Happy New Year! In today’s story we’re taking a trip down memory lane and introducing you to one of Stanford’s former women’s basketball players, Kiran Lakhian.

A former Stanford player who is now in medical school. It doesn’t get more Stanford than that.

Born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada and raised in Plano, Texas, Kiran is here to give us the behind the scenes look at playing for Tara VanDerveer and debunking all of our subconscious stereotypes about the lucky nerds that play basketball at Stanford.

If you enjoyed today’s newsletter, tell a friend to tell a friend.

TODAY’S STORY
💥Meet Kiran Lakhian, Former Stanford WBB Player

Getting to Stanford

Kiran Lakhian, unlike many of us who might have eagerly gloated about our acceptance to Stanford and the opportunity to play D1 basketball, maintained a composed demeanor. When questioned about her preparation for freshman year at Stanford, she emphasized the significance of the weight room. This approach was reminiscent of Diana Taurasi's unconventional diet, which involved consuming cheeseburgers regularly during her youth and college days. Back then, prioritizing strength training for college basketball wasn't as common as it is today.

During her senior year of high school, Kiran faced an injury that required rehabilitation and strength-building efforts. This experience ultimately proved to be the MVP of preparation for what was to come with Stanford’s college workouts ahead.

Growing up, televised women’s college basketball games were a rarity. But if there was a game being broadcasted while Kiran was young, you would rarely find her watching. She was outside getting some shots up.

See…Stanford athletes are built different.

If you surveyed 100 recruits today, asking whether they would prefer watching a live Top 25 matchup on TV or practicing alone, it's likely that less than 2% would choose practice.

Life As a Stanford Athlete With a Biology Major

If having the credentials of a Stanford student athlete wasn't enough, Kiran decided to choose Biology as her major.

PAUSE

Now, I don't know where you went to school, but I'll tell you from personal experience, where I went to college, athletes were not often found in the science building. There were about three majors that seemed tailor-made for them, and they had nothing to do with science or math. But Kiran? She had different plans. And so did her teammates. Apparently biology was a popular major for her teammates.

From day one, Kiran knew that medicine would play a significant role in her future. So, when it came time to choose a major, picking biology just made sense. She wasn't alone in her forward-thinking; many of her teammates also had one eye on life after college, considering career paths beyond the basketball court. Nowadays, most seniors in college athletics are automatically eyeing the WNBA, with traditional jobs as a second thought.

But Stanford athletes are a breed apart, always thinking about the bigger picture.

When it was the off-season, you'd often find Kiran and some of her women's basketball teammates playing pickup games against other teams, even the football team, with music blaring in the background. If they weren’t playing pickup, you would more than likely catch them in their dorm rooms, getting some rest. Because at Stanford, balancing basketball and academics wasn’t just a challenge, it was a way of life.

Probably the coolest thing about Stanford outside of saying you went to Stanford, is the scenery on campus. During Kiran's senior year, she made it a point to fully immerse herself in the natural beauty surrounding her, embracing the opportunity to study outdoors and connect with the serene environment.

While the campus boasts stunning scenery, Stanford’s locker room is still a sore eye. But Kiran “claims” they’re being renovated. Conveniently after LSU unveiled their $1,000,000 locker room.

The Evolution of Basketball

It’s no secret that the style of basketball has changed. When speaking with Kiran, a few notable quotes stuck out to me. Now, I’m an impartial journalist. I don’t take sides. But I do agree with everything Kiran said below in regards to the mindset of college athletes today.

“I feel like the purity of the game is just lost.”

“The pure love for basketball is gone. It’s great that women’s basketball is getting more attention, probably due to social media and NIL money. I'm glad players are getting money, that's way overdue and I can't see an alternative to that. But I don't think people love basketball the way they used to when I was playing. There's just so much other stuff to think about.”

Athletes: get that bag!

But it’s true, the love for the game has shifted. It’s more about how much money can you stuff in your pants instead of the type of player you can be for your team.

Playing for Tara VanDerveer

“The best type of ability is availability”— Kiran’s favorite Tara-ism that was frequently told to her to keep her motivated and engaged.

Haha.

Playing for a legend is a unique experience, and regardless of the minutes you clocked on the court, having a front row seat to the Tara show is second to none.

For pure enjoyment, here is my favorite photo of Tara. Shout out to that gold chain!

Building Lasting Friendships at Stanford

Stanford's unique atmosphere fostered an environment where everyone, from the coaching staff to teammates, exuded an infectious enthusiasm for being part of the Cardinal family. Even the NARPs (Non-Athletic Regular Persons) were a warming bunch excited about their presence amidst the Stanford community.

The most remarkable aspect was the camaraderie forged among the Stanford teammates, a bond that seems almost indestructible. They maintain a lively group chat where they share amusing TikToks featuring Tara, and it serves as a hub for the latest updates in the world of women's college basketball. Although many of the teammates have spread out, they make an effort to reunite whenever they find themselves back in the Bay Area.

Aw

The Stanford connection runs deep, transcending time and distance. While their physical meetings may have become less frequent, Kiran is confident that any one of them would drop everything to support their fellow Cardinal, no questions asked.

Reflecting on her time at Stanford, Kiran couldn't help but marvel at the genuine happiness that permeated every corner of the campus. Unlike some other schools where drama, complaints, and discontent might linger in the air, Stanford was a place where everyone was genuinely grateful to be there.

Aw

The weight of the Stanford name was something Kiran didn't fully grasp until she ventured beyond the Bay Area. Wearing her Stanford gear occasionally draws reactions that underscore the institution's prestige and the respect it commands, particularly in the demanding world of medical school.

So for all of you high school students and college students, be wise about your college decision and major. Your degree matters. It’s more than a piece of paper, it’s your invitation to a multitude of opportunities.

Go Cards!

Kiran’s Hot Takes

👉️ Best dressed coaches: Sydney Carter (Texas), Kate Paye (Stanford), and Dawn Staley (South Carolina)

👉️ Best players: Candice Wiggins (Stanford), Caitlin Clark (Iowa), Maya Moore (UConn), and Chiney Ogwumike (Stanford)

👉️ Final Four predictions: Stanford, LSU, Iowa, and UCLA

👉️ Braums or Dairy Queen: Braums

👉️ Dream NIL partnership: “I would want a brand that really reflects me and so it would have to be ethically produced and/or minority owned.”

NEWS
👂️This Week’s Locker Room Drama

What’s been going on in the world of women’s college basketball recently? We’ve got you covered.

• Quinesha Lockett and Sophia Wiard from Toledo’s WBB program strike a deal with Toyoto, receiving personalized Toyota RAV4s. Alright MAC conference! (WTOL)

• See ya peets! Greg Ray is out as the head women’s basketball coach at NAIA Oklahoma Pan Handle State University (Whoop Dirt)

MEDIA
🤳Video of The Week

Caitlin Clark Swats The Piss Out of Moira Joiner’s Shot