The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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14 THE WOLVERINE NOVEMBER 2022 INSIDE MICHIGAN ATHLETICS It was not always in the plans for graduate forward Emily Kiser, a Noblesville, Ind., native, to return to Michigan for a fifth season. The three-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree started all 32 games last season, averaging 9.3 points, 8.1 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game. U-M needs leaders this season with program leg- end Naz Hillmon now in the WNBA. But Kiser, one of her closest friends, is back and embracing her role, even in a bit of a new dy- namic. Kiser was a communica- tion and media major as an undergrad and is now en- rolled in the Ross School of Management to get a mas- ter's degree. While there are comforts in returning to a school she calls home, the next step in her aca- demic career has been a new challenge. "The workload has been an adjustment," Kiser said at Big Ten Basketball Media Days in Minneapolis. "The demands of that have been crazy. I had to miss practice the other day [for an exam]. Trying to find a balance be- tween that has definitely been difficult. But it's been fun, too. "In a master's program, they have you meeting w i t h c o m p a n i e s e ve r y single day. So, I've gotten to transition through that and also develop leadership qualities through [my academics]. That has kind of carried over into basketball, which has been fun." Head coach Kim Barnes Arico has built a program that hangs its hat on toughness and putting in the work. Given the duties of Kiser's day-to-day tasks, a hard-fought day in the gym is a relief compared to classwork and preparing for life after basketball. "[Saying it is a relief ] is a good way to put it," Kiser said. "When I show up to the gym, I'm like, 'Phew. Don't have to worry about group projects and things like that.' When I show up, it's just time to go play basketball. You don't have to think about any of the other stuff for three hours a day." Kiser's head coach is still tough on her, but the graduate forward is well- equipped to handle the rigors of a practice these days. Barnes Arico sees a player that sets a tone for the rest of the roster in her approach to the game. "Emily is certainly at that point where she doesn't stress or I am not very in- timidating to her," Barnes Arico said. "Where some of the freshmen might still be a little bit afraid of me, al- though I've heard rumors on the street that I'm very soft in my older age. "But Emily is certainly not intimidated or fearful, and she comes to practice ev- ery day with a smile on her face. I just think that adds value for the younger kids of, 'Hey, let's not be afraid to go to practice.' It's a place where we can have fun and just go as hard as we can and get better, but still, at the same time have fun." Kiser is grateful for the culture built by Barnes Arico and the U-M staff, who make sure to empha- size academics first. The program also makes sure the players get to experi- ence networking opportu- nities together, addition- ally. "She's super suppor t- ive," Kiser said of her head coach. "There is a standard set where academics are most important and she has held true to that. Ob- viously she does not like it when we have to miss practice, but we try to work around that. Even more than just class, if you have a networking opportunity … we had a practice off this year so the whole team could go to a career fair. Just taking advantage of the op- portunities that Michigan has to offer. She encourages that." Upon the completion of her U-M career, Kiser plans to pursue a pro- fessional career overseas and is inter- ested in a career in videography or graphic design when basketball is in the rearview mirror. — Anthony Broome Kiser, a three-time academic all-conference performer, started all 32 games in 2021-22 for Michigan, earning honorable mention All-Big Ten honors for her performance. PHOTO BY PER KJELDSEN Student-Athlete Of The Month Women's Basketball Graduate Forward Emily Kiser