Scoring points on the basketball court is one of Blanche Alverson's most recognizable talents, but according to her coaches and teammates, it is not the only thing she is good at doing.
"She has everything going for her, and she balances it all so well," said Kerry Cremeans, associate women's basketball coach. "When I think of Blanche, I think of her bubbly, enthusiastic personality.
"She is full of life and is just a pleasure to be around every day."
The 6-foot-3 sophomore, originally from Andalusia, is the starting forward for the team.
She was ranked the No. 45 prospect in the country when she was recruited to play at Auburn her senior year at Buford High School in Buford, Ga.
"I've always been an Auburn fan, and the coaching staff was awesome during the recruiting process," Alverson said. "I knew I wanted to come here when I was getting recruited, and I compared everything back to Auburn."
Alverson is a fourth-generation Auburn student, and although she looked at other schools during her college hunt, she said she knew Auburn is where she wanted to be.
"She grew up coming to basketball camps at Auburn, so we spent a long time getting to know Blanche and her family," Cremeans said. "We're so thankful she chose Auburn to further her academic and athletic career."
Alverson and her coaches both agree that her confidence has increased as a player.
"She has expanded her game to being an aggressive, hungry player," Cremeans said. "You have to play with physicality when you play in the SEC, and she has done so to help us be a better basketball team."
Alverson's childhood friend, teammate and current roommate, Morgan Toles, also said Alverson's rebounding has improved while at Auburn.
Since being at Auburn, Alverson has taken every opportunity to get the most out of her college experience. Although basketball takes up a lot of her time, she has gotten involved in a number of organizations on campus, including honor societies and a social sorority.
"I'm involved in a lot of different things," Alverson said, "so it's been good just to see the different things Auburn has and to get to know different people on campus.
Alverson and Toles both said Alverson studies a lot, but finds times for study breaks to enjoy her favorite study snack--popcorn and organic chocolate milk.
Alverson, sophomore in biomedical sciences, said she plans to attend medical school after graduating.
"I use to want to be an orthopedic surgeon, but now I want to go into pediatrics," she said.
With the season underway, the Tigers still find time to have fun as a team.
After practices they have been "jamming out to old-school Britney Spears," Toles said.
Although they have had a few losses this season, Alverson and the team are excited for the season, especially playing in the Auburn Arena.
"I think we've grown a lot as a team these past few weeks," Alverson said. "We have realized that if we come out and play hard, we can compete with anyone in the country."
Although Alverson is not as widely known as Cam Newton, she has been compared to him.
"Someone made the comment that Blanche Alverson ranks right up there with Cam Newton in popularity on campus," Cremeans said. "She is well-known in the athletic side, social and academic realms, and if you add that to her bubbly, fun personality, that is what makes her so special."
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