Molly Kaiser | New Mexico State Women's Basketball

Hometown/Current City: Fort Worth, Texas / Reykjavik, Iceland
Undergraduate Major: General Business
Postgraduate Field of Study: MBA in Finance and BCIS
 
What path did you take professionally after college?
Professional Basketball Player

What do you enjoy most about your current role or profession?
What I enjoy most about my current role is being able to do what I love at a high level while continuing to grow every day. Playing professionally allows me to challenge myself, compete, and stay disciplined but it's also given me the opportunity to experience life beyond basketball. I enjoy the balance of chasing excellence on the court while embracing new cultures, building relationships, and appreciating the blessing of living out my purpose. Being able to enjoy life while doing what I've been called to do makes this journey even more meaningful.
 
What’s your favorite memory from college athletics?
My favorite memory from college athletics was having my mom and sister there for UNM rivalry week, both on the road and at home and being able to sweep UNM for the first time ever. It was their first time seeing me play in NM and only the second time they had ever seen me play in college. Having them in the stands meant everything to me. Being able to share that moment with them made the two wins feel so much bigger than basketball. It felt full circle and reminded me why I do what I do.

Who or what inspires you and why?
I'm inspired by my family (my mom Rita and my sister Kemi) and the journey that brought me to this point. Watching the sacrifices that my mom made and the resilience my sister showed shaped my work ethic and mindset. I am so inspired by my own journey, overcoming challenges, adapting to new environments, and continuing to bet on myself by choosing an uncommon path. That motivation pushes me to keep growing, stay grounded and prove that consistency and belief can open doors.
 
Any new hobbies since college?

• Walking
• Journaling
• Reading

What advice would you share with current student-athletes?
My advice to current student athletes is to fully embrace where you are while preparing for what’s next. Take your academics seriously, build genuine relationships, and develop habits that go beyond your sport. FInd your why, because that is what will keep you grounded when things get hard. Don’t be afraid to be uncommon, your journey does not have to look like anyone else’s to be meaningful or successful. Stay disciplined, be consistent, and most importantly stay true to who you are not who society wants you to be.
 
How have your career goals evolved from college to now?
In college, my career goals were centered on maximizing every opportunity as a student athlete and proving that I belonged at a high level. I was focused on development, consistency, and doing the little things right on and off the court. Now, as a professional athlete, that mindset hasn't changed, it's evolved. I still approach my career with the same discipline, work ethic, and competitive edge, but with a clearer sense of purpose and intention. Now, I am able to experience different cultures, enjoy life, and truly appreciate the blessing of doing what I have been called to do, while continuing to chase excellence and longevity in the game.
 
What impact did being a college athlete have on your professional life?
Being a college athlete had a major impact on my professional life by laying the foundation for how I approach my career today. It taught me discipline, time management, and accountability while balancing high expectations on and off the court. Competing in college also prepared me mentally for pressure, feedback and adversity which has been essential in transitioning to the professional and international level. The habits and mindset I developed as a student athlete continues to guide how I prepare, compete and carry myself as a professional.