Florida Women’s Basketball: 'Unlaced'

New docuseries allows fans an in-depth look into the lives of the Gators.

In a world where more athletic programs increasingly guard their athletes and coaches, Coach Kelly Rae Finley and the Gator’s women’s basketball program has decided to go in a different direction and allow the public to take a deep dive into who these athletes truly are.

Unlaced is a new docuseries that looks into the past, present and future of each member of the women’s basketball team. Parents, family members, coaches and members of each player's community give a clear view of what makes each person special as an individual outside of their athletic prowess. From junior forward Eriny Kindred’s love of plants, guard Zippy Broughton’s community activism, the struggles of Faith Dut growing up as a minority in British Columbia, or Aliyah Matharu’s journey from the neighborhoods of Washington DC, fans of not just basketball -- but sports as a whole -- will be both informed and entertained with the players’ personal and heartfelt stories. 

Unlaced is just another example of the culture that Finley is building in her second year at the helm. Coach Finley has allowed her athletes to engage with fans and that relationship has resonated to an increase in home attendance as well as Florida's rapidly becoming a destination for some of the country’s most elite recruits.

Allowing her players to be themselves and tell their stories organically will likely only add to Finley’s reputation as one of the SEC’s rising stars and arguably its most prominent players coach. “For me it was something that was really important,” Finley stated. “Our student-athletes are so much more than basketball players and when you can connect to people and inspire people (I really think) that’s probably what life is all about.”

The first two episodes, which are airing now on FloridaGators.com, featured Texas A&M transfer Eriny Kindred who was raised by young, motivated parents to be a person that cares for others. She became a highly decorated track athlete to go along with her basketball success. That episode was preceded by Zippy Broughton’s heartfelt story of a love of nature, family, her community of Wetumpka, Ala., and her father's struggle with leukemia which at times prevents him from attending games but never from watching every minute at home on television. “I pay my monthly bills," said Zippy’s father. “I got them all ESPN and SEC.”

Other teams may feature one or two key players and their story. Unlaced will give each player the opportunity to tell their own personal story. Recruiting Specialist Ja’Quaes Stone traveled to the home of each athlete to conduct interviews. Stone even made arrangements to speak with the families of the Gators' four international players -- Faith Dut, Alberte Rimdal, Kenza Salgues and Alexia Dizeko despite the inability to travel to their home countries. If the first two episodes are any indication the Gator community will be more than impressed by these young women, their stories and the work of Stone.

photo credit Chris Spears

As Finley noted, “We have a tremendous platform, a great opportunity here at the University of Florida to influence people in our community, to connect with people in our community, all over the world. Our team is made up of wonderful young women from all over the world. Somebody can connect to each and every one of them and part of their story.”

People matter at the University of Florida and Unlaced shows just how much for women’s basketball.

Unlaced will debut two episodes each Friday on floridagators.com. This week’s episodes feature seniors Faith Dut and Aliyah Matharu.