
Kamille Diaz, sophomore sociology major and guard, has played in all 28 games this season and averages 13.5 points per game. She leads the team and the PacWest with 86 3-pointers. Her performance against Azuza Pacific University Feb. 21 helped her earn her second PacWest Player of the Week honor. Courtesy of Sports Information
In the 2013-2014 season, Kamille Diaz started in all 28 games, which ultimately led her to receive the PacWest Freshman of the Year honor, along with six PacWest Freshman of the Week honors. This year is no different.
In only her second year at California Baptist University, Diaz, sophomore sociology major and guard for the women’s basketball team, has made an impact on her team.
Picking up her second PacWest Player of the Week honor this season for her performance against Azusa Pacific University, the passion for basketball Diaz possesses is evident. During the most recent game against APU, Diaz was able to sink a 3-pointer with only a few seconds left in the game to send it into overtime.
Introduced to the sport at a young age, Diaz credits her first contact with basketball to her family. Her father and uncle were the first to show her the sport, and she had influence from her brother and cousins, who also played.
“I played with them because we were all around the same age,” Diaz said.
Later in her life and as she got older, basketball turned into a passion for Diaz. Jarrod Olson, head coach of the women’s basketball team, said Diaz plays with all she has to give.
“Kamille is a fierce competitor who plays with a lot of fire,” Olson said. “She has a strong will to win, but the best part about her as a player is that she is fearless.”
Diaz’s fearless attitude not only pushes her to do her best, but it inspires those around her, as well.
“She is a good shooter, as well as a creative ball-handler and passer,” Olson said. “Her biggest impact on the team is inspiring her teammates with her competitive spirit.”
The competitive spirit Diaz possess shows in games and in practice. Olson said Diaz is at her best in practice as she raises the level of competition among her teammates.
Diaz said her teammates motivate her to be the best player she can be.
“I know they have confidence in me while I’m out there,” Diaz said. “Knowing who I have around me on the court makes me want to do my best in order to help us become successful. I wouldn’t want to have another set of teammates to be with me through my journey at CBU.”
Diaz currently leads the PacWest in 3-pointers. Amid all this success, however, Diaz remains humble and stays focused on the ultimate goals for the team.
“The honors are cool, but we need to focus on bigger things,” she said. “We want to stay focused on the conference tournament,” Diaz said.