When Michaela Kraft first stepped foot on Creighton’s campus in late August of 2007, she had no intention of ever playing organized basketball again.

However, her mindset changed this Thanksgiving. That’s when the academic sophomore received an e-mail from Creighton women’s basketball coach Jim Flanery.

He had spoken with Kraft’s high school coach and wanted to meet with her regarding the possibility of joining the team as a walk-on.

The Jays have lost two players this year with season-ending injuries.

After a few days of thinking it over, Kraft, a 5’3″ freshman point guard from Mandan, N.D., decided to join the team.

During her high school career, Kraft won five consecutive state championships, including one as an eighth grader playing on her high school’s varsity team.

Some colleges became interested in recruiting Kraft, but she told her coach that she had no intention of playing college ball.

Kraft chose to come to Creighton because she wants to attend medical school.

Since she joined the team, Kraft has played in six games, debuting on Dec. 21.

Her best performance came against Missouri State on Jan. 8. Kraft had three assists and one steal in nine minutes. But she has yet to score a point.

“I’m looking forward to it (scoring her first point),” Kraft said. “I have never really been a scorer. I have never played for stats, just to play.”

The team doesn’t see her scoring as an issue either.

They are really excited at the possibility of Kraft scoring her first collegiate point, senior center Kristina Voss said, “She doesn’t shoot much, but we get just as excited when she makes a sweet pass.”

Kraft describes herself as a defensive player who likes to create shots for others. Flanery agrees.

“She has been used in game situations as a defensive player. She is also a great passer into the post,” Flanery said.

Beyond her ability to defend the ball and find the open player, Kraft has impressed others with her outlook as well.

“She always comes to practice with a great attitude, and we’re glad to have her,” Voss said.

Coach Flanery is impressed by other aspects of Kraft’s game as well.

“The first thing that struck me was how intelligent she was,” Flanery said. “She has good leadership skills, which are important for a point guard.”

Kraft sees her role on the team as one that will help her teammates get better in practice.

Coach Flanery agrees, but also said, “Her biggest role is being a practice player, but she is not invaluable [for game situations].”

Playing time is sometimes hard to come by for the shortest girl on the team, whose only basketball involvement as a freshman came through Creighton’s intramurals, but that does not stop Kraft from enjoying her time on the court.

While neither Kraft nor Flanery is certain as to what next year holds, the coach said it is a definite possibility that Kraft will join the team again for the 2009-10 season.

When asked to describe her experience so far on this year’s team, she said that it “has been indescribable. It has been hard but fun. I have really enjoyed it.”