July 25, 2007

GoFrogs.com recently caught up with forward Lorie Butler-Rayford as she prepares for her senior season with the Lady Frogs.

A native of Inglewood, Calif., Butler-Rayford averaged 7.0 points and led the team with an average of 7.1 rebounds per game last season. Butler-Rayford also ranked fourth in the Mountain West Conference in rebounding, while totaling the eighth-most rebounds in TCU single-season history (219) in 2006-07. She also has eight double-doubles in her career, including three last season.

GoFrogs.com: You attended Morningside High School, which has a very strong tradition in basketball with alumni such as Lisa Leslie and Tina Thompson. What was it like to attend such a tradition-rich high school?
Lorie Butler-Rayford: (Morningside HS) is less than a mile from my house and my dad and all of my family went there. Lisa Leslie came to all of our games, but other than that I think it was just like any other high school.

GF: On transferring from Lynwood High School to Morningside High School following her junior year...
LBR: We actually had a great team at Lynwood High School when I left. We won the national championship and the state title while I was there. I wanted to go to Morningside High School my senior year because I wanted to be a star.

GF: What area of your game are you trying to improve most this summer?
LBR: My jump shot and my perimeter defense. I played post last season and it was tough because I am only 5-foot-11. I've been working so that I can play more on the perimeter next season.

GF: You led the team in rebounding last season, what does it take to be a good rebounder?
LBR: Rebounding has been the biggest part of my game since I was a little kid. I just have a knack for knowing the angles and knowing where the ball is going to come off the rim. I also box out well and utilize my strength to hold taller players off.

GF: If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation for free, where would you go?
LBR: I think I would go to the south of France because that is where the celebrities talk about going.

GF: Who is your favorite professional athlete?
LBR: Diana Taurasi (Phoenix Mercury)

GF: If you could play any other collegiate sport, what would it be?
LBR: Softball

GF: What do you want to do after you're finished playing basketball?
LBR: I want to go overseas and then go ahead and get my doctorate degree and be a sports psychologist. (Butler-Rayford is a psychosocial kinesiology major with minors in communications and psychology)

GF: If you could go to any concert, who would you go see?
LBR: Beyonce. I just saw her at the American Airlines Center on July 13 and I would go again.

GF: Where is your favorite place to play outside of Daniel-Meyer Coliseum?
LBR: Arco Arena in Sacramento, Calif., where the Kings play. I played there in high school. It is where the state championships are held.