Photo by: Lance Wendt

Woelk: Tuitele Making a Home Away From Home

December 24, 2018 | Women's Basketball, Neill Woelk

The CU freshman fitting right into the Buffs mix

BOULDER — From the very beginning, Peanut Tuitele knew she wanted to be at Colorado and play for Buffs coach JR Payne.

There were plenty of places Tuitele — whose given name is Sirena — could have continued her basketball pursuits. After a standout career at Pleasant Valley High School in Chico, Calif., she had all kinds of options, including many closer to home.

But it took just one meeting with Payne to convince her that the atmosphere and culture CU's coach is cultivating in Boulder — one built on family — is something she wanted very much to be part of.

Now, a little more than a year after signing her national letter of intent, the 6-foot-1 Tuitele is convinced her first instincts served her well.

"The first time we talked, I knew Coach J wanted to make the program a place that everyone comes in and feels like they are connected to something," Tuitele said just before wrapping up her first semester in Boulder with a 12-rebound, 10-point double-double in an 81-39 Colorado win over Samford. "It's something I felt immediately, a place where everyone is part of a family. Right off the plane, I knew this place was something special, and since I got here, my expectations have been met 100 percent. It's just a dream come true coming to this school."

Safe to say the fulfillment of expectations has gone both ways. After 11 games for the 10-1 Buffs, Tuitele is second on the team in rebounding (6.4 rpg) and fourth in scoring (9.5 ppg). But perhaps equally important, her energetic, outgoing personality and relentless work ethic have quickly established her as a team leader — a rare role for a true freshman.

"It takes a special type of person to be able to do what she has done as a freshman," Payne said. "But her personality embodies the characteristics you want in a leader. Everybody loves her. Her character, her work ethic, her selflessness are unquestionable. She has earned that credibility because of who she is as a woman, not just what she's done as a player."

Tuitele — always quick with a smile and encouraging word for teammates — is no doubt holding up her end on game days. She has started in six of CU's 11 games, has scored in double figures six times — including five of her last six — and her double-double against Samford was the first of her career. She was also named the Pac-12 Freshman of the Week in early December after averaging 16.5 points and 6.0 rebounds against Pepperdine and Miami.

But while her numbers are turning heads, Tuitele remains nonplussed about her personal accomplishments. Asked about a four-game stretch in which she scored in double-figures each game, she couldn't pinpoint the stretch. Instead, she pointed to teammates and coaches as the reason for any success she might be enjoying.

"My teammates are the people who help me accomplish whatever I do out on the floor," she said. "My coaches have helped put me in those positions. To be honest, I'm not really worried about starting or being the sixth man. I like coming off the bench and bringing energy. I think my main goal is to do whatever it is my coaches and teammates need me to do."

Tuitele, one of six children — one brother, Syrus, plays offensive line for Fresno State — is proud of her Polynesian culture, one that stresses family. It is that background that played a big role in drawing her to Colorado.

"Family is the most important thing," she said. "I'm the happiest when my parents (Trish and Junior Tuitele) are able to see me play. They've taught me so much and done so much to help me get here, I want to make sure I take advantage of everything they did for me."

That includes giving her the nickname that has now become her calling card. Her father called her "Peanut" when she was born, and she has carried it with her since.

"That's who I am," she said. "I never want to be known as anyone else. It's a special name given to me by my family and I always want it to be with me."

That emphasis on family has also been a big influence on her role as a team leader.

"My parents always taught me to watch what I do, watch what I say because people follow me and I want to be a good example," she said. "I've always taken that into account. My attitude has always been, 'Why not smile? Why not enjoy the moment?' You have to take advantage of every opportunity that comes your way and I want the people around me to feel that same way."

Payne knew Tuitele had the personality to be a positive influence on the Buffs. But even Payne has been pleasantly surprised by Tuitele's steadiness on the floor.

"I don't know that I expected the basketball productivity to be as consistent this soon," Payne said. "I knew she was capable of what she's doing, but I didn't know if she could do it consistently, because that's the hardest thing for a freshman. I did know she was capable and we needed her and asked her to be a vocal leader for us. She's one our hardest working players, she brings the most positive energy on a daily basis, she talks the most — things our locker room had been lacking, we knew she could bring instantly."

It is one more piece of the culture Payne, now in her third year at CU, has been patiently building since her arrival. 

"It's not just the basketball," Payne said. "It is the leadership she exudes, the selflessness that she exhibits, the importance of her family — everything that is important to her is important to us. Those are the things that will build the foundation for our program."

Thursday's win over Samford wrapped up a successful non-conference stretch for the Buffs, with their only loss a 73-58 decision at No. 21 Miami. After a short break for the holidays, they will be back in Boulder preparing for their Dec. 30 Pac-12 opener against Utah at the CU Events Center (1 p.m.).

"I think we can be one of the top teams in the Pac-12 if we continue focusing on finishing the play," Tuitele said. "That's the most important thing we need to work on. Finishing the game, continuing to push. Don't be satisfied, keep working on our game. If we do that, we can be a really, really good team. We just have to keep working on the little things."

Tuitele is looking forward to the Utah game, where she will have a chance to play against Utes freshman Dre'Una Edwards. Tuitele and Edwards met and played together at the same camp in high school, and Edwards has already been named the Pac-12's Freshman of the Week three times.

"I can't wait to play against her because I remember playing against her in camp and I know how good she is," Tuitele said. "It's going to be good competition to play against her, so I'm excited about that."

Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu

 

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