When Lauryn McIver arrived at Friends University, she wasn't looking for records — she was looking for a place that felt right. The dorms stood out on a virtual tour, the coaching staff felt genuine over the phone, and the program's competitiveness was clear even from afar. What she didn't know then was how much Friends would shape her game, her leadership, and the way she saw basketball.

"I was never a point guard before I got here," McIver said. "My biggest part of my game from high school to my first two years at JUCO and then at my other NAIA school that I went to, it was really just about me being a driver and a scorer."

That changed quickly. Asked to run the offense, she embraced a new identity — and in the process, rewrote the program's modern-era assists records. "Coach (Dean) Jaderston told me I was gonna be a point guard, so I had to really step into that role," she said. "It was definitely very difficult at first, but with the navigation from coach and from the assistant coaches at the time, I think they really taught me how to slow down and see people… and trust that they're gonna be there on the catch."

Now, the guard known for attacking the rim is just as likely to set up a teammate as she is to score herself. "These last three years, it has really been a part of my game," she said. "I've really enjoyed it. It's actually been one of my favorite parts of the game, being able to get somebody open and then seeing the ball go through the net off of something that I created."

Finding Her Place at Friends

McIver's path to Friends started with a virtual tour and a phone call. "One big reason I chose Friends University over other universities was the dorm situation," she said with a laugh. "They had a lot better dorms than what I saw from other campuses."

But the real difference-maker was the people. "Coach J is very genuine, he was that way over the phone and it still stands out to this day how he is as a person," McIver said. "That is another really big selling point for me."

She also saw a program on the rise and wanted to be part of it. "The year before I came, this team made it to the championship game… and it was good to see that the team was competitive at that time," she said. "I wanted to be a part of a competitive team."

Learning to Lead

Transitioning into a point guard role wasn't easy, but it was transformative. "I had to really step into that role," she said. "They really taught me how to slow down and see people, not just with my eyes, but be able to feel where they're gonna be."

That vision has become her signature. "It's been something that I've grown to love," McIver said. "It's actually been one of my favorite parts of the game."

Along the way, she's leaned on a coaching staff that believed in her from day one. "Coach J… the trust that he's put in me over the years has had a significant impact on me," she said. "Just him putting his trust in being able to lead the team or to be able to make tough shots in tough situations… that has been something that not only helps me in basketball, but helps me in life."

She also credited assistant coach Aniya Bell for her steady presence. "She helps me with training," McIver said. "She's there for me when I feel like I'm not doing something right. She's right there in my ear… either telling me I'm not doing it right and helping me correct it, or she's telling me to breathe and calm down and everything's OK."

Family by Her Side

One of the most meaningful parts of McIver's experience at Friends has been sharing it with her twin sister, Malia. "Having Malia here has been… it's been great," she said. "Not only does she go to Friends as a grad student, but she's involved in athletics. And that means I see her all the time and she helps and she gives me advice."

Their relationship has been a constant source of support. "She is the only person, being my twin sister, that has seen my game from when I was five years old all the way until now," McIver said. "When I need that reset, she's always there."

The Next Step

Now, with the NAIA Tournament on the horizon, McIver and the Falcons are ready for more. "I'm pretty excited for next week, and I think the team's pretty excited as well," she said. "This time last year, we were done. After our championship game, we had no more games. We weren't in the tournament."

This season, that's different — and it means everything. "The last three years that I've been here, we have not made the NAIA tournament," she said. "So having this opportunity this year just shows how successful of a season we've had thus far. And how we deserve to not be done just yet."

The team's energy reflects the moment. "Practice has been good. The energy's up," McIver said. "We have an opportunity to show ourselves and to show that we could be possibly be one of the top 16 teams in the nation… to really show ourselves and show that that last game against Tabor wasn't who we are."

For McIver, the point guard who learned to see the floor differently, it's one more chance to create something for her team — and to watch it go through the net.

NOTE: McIver and the Falcons are a sixth seed in the upcoming NAIA National Championship Tournament and will face 11th seeded Hastings College next Friday afternoon (Mar. 13) at 2 pm in a first round matchup inside the Garvey Center.