IRVINE, Calif. - The 2017-18 UC Irvine women's basketball team will feature 10 newcomers with five true freshmen and five returning redshirts suiting up in an Anteater uniform for the first time. Fans can get to know each of these student-athletes through our Meet the Newcomers series, and up next is freshman guard Haleigh Talbert.
 


#21 HALEIGH TALBERT
Year: Freshman
Position: Guard
Height: 5-4
Hometown: Euless, Texas (Trinity HS)
Major: Undeclared

1. Sisterly Love
Haleigh always looked up to and wanted to be just like her older sister, Jamiee. Growing up, Haleigh would watch Jamiee's basketball games, so of course, she ended up joining a local team when she was just seven years old. Although it was new to her and she wasn't initially a natural at the sport, her sister continued to push her to get better.
 
"My sister and I are nine years apart, but we're best friends," Talbert said. "When I watched her play, I always wanted to follow in her footsteps, and she wanted me to be better than her. But, when I started out, I wasn't very skilled and my dad actually wanted to take me out of the sport."
 
Luckily, Haleigh stuck with it and quickly began to progress. Her hard work and talent didn't go unnoticed as she was asked to join a travel team. From there, she went on to be a four-year varsity letterwinner at Euless Trinity High School, where she earned all-district recognition each season. She also secured a spot on an EYBL team her senior year.  
 
Haleigh continues to follow in her sister's footsteps as she is set to begin her collegiate career. After seeing Jamiee play basketball at the junior college level and at Langston University (Okla.), where she was a two-year starting point guard, Haleigh saw her own dreams come true when she made her decision to commit to UC Irvine last fall.
 
"When I came on my visit, I really loved the campus," Talbert said. "And seeing how Coach T and her staff wanted to turn the program around, it made me really want to be a part of a team that could accomplish that."
 
 
2. Family Comes First
In addition to her sister, Haleigh credits her mom with her success both on and off the court. It wasn't always an easy road, but they stuck together through it all.

"My mom sacrificed a lot for all of us," Talbert said. "We would run out of money because she was taking all of us to practices and games, and she did it by herself. As I get older, I see everything she's done for us means a lot, and I love her for all of that."

At one point during her senior year, Haleigh and her family, including her 13-year old brother, were evicted from their apartment. Although it was a tough time for her, it ended up making herself and the bond with her family even stronger.

"When we got evicted, my whole mindset about everything changed," Talbert said. "I didn't want to go to church anymore and even though I remained the same on the outside - smiling and all of that - I just really didn't want to be around anybody.

"Then, when my mom and dad got back together, we were living in a one bedroom apartment. After going through all of that, it made me stronger. It helped me stay humble and love my family, and I actually saw a very positive side with everything that was going on."


3. Turning Point
When asked what her most memorable basketball moment has been so far, Haleigh didn't bring up any championships. In fact, she didn't even mention a win. Her most memorable moment was a loss, but it was also a turning point in her confidence level as a senior in high school.

Haleigh and her teammates at Trinity were pitted against Duncanville, the top team in the state, in a December tournament. They trailed by 13 after the third quarter, but put up a fight in the fourth where they outscored the Panthers, 20-14. Haleigh provided the late spark in that game and finished with 17 points.

"In Texas, the No. 1 team is Duncanville and we played them this past year," Talbert said. "We lost by seven points, but I hit back-to-back-to-back 3-pointers in the last five minutes, which brought us within three or so. After that game, I wasn't scared of anything. It proved to myself that I could do all things through Christ."

Now, Haleigh will bring that confidence to the court at UC Irvine and look to create more big moments in her basketball career.
    
 
MORE ABOUT HALEIGH...
Pre-game rituals
I pray before every game.
 
Favorite movie
Fruitvale Station
 
Favorite basketball player
Kyrie Irving
 
Why did you choose #21?
I've had the number since I was in seventh grade. I used to have #23, but I didn't want it anymore, so I went to 21 and have had it ever since.
 
If you could spend the day with any celebrity, who would it be?
Beyoncé
 

MEET THE NEWCOMERS SERIES
Yazzy Sa'Dullah
Tahlia Garza
Morgan Green
Jordan Sanders
Lauren Saiki