LaDazhia Williams said it's good to be home.
We caught up with the 2017 Lakewood Ranch High School graduate during a recent school visit to see her godmother.
Tawanda Means is a Student Support Specialist at Samoset Elementary.
She went to high school with LaDazhia's mother, Chanel Griffin. The two friends graduated from Southeast High School.
After LaDazhia and her teammates at LSU won the 2023 NCAA Women's Basketball National Championship, Tawanda knew students at Samoset Elementary would love to meet their hometown hero.
LaDazhia attended Braden River Elementary and Braden River Middle Schools.
It wasn't until 7th grade that she met Coach Tina Hadley (former LRHS girls basketball coach) that her love of basketball grew.
After playing a few games during Samoset's field day event last Friday, LaDazhia read "Pete the Cat" to a kindergarten classroom.
"Wow, you're so tall," the kids oohed and aahed about the 6-foot-4 athlete and scholar. "Do you play basketball?" asked one student.
LaDazhia reflected on her visit home and gave advice to younger students who want to achieve their goals.
One thing is certain. LaDazhia is going places!
Next week, the LSU Tigers women's basketball team is scheduled to visit the White House after receiving an invitation from the President.
In the coming months, she will travel thousands of miles away to Israel - where LaDazhia signed to play for the Israeli Female Basketball Premier League.
We'll be watching proudly from your hometown.
