Taeler Deer turning heads for Texas State

Taeler Deer’s career-high game in the defeat of Texas Tech earlier this month turned heads, and got some chatter among the basketball world. She scored 44 points, tied for the most points ever scored against the Lady Raiders, and the most ever scored in regulation.

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To open her senior season in such fashion is remarkable.

“I knew Tech was a great team,” Deer told The Summitt following Texas State’s game against Texas Christian earlier this month. “I wanted to start my senior season off right and I knew that meant for me to be prepared on the offensive end. I had to have an attack mentality.”

The Houston-native was definitely in attack mode, connecting on 17-of-27 shots, which are both career highs. Her 44 points weren’t the only career high she established Sunday night. She also played 39 minutes for the Bobcats.

Deer described herself as a hard worker, especially when no one else is watching. This offseason she really made it a point to work on the weaknesses of her game. Her left hand, her jumper, and her three-point shot were all things that she felt needed to be better coming into her last season of collegiate basketball. A common trait among ticket-selling players, to use Debbie Antonelli’s terminology, is work ethic. The blood, sweat, and tears put into one’s craft becomes evident in the big moments.

What is a ticket-selling player? 

Women’s basketball analyst Debbie Antonelli will tell you.

I asked Taeler her thoughts on being a ticket selling player.

“I work hard,” Deer said. “So its great to hear from a person like [Antonelli]. It meant a lot to me.” To have your name among players like Asia Durr, Aja Wilson, Kelsey Mitchell and others means that your game holds weight. Those are the type of players that you will see at the next level and that is exactly where Taeler Deer see’s herself in the future. “I want to play professionally. I have never experienced life without basketball and I don’t want to anytime soon.”

College Sports Madness named Taeler Deer the national player of the week for the mid-major level and the Sun Belt Conference.

“I am very happy that Taeler is being recognized for her efforts,” Texas State head coach Zenarae Antoine told The Summitt. “She is a dynamic player who is not only a great scorer, but good at creating for her teammates as well. It is a great day to be a Bobcat!”

It seems as though though the Bobcats have a ticket-selling player on their hands.