Maddi Utti

Classroom

Utti is on track to graduate this spring with a degree in business, holding a GPA of 3.61. Her current plans after graduation are currently up in the air given the current climate surrounding the NCAA, COVID, etc. The possibility of playing professionally overseas may be in the cards prior to seeking a profession outside of basketball.

Character

Utti was the glue that held the 2019-20 championship team together. Utti did and has done a great job of incorporating the freshmen last season and this season by mentoring them on and off the court. It has been a responsibility of hers to make sure teammates are on the same page both on and off the court and also leads team bonding efforts.

Utti is by far the hardest work on the team, spending extra hours in the weight room and in the gym getting additional shots up.

Utti has been able to overcome injuries and a season where she was not at full strength, still lead by example and being named the Mountain West Player of the Year.

Utti has great character, doing little things like taking extra bags on the road and helping the athletic trainer with anything she needs. Utti does not see herself as above lending a hand to help even if her stature as a senior and the conference’s preseason player of the year could leave her to be.

Community

Recently, Utti been a part of a big sister program, in which the team connects with youth over Zoom during these hard times. The goal has been to try to inspire and teach them skills to reach their goals, but she’s also enjoyed spending time talking to them and getting to know them throughout their chats. Utti is hopeful be a positive role model.

Competition

Utti entered this season as the reigning 2020 Mountain West Player of the Year, after earning her first All-MW selection. Utti was one of only three non-seniors to earn POY honors in the MW during the last 10 years. Last season, Utti was one of five players in the NCAA to average at least 15 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 steals per game and was the only player in the MW to rank in the top three in scoring (15.9 ppg), rebounding (8.9 rpg), and steals (2.3 spg).

Utti is a two-time MW All-Defensive Team selection. Utti was selected to this year’s five-member All-MW preseason team and voted as Preseason Player of the Year. Outside the conference, Utti was tabbed to three preseason watch lists—Naismith Trophy, Katrina McLain Award and Becky Hammon Mid-Major Player of the Year Award.

Entering the year, Utti ranked 16th in Fresno State history in scoring (1,200 points), 2nd in field goal percentage (.539), 9th in total rebounds (705), 5th in rebounds per game (7.34), 10th in total steals (179), and 9th in steals per game (1.9). Prior to missing her the first game of her career on Dec. 11, Utti had played in all 100 games during her career and had started 94 straight games.