Kaniya Boyd to ‘bring the intensity’ to Lady Vols basketball
LAS VEGAS (BVM) – Being a part of a winning tradition is nothing new for Kaniya Boyd. The rising senior has helped her Centennial High School girls basketball team secure its eighth straight Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association this past season with her strong performance. Pressure is not only present but an expectation for Boyd.
“There’s definitely always pressure whether or not I was top 100 or committed to one of the top universities,” Boyd said. “I play for Karen Weitz [a Southern Nevada Sports Hall of Fame coach with over 700 wins and 14 state titles], you’re always under pressure.”
The handling of scrutiny will play a key role in Boyd’s basketball future as well. On April 17, Boyd announced her commitment to the University of Tennessee Lady Vols. The 5-foot-9 guard is rated as the No. 29 prospect in the country for the Class of 2024 in the ESPN HoopGurlz Super 60 and is the first commit for the Lady Vols 2024 Class.
“I think I’ll fit in very well, especially with some of the players that are already there that I get a year or two to play with,” Boyd said. “They’re some of the players I need or that I can play with very well.”
During her official visit to Tennessee, it was clear from Boyd’s time with the coaches and team that she had found a home. She was so convicted in this belief, that the point guard actually told Lady Vols head coach Kellie Harper that she was committing to her program at the Orange Mountain Designs retail store in Knoxville while still on her trip.
“I didn’t feel I had to [do it] but I felt like it was good to,” Boyd said of her commitment. “The vibes were good so I just wanted to keep it like that. It was a very happy moment. I was kind of nervous to tell her but when I did it it just felt so much better.”
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Boyd proved why she was worthy of a top-30 ranking in the country last season. She averaged 12.2 points, 4.5 assists, 3.7 rebounds and 3.4 steals for a Bulldogs team that played a nationally competitive schedule against teams such as Carondelet, Sidwell Friends and others. For her efforts, Boyd was named the Nevada High School Girls Basketball Player of the Year by MaxPreps.
“I was very happy,” Boyd said. “I felt like I accomplished at least one thing off of my goal list.”
While offensive statistics may be the most viewed by recruiters and fans, Boyd takes pride in her defensive prowess. Though she enjoys helping her teammates make plays, the point guard feels her defense is what really puts her over the top.
“[I’m] defense first then offense,” Boyd said. “I definitely think it’s the best part of my game just being able to talk, go through the rotations, get deflections and go the other way.”
Boyd feels that her well-rounded play will also help the Lady Vols when she arrives on campus. With her passing and ability to get deflections defensively, Boyd believes she can help create some great offense for Tennessee.
“I can pass and they need that point guard that can pass or score or get deflections, play defense and get down to go the other way,” Boyd said.
With her senior year on the horizon, Boyd has set some lofty goals for herself including keeping the Bulldogs’ state title streak intact as well as earning McDonald’s All-American honors.
“I have to work hard for that,” Boyd said. “It would mean a lot because then I just feel my work is working.”
Once with the Lady Vols, Boyd believes fans should be ready for two things.
“[They should expect] for me to bring the intensity and keep it up.”
