As if becoming a state champion was not enough, Maja Cykowska ’23 spent her summer at a training camp with the Poland national team. “It was an honor of a lifetime,” says Maja, speaking upon her return to SD.

Maja did not expect the call-up, although she knew her Polish club team, AZS Częstochowa, shared her video with national scouts. A few days into her vacation, Maja received a call from the Poland national team coach. The very next day, she was off to the national training facilities in COS Giżycko.

“I was in awe walking into a room full of 6'1" and 6'2" girls. I think they sensed that I was nervous, so they went out of their way to welcome me with open arms,” says Maja. “That helped me settle in quickly and acclimate to the rigorous training schedule.” Maja spent the next few weeks training up to four times a day. 

Maja credits her time here at SD for her ability to compete at that level, giving thanks to Coach Fulton and everyone within the athletic department. “My game improved so much in a short period,” she tells us. “I love playing for Coach Fulton because he is straightforward about how he wants us to play, and knows when to push us and when to put an arm around our shoulder.” Maja has taken full advantage of the resources on campus by utilizing the weight room to follow the basketball-specific program that Strength and Conditioning Coach Tristan Bowen (a.k.a. Coach T) assigned to her.

Now that Maja is back on campus, she is focused on the upcoming season while cherishing her memories of being a part of the national team set-up. Said the Panther star center, “I want to make this year another memorable year for SD and SD Basketball.”