I just want to win’

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Jamillah Bonner is a walk on freshman this year from Butler. She is expected to lead the women’s basketball team this year.

For junior guard Jamillah Bonner, coming home to play college basketball at Wichita State has a nice ring to it.

A Wichita native, Bonner played high school basketball at Wichita Southeast High School where she was a three time All-City player. In her senior year, Bonner ranked No. 85 on the nationwide list of best point guards of the 2011 class by ESPNHoopgirlz.com.

Bonner also lettered in volleyball and owns the third best long jump in Kansas high school history.

She signed to play basketball at Butler Community College out of high school. Bonner was a two-time All-Region VI First Team and All-Jayhawk West Conference Team at Butler County, and one of the most sought after guards in this year’s class.

“When I signed with Wichita State, their style of play really fit my game, and plus I would be back home in front of friends and family,” Bonner said. “It feels go to be here.”

For Bonner, the road to WSU had its share of trials and tribulations along the way. The passion and determination Bonner displays on the court is evident when she talks about coming home and proving her doubters wrong.

The proud mother of a little girl, many people thought her life would be hard to juggle between motherhood, school and athletics.

“When I had my daughter many people thought my career was over,” Bonner said. “Yeah, it is hard being a mother, student, athlete but I worked through it and I’m here.”

Bonner uses the negative comments as fuel to drive her to be a better person and basketball player.

“I just want to win. I want a banner hanging from the rafters,” Bonner said. “I want a conference championship ring like they got last year.”

The speedy guard said she hopes to bring scoring, defense and an emotional spark to the team by having energy on the court during games and everyday energy in practice.

Head coach Jody Adams said that of all the players she has coached, Bonner reminds her most of herself: aggressive when taking the ball to the basket, a good on-ball defender and a vocal leader.

In a career that has come full circle back to her hometown, the scrappy, resilient Bonner is ready to show what she can do in front of friends, family and her hometown, including her doubters.