As the only senior on the women's basketball team, Jordan Cruz senses the responsibility to be a leader. "I like to help all the newcomers," says Cruz. "Anything I can do to help, to teach them plays, to help them with whatever I can."
 
For Cruz, the chance to play at Pacific has always been something that she wanted to do. From her first unofficial visit to playing high school basketball at Pacific, it seemed like destiny that she would end up at California's oldest university. "The best part honestly is the campus," says Cruz while talking about her favorite things about Pacific. "I love the campus because it's small, and one of my favorite things is the smaller the class size, the more one-on-one time that you can have with the teacher."
 
Cruz has dealt with injuries her entire career, most notably concussions. She underwent brain surgery as a freshman in high school, nearly dying before working her way back to the court to become a three-time team MVP at C.K. McClatchy High School. "I am pretty dependent on God," says Cruz. "My family and I have been through a lot. When times get tough, I will pray." Cruz has played career-high minutes in games this season after working through an early-season injury and is leading the Tigers in made threes. Cruz has made a few adjustments, with basketball being a physical game and her concussion history. "It does change the way I play," says Cruz. "I have to play smarter because of my head with concussions and everything. Sometimes, I can get afraid of contact because I don't want to get hit in the head again, but I always go 100 percent. That is something that will never change."
 
While on the court this season, Cruz has shown her potential. She has two 20-point games and seven games, scoring double-digits, ranking fourth on the team. Cruz has set career highs this season as a wing sharpshooter in points per game, shooting percentage and three-point percentage.
 
Cruz is very passionate about her family and the time she can spend with them. Growing up in Sacramento, she has family spread throughout Northern California and the Bay area. "You don't want to take that time for granted," says Cruz on spending time with her family. "They have been my number one supporters since I was a little kid. They are the ones who got me where I am today."
 
When asked who her hero is, Cruz didn't hesitate to answer; her dad. "He has done everything for me. He is the one who gave me the opportunity to get a scholarship. He has put in so much time and money, traveling to practice and tournaments and all over to get me exposure. He has always been my guide on how to get through when things are difficult, how to get over the hump and how to keep pushing through. He's like my best friend."
 
Cruz has a few options lined up when looking at her future endeavors. Playing basketball all her life has created many connections and opportunities for once her time at Pacific has ended. Playing basketball overseas is an option. As an Italian-American, Cruz would love to play in Italy after college but would take any opportunity to play. When her playing career ends, Cruz plans on going into coaching, either at the high school or college level. Many of Cruz's former teammates have already started coaching, "One of my good friends who I played with is coaching at Duke right now," says Cruz when talking about some of the coaching connections she has from playing for so long.
 
Looking back at what she would tell her 16-year-old self, Cruz reflected, "Take your time with decision making and always make the decision that is best for yourself. You are the one who is going to be there for four years. Nobody else is. Make the right decision, follow your heart and do what makes you happy. Just trust your gut."