Most college athletes have been perfecting their craft since they were young. But for University of North Florida freshman forward standout Dezuray McGill, her basketball journey didn\u2019t start until the eighth grade.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Growing up, McGill played every sport she could think of except basketball. Her mom became nervous once McGill asked to play the popular American sport due to its physicality.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI was doing every sport besides it [basketball], so my mom was like \u2018ok, let\u2019s put you in basketball\u2019. She was scared because of the physicality of basketball. She was hesitant because I am her first [child] and she didn\u2019t want me to get hurt,\u201d she said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Growing Up<\/p>\n
McGill grew up in Miami, Florida, playing basketball for American Heritage School. It was around her sophomore year when McGill decided to take basketball seriously. But before that happened, she spent a lot of time on the bench.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAt the beginning I didn\u2019t get a lot of minutes in the game, and my favorite memory was watching and learning. I got to see how close everybody was just because of the sport itself,\u201d she said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
In her senior year, McGill was ranked 34th in the state of Florida within the 2025 graduating class. She also assisted her team to four state tournament appearances and two FHSAA 4A State Championships.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Becoming an Osprey<\/p>\n
During her senior year of high school, McGill was fully committed to Long Island University, mainly because of the coaching staff. However, when the staff abruptly changed, McGill felt confused as to what her next steps should be.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThe coaching staff was the reason I was going there [LIU] so it was a no for me going to LIU after they left,\u201d she said. \u201cOne of the coaches from that school knew one of the coaches from here [UNF] and I think they sent over my film and told them about me. One thing led to another and I got a call and committed.\u201d<\/p>\n
McGill states that the coaching at UNF, specifically Head Coach Erika Lambert<\/a>, made this an easy transition process for her. She only got the offer to come to UNF a month before summer conditioning began.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cWe were panicking, we didn\u2019t know what we were going to do,\u201d she said. \u201cI never saw the campus until a week before summer started, after I already committed.\u201d<\/p>\n Accomplished Goals at UNF<\/p>\n As a freshman on the team, McGil dreamed of becoming a starter. Aware that it would be something she would have to work hard for and prove herself for, she did it in no time.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cI thought it would be a reach, and the fact that I did do it is kind of crazy,\u201d said McGill.<\/p>\n On top of working hard, her teammates made for such a healthy and inspiring team to be a part of. The team working together to further everyone else rather than further themselves is what makes the team so strong.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cMy favorite moment so far was my [30-point] game. The way we all played that game, how we all shared the ball, and how everyone was happy for me. It\u2019s usually never been like that in the past with other teams, so for everyone to be happy and there were no jealous faces, I think that was the best,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n