8 Things to know about Kayla Padilla, Filipino sensation of the NCAAW aS she Says Goodbye to USC
Written By Niko Del Rey
Most college hoop fans know that the University of Southern California made history this year by advancing to the NCAA Women’s Championship Tournament’s Elite Eight for the first time in thirty years. And while they didn’t quite make it all the way, what a lot of people don’t know is that a lot of this year's success is due to the drastic change in their team chemistry. Something about this starting five has looked like a different beast, not only due to freshman phenom Juju Watkins but also senior Filipino starting point guard, Kayla Padilla.
As USC pushed into the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament this year , Padilla's presence became even more vital. Known for her ability to shine in crucial moments, Padilla's time at USC was all about clutch performances and leadership. But Padilla's impact goes beyond the basketball court as she says goodbye to USC. She embodied teamwork and perseverance, defining the Trojans' journey. Leaving behind a legacy of versatility, resilience, and unwavering dedication, Padilla's influence will continue to inspire not just at USC but everywhere her story is told.
Let’s dive into 8 things to know about Kayla Padilla:
1. Kayla Padilla is a Southern California native, originally from Bishop Montgomery HIgh School in Torrance, California. Padilla played all four years for Bishop Montgomery where she played alongside current USC teammate, Kayla Williams.
2. Padilla is a graduate transfer from the University of Pennsylvania but is currently finishing her senior year of graduate school with her Master’s in Entrepreneurship and Innovation at USC.
3. Through her four years at Penn, Padilla was second in the conference in scoring in her Freshman year, averaging 17.4 pts, only to lead the conference in scoring her final 2 years, averaging 18.5pts and 17.7pts, amassing a total of 884 points in her final 2 seasons alone. Padilla has made First-Team All-Ivy for all 3 seasons spent at Penn.
4. Her rookie year at Penn was a historic season where she was named Ivy League Rookie of the year. Padilla had set up her ROY title with multiple accolades such as six-time Ivy League Rookie of the Week and a two-time Ivy League Player of the Week. In addition to ranking second in scoring for the conference, she also ranked second in the conference in three-point field goal percentage (.399), second in three-point field goals per game (2.7), sixth in minutes per game (32.4), and eighth in field goal percentage (.416).
5. Making history for the conference but for the Quakers as well, Padilla is the fifth Quaker since 2010-2011 to be named conference Rookie of the Year, and sixth overall. Padilla started all 27 games and led the Red & Blue in points per game, minutes per game, three-point field goal percentage, three-point field goals attempted and made, and free throws attempted and made.
6. In only three seasons (the 2020-21 season was canceled by the coronavirus), the fourth-year captain on the women’s basketball team has totaled 1,355 points, seventh-most in school history, and has set new school records in multiple categories: 3-Pointers made (210), 3-Point attempts (545), 3-Point % (.385), Minutes Player Per Game (35.0), and Offensive Box Plus/Minus (6.0).
7. Padilla has always had a great relationship with former Bishop Montgomery High School coach and two-time WNBA Champion, Noelle Quinn. Padilla talks about how much she values Quinn’s mentorship from her high school days, through the recruitment process, to the present and navigating life. To this day, they stay in contact. Padilla wears No. 45, Quinn’s college and WNBA number, in her honor.
8. Kayla Padilla has taken a more leadership role in her senior year as a Trojan and is considered a true point guard or a “floor general” who can keep the offense moving as she has the special ability to get the ball to the right place at all the right times. Although she has taken a less dominant role in scoring, Padilla still can be aggressive when called upon, she is the teams 4th best scorer and leads the Trojans in 3P%.
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