The RoundHouse | 10/16/2024 11:25:00 AM

By Paul Suellentrop

Jayla Murray is powered by salmon, chicken and vegetables, not spicy, cheesy snacks and Wichita State women's basketball coach Terry Nooner sees the difference each time she runs the court.
 
"She was really monitoring what she was eating," Nooner said. "She did a great of transforming her body."
 
Murray, a 6-foot junior forward, started her transformation last spring after playing 2023-24 while recovering from a torn ACL in her right knee. After the season, she decided to work tirelessly to regain the form that earned her NJCAA All-American third team honors in 2021-22 at Florida SouthWestern State College.
 
"Every day – conditioning," she said. "I made it my job to be faster and have the ability I used to have. No days off."
 
Nooner gave the team a few weeks after last season to rest up. Murray immediately went to work lifting weights and running so she could shed her knee brace. Changing her diet helped immensely. She cut back on fast food and snacks such as Flamin' Hot Cheetos. She kept a food journal and listened to advice from nutritionists.
 
"In my room, I snack and watch YouTube," she said. "I had to start cooking more. Fish, salmon, shrimp and chicken. I cook vegetables on the side."
 
 

The Jayla Motto: let's not be grannies today pic.twitter.com/k0f1IcYeRP

— Wichita State Women's Basketball (@GoShockersWBB) July 3, 2024

 
 
Before her injury, Murray averaged 14.1 points and 7.2 rebounds as a freshman at Florida SouthWestern. In 2022-23, she played eight games before the injury sidelined her. In her first season at WSU, she started 18 games and averaged 7.1 points and 4.0 rebounds.
 
"She's more confident," Nooner said. "She could do stuff, and she had good games. It was like she didn't always believe. It probably had a lot to do with that knee."
 
This season, Murray said she can play more minutes and play at a faster pace. Nooner wants the Shockers to play aggressively, especially on defense, and wear teams down with depth. Murray fits that plan.
 
"I can keep up," she said. "I was slow, couldn't really run down the floor and get back."
 
Teammates see the work paying off with improved quickness and agility. Murray, from St. Louis, is working on her jump shot, ball-handling and post moves.
 
"She is really trying to get back to the type of player she was before," senior center Ella Anciaux said. "In practice, she's pushing the ball up the court. Her game has become a lot more well-rounded, and it's a testament to her hard work."
 
Murray's menu of basketball skills is growing, in part thanks to a smarter menu of meals.
 
Paul Suellentrop writes about Wichita State athletics for university Strategic Communications. Story suggestion? Contact him at paul.suellentrop@wichita.edu.