It's all in the genes. For junior Jennifer Fleischer, her start in basketball came about due to the height she inherited from her parents. Her mother, Jo-Ann, knew that her daughter was going to be tall, so she suggested that she take up the sport when she was in the sixth grade. The New Hartford, N.Y. native took that advice and nine years later, at 6'3, she is the starting center on the defending Ivy League champion women's basketball team at Penn.

Two years after she took up the game, Fleischer was looking for ways to improve. She did not have to look very far for advice. Her father, Bob, had been a member of the Duke University basketball team during the 1970's.

Throughout her basketball career, Fleischer's father has been a source of advice and support. From going over game films after her high school games to watching his daughter dominate the inside from the stands.
"When I was in eighth grade I asked my dad what I could do to get better," said Fleischer. "He always let me ask for the help that I thought I needed, which I think is unique to our relationship."

Even in person, Bob would never give unsolicited advice.

"He wouldn't say anything during games because he didn't want me to think about hearing his voice while I was on the court," explained Fleischer. "He would even cheer for both teams."

While she may still occasionally ask for advice, during her time at Penn, Fleischer has grown into the basketball genes that she inherited from her father. Now entering her third Ivy League season, the center is looking forward to building on the success of last season's championship.

Said Fleischer, "The ultimate goal is to win another Ivy League title and return to the NCAA tournament. As much as you think that you aren't going to be overwhelmed going into an experience like that, you just can't prepare yourself totally if you haven't been there before. Now that we have had that experience, this year will be different."

Fleischer is doing her part to get the Quakers back to where they were a year ago. Already, she has five double-doubles on the season, giving her 13 for her career, and set a new career-high by scoring 22 points at Rider on Jan. 3. However, Fleischer is not alone on a team that started League play 2-0 and she relishes the experience. Fleischer is currently 47th in the nation in rebounding at 9.5 boards per game while leading the Ivy League in the same category. The junior center also ranks third in the Ancient Eight in blocks per game with 1.3 sway aways per contest.

"I really enjoy playing with this team," Fleischer said. "We have some really great seniors. Each year is special and unique. It is never going to be the same each year and it is important to take advantage of that."

And while she has no concrete plans for after graduation, Fleischer hopes to take the skills that she has learned from her father and has refined and perfected through her experience as a Quaker to the court in Europe. She will get a taste of international play this July, when she will spend 10 days in Israel representing the United States at the 17th World Maccabiah Games, a playing and cultural experience that she is "very excited for."

“To be able to represent Penn, and the U.S. in this way is a great honor. I am looking forward to the international basketball experience and the wonderful cultural opportunities. I can't wait.”

But first, she has some madness to help her team take care of in March.

Written by Jennifer Hildebrand,
athletic communications assistant