SAN DIEGO, Calif.--It’s been a slam dunk for San Diego State University basketball player Mercedes Staples as she’s gone from helping her team at Viewmont High School reach the state championship to being the best three-point shooter in school history as an Aztec. She’s not just about sports though, Staples just finished her master’s in liberal arts and sciences at the school.

“I got a bachelor's degree in interdisciplinary public administration, communication and recreation administration,” said Staples. “I finished my master’s in liberal arts and science at San Diego State.”

Staples graduated from Viewmont High in 2018 and was a star player there. “I’m pretty sure I beat every record for most points scored and I was 5A player of the year,” she said. “I loved high school. I committed to the University of Minnesota right out of high school and played for a year and a half then made a mid-year transfer and committed to San Diego State in 2020 and I’ve been there ever since for three and a half years.”

She started getting offers in the ninth grade. “My senior year I was supposed to go to Clinton University but the coaches got fired right as I was going,” said Staples. “I reported to Minnesota a week later. I went on my senior trip, got back and flew to Minnesota.”

It didn’t feel like the right fit there though, she said. “So half way through my sophomore year I ended up at San Diego State. I went from -50 degrees to 50 degrees in two days. I love it here.”

Staples started playing competitively when she was 7. “I would always play with my brother,” she said. “He was six years older. I was always in the background. I was kind of a tomboy so we’d play football in the backyard, go roller skating and hiking. I’d always have to find different ways to score. The reason my jersey is #12 is because that was his number. I wanted to be like him.”

In junior high Staples played Jr. Jazz. “Then I started playing for Natalie Williams,” she said. “She’s a double sport Olympic gold medalist. She opened up her own Utah WBA team. She was a good mentor. I appreciate her a lot.”

Staples has seen a lot of success during her college career as an Aztec. She averaged 10.7 points and 4.1 rebounds while shooting 45.5 percent from three, which was a school record and fifth in the nation. She finished her SDSU career with a three-point percentage of 41.0, also a school record.

“I was able to go to Houston and compete in the 3v3 championships and shoot in the three point competition for the final four as well,” Staples said. “It’s been a lot of fun.”

Now she’s switched to the other side of the court. “I started a job here as creative director of recruiting and marketing for the women’s basketball team,” Staples said. “I want to give back a little of what I was given. Now I’m turning around and working for them.”