>> Sophie, I want to take things back to the start of your basketball journey.

Who is the first person to put a basketball in your hands.

>> Probably my sisters.

This growth played growing up and I just wanted to be like them.

I wanted to do everything they did.

Once I started playing, I practically begged my parents to let me play and the rest is history, I guess.

>> Absolutely.

The Syracuse women's basketball program has a rich recent tradition of great Australian players, yourself and Maddie Potts, Georgia Woolley before you and the late great Tiana Mangakahia.

What is it about you Aussies that makes you love Syracuse so much?

>> Honestly have I no idea.

Because the weather is not invite is at all.

It's not like Australia, but I mean coach Jack for sure, she is an amazing coach and amazing person.

And through the recruiting process, she was like so amazing.

And that was definitely a big drawing factor and the rest of the coaches are equally amazing.

>> Let's talk about a little bit about your relationship with coach Jack.

She recruited you here to Syracuse but she told the story of the end of the last season.

On the bus ride home after the last game, she told you she needed you to come back to make this work.

What was that conversation like?

>> I think it was a pretty deep conversation.

There was a lot of ups and downs last year and it definitely didn't end how we wanted it to end so I think, you know, with the transfer portal and everything like that, it's very much an option to leave nowadays when things don't go according to plan.

You know I trust coach Jack and I trust the program that we have here.

And as much as it wasn't the season we wanted last year, I knew that this season was going to be better and I knew that the coaches and everyone was going to do everything they could to make it that way.

So I had full faith in coach Jack and I wanted to stick it out.

And she had full faith in me and that really helped me in my decision.

>> This new look team that the coaching staff has constructed, eight newcomers along with the seven returners.

How have you been able to mesh together so well?

>> Honestly, like the chemistry we have was pretty natural, I think from the start.

From the summer, we all got along really well off the court.

I think that's translated to on the court.

Everyone has really bought into the process and bought into coach Jack's system.

And I think like it really just happened naturally, which is pretty rare, I think, so it's very exciting for the team.

>> I know as a student athlete, you don't have much time outside of the court and the classroom, but what does Sophie Burrows like to do in her free time?

>> I like to read.

I like to cook a little bit.

I'm no chef.

I have to put that out there.

But, yeah, I like to cook.

I like to eat.

I just hang out with my teammates.

That kind of thing.

>> I feel like a lot of people don't know this about you but you played the last two seasons pretty much with a torn labrum in your non-shooting shoulder.

This summer you finally had the chance to have the surgery.

How has hat recovery process been for you.

>> It was definitely tough.

I have never been out for an extended period of time it was an adjustment tore me.

All I wanted was to get out there and play basketball but you know it's got to the point where I'm playing like comfortable and I'm not in pain anymore which is amazing so I'm just ready to go for the reason.

>> You are the longest tenured member of the roster.

How has your leadership developed over time?

>> I think I have stepped into more of a leadership role this year.

I think last year I was a captain but I had a lot of older teammates who were also captains.

I think in this year having played under coach Jack for the longest time, I think I'm really trying to step into the role and help my younger teammates and help the transfers who don't necessarily know the system as well as I do.

But I think, you know, having such amazing teammates around me makes the leadership easy because it runs like-- everyone is like a sponge.

We all want to get better for each other and it has been an amazing process.

>> After having an early look at your team this season.

Two things stand out: A lot more talent, a lot more size.

What stands out to you about this team?

>> I think just the buy-in from everyone, the energy, the excitement.

We have taken it up a notch in all aspects.

That's the most exciting part because you can have as much talent as you want but if everyone doesn't buy in, you are not going to see it on the court.

We have talent, we have the buy-in, we have the energy, the energy from the coaches, the community, everything.

And I really just think that we are going go far this year and I'm excited to see what happens.

>> And how have you seen the women's basketball fan base, orange nation as a whole, take to you and this team so far?

>> I mean they have been amazing.

You know, we go out in the community and as much as we try to give to them, they give us back tenfold.

So I think, you know, having them in the crowd just seeing them in the community, that kind of thing, it really helps us and drives us to be better.

So I think, yeah, just super grateful for everyone in the community for sure.

>> I know that you have really taken to the Syracuse community.

I've read that you and Maddie Potts have done service community work.

Tell me about that.

>> We have tried to get into the community in the last two years.

This year especially.

Last-- two weeks ago maybe, we went and did some urban gardening with the local primary school and I think that was such an amazing experience, not only did I learn a lot about gardening, which I had never learned before.

But you know, just being out there in the community with the kids I think it really puts into perspective like it's a lot bigger than basketball.

And to be able to be that figure for the young kids to have them strive towards something is really-- it really makes you feel good.

And I think it's-- yeah, it really puts into perspective like the position I'm in and how lucky I am to be where I am.

So, yeah, it's a really amazing experience.