The eighth-ranked Duke Blue Devils have the next biggest college basketball star, Toby Fournier (FOR-Nee-A). In her freshman season, she has already shown flashes of her potential. Standing at 6’2”, Fournier can dunk a basketball, which is rare for someone her height. Despite her atypical abilities, much remains to be desired in her development as a college basketball star.

Fournier is currently averaging 10.9 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.0 steals, and 1.1 blocks per game. Her points per game are the third highest on the team, proving she can impact Duke even in her first year. Early in the season, she was tested against the toughest competition at her position, like Kansas State's Ayoka Lee (AY-Oak-UH) and Oklahoma's Raegan Beers (RAY-Gun). Because of her versatility, Fournier sees facing such veterans early in her career as a way to improve.

“Being able to play with them is important for my game because I am not a true (Center), so being able to guard all positions is super important.”

Blue Devils Head Coach Kara Lawson also praised her versatility and her ability to learn from players who exceed her in experience.

“(Fournier)’s very versatile defensively and can guard one through five, and she’s learning every game. She’s going against fourth years and fifth years, so she’s gaining a lot of experience, and she’s right where I want her to be.”

Playing against veterans at her position has undoubtedly helped improve Fournier’s game. Her adjustment to the college game has already been nationally recognized, but there is still plenty she could work on.

During the week of November 25th, Fournier received the ACC Freshman of the Week after scoring a career-high 25 points, grabbing six rebounds, and three blocks in their win against Belmont. Although she was grateful to receive the honor, Fournier is focused on consistently improving her game, knowing her job is far from finished.

“I was so happy to receive that achievement, but I know that my job isn’t done. I have a lot of things left to improve, and the competition we’ve faced is a sign of that.”

After their win against Kansas State in the Ball Dawgs Classic, Coach Lawson praised Fournier’s potential, speaking about her skills on both ends and getting into the rhythm of the game.

“(Fournier) is a really good two-way player, and she has a ton of potential. Watching her play, she’s productive with her scoring and rebounding abilities. She scuffled a little bit because of foul trouble, and never really got into the rhythm of the game.”

Even though Fournier is still learning a different level of basketball, she recognizes there are parts of her game that she can refine to reach her full potential.

Despite only starting her college career, Fournier is already proving her star potential. In discussing her progress so far, she explained how she develops every day at practice and in games.

“We’re super competitive and how we play (in games) is how we play in practice, so to be able to build with my teammates is super important.”

Fournier also recognizes her game leaves much to be desired, specifically her mentality, which will translate to her performance on the court.

“I need to improve my confidence towards the rim. When having a bad game, needing to be able to reset that confidence even after mistakes. Mentally, not letting the refs bother me, even if there are calls I don’t agree with (in a game).”

Although she isn’t fully recognized as college basketball’s next star, Fournier’s continued refinement has shown her time is coming sooner rather than later.