PEAK PERFORMERS: Star buckles up for a new trip

Vanessa Leeper is headed to Nebraska-Kearney on a basketball scholarship, no small accomplishment for a player from a Class 2A school. But Leeper is no ordinary player: She is a three-time All-State selection and nearly rewrote the record book at Colorado Springs School.

Leeper, who is 5-foot-9, effectively played all five positions for the Kodiaks and averaged 25.2 points, 10.8 rebounds, 4.4 steals and nearly three assists and blocks. She led CSS to a 17-5 record - its best, while finishing third in a difficult district - to earn The Gazette's Small Schools Girls Basketball Player of the Year award.

How would you describe yourself to others?

Energetic, goofy and likes to have fun. You might think I'm really tough but I'm soft on the inside.

Was Nebraska-Kearney your first choice for college?

I was set to go to DU (University of Denver) for basketball. I loved the school - they have a great international business program - and I wanted to go there since my freshman year. They told me I could walk-on but they had two verbal commitments ahead of me for scholarships. I was heartbroken. I had all my dreams planned.

How did you end up taking a scholarship to Nebraska-Kearney?

I had been kind of humbled. I went on my visit to Kearney and on the ride back in the car I was crying. They were tears of joy, though. I had been thinking, "God, I feel so lost," but then I understood why I had been rejected or whatever by DU. I realized I found a school that fits me so well.

What are your long-term goals?

International business because I want to do import/export with Chile and the United States. Some day I want to get married and have a family. But I'm down with anything He (God) has for me.

Who is your favorite superhero?

Batman, hands down. He's the type of superhero that doesn't have unrealistic powers like the rest of them. But he still gets the job done. I'm looking for a Batman belt buckle on eBay right now.

What excites you most about your upcoming freshman year?

It'll definitely be a new atmosphere. I've been at CSS my entire life. At Kearney, there won't be any stereotypes about me. There'll be new settings, new classes. I'll meet a lot of new people. It'll be fun to play with people who have so much talent.

What will be different about basketball?

I work hard now but I'll have to work a lot harder. The atmosphere will be a lot different playing in college.

Are you a good student?

I had a 4.0 GPA until last semester. I've always been really focused on school. It's probably because I have a very smart brother ahead of me in grad school at Stanford.

You played everywhere at CSS. What position suits you best?

I like being a wing. I can shoot or drive from there. I'll probably be a "2" guard. If necessary, I can play point guard also.

How would you describe yourself as a player?

Intense and very competitive, to say the least. I want the ball under pressure and I'm not afraid to make a mistake. I like to drive to the basket and I'm not afraid of contact. I like to block shots.

What makes your coach, Vicki Vaughn, so good?

I like how she knows what to do in every situation. She knows how to assess a weakness in other teams and makes changes during the game. She sees positives and negatives on the court and uses those to make you better in practice. She's so passionate about basketball it makes you want to give all you have for her. She's always pushing to make you better. And she doesn't give up on people; she always thinks they can get better.

What three people, living or dead, would you invite to dinner?

LeBron James, who is my favorite basketball player. My grandma, who passed away a year-and-a-half ago, who lived in Los Angeles, and my other grandma, who lives in Chile.

How many trips have you made out of the country and where have you visited?

Ten. My grandmother in L.A. loved to travel and invited our family on cruises and trips. I've been to Chile, Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Germany, Italy, Greece, Turkey, South Africa, Portugal, Spain and the Bahamas.

What part of your game do you need to work on most?

Not being lazy on defense. Sometimes I let people go by me so I can block their shot. In college, that won't work.

What's the best thing about your game?

I never give up, no matter what.