Even before she had graduated high school, Ericka Russell always knew she wanted to play basketball for the University of Alabama.

“I knew it was my hometown, and I love Alabama, so I thought it was the place for me,” Russell said. “And they’ve been recruiting me since I was a freshman. [It was my] hometown. Being around my family. I’m a family-oriented person. So just being able to be around my family, and being able for them to come support me was the biggest thing.”

Even before she arrived at the University, Ericka Russell had already made history. A Tuscaloosa native, Russell was the first female basketball player out of Northridge High School to sign a Division I scholarship.

With a huge accomplishment already under her belt, Russell went on to achieve much in her time with Alabama. She was named to the Freshman All-SEC Team, has been a three-time member of the SEC Academic Honor Roll and was also a two-time recipient of Alabama’s Defensive Award.

She also helped Bama to a winning season last year when the Tide went 18-15. It was Alabama’s first winning season in years.

Despite the success Russell has helped Alabama receive over the years, head coach Wendell Hudson said she wasn’t always the leader she is now.

“She doesn’t look at herself as a leader,” Hudson said. “As a freshman and sophomore in particular, she was just, ‘OK, I can see some of these things.’ That was probably something that frustrated her, and she thought, ‘Well I’m a freshman, sophomore; I don’t need to step up yet and take that leadership role.’

“As a junior, she did a little bit better job of doing that, and of course now, as a senior, she’s doing a great job,” he said.

Indeed, a lot of hype surrounds Russell for her senior season on the team. She was a preseason All-SEC Second Team selection and a candidate for the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award. And so far, she hasn’t disappointed, being named the MVP of the Paradise Jam Tournament earlier this season, and helping Alabama to a 7-2 season start.

“I definitely feel like I’m a leader of the team,” Russell said. “I think I’ve been doing all right. I think I’ve had some pretty big games. Even though I don’t score a lot, I feel like I’m always out there contributing to our wins.”

For Hudson however, Russell’s strength as a player lies in the effort she puts into the game.

“I think Ericka’s biggest strength is she comes to work,” Hudson said. “I talk to players about ‘who would you think that would be the right example for you to follow?’ And Ericka is always one. There might be some other two, but Ericka is always one, which means her teammates really realize that she is that person that’ll come to practice every day, give it all she’s got.”

Still, Russell said there are still things she wants to accomplish for herself and her team.

“I want us to have a winning season,” Russell said. “I want us to be able to go to the NCAA Tournament and compete in it, not just be happy that we make it there. I want us to have a great run, and I want this program to get better over the years.”

Still, the court is not the only place where Russell wants to excel. She also has had great success in the classroom, graduating from Alabama in three years with her bachelor’s degree in business administration. She is currently working on her master’s in sports management. For Russell, there’s no difference between the court and the classroom. She puts everything she has into whatever she’s doing.

“My work ethic is unreal,” Russell said. “I feel like everything I work for in my life is off of how hard you go, how dedicated you are. I’m always gonna give 110 percent every time I do anything, and anything in life.”