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Carlow University Student Athlete Spotlight - Nikki Becker

Although Nikki Becker is headed to Millersville University to play basketball, she could have earned a college scholarship in track or soccer, as well. The five-foot-seven guard led the Burrell High School girl's basketball team in scoring, free throw percentage and three-point percentage as a junior. This season, a high ankle sprain has slowed Becker, but that has not dimmed her hopes of returning in time to help Burrell into the WPIAL playoffs.

Also easing the pain is the fact that Becker signed her National Letter-of-Intent to play at Millersville before her senior basketball season.

"It was relieving," commented Becker speaking of her early signing. "Coach Fleig was a big reason. I watched her in practice, games, and in the locker room. She has a laid-back style of coaching. She handled game situations very well, but to the point." Becker added, "I wanted a big school, and Millersville is a big school with a large campus. The class sizes are big, but not too big."

"I love how she fits into our program," says Mary Fleig, the head women's basketball coach at Millersville University. Fleig has accumulated over 430 coaching wins at Franklin & Marshall and Millersville. In Fleig's 17 years at Millersville, Becker is the first women's basketball player to receive a full-scholarship. "(Nikki) has a great personality, work ethic and knowledge of the game. She's a lefty who sees the court extremely well. Her athleticism makes her a good fit for our style of play."

Becker is a confident, highly competitive player who runs the floor well and controls the offense. The left-handed shooting guard can hit three-pointers from anywhere around the arc, or she will step in and hit the six- to eight-foot jumper.

A three-year basketball letterman, Becker earned all-conference honorable mention recognition as a junior. She also has three letters in track and one in soccer. In her junior year, Becker was one of the top long jumpers (16') and triple jumpers (35'2") in the WPIAL, but she did not compete in the WPIAL meet due to an emergency surgery. As a sophomore, Becker placed eighth in the WPIAL Championships in the triple jump. Becker decided to join the soccer team in her senior year. As the goalkeeper, she recorded nine shutouts while helping Burrell into the WPIAL playoffs.

Becker carries a 3.8 GPA and plans to major in business at Millersville. She eventually wants to own and run her own nightclub. Becker also is an accomplished artist. Her portrait, "One Love - Bob Marley" was displayed at the Congressional Art Show in Washington, DC.

-- Submitted by the National Scouting Report*

* This Student Spotlight was submitted by the National Scouting Report and follows the guidelines and permissions set within that organization. MSA Sports is not liable for this submission.

How to Get Your Student in the Spotlight

Balancing sports, schoolwork, and other activities is one of your child's greatest challenges. We at MSA Sports would like to spotlight some of these students who do just that - and do it WELL!

Parents, teachers, family members and friends, we need your help identifying students to feature in the Student Athlete Spotlight. Send a photograph of the student, along with some biographical information. Student bio should be brief (2 or 3 paragraphs) and include sport played and position, academic and other honors, GPA, extracurricular activities, and any other information that helps to showcase the achievements and character of this student athlete.

Once your child is selected we will send you a permission form to allow us to post the student's picture and profile. Please use this form to submit a student for consideration.