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It is often said big things come in little packages.

Jenaya Wade-Fray is living proof.

Coming from a tiny speck in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean that is Bermuda, the local hoopster exploded onto the NCAA women's basketball scene three -years ago as a Freshman.

In her rookie season with the Chattanooga Lady Mocs in 2006-07, the nearly 5ft 9 in guard rewrote the record books after going six for six from beyond the arc against University of North Carolina Greensboro. That year also saw Fray pour in an impressive 215 points to be named to the Southern Conference All-Freshman Team and since then she has gone from strength-to-strength.

Chattanooga head coach Wes Moore best summed up the Bermudian's athletic prowess at both ends of the court.

He said: "Her quickness helps her to get to the rim and her long range 'threes' (three pointers) can stretch a defence."

Fray's ascent in NCAA women's basketball has been nothing short of meteoric. She currently ranks 16th on Chattanooga's all-time scoring list with over 1,200 career points to her credit, is closing in on the 200 career three pointers milestone and has already been named Southern Conference Player of the Week twice this season.

Not bad for a player who comes from a region where basketball takes a back seat to a plethora of other sports.

Yet, rather than get caught up in self-glory, Fray prefers to look at the bigger picture instead.

"She never worries about her personal stats. She always says it's just about the win. We are very proud of Jenaya because she is such an unselfish player," added coach Moore.

Growing up in the old town of St. George's Fray tried her hand in a variety of sports. But it was basketball that ultimately stuck.

She said: "I think I was best at basketball, which made me like it more and continue to play it."

Fray is a big fan of Phoenix Suns point guard Steve Nash but perhaps an even bigger fan of WNBA star Diana Taurasi (Phoenix Mercury).

Taurasi won three consecutive NCAA championships with the University of Connecticut before turning pro in 2004. Fray would be delighted just to get one NCAA championship title under her belt.

The Lady Mocs have held their own this season, and Fray reckons they can get even better.

She said: "Our best is yet to come. Hopefully we'll be peaking during conference tournament and heading into the NCAA tournament.

"My team has been playing well as of late and are starting to gel and play as a team. But there is definitely still work to do.

"Everyday we have to look to improve in practice. Everyone is out to get us so we have to be on our 'A' game at all times."

Statistically, Fray makes NCAA basketball look easy but admits it's anything but your average stroll in the park.

"It's hard......many people have the dream of playing in the NCAA and further but not all are able to make it. So it's just a great opportunity and a great time."

The Bermudian hopes to major in psychology but has not ruled out turning pro should the opportunity present itself.

"I just want to play ball because I love it and feel I have a lot to offer," she added. "It feels great to have gone as far as I have so far and traveled the places I have through ball. I Just want to keep playing as long as I can and live my dream."

Pressure

Fray has become a role model in her own right among family and peers alike, sometime that drives her to always strive for perfection.

She added: "Having some of my family members and other people looking up to me feels great. It puts a little pressure on me to always do well, which can be a good thing."

Fray has been consistently putting up decent numbers in terms of scoring this season. She is currently averaging nearly 14 points per game and reckons she can do even better.

She said: "You always look back and think you can do something better. So I wouldn't say I'm satisfied, but I'm definitely not disappointed and there is always room for improvement."

Fray's season peaked against Georgia Southern earlier this month when she led the Lady Mocs to a 70-48 blowout.

The 5ft 9ft guard led the charge, scoring a career high 20 points and dominating the boards by pulling down eight rebounds.

She also had two steals and two assists for added measure.[[In-content Ad]]

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