After missing last season with a knee injury, Kiyae White has returned to the basketball court on a mission. In her senior season, White is looking to help lead Emmaus to the postseason. The senior has, at times, carried the team on her shoulders, while at other times, has turned the keys to the offense over to other players who were hot.

“We’re playing very unselfishly right now,” said Emmaus head coach Carl Scheitrum. “Every player on the team is looking for the other player who might have a better shot, and that goes from the big scorers like Kiyae, down to girls coming off the bench. It really helps to have that team-first attitude.”

Coming into her senior season, finding a college to continue her playing career with was on White’s to-do list. With three older brothers, including Chicago Bears wide receiver Kevin White, who all chose West Virginia, you might have figured that their younger sister was going to follow in their footsteps. Two of her brothers Ka’Raun and Kyzir currently play football for the Mountaineers, so she would have two brothers close to help her learn the ropes.

While her big brothers helped her to decide, they stayed impartial and stressed to their sister to consider the important things of all the schools she was looking at and make the decision that was best for her.

“They were just worrying about what I was doing and whatever school fit best,” said White. “They were fine with it and they were happy with Auburn.”

Kiyae went in a completely different direction when she chose Auburn. Tigers coach Terri Williams-Flournoy recruited White for the school and the team impressed the her when she visited.

“They recruited me and offered me a full ride scholarship and when I went there for a visit, I loved it,” said White with her trademark smile. “I love the family and the team itself. I love how big the school is and the opportunity I’ll have college-wise and afterward, job-wise.”

Another key was getting to see how the coaches approached the team both on and off the court.

“On the court, it was all business, but away from the court, it was all family and that really attracted me,” said White.

White will major in communications, with a minor in sports management while at Auburn. She’s also has her eyes on playing in the WNBA after Auburn. A high-profile school like Auburn, playing against some of the top teams in the country will give White the platform she needs to showcase her skills, while still getting a top-flight education. White has never backed down from playing tougher opponents and she’s taking the same approach to her college career.

“It definitely helps me become a better player and I’m looking forward to it,” said White of her future with the Auburn Tigers.

Before deciding on Auburn, White considered Penn State, James Madison and Temple. The Lady Tigers are currently ranked 23rd in the country as members of the Southeastern Conference, which also features top schools South Carolina, Mississippi State and Kentucky to name a few. South Carolina and Mississippi State are both currently ranked in the top five in women’s college basketball.