Iowa State women's basketball's Denae Fritz plays with an edge the Cyclones have rarely had
AMES – Bill Fennelly remembers the unique edge that Denae Fritz plays with coming out during a scrimmage against the team’s male managers last fall.
Fennelly, the Iowa State women's basketball coach, occasionally tells the group of guys to let loose and not hold anything back during a practice. Those were his orders that day at Hilton Coliseum.
It wasn’t easy for the Cyclone women at first, especially for Fritz. The redshirt freshman, who was back from an injury that kept her out most of last season, struggled with her first 3-point shots. But Fritz eventually got going. And when the baskets started falling, Fritz began barking back at her opponents.
“She had a couple comments to say to them in the scrimmage that probably weren’t the best,” Fennelly said with a smile. “But at the moment, it was kind of funny.”
Fritz’s passion and energy on the floor have been important assets to the Cyclones this season. They’ll be on full display again Wednesday night when the 12th-ranked Cyclones (15-4 overall, 7-2 in Big 12 Conference) play at Kansas State (13-9 overall, 2-7 in Big 12) at 6:30 p.m.
“She just doesn’t back down from anything,” Fennelly said. “She just doesn’t. That is a rare trait in any player and in our program and in the women’s game. You don’t have a lot of those kind of kids. She plays with a really positive edge to her.”
Fritz's edge has become her calling card. It has emerged in some of Iowa State's biggest moments, with Fritz pumping up her teammates and the Hilton Coliseum crowd with huge reactions following a big basket or defensive stop.
But what makes Fritz's passion so unique isn't what she does. It's what she says. To opponents.
"I like to talk a little bit," Fritz said. "I'm not going to lie. I think everyone kind of knows that now."
It's a type of swagger the Cyclones have rarely had in a player. Fennelly admits it's not something they look for in recruits or really encourage. But after witnessing the energy that Fritz played with during the scrimmage in the fall and how her teammates rallied around it, Fennelly wanted to see more.
"After that it was kind of like, 'OK, I just saw it, let's go,'" Fennelly said.
More:Why Denae Fritz may be the toughest player on the Iowa State women's basketball team
Fritz is letting it out more and more as she's stepped into a bigger role. Last year she played in just five games due to her injury. This season, she's become a steady starter for Iowa State and getting better by the day.
Fritz has emerged as one of Iowa State's most impactful players after star Stephanie Soares went down with a season-ending torn ACL. Fritz has stepped up her play and her voice. Her prolific trash-talking in high school disappeared early on in Fritz's college career as she found her footing.
"I would say 'High School Denae' is probably a lot worse," Fritz said.
Now everyone is seeing and hearing a different Fritz. During Iowa State's first game against Kansas State, Fritz limited Wildcats scoring star Gabby Gregory to just nine points. Over the weekend, she slowed down Oklahoma's Ana Llanusa, who tallied just eight points. Fritz also has helped on offense, averaging 7.6 points and knocking down 23 three-pointers. But it's Fritz's energy and vibe that make her stand out.
"She's always got something to say," said Iowa State point guard Emily Ryan. "It's just a fun attitude she brings. It's something that we feed off of."
Previously:Iowa State women's basketball finds optimism after heartbreaking loss to Oklahoma earlier this month
Fritz has helped Iowa State roll to a four-game winning streak and reach the top of the Big 12 standings, tied with Texas for first place.
"She's playing great and has been a big part of our recent success," Fennelly said.
Tommy Birch, the Register's sports enterprise and features reporter, has been working at the newspaper since 2008. He's the 2018 and 2020 Iowa Sportswriter of the Year. Reach him at tbirch@dmreg.com or 515-284-8468. Follow him on Twitter @TommyBirch.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Denae Fritz brings emotion, trash- talking to Iowa State basketball
