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Why Ohio State women's basketball point guard Jaloni Cambridge is 'slowing down'
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- Why Ohio State women's basketball point guard Jaloni Cambridge is 'slowing down'
Ohio State women's basketball's 88-59 victory over Coppin State on Nov. 9 was the first chance this season for Jaloni Cambridge to step into her new leadership role.
Following a second-round elimination from the 2025 NCAA Tournament , the Buckeyes lost six players from their active roster, leaving just five returners for this year, three being sophomores.
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Cambridge has the most experience of the current sophomores. In 2024-25, she averaged 15.4 points and earned Big Ten Freshman of the Year honors.
"Obviously, Jaloni's coming off, what I think, was a really productive freshman campaign, but we expect her to take another step this year," Ohio State coach Kevin McGuff said. "Both with her production on the court and scoring the ball for us, making other people better, but also, from a leadership standpoint."
In 2024-25, Ohio State's Jaloni Cambridge averaged 15.4 points and earned Big Ten Freshman of the Year honors.
During the Buckeyes' season opener, McGuff noted that Cambridge was a controlling voice on the court, especially with the ball in her hands.
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Cambridge was the Buckeyes' starting point guard her freshman year, but she looked even more comfortable at the position against Coppin State. She recorded six assists, just one off last season's high, along with a team-high 23 points and eight rebounds.
"Last year, I could have done more," Cambridge said. "Should have done more, but this year, with the team we have, I have to do more, and I'm OK with that. I'm surrounded by good people, both teammates and coaches. So, it's nothing new, just being myself and just playing the game, and definitely playing a lot harder."
"I know I’m a fast player," Ohio State's Jaloni Cambridge said, "but ... I really am proud of myself for slowing down because it really opens the floor."
Why Jaloni Cambridge is looking to slow down during her sophomore year
When Ohio State began to pull away from Coppin State in the third quarter, Cambridge's efforts were at the center of the push.
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Along with Cambridge's crucial 10 points, the sophomore's five defensive rebounds were just as valuable, allowing her to set the pace of the offense.
"She's so fast," Ohio State forward Ella Hobbs said. "She'll get the rebound, or if you get her the rebound pass to her, she's all the way up the court already. So, just keeping up with her is kind of hard, but I feel like she brings a new energy to the team."
In 2024-25, Ohio State's Jaloni Cambridge averaged 15.4 points and earned Big Ten Freshman of the Year honors.
Cambridge has always felt that her speed has been a key part of her game. In taking a larger leadership role on the court, Cambridge is learning to go at a speed that benefits the entire team.
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"I'm slowing down," Cambridge said. "I know I'm a fast player, but I've been doing a pretty good job in practice. I really am proud of myself for slowing down because it really opens the floor up a lot more, and I should have realized that a long time ago."
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Jaloni Cambridge talks new role for Ohio State women's basketball
