Western Illinois University Athletics

Amid a stellar junior campaign, Olivia Kaufmann garnered Summit League postseason accolades with a selection its second team. The award marked the first of her career as she led the team with 16.0 points per game while also dishing out a league-leading 80 assists.

In February, Kaufmann recorded a team-best 18.9 PPG with 24 assists and 13 steals and was named the Hampton Inn Scholar-Athlete of the Month. 

What’s the best part about competing at Western Illinois?

The best part about competing at Western Illinois is the small-town support. You recognize faces in the crowd and can appreciate support from each and every individual whether that’s another athlete, a teacher, or someone from the community. 

Do you have any pregame routines or superstitions?

A pregame routine I have is to always brush my teeth before I head to the locker room. 

Do you have a favorite professional basketball player who you emulate your game after?

I wouldn’t say I have someone I emulate my game after, but my family is Michael Jordan fans. 

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

Best piece of advice I’ve ever received is — just be yourself and trust. To me, that means don’t fake anything, embrace who you are, and believe. 

If you could play any other sport outside of basketball, what would it be and why?

I played softball all the way through high school, so that’s the other sport I’d play! 

You can only watch one movie and listen to one song for the rest of your life. What are they? 

A movie I’d choose is one of the Rocky movies. 

One song is tough, but one artist I’d choose to listen to for the rest of my life is Taylor Swift. I’ve seen her in concert twice!