All-Star Tips!

Former Cincinnati Basketball Star, Ana Owens, Gives Recruiting Advice to Athletes

By Destiny Washington|Updated on June 27, 2023 (originally published on July 4, 2022)

Is basketball a boys sport? For Ana Owens, that's a joke. Growing up, she earned the respect of every male athlete that has ever seen her play.

Owens has played basketball since she was able to walk, talk, and run. She was an Indiana All-Star in high school (only the best 14 players in the state receive this accolade), and on the all-time assists leaderboard in high school and college. Ana was a four-year starter at the University of Cincinnati before playing professionally in Germany.

Owens has accomplished every goal that she has set out to when it comes to basketball. Here's her best recruiting advice.

2aDays: What is the best piece of advice that you can offer a collegiate athlete that is looking to play professionally?

Ana: I would advise them to work as hard as they can in practice and in games in order to have as much college success as possible. Most agents and scouts look at not only what you did individually but also team wise. Do not focus on individual statistics but make sure you have team success as well in order for them to see you are a team player.

2aDays: What is the best piece of advice that a coach has given you? And who was that coach?

Ana: The best advice a coach has given me was to always work hard because when you are not working someone else is trying to get your spot. That coach happened to be my father which helped me a lot along my journey.

2aDays: Eating healthy is extremely important to all athletes, what are two foods that an athlete should not go without on a daily basis?

Ana: Two foods that an athlete should not go without on a daily basis is a green vegetable, whether that is celery with peanut butter or broccoli as a side for dinner, and any piece of fruit.

2aDays: What is one thing you wish you knew as a collegiate athlete that would have made your life easier?

Ana: I wish I would have known the possibilities of how inconsistent a program could be, not record wise but meaning changes within the team and coaching staff. I came from a high school team that rarely had any changes, so coming to a college and dealing with four different coaching staff and multiple teammates was different. It was not easy adapting every year but that is normal in college athletics and as simple and easy as it sounds I wish I would've knew more about that.

2aDays: What is the biggest lesson you learned as a result of competing in college athletics?

Ana: The biggest lesson I learned from competing in college athletics is trusting the process. Every person has a different path in college and with mine I had a lot of ups and downs. Being one of the top players from the very first time I stepped on the court, it was so much pressure. I had the individual success but never any team success until my junior and senior year. It felt like no matter how much I did individually it still wasn't enough but I just had to continue playing my role and let the rest fall into place by trusting the process.

2aDays: What do you feel is the best two characteristics that a college athlete needs to have in order to be a great athlete?

Ana: The best two characteristics that a college athlete needs is hard work, and dedication. It may sound cliché but one can easily get distracted with the college lifestyle and not be focused on their sport. So you have to dedicate yourself even when you feel tempted to do other things that can lead you to not being focused.

2aDays: What advice can you give to an athlete who is looking to play more/get off the bench?

Ana: My advice is to be whatever the team needs at the time, if that is just going in to play defense be the best defender you can be. You have to be flexible and adaptable to whatever is needed at the time in order to get that playing time.

Questions for High School Athletes

2aDays: What advice can you give to high school athletes as far as social media is concerned?

Ana: My advice is to always make sure your social media is G-rated because you never know who is watching what you post or what you like. In today's society anything you post will not go away so once you post you have to make sure it is something you will not regret and hurt you in the long run. Most college scouts look at your social media first to see if you would be a good look for the University and if you are posting inappropriate stuff that could cause you to lose a potential scholarship.

2aDays: What three questions are a must that recruits should ask a coach while on a recruiting visit?

Ana: How long is your coaching contract at this University?

How many incoming freshman and graduating seniors do you have?

Is there opportunity to earn playing time as a freshman?

2aDays: Do's and don'ts while on a recruiting visit

Ana: Don't ask a coach if you will start right away.

Don't be too arrogant because there are always backups for your scholarship.

Be open to asking whatever questions you have.

Talk to players that play a lot and also players that don't play at all so you can see and hear both sides.

Fun Questions

2aDays: What is the funniest thing that happened to you while playing a game? (on the court)

Ana: The funniest thing that happened to me while playing a game is running into my teammate without looking on a transition break, which then caused me to travel. This then led to the other team getting the ball back.

2aDays: What is your go-to meal before a big game?

Ana: My go-to meal is baked chicken, broccoli, pasta with red sauce, bread and fruit on the side.

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