Made tre- mendouos
strides during
the offseason
to build strength and conditioning ... Has
the ability to be an impact player ... Uses
her body well to create shots ... Physical
player ... Adds depth … Very skilled ...
Versatile athlete ... Can play multiple posi-
tions … Will challenge for a playing time
... Freshman (2010-11): Sat out the last
season recovering from a torn ACL she suf-
fered in the Mississippi-Alabama All-Star
game ... Prep: A four-year letterwinner at
Harrison Central for Coach Nancy Ladner ...
Nitesha
Pierce
#13
Up Close with Nitesha
F • 5-10 • Reshirt Freshman • Gulfport, Miss./Harrison Central HS
Averaged 15. 6 points and 8. 4 rebounds per
game as a senior ... A 2009 Clarion Ledger
Dandy Dozen Team member ... Tabbed the
Sun Herald All-Coast Player of the Year ...
Named to All-Sun Herald team ... Selected
to the Class 5A Divison 8 MHSAA All-Star
Team ... Played in the Mississippi North-
South Junior All-Star game ... Named her
team’s best offensive play for two years
... Also earned letters in volleyball and
track and field ... Averaged 18.0 points,
Full name: Nitesha Renee Pierce
Nickname: Tesha
Place of Birth: Gulfport, Miss.
Siblings: Niesha Pierce, Shereka James
Major: Business administration
Favorite Color: Baby blue
Favorite Movie: Love & Basketball
Favorite TV show: Meet The Browns,
The Game
If I could eat anything it would be: steak
What’s on my iPod: Lil Wayne
I grew up a fan of this team:
Chicago Bulls
I grew up a fan of this athlete: Michael
Jordan
What is your personal game routine:
getting focus
The one thing I have to take on every
road trip: cell phone
What’s a talent you would most like to
have: play the piano
One word that describes me: aggressive
I love playing basketball here: because I
love my teammates and coaches.
I am usually surfing the net here:
Facebook, Twitter
The one thing that fans do not know
about Coach McNelis is: Superstitious
My hero is: Mother
My goal for this season: conference
championship
The part of my game I have improved
the most this offseason: my strength
The one arena I would most like to play
in: American Airlines Center
The toughest player I’ve ever had to
guard: Tanesha Washington
If I could take a vacation anywhere it
would be: Bahamas, Jamacia
What is something about you that
would surprise people:
What is the best thing about The
University of Southern Mississippi: the
football games
What is your worst habit:
Procrastination
