Each weekday, ESPN RISE brings you five vital stats from athletes across the country.
Mikaela Ruef, at 6-foot-3, has always been taller than the opposition. But while No. 16 recruit in the Class of 2009 in the ESPNU HoopGurlz 100 can use her height to score easily in high school, college will be a different story. She knows she has to get better at every facet of her game to compete at the next level. For now, the Beavercreek (Ohio) senior is here to tell you the five keys to being a taller player.
1. Push yourself
"The hardest thing for me is making myself work hard all the time. In high school, I'm one of the tallest kids so I can be lazy and still do decently. That's why I run cross-country. It's a great way to stay in shape."
2. Head on a swivel
"My best attribute is my passing. I've always been told that. I like to pass too. Getting assists is just as important as scoring."
3. Know the game
"I have a good sense of what's going on in the game. I'm not the fastest person in the world and I can't jump really high, but I'm good at reading angles and that helps me."
4. Play multiple positions
"When I was younger, I always played up and I learned how to be guard. Then everyone stopped growing and I kept growing. But now I'm pretty decent ball handler."
5. Play multiple sports
"Running is one of the hardest things to do. I started running last year and I thought I would hate it but I wound up loving it. You learn about yourself. I also felt so much better when I was playing basketball."