IRVINE, Calif. - The 2017-18 UC Irvine women's basketball team will feature 10 newcomers with five true freshmen and five 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. Up next is freshman forward Jordan Sanders, who was a two-time all-state selection at Kickapoo High School in Springfield, Mo.




#34 JORDAN SANDERS
Year: Freshman
Position: Forward
Height 5-11
Hometown: Springfield, Mo. (Kickapoo HS)
Major: Psychology and Social Behavior

1. Back to Cali
Jordan is no stranger to California. She lived in Lompoc through her middle school years before moving to Missouri where she attended Kickapoo High School. With the Lady Chiefs, she was a four-time first-team all-league selection and earned Class 5 All-State honors in each of her final two seasons. In addition, she was named the Ozark Conference Girls' Basketball Player of the Year after averaging 21.6 points, 9.0 rebounds and 4.0 steals per game as a senior.
 
With those numbers and accolades, Jordan wasn't short on options for colleges. But, she knew she wanted to come back west and her visit to UC Irvine sealed the deal.
 
"I had always wanted to come back to California," Sanders said. "When I got here, I met all the players and coaches, and just got to be in the environment, and it felt right to me."
 
Jordan's mind was made up and she verbally committed last summer before making it official by signing her National Letter of Intent in November.
 
 
2. Two-Sport Star
Jordan was a standout two-sport athlete at Kickapoo High School in Missouri. She led the Lady Chiefs' basketball team to three-straight District titles and a Class 5 state championship in 2016. She was also a multiple all-league and all-state selection, and earned numerous MVP awards, including 2017 Springfield Player of the Year.
 
Once basketball season was over, Jordan didn't miss a beat with her track & field team. She was the top thrower on the squad, winning back-to-back individual state titles in the javelin. In 2017, she defended her crown with a state-record 149-06. In addition, she was a two-time league champion in the discus, while also competing in the shot put and high jump.
 
Although she excelled at both sports, basketball is what she has loved ever since she started playing at a young age.

"I saw my brother play basketball and I always wanted to be better than him at everything," Sanders said. "He actually ended up going to Sacramento State where he did track. But, track was something new to me. I started in high school and didn't start javelin until my junior year. Basketball is just what I loved more, so I stuck with it."
 

3. Moving Around
Jordan and her family moved around a bit when she was younger, which would be tough on any kid. It's hard to get used to new surroundings and to make new friends, but Jordan always had basketball to help her through any tough times she may have faced.

Once she was in Missouri, she settled in at Kickapoo High School for all four years and flourished on the court.

"Moving around a lot, having to join different teams and getting used to the environment was challenging," Sanders said. "But, that also helped me become the person I am today, and basketball really helped me get through it, helped me make friends."

Now, basketball has brought her back to California and a place she can call home the next four years.
 
 
MORE ABOUT JORDAN…
Favorite basketball player
I've always really liked Candace Parker and LeBron James.
 
Favorite home-cooked meal
Chicken and dumplings
 
Favorite TV or Netflix show
That's hard because I watch a lot of TV, but I would have to say Shameless, Criminal Minds and Last Chance U.
 
Why did you choose #34?
I had always been #32 growing up, but when I got to high school somebody had already taken 32 so I went with 34.
 
What are you looking forward to in your freshman year at UCI?
I'm looking forward to getting the college experience, getting to travel with the girls and playing at a higher level. Also, I'm looking forward to just meeting new people and making new friends.