The Justice

SMOOTH MOVES: Caitlin Malcolm '07 works inside against the University of Rochester. Photo by David Sheppard-Brick/the Justice.

CORRECTION APPENDED AT BOTTOM:

When the women's basketball season ended in the second round of the NCAA tournament Mar. 3, so did the career of arguably the best player in the team's history. Center Caitlin Malcolm '07, the Judges' all-time leading scorer with 1,412 points, finished her illustrious career with 23 points and 14 rebounds in the team's 71-66 loss to Emmanuel College in round two.

Over the course of her career, Malcolm accumulated an impressive list of awards and recognitions.

She was named to three all-University Athletic Association first teams, the Women's Basketball Coaches Association honored her as an All-American twice, and d3hoops.com picked her as an All-American last year.

The team posted four straight 20-win seasons in her four years, and is now fresh off the first two NCAA tournament appearances in school history.

During Malcolm's first two years, the Judges won consecutive ECAC championships.

Malcolm, also the school's third-leading rebounder of all-time at 781, reached her offensive peak during her junior year, when she averaged 16.5 points per game.

Not only did Malcolm's numbers earn her individual accolades, but they also put her in the national spotlight.

When she tallied 29 points after going 19 for 22 from the free throw line in a game against Case Western Reserve University her sophomore year, Malcolm even caught the attention of Sports Illustrated.

During the following week, a reporter and photographer interviewed her for the "Faces in the Crowd" section which features amateur athletes.

In the Feb. 7, 2005 issue, Malcolm shared pages with New England Patriots' icon Tom Brady.

"It was kind of surreal. Like, why me?" Malcolm said. "But at least it will make a good souvenir."

Besides her tremendous performance on the court, Malcolm's leadership will be sorely missed by her teammates.

"[Malcolm's] not afraid to take another player aside and show them their mistakes," Kiersten Holgash '08 said.

"Caitlin has really been a huge mentor for [the other players]," she said.

Coming to Brandeis, Malcolm said she was a little rough around the edges defensively.

In high school, she found herself in constant foul trouble, but at Brandeis, she said coach Carol Simon always had faith in her ability.

"When I played in high school or on club teams, I wasn't really considered that good, but [Simon] believed in me and gave me a chance," Malcolm said. "I've played my best basketball here."

While Malcolm's future plans are uncertain, her coaches are encouraging her to consider playing basketball overseas.

"I haven't heard anything [about my future], so it's up in the air," Malcolm said.

"I don't want to be playing basketball my whole life, but I'm definitely not ready to let go of it now."

Whatever's in store for her, Malcolm's legacy at Brandeis is secure.

"When people think about Brandeis women's basketball, they think about Caitlin Malcolm," guard Jaime Capra '08 said. "We're really going to miss her."

Due to a reporting error, the article originally misstated that Caitlin Malcolm '07 received a basketball scholarship from Brandeis. She did not.

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