Student athletes have a lot on their plate – from school, to sports and even friends.

For Marshall University women’s basketball player Talequia Hamilton, mother can be added to the list as well.

Hamilton is the mother of a healthy eight-month-old boy named Trent.

Despite everything on her plate, teammate Kiana Evans said Hamilton is taking it in stride.

“I think she’s more prepared and that she thinks ahead now that she has a child,” Evans said.

Hamilton, a Huntington native, transferred to Marshall in 2013 after leaving the University of Cincinnati.

Having sat out the last two seasons, players and coaches are eager for her to take the court.
“We’re very excited to have her back,” head coach Matt Daniel said. “For one, she’s a good person, and I think that her being around her team is very helpful. And secondly, she’s a talented individual.”

While maintaining a steady grade point average and preparing to graduate in December, Hamilton said getting her work done is not much of an issue thanks to managing time effectively.

“At first, it was really stressful,” Hamilton said. “But after I got on a schedule and I got used to it, it’s not hard at all. It’s actually fun.”

Though juggling school, parenting and basketball may be tough, one thing is for certain – Hamilton is definitely up for the challenge.

Hamilton registered 10 points, 9 rebounds and three blocks in her Marshall debut Wednesday as the Herd defeated Kentucky Christian University 113-36 in its exhibition opener.

The Herd’s next game is Nov. 13 against Morehead State University.

Ishmael Witten can be contacted at [email protected].