Shootaround: Male Practice Players Add to Success

LAS VEGAS – Every team is looking for an edge on the court, and finding it starts with the preparation. For Colorado State women's basketball coach Ryun Williams, it stems from practice and having the right players give a really good look in scout. Really dive into the role.

Which is where Marcus Burkett, Jerry Leyva and Cole Sonnesyn come into play for his program, the current crew of male practice players who have been with the team all season.

"It's a little different level of physicality, size, strength and quickness," Williams explained Monday morning as his team was headed to a quick workout prior to the semifinal matchup with UNLV in the Mountain West Tournament. "So it challenges that. You know, kind of that next level burst. So they just really challenge all your defensive concepts.

"You've got to get the right ones who understand the game, who understand that their bodies are different, you know, that they have to stay on the floor, not get anybody hurt. But they've been extremely valuable for us over the years."

It was something Williams basically inherited when he landed the job. Former player Sam Martin had recruited a crew of guys to practice with the team, and the team has used guys on campus ever since.

Sometimes the staff will receive an email from a student asking if there is a spot available, which is how Leyva was onboarded last year. Some just have a connection with the team, say, their dad is an assistant coach.

As the team worked through some concepts on one end, Burkett and Leyva were working on their shooting, ready to play their roles for the day. Burkett that of UNLV post Meadow Roland, Leyva any one of the Lady Rebels' guards. They take the assignment seriously, spending the morning taking mental notes during the scout-film session.

"I think it's important because I think we try to give them the best look. I think we contribute," Leyva said. "Coach relies on us to give them a good look and really focus, really give them a good look so they can be more prepared."

They admit there is a fine line they have to walk, to not play too physically at times. But they use their athleticism to full effect to help the Rams elevate their game.

Sometimes, the players take advantage of knowing they may hold back at times, and it leads to some fun exchanges.

"It's definitely hard sometimes to find that medium of not going too far but not playing too little, still working hard but not going out of your lane," Burkett said. "But no, it's definitely pretty easy to lose that medium.

"Brooke (Carlson) is fun to play against as a guard. Deeds (Lexi Deden) and Maddy (Madelyn Bragg) will hit you a little bit in the post."

But Bargesser can go to another level, they said.

"If you know, you know," Leyva said with a grin. "But if you don't know, you don't need to know."

The Rams can put out a scout unit which includes the three guys (Burkett and Leyva made the trip to the tournament), while adding assistant coach Annie Brady – who Williams had to tell to calm down during Monday's morning session. The look is as good – or better – than what they'll see on game day.

Williams has his demands of them. Like his players, he expects them to play defense well, adding he yells at Leyva as much as his actual players for not getting after it. It's a claim Leyva said is by design.

"I'm trying to let them shine," he said.

Too much for Williams' liking. There are times when Burkett gets too offensive, using his length and speed to make life difficult. That leads to a jab at his assistant, Rico, saying his son is making up for all the shots the father did not take back in his day.

The players definitely like the mix and the looks they get, which Hannah Ronsiek admits elevates the scout-team work.

"I think that they're able to replicate the other team's girls better than obviously we can just because we have to focus on other things a little bit," Ronsiek said. "So yeah, they're able to give us really good looks on offense and defense.

"Unfortunately I have to say they're a very big help."

See, none of them want to give the guys too much credit, because basically, they are considered part of the team. Leyva was with them last year, so when the banter starts flying, he's just as likely to absorb a verbal shot as he is a shoulder in the lane.

It's all highly competitive, and as is the case with most athletes, there is a mental scoreboard. And as is the case with two competitive people, they read the score differently. Marcus and Ronsiek will battle a lot in the paint, as his length translates well to her normal defensive assignments. He says the advantage belongs to him.

Ronsiek begs to differ.

"This year we really started to kind of treat (Leyva) as a teammate, and we've already talked about going and playing them at the rec center and beating them. I look forward to that as well," Ronsiek said. "I have to guard Marcus a lot because he usually plays the girl that I guard. So he always tries to give me crap about how I can't guard him, but I feel like I do guard him very well.

"If you ask him, he'll say he's winning, but we can pull up the film, and I think that if that went live, then I would be on top."

Recruiting Talent

Williams isn't exactly sure how Martin put her crew together back in the day, a group Williams says is still among the best the team has ever used. A few years ago, he was confused as to how Marta Leimane was suggesting players.

"Marty was very instrumental in landing some really good practice players because Marty likes to go — we didn't know this -- but Marty likes to go play pickup ball in the rec center," Williams said. "We're like, well, are you actually playing? You know, we're in season here. But she came back with some quality guys."

Leimane said those days are over. But yes, during her sophomore season, she would find every chance to play, when and wherever she could. And yes, it led to some good practice players for the team.

But that was then.

"I can't do that now," she said. "I'm older. I don't have the energy anymore."

Nor would she have Williams' blessing.

In the Paint

Colorado State is now 24-23 in Mountain West Tournament play after Sunday's win. … The Rams are 2-3 against UNLV in the draw. The last time the two faced was in the 2024 semifinals, a 62-52 win for the Lady Rebels. … CSU's record in tourney semifinals appearances is 4-8.

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