Dietra Caldwell knows how to take care of the ball.
The senior guard from Missouri City, Texas, led the Sooner Athletic Conference and was second in NAIA Division I in assist-to-turnover ratio.
“I give credit to my coaches for giving me drills to work on my ball handling,” Caldwell said. “Also to my coach who holds such high standards in practice, if you turn the ball over then you have a punishment, and my teammates. I could make a bad pass but they make a good catch so that also helps me.”
Caldwell finished the regular season as the top-ranked Stars’ leading scorer with 12.8 points a game, was named the Sooner Athletic Conference women’s basketball player of the year and is this week’s Super Star of the week.
“SAC player of the year is a nice accomplishment,” Caldwell said. “It just taught me that hard work does pay off, but it would have meant more to me if it had given acknowledgement to the people that helped me get here.”
Caldwell helped 27-1 OCU to a share of the SAC regular-season title, the SAC Tournament title and was named to the all-tournament team this season.
“This year has been very special for me,” Caldwell said. “Our team is a unique team. I’ve played on various teams and the love and support we have for one another from the coaching staff to the trainers to the athletic director, it feels like a family. Everything we do is just fun.”
According the Caldwell, the Stars will not be changing their approach as they head into the NAIA Division I Tournament.
“We have the same outlook as we did coming into the season,” Caldwell said. “Our goal is to go out, have fun and play every game as if it’s our last. So that is what we’ve been doing and we’ve had success and that is what we will continue to do.”
Caldwell is majoring in kinesiology at OCU and plans to pursue a career in physical therapy after her playing days.
“My characteristic is to want to help people and being in physical therapy I feel like I may encounter a lot of athletes that have been injured,” Caldwell said. “It would mean a lot to me to be able to help them get back to what they want to do.”
Caldwell says she appreciates the academic advantages OCU provides.
“The student-to-teacher ratio OCU has gives me more of an opportunity to have one-on-one time with my teachers,” Caldwell said. “I think that gives me great success.”
According to Caldwell, her attitude is the same on and off the court.
“With me, what you see is what you get,” Caldwell said. “I love the game and I’m here to get my education.”
More on Dietra:
Reason I picked OCU: Academics and basketball
Pregame ritual: Say a prayer and listen to music
Favorite athlete: LeBron James
Sporting event I would like to see someday: NBA Finals
My nickname: Dee
