While San Jose State University’s womens basketball team ran from basket to basket, freshman guard Raziya Potter smiled as she reflected on her life, accomplishments and goals.

A native of Hayward, Potter was raised in Tracy. She is a first-year college student and dreams of becoming a forensic anthropologist. Potter explains that the TV shows “Bones”, “First 48” and “Law & Order” influenced her to major in criminal justice and minor in anthropology. 

Potter developed a passion for basketball at the age of 9 thanks to her father’s influence. 

“He’s taught me everything that I know, has helped me grow and I’m here because of him,” Potter said.

She started playing for fun around 11 years old and joined club teams. Because of her dedication and perseverance, she ran track for seven years in order to stay in condition.

Her passion for basketball became serious once she started playing competitively. 

“I knew I wanted to keep playing professionally in the future,” Potter said. 

Now in her first year as a Spartan, Potter hasn’t let her dream fade away by scoring and helping her team win.

“Razie is a special player. She can do a number of things that most freshmen can’t do. She can score when she needs to score, she can defend, she sees things that a lot of people don’t see,” women’s basketball head coach Jamie Craighead said. “She’s a tremendous passer – probably her best quality.”

Upon her arrival to the SJSU women’s basketball team, Potter’s professionalism showed during her high school years as she earned first-team all Oak Valley League honors being named the Most Valuable Player.

No. 0 on the court, Potter transforms from a passionate freshman into an elite basketball player. Her professionalism has helped her become one of the best players on the team and a role model for her teammates.

“On the court, she is an intense young lady who wants to be achieving great success, a tremendous teammate, always wants to put the team first, always plays hard,” Craighead said. 

Sophomore point guard Danae Marquez explained that she likes Potter’s athleticism as well as her explosive personality when she is on the court. 

“She is enthusiastic, she brings a great energy and positive vibes to the team,” she said.

Though Potter is serious on the court, her sense of humor has led her to attract

the people around her. 

“She’s a special person on and off the court, she is funny, she’s so goofy, she sings, she dances, she doesn’t care who’s around,” Marquez said.

With every pass, with every score, Potter has won the respect of her teammates. Her light-hearted self and kind smile has won the friendship of those around her. 

“She cares about her teammates. She’s a great friend,” Marquez said.

Craighead has high hopes for Potter in the upcoming years.

“She’s going to play a lot for us this year, but she’s going to be a special, special Spartan that people will get to watch for years,” she said.