Isabella King has been the Bucknell women's basketball team's constant presence over the past few seasons of change and transition. Amidst graduations and transfers, King's #10 always shows up ready to play and rain shots. Her sharpshooting three-pointers have thrilled Sojka partisans and brought woe to opponents for four seasons. Behind the facade of a potent markswoman lies a reflective soul. The anatomy of her creation resides in a deep family connection and dedication to basketball.

Like many budding athletes, King played multiple sports. She excelled on the soccer pitch and considered a career in the beautiful game before focusing solely on basketball. King played baseball and hammered hits. Softball lost a potentially elite hitter when she declined to chase the diamond. Basketball captured her heart and refused to let go.

"Growing up my parents enrolled me in different sports. Basketball and soccer were my main sports. When I entered high school, I stopped soccer to focus exclusively on basketball. With AAU going full strength year all-round, I wanted to devote myself to basketball."

Her athletic interests are unsurprising since her family has had stellar collegiate careers. Her father played basketball at Springfield College, where Doctor James Naismith invented the game that inspires so much madness every March. Her mother played soccer and rowed in college. Her sisters (younger and older) are rowers. The older rowed at Fairfield and the youngest compets at Patriot League rival Holy Cross. Interestingly, Isabella never considered rowing.

"Rowing just wasn't my thing. I never even tried it in high school. I stuck to basketball."

She and her father share a special connection as the family's roundball fanatics. Their bond is evident by his dedication to attending nearly every Bucknell game. His tutoring played a crucial role in King's development.

"He taught me basketball and everything I know about the sport. I enjoyed learning from him."

King started her career as a point guard before eventually transferring to a shooting guard/forward role. The switch worked well as she continued to develop and grow as a player and person.

"I was always the point guard on AAU and travel ball teams until eighth grade. One of my AAU coaches pulled me aside and told me if I wanted to play collegiate ball, I would have to move to the two/three spot. The transition was hard at first but I am so thankful she made the suggestion. She was right and developed me into the player I am today."

King became a colossus in New Hampshire basketball. She was crowned Basketball's Ms. New Hampshire, the Gatorade Player of the Year, graduated as her school's leading scorer, and led Bedford High School to its first state championship since 2013. The title launched a dynasty at Bedford. A retired number should not be far behind.

"It was definitely a honor to receive those accolades. I put in tons of work behind the scenes. That was always my dream. Freshman year, I told my coach I wanted to be a 1000-point scorer and win Player of the Year. To go out with a state championship was one of the best feelings and I want to repeat that feeling as a senior at Bucknell."

The state championship was the proverbial cherry on top after a heartbreaking junior season prematurely derailed by the COVID-19 pandemic. King and her teammates had a mission and they accomplished it.

"The year before was cut short to COVID and we lost our chance to win the title that year. It fueled a desire for us to win it even more. Beating the defending champions was a special feeling especially since this was only our second state championship. It propelled the program to win several more titles."

King selected Bucknell for the reasons most Bison athletes do: elite academics, a pastoral campus, and historical success. As a Markets, Innovation, and Design major, Bucknell's prestigious business school was an alluring lantern.

"I chose Bucknell University because of its rigorous and challenging academic environment, that would challenge me to push myself in the classroom. As a student in the Freeman College of Management, I knew that I would receive a top-tier education that would prepare me for the future. When I came on my visit, I immediately was drawn to the beautiful views of campus. In addition to the academics, Bucknell's basketball program had a reputation of winning and team success. After meeting some of the players and coaches, I knew that Bucknell was a place where I would fit in and where I could thrive and develop, not only as an athlete but also as an individual."

While King became known among Bucknell fans for her three-point expertise, her role this season has transitioned to a defensive focus. King's responsibility means identifying the opponent's best player and shutting them down. She has been remarkably successful in this difficult task becoming one of the major reasons Bucknell currently sits third in the conference despite being projected to finish eighth.

"I have tried to step up and take that role as one of the older players. I know the defense and the system better. I enjoy guarding the opponent's best player every game and will do so if it means the team wins."

The shift in focus hasn't hindered her three-point destruction. The senior moved into a tie for seventh all-time with Kaitlyn Slagus in Bucknell history with 134 makes. The phrase "Crown Her!" after another successful three-pointer became a familiar refrain for Bucknell fans. She and freshman Reese Zemitis have teamed up as a deadly duo from outside. That aerial assault combined with Ashley Sofilkanich's pulverizing opponents in the paint has given Head Coach Trevor Woodruff several force multipliers.

"So many great players have come through Bucknell. I couldn't have done it without my teammates feeding me the ball and coach drawing up plays for me."

King's shot form resembles a Edmund Blair Leighton painting - perfectly detailed motion with an emphasis on historical structure. Her format comes from a basketball instructional manual with a personal stylish flair entirely King. After watching her shoot, it boggles the mind that she ever misses. Like a lefty swing in baseball and softball, her form just looks more aesthetically pleasing.

"People always say lefties have better form. I just kind of shoot the ball and don't think about it. I have been shooting the basketball since second grade. My mantra is just follow through and see it go in and be confident that it will go in."

King received the captainship for the 2024-25 season. A constant steady over the past two seasons locked her into the role and the leadership position challenged her to grow both as a person and a player. Captains at Bucknell are not an artifact but a living, breathing lineage.

"The role prompted me to be vocal on and off the court. With nine new players, I answered questions on the offense and defense systems. I have been through what they are going through."

Head Coach Trevor Woodruff remarked upon King's crucial leadership.

"Bella has been vital to our success. Her steady, consistent, and loyal approach made her elevation to team captain a straightforward choice. Aside from the title, she has earned the respect of everyone in our program, and I couldn't be more proud of her."

Between graduation and transfers, Bucknell debuted nine new players this season. After the shifting, King remained the sole player from her recruiting class and the 2022-23 team. Her loyalty in today's age of the instant oatmeal transfer portal and opportunistic claim-jumping deserves recognition. Like Aetius, she stood by her nation, and has seen an upswing in Bucknell fortunes. After a 0-4 start, the team sits at 13-10 overall and 8-4 in conference play, having won its last five out of six games, and the sole loss came in overtime to Navy.

"Nothing is ever going to stay the same from the previous year. So, I enjoy every moment on and off the court. And I am really happy that I decided to stay all four years."

The 2024-25 outfit has become exceptionally close-knitted. The bus rides are filled with joyous cheers and raucous banter. They are always grouped together in the cafeteria or at Dunkin/Starbucks. (A jocular civil war erupts over the merits of each coffee chain.) The team feels as comfortable as a veteran platoon. King's pleasant demeanor and friendliness laid the groundwork for the camadrerie.

"This is the closest the team has been in my four years. Outside of basketball, we are always seen together. It has fueled our play on the court with the connectivity and that has been helping us this season."

The team recently hosted the annual National Girls and Women in Sports Day game. King was selected as basketball's representative on the Bucknell poster and she and the team signed postgame autographs. Her John Hancock was a popular request and King understands her status as a role model to the next generation.

"That means everything to me. When I think about growing up that was me at the local college in New Hampshire. I looked up to college athletes. To do the same is extremely impactful. Seeing all the little girls is so exciting and knowing they will continue the legacy."

The stretch run has arrived. Bucknell has six regular season games remaining and hopefully several Patriot League Tournament contests. Like all seniors, King understands the sand is slowly draining out of her collegiate hourglass. Future goals are no longer a freshman dream but a senior reality.

"The main goal is winning a Patriot League Championship. That has been my goal since entering as a freshman. Other than that, hopefully, move a few spots up the career three-point list. Finally, enjoy my last month with the team as it will likely be my last time playing the sport I have loved since second grade."

King adores basketball but has decided to make her Bucknell career the final time she dons a jersey. She hasn't landed a job yet but will start looking after the season concludes. King is a New England girl at heart and her dream location is Boston - Fenway, Bunker Hill, and the Old North Church beckon to her.

"I want to live in the Boston area. That is near where my family lives and it is my favorite city. I love Boston sports. I majored in marketing but know with my Bucknell degree from the Freeman College of Management that I can unlock any doors."

Looking back at her Bucknell career, King is extremely thankful for the university and its impact on her life.

"Bucknell has meant everything to me. All the people, connections, and experiences that I have made I will carry throughout my life especially my teammates and coaches. I am glad I decided to attend Bucknell. It has been unrivalled."

King and the Bison still have work left to do. The Orange & Blue are positioning themselves for a first round quarterfinal game. Plenty of personal and team accolades are in reach. King desires nothing more to be crowned a Patriot League champion and, given her last name, arugably no player has a better claim to the honor.

Bison Club support is the driving force behind Bucknell Athletics. Your donations directly impact the holistic development of student-athletes from 27 Division I varsity programs who are building a foundation at Bucknell to become leaders and difference-makers around the globe. Make your gift online, or call 570-577-1771 to support your favorite Bison team today. 'rayBucknell!