Maya Hernandez Reflects on Her Basketball Journey as She Enters Her First Season at Loyola Marymount University

December 14, 2023

By: Dylan Tehada

As the college hoops season gets underway, Maya Hernandez prepares for her first year at Loyola Marymount University as the Lions begin their quest for a WCC title. As she begins her collegiate journey in Los Angeles, Hernandez reflects on the important parts of her basketball journey and her keys for future success. She looks to be a key piece to helping her team win a WCC title this year and strives to continue elevating her game to new heights. 

Hernandez’s love for basketball started at a young age where she played ball with the guidance and mentorship of her dad. Her dad coached every team she was on since the second she picked up a basketball all the way to the high school level. After finding success at an early age, Hernandez attended basketball powerhouse, Archbishop Mitty High School, where she played for coach Sue Phillips. Hernandez quickly established herself as an impact player making varsity as just a sophomore averaging 11 minutes and 5 points a game. 

During her three years on varsity, Hernandez led her team to three Norcal State Championship titles and three CIF State Championship appearances and showed a great deal of improvement year after year. Hernandez credits a lot of her success to the guidance and mentorship of Coach Phillips, who has quite the pedigree as the coach of the Monarchs women’s basketball program.

“Being coached by Sue Phillips has definitely helped me get to where I am today. She pushed me both mentally and definitely physically, always trying to push me to be a leader on and off the court,” Hernandez said.

Hernandez has been part of the UPBasketball community for quite some time now and embodies the hard work and dedication it takes to realize one’s unlimited potential. She began training with Coach Packie Turner in third grade and since then made it a routine to train at the UPB facility. Through the guidance and support of Coach Packie, Hernandez saw major strides in her game especially in the mental aspect of the sport. Through mental skills training sessions, Hernandez learned the importance of staying in the moment and taking control of her emotions especially when the game is on the line.

“When I was younger, [Coach Packie] would give us mental skills coaching and taught us to look down at your feet and be in the present moment, whether it's during a free throw or during the final seconds of a game,” Hernandez said. “Being able to just be present in the moment and realize that you're there and that it's okay to be nervous, but you're there anyways, so you have to push through.”

Now as a freshman at Loyola Marymount University, Hernandez strives to help her team win a WCC championship for the first time in years. Playing collegiate ball as a freshman is no easy task. The game moves faster and there is a learning curve when joining a brand new team with a new scheme and different personnel. Hernandez embraces this challenge going into her first year and seeks to make the most of the opportunities that come her way by trusting not only her physical tools, but also her mental skills training.

“The mental side of the game is very important, especially in college. Being able to play some games and then not play the next game or just how unpredictable it all is, especially as a freshman,” Hernandez said. “Being able to be mentally strong and grinding no matter what, whether a coach is rewarding you with playing time or you're not seeing so much. Just keep pushing and not giving up is super important.”

Hernandez embodies everything that UPB is all about, from the hardwork and dedication to fine tuning her physical skill set to mastering the mental side of the game in order to confront the challenges the game presents. She seeks to continue sharing her love and passion for the game of basketball and being a role model for the next generation of hoopers striving for success. Her key to success: have fun.

“Definitely make sure that you're having fun with [playing basketball] every day, especially for a kid who wants to have unlimited potential. In order to keep moving and keep building, you definitely have to have lots of fun with it because if you lose that love for the game, it's hard to unlock your full potential,” Hernandez said.