Jillian Huerter intends for her 3-point prowess to propel Rutgers women's basketball
The Rutgers women's basketball team is set to begin its highly anticipated 2023-2024 season with a roster full of new talent, including freshman guard Jillian Huerter.
Huerter comes from Clifton Park, New York, where she played basketball at Shenendehowa High School. She did it all during her time at Shenendehowa, averaging 15.9 points, six rebounds and more than three assists per game.
Basketball is in Huerter's DNA, as all three of her older siblings have played college basketball. Most notably, her older brother, Kevin Huerter, currently plays in the NBA for the Sacramento Kings.
Surrounded by basketball, Jillian Huerter's road led to the Scarlet Knights.
"A big part of why I chose Rutgers was because of our coaching staff," Jillian Huerter said. "You just know that they're winners. They're going to continue to make this a winning program, and I loved that the school had everything you could possibly need to make it happen. The girls on the team also just welcomed me like family."
Jillian Huerter enrolled early at Rutgers as she joined the team during the latter half of the season in January. She didn't appear in any games and was used as a practice player, retaining her freshman status for this upcoming season.
But Jillian Huerter is primed to be more than just a practice player heading into her first full season with the Knights.
"I've definitely had to move from the supportive role of just trying to help the team get ready for games to now I'm playing in the games," Jillian Huerter said. "So I think it's definitely been an adjustment, but it's been really good."
She will bring much-needed three-point shooting to Rutgers as the team finished 13th in the Big Ten in three-point percentage last season.
"I was kind of brought here to shoot," she said. "Even if my shots aren't falling one game, I think I can definitely try and create some shots for others, try and drive and kick. So I think those will be two areas that I'll try and help the team with this year."
Jillian Huerter is looking to contribute immediately with her shooting and has already done so in limited action. She attempted four three-point shots and made two of them in an exhibition contest against South Carolina.
Jillian Huerter recognizes the growth that the Knights have made since last year and is looking forward to putting all the pieces together as a team.
Jillian Huerter is ready to kick this season off and will hope to become an instant shooting spark for Rutgers. Her first opportunity to do so will come Monday against Monmouth at Jersey Mike's Arena on Livingston campus.
"I think we've grown in so many ways, and we've added some great pieces," said Jillian Huerter. "The people we've had have also grown so much."
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