DENVER – Incarnate Word transfer and Denver women's basketball newcomer Mallory McQuietor grew up in the Dallas-Fort Worth Area in Texas, where she went to Keller High School. It's as a forward that she took her high school team to a second place UIL 6A district finish with a 24-8 record. Mallory earned second team all-district honors and was named to the UIL 4-6A Academic All-District team.

Joining Denver ahead of her senior season, McQuietor made 53 appearances in her first three college seasons. As a junior, she shot a team-best 53.6 percent from the field and made her first two career college starts for the Cardinals.
DenverPioneers.com caught up with McQuietor during summer workouts.

When did you start playing Basketball?
McQuietor: Probably like five or six, it was very early. My older sister played, and then my dad was really into sports. So it kind of was as soon as I could walk, I was dribbling.

What is your favorite memory from high school?
McQuietor: It would probably be going into playoffs my senior year. We weren't really super confident in our team because we had lost a bunch of people from the year before. I was just like really excited just to go out with a bang, and have fun. Then we went like four rounds deep into the playoffs, and almost went to state, so it was pretty fun.

You talked about your sister. How many siblings do you have?
McQuietor: I have 2 older sisters and a younger brother

What is something that not many people know about you?
McQuietor: That's a good question! Probably that I have a green thumb. I like gardening, and being outside and planting things, and watching things grow.

What are your hobbies outside of basketball?
McQuietor: I feel like just being outside. I'm such an outdoorsy person, like hiking. I want to go on some hikes while I'm in Denver and stuff like that.

How do your friends or family support you through your career journey?
McQuietor: It's crazy. I have such a good support system. My parents always try to go to our next game and support me and show that like they're here for me. My siblings are a big support as well as extended family and my friends. They all show out for me. I'm really grateful."

What do you like to listen to before a game?
McQuietor: Oh my gosh! Probably some Christian, RNB, like rap or something, just to get me pumped up and in the right head space of 'I can do this', and other positive vibes.

What is your favorite color, and do you have a lucky number?
McQuietor: 21 is my lucky number. It comes from my older sister. She was born on the 21^st of September, and then she was 21. It's our family number now. We're all 21. My favorite color, it used to be blue, and then like a teal, but as I've grown, I've turned into a pink girl. I try so hard to deny it, but I really like pink now.

What is your favorite cuisine?
McQuietor: Either Italian, Mexican or just American food. I like a good steak, or a good burger, or any sort of pasta. I love chicken fajitas, steak fajitas, or street tacos."

Are there any other sports you enjoy playing?
McQuietor: I love doing the triple jump, and long jump in track and field, and I like volleyball. I also really love soccer. Soccer was really my sport growing up, and then I shot up and they were like 'You gotta play basketball now! You have to hone in on it.' They did try to put me at goalkeeper and I was like 'The balls are going to go straight past me. If it's going at my face, I'm not catching that!'"

Why did you choose to transfer to DU?
McQuietor: It's honestly so beautiful here, and just the culture with the coaches and everyone around the program, even the administrators and supporting staff. I came in and they showed that 'we're here for you and for your growth.' It was really big for me, especially because I'm a grad student and, there has to be life outside of basketball for me. Just knowing that the coaching staff and everyone on campus is here to support me in that… this next phase, this next journey. The campus is beautiful.

What are you studying?
McQuietor: I'm going to be getting my masters in marketing

What is some advice you would give to a young girl that just started basketball?
McQuietor: Honestly just believe in yourself. We see all these star players, WNBA, in college and everything online, but believe that you can do it, because you can. Believe that you can do everything that you set your mind to do. There is going to be a bunch of people that are going to be like 'you can't do that' you have to be put in a box, but just break those barriers for yourself, and if you feel like you can do it, then you can do it. Just put your mind into it.

What are you excited about the most about DU and living and playing in Denver?
McQuietor: Just being in Denver is amazing. I have to get used to the altitude of course but, just being able to play people at that altitude and having that advantage is going to be huge. The culture at DU is amazing, and then exploring Denver. I want to go into the Rockies and everything like that." 

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