TicketsDec. 22, 2005
by Becky Hart, Sports Communications Student Assistant
On a team full of new faces, one player that Cincinnati fans should be sure to take note of is Shelly Bellman. The freshman guard has wasted no time in making a name and creating a spot for herself in the starting lineup. Her hard work, the solid support she receives from the people around her, and her plan for the future make Shelly Bellman a Bearcat to Watch.
Although she was ranked as one of the top-20 high school guards in the country by All-Star Girls Report, Bellman was expecting to take some time before she adjusted to the college game. "When I first got here, I was just going to play my hardest. I figured I was going to just ease into it, but I came out here and things fell into place and I'm gaining confidence." To her surprise, she ranks second on the team in scoring and steals, and is leading the team in rebounds with 7.4 per game through the Bearcats' first five competitions.
Bellman's early success does not mean that she's still not learning and improving with every practice. "I did not know you could be taught so many aspects of the game of basketball," she said. "It's a mental challenge as well as physical. That is one big, big change from high school."
In addition to bringing defensive and rebounding aggressiveness, Bellman plans to bring leadership to the court as well. She feels that this is a need that the squad's five newcomers will be able to fulfill despite their relative inexperience. "Even though I'm a freshman, and we have four other freshmen, we have to bring leadership on the team. We're not going to step back," she said. "A personal goal in practice and in games is to step up if I know something or be there for support."
Support is another important key to Bellman's success on and off the court. Her first impression of the Cincinnati coaches and teammates helped her choose to attend UC over a rival BIG EAST school. "When I came here for my official visit, the coaching staff is what really got me," said Bellman. "Not only are they so hard working at basketball, but they're very caring too. They're like parents away from home."
When she is at home, the Ottawa, Ohio native has her family for support and encouragement. "Family is number one" when it comes to her favorite way to spend her spare time. Bellman also credits her parents with helping her to earn the success she is having today as a Bearcat. "They've pushed me in sports and working hard in school. They're the ones that care so much about me and I care about them, and they pushed me and got me into basketball. They're the ones that got me here."
It is apparent, however, that she is not satisfied yet and welcomes the challenges that will prepare her for the future. She's already looking forward to attacking head on the teams in UC's new conference and competing against the likes of Connecticut and Rutgers. "I'm going to be pumped up for those games no matter what."
Although she is only a freshman, she already has plans for post-graduation. After she earns her degree in early childhood education, Bellman would like to continue her education while working as an assistant coach for the Bearcats. However, "I've always wanted to take it a step further and play basketball past college. Whether it's foreign or WNBA, I would love to play basketball," said Bellman.
Bellman knows she has a lot of work ahead of her to achieve her goals, but right now she's concentrating on helping the Bearcats put together a winning season. "As a freshman, being here, I want to have a good season this year; not say, `I have next year, next year, and the year after that.' I say, `Have an awesome season this year and just keep it going.'"