FORT COLLINS, Colo. — In a year where the end is inevitable, Colorado State fifth-year point guard McKenna Hofschild is soaking in every last second.
"I've tried to stay more in the moment than I've ever had before, especially now as I'm realizing that games are getting to be limited, so just trying to take it day by day, have fun, enjoy the moment, be with my teammates, and see where it takes us," she said.
In her final year with the Rams, Hofschild has already eclipsed Colorado State legend and Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer Becky Hammon's record of 538 assists. By the midseason, she holds the school and Mountain West Conference record with 729 assists, and leads the nation with 7.7 assists per game.
"It means a lot, I'm very thankful and blessed to be in this situation that I am and to know the types of player that have come before me here at CSU, it's a great honor," she said.
Hammon still holds the all-time points record at CSU with 2,740, but Hofschild passed Katie Cronin to sit in second place with 1,937 and counting. She'll more than likely finish in that spot. Hammon and Cronin both paid a visit to their alma mater in early January and surprised this group of Rams.
"I think we were all a little star-struck seeing [Hammon] walk down and sit courtside. It was so cool and I think just to have her be a fan for one game was really exciting. Then, all of the other players that were here, Katie Cronin, I know she's a legend here."
Hofschild has expressed her desire to hang up the sneakers and pick up a white board when this season concludes, and hopes to take her coaching career outside of Colorado to spread her wings. Who better to emulate than Rams point guard-turned 2022 WNBA Coach of the Year?
"I think there's something to be said, a lot of people think a great player doesn't make a great coach and a great coach wasn't necessarily a great player but to see her be both is really cool," Hofschild said. "To see her have the success that she's had as a player and now as a coach and leading her team to back-to-back championships is awesome, it's something to strive for."
While a player doesn't necessarily make a good coach, Hofschild has had plenty of practice as the floor general for four years at Colorado State. Yet, she said she's elevated her leadership to the next level this final year.
"That's been something I've tried to work on my whole life, especially since I've gotten here," she said. "That's an area I can improve on, just finding that balance of trying to be there for my teammates, trying to pick them up, trying to encourage them, trying to give them confidence, but also hold myself and other people accountable. It's just what a leader has to do and I kind of found that fine line this year and it's something I take pride in now."
She also takes pride in her individual accomplishments, like being a back-to-back semifinalist for the Nancy Lieberman Point Guard of the Year.
"It's really cool, I think it's really special because of all of the other names on that list. They're all incredible players and I watch them all the time in my free time."
Those other names include Georgia Amoore (Virginia Tech), Sarah Andrews (Baylor), Caitlin Clark (Iowa), Hannah Hidalgo (Notre Dame), Te-Hina Paopao (South Carolina), Kiki Rice (UCLA), Shyanne Sellers (Maryland), Jacy Sheldon (Ohio State), and Jaylyn Sherrod (Colorado).
"Just to be on that list and be a part of that top-10 is very meaningful for me because it reassures me that all of the work I've put in throughout my life is paying off," she said.
Hofschild was one of five finalists last season before Caitlin Clark took home the award.
The finalist brings something to the table that most in her position are unable to boast: her fast skillset, her determination, her tenacity, and one of the smallest statures on a Division I court. At 5'2", she's been able to accomplish more than many players one foot taller.
"I think I just give people hope. I think when a young girl that knows that she's not going to be the tallest sees me playing, and sees me playing at the level that I do, I think it just gives her hope and reassurance that if I can do it, anyone can do it," she said. "I just hope that when people look at me, they think that anything is possible."
And that she's pretty dang fun to watch.
"Shoot, I hope that too, that's the goal!"