By Robert Fulton

Putting a freshman in the position of starting point guard for a Division I college basketball program is a risky move. Running the point takes skill, mental know-how and the respect of your teammates. And yet University of Evansville women’s basketball coach Misty Murphy didn’t hesitate when she gave the reigns of the team to freshman Kaylan Martin.

“It’s definitely a challenging situation,” the coach said during a recent phone interview. “They don’t have the experience at the Division I level. I have a lot of confidence in Kaylan that she can handle the role.”

In her first year at the collegiate level, Martin, a 2009 graduate of Pflugerville High, is doing well for herself. Through 23 games, she’s averaging 6.0 points and 1.7 assists in under 21 minutes per game. Not a scorching pace, but steady as she adapts to the next level.

“It’s challenging because it’s a lot faster,” said Martin, 18. “It’s been a big difference, but I’m getting used to it.” She added that defenses in college are so much better. “Everybody is a lot stronger.”

As a team leader, it’s Martin’s role to instruct and inspire her teammates.

“I have to get everybody set up, (and) pump them up,” she said. “It’s kind of nerve wracking. You’re new, (but) they all respect me. We know our roles.”

Martin has received some attention lately, including being named an UE Student-Athlete of the Week back in December. She had her best game of the season against Saint Louis on Dec. 6 when she scored 12 points, dished four assists and grabbed six rebounds during a 76-69 victory.

The freshman knows that with honors comes added expectations.

“I try to continue to play well,” Martin said. “When you start getting attention, people expect you to do certain things.”

That Martin isn’t blowing away the competition in scoring doesn’t concern Murphy.

“She handles the ball,” the coach said. “We aren’t look for her to be a scoring point guard.”

Coming out of high school, Martin was one of the nation’s top point guard prospects, ranked 24th at the position nationally by ESPN, and the 12th best recruit overall in Texas. The Austin-American Statesman named Martin the All-Centex Player of the Year her senior year after she led Pflugerville to the state final four.

But the difference between high school and college is stark.

“It’s pretty easy to lead your high school as a senior,” said Murphy, attributing the reason to both skill level and comfort level.

Martin was most attracted to the small university in Indiana because of it’s academic reputation and Exercise Science program.

“The main thing that I liked bout it is that it’s a small campus,” she said.

Last year, the Purple Aces qualified for the NCAA Tournament, but the squad has had a rough go of it so far this season. Heading into their game against Illinois State last week, the team was 4-20 overall and 1-12 in the Missouri Valley Conference.

“We have to hold it together,” Martin said. “We play well, then let up in the intensity. We need to start winning. We definitely want a winning record in conference.”

However, this first year is a learning experience for Martin and her young team, with better things to come in the future.

“Is she getting better? Yes,” said Murphy. “By the time she’s a senior, there’s no question she’ll be one of the best point guards in our conference.”