Smallwood said Jamie's only drawback at this point is lack of experience. She'll have to compete to be a starter like all the other Washington players.
"You can't ignore that fact that, yeah, she's overcome a lot," Smallwood said. "I tell you, I give her all the credit in the world. Everything she's worked for, she's deserved."
At International Studies Academy her senior year, Jamie averaged 29.8 points, 15 rebounds, five steals and seven assists per game. She was named to the girls' high school All-America Team by the Women's Basketball Coaches Association.
"I can beat somebody up and totally take them out of their game," she said.
Jamie admitted she needs to work on her shooting, passing and ball handling, but she's happy with her 3-pointers and ability to go to the hole. Working on anything comes fairly easy for Jamie. She's held jobs since she was 10 years old.
"I'm a hustler. I used to be a ball girl (for local baseball leagues) and come home every night with $80 (in tips from teams). Everyone would say, 'Who did you rob?" she laughs.
Her most recent challenge had nothing to do with the court. Jamie struggled this summer to get the minimum ACT test scores, which she needed to go to Washington.
Coach Gobrecht said she's not worried about Jamie, academically or otherwise.
"I think Jamie is one of the sharpest and brightest players I've ever recruited. She's unbelievable," she said.
Jamie is not nervous about college. She leaves the impression she's not afraid of any challenge.
"I don't back down to anything or anyone," she said.
