Senior Sydney Palmer

by Michele Schmidt, Assistant Sports Information Director

In UConn women's basketball head coach Geno Auriemma's Women's Basketball Hall of Fame speech, he said, "If I can be part of a team the rest of my life, then I'm going to be a lucky guy. I've tried to do that all of my life—be part of a team." For South Dakota State senior Sydney Palmer, she feels the same way.

Every team needs those players who make the team a team. The player who has the right advice or the secret sauce that helps her teammates perform to the best of their abilities. That's Palmer.

"I've always wanted to be that leader. I've grown to know my role. I'd do anything to help the team win. It's obviously sometimes hard to not be in the position you want to be in, and I've had those struggles. I'd be lying if I said I didn't have those struggles of doubting what I want here," she said. "Over these last two years though, I've embraced doing whatever it takes to help the team or do whatever the team needs and whatever my teammates need from me to make them better and grow as people and players."

The guard/forward from Pierre, who has played in 112 games entering tonight's game against Purdue Fort Wayne, has been much more for her Jackrabbit teammates and grown into a leader like so many others before her at SDSU.

"I've grown; I think as a leader in general; all the lessons I've learned. How you can contribute to each of your teammate's lives ... a person's life, not just on the court, but off it. It's important to be intentional every day," she said. "It lets people know you are there for them, that you are on their side and they aren't alone. Just showing the hard work aspect of it all, too … that hard work will pay off in the end. You will get rewarded eventually, but it might not be right when you think it is going to be."

We all celebrate the underdogs in our lives and Palmer might fit that part on this South Dakota State team. You will often find all 5-foot-11 of her mixing it up with much taller opponents around the basket. She admits she could use a few more inches, but it's her strength that she relies on the most.

"I just use my strength to push them out of the way or give them a nudge here or there; wake them up a little bit. Make them realize they can't take me lightly," she said. "One thing I've learned over the last four years is don't find an excuse, just find a way to get it done. Obviously, I'm a little out of control sometimes. I'm always on the floor, pushing people out of the way to get to the ball; always finding a way to get it done."

Not only is Palmer jockeying for position under the basket, you can probably remember any number of games where she has knocked down a 3-pointer at the buzzer at the end of a quarter.

"I've been in the gym a lot; everyone has. Just having that confidence, and I know my teammates have the confidence in me. I'd choose Madi first and I'd set a screen in a heartbeat for her to make the shot at the end of a quarter or a game," she said with a smile. "But obviously, teams are going to be on her, so everyone else needs to be ready. That's something you always dream about when you're a little kid … having the game-winner. Just be ready for it and embrace it. Luckily, they have fallen. Sometimes, I'm just saying a little prayer as it's going up."

Saying a prayer is nothing out of the ordinary for Palmer as she is a member of GracePoint Wesleyan Church in Brookings and has been part of its college ministry.

"This year I applied to be on the leadership team there and I run a Bible study Monday nights, too. I love it because there are donors there and people who come to our games. It's fun to talk to them and get to know them a little more than just on the basketball court. It's super fun to give back and get connected to the community in that way," she said.

School, basketball and church take up a lot of Palmer's time, but having time to be the Jackrabbits' team mom is something she takes great pride in.

"Obviously, Madi (Guebert) and Macy (Miller) are phenomenal basketball players. They are great people, too, but they've made their name as basketball players here at SDSU. The numbers they have put up and the achievements they have had the last four years have been unreal," she said. "But for me, it's being there for everyone; knowing that nothing is too small or too big for me to take care of or for me to listen. I think I've learned a lot over these last four years from the position I've been in. I just want to give back to everyone else and just let them know that on their worst days it's going to be OK. Your hard work will pay off. You might not be in the position you want to be in right now, but if you work hard and are dedicated and you want to be here, you can make it happen. I made it happen to come here."

After 15 years of basketball though, Palmer is excited to see what's next.

"I'm ready to move on and see what else is out there in the world. I love basketball with all my heart. It's something I'm going to miss so much. I'm going to remember all the memories and life lessons and all the people who have impacted me, and I've met," she said. "It's also super exciting to see who else I can meet; what I can do with different talents. God has a plan and he is going to work in me and use those talents in me. It's scary … it's so scary. Basketball has been an identity so long; but it's super exciting, too."

This story ran in the Feb. 20 version of The Bum, South Dakota State's official Jackrabbit basketball program.

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Completed Event: Women's Basketball versus No. 6 Washington on March 20, 2026 , Loss , 54, to, 72

Completed Event: Women's Basketball versus -/RV No. 1 North Dakota State on March 8, 2026 , Win , 64, to, 51

Completed Event: Women's Basketball versus No. 3 South Dakota on March 7, 2026 , Win , 74, to, 59

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