In her senior season, Marshall University forward Leah Scott has seen the trials and tribulations of college basketball.

From adjusting to new coaches to meshing with changing teammates to acclimating to multiple cities and towns, Scott’s collegiate career has been a nomadic experience.

Scott, whose hometown is Detroit, Michigan, has played for three different universities during her college tenure, which have ranged from Michigan to Iowa to West Virginia.

After beginning her career at Central Michigan University and receiving little playing time, Scott transferred to Iowa Western Community College for the 2012-13 season, where she was named to the National Junior College All-America Second Team.

Scott transferred to Marshall the following season, where she was not only granted immediate eligibility, but also discovered a place she was finally comfortable with.

After receiving approval from the NCAA concerning her request for an additional season of eligibility, Scott is now in her third and final season with the Herd as a fifth-year senior.

“She has seen the ups and downs with this team,” said Marshall head coach Matt Daniel.

Scott, who made the decision to come back to Marshall after she graduated last May and is now working toward earning a minor, is averaging career highs this season in points (16.8), rebounds (6.7) and steals (1.4) per game. She is also shooting a career-best 72 percent from the free throw line on a conference-leading 137 attempts.

Scott said she credits her career year to the work she has put in after practice to increase the diversity of her skillset.

“I have really became a more versatile player,” Scott said. “This has really paid off for the team because it allowed me to play different positions on the floor and makes me harder to guard for opponents.”

However, Daniel said the reasons behind Scott’s successes extend beyond her impressive work ethic. 

Daniel said he has seen Scott’s maturity level evolve during her time at Marshall, as she has become a more aware and understanding teammate.

“She is playing well and adjusting to the players around her and that has a lot to do with her maturity,” Daniel said.

Daniel said it’s been the combination of her enhanced work ethic and her overall evolution as a person that has allowed her to maintain her high levels of a play on a more consistent basis.

As Scott’s career at Marshall winds down, she said she is hopeful her already adventurous basketball journey is only beginning.

“After I leave Marshall, I hope to get some experience in the WNBA or play overseas,” Scott said.

However, Scott’s story at Marshall hasn’t quite concluded, and with the Herd on a three game winning streak to push its record above .500 in conference play, the best chapters may have yet to be written.

Christian Hisman can be contacted at [email protected].