Basketball Sharp Shooter Kat Tudor: “I’m living the dream!”
There’s a term used in the world of basketball that aptly describes Kat Tudor: gym rat. And Kat proudly wears that moniker. And why wouldn’t she? Her hours spent in the gym propelled her love for watching a ball go through a net into a successful career as a professional athlete.
It’s a career that has allowed the 26-year-old from Woodbridge, California, to live in five different countries and travel the world. “I have been allowed a tremendous opportunity to play at a professional level. A global pro experience is the stuff that dreams are made of,” Kat affirmed. According to the NCAA, fewer than 2 percent of collegiate athletes go on to have professional careers after college.
Kat’s passion for being in the gym working on her game contributed to her being an impactful player at elite programs throughout her career. She has always played at a high level, from St. Mary’s High School and Cal Stars Nike National team to Oregon State University.
Her athleticism and hand-eye coordination were evident from a young age. But her parents, Greg and Jennifer Tudor, are quick to point out that Kat may have been born with natural talent and skill, but the hours spent in the gym working her game are what solidified her success. Her dad was a college basketball player and saw early on her skill and natural love of the game. “We would go the gym nearly every night after dinner and homework and Kat would put up hundreds of shots. She makes it look easy but let me tell you there is a lot of work she has put in,” he said.
The six-foot combo guard can handle and distribute the ball, and she’s a threat defensively. But her main strength is from beyond the arc. At an early age, Kat’s three-point shot gained her notoriety in the basketball world, becoming well-known for its quick release and accuracy. “It’s a funky shot. My form is a bit…eccentric, you might say,” Kat laughed. “Very high arching
and unconventional.”
That eccentricity paid off. Kat was highly recruited across the country and ended up choosing Oregon State University for its culture, coaching, incredible fan base and support of women’s basketball. She had a successful college career with a trip to the Elite 8; coaches would game plan around the “sniper” shooter. She was named to the Pac-12 All-Team in her sophomore year and ended her collegiate career at OSU ranked third in program history in career three-pointers and fourth in career three-point percentage.
Kat was on track to build upon her success in her junior year but went down a few minutes into the first game of the Pac-12 season with an ACL and meniscus tear. Fueled by her tenacious spirit and no stranger to commitment and hard work, Kat returned to the court to complete her senior year with her teammates. Then COVID hit. The NCAA finals were cancelled and her college career was finished.
Kat petitioned the Pac-12 and then the NCAA to get a justly deserved red shirt but was denied because she had played one and a half games too many. “It was a devastating blow and an unfair one but I believed then and now God has a plan. I picked myself up, hired an agent, and off to Germany I went,” she said.
Her skills and competitive nature have always been a crowd pleaser. She is cemented as one of the most beloved players of all time at Oregon State, and she continues to leave her mark wherever she plays.
Kat recently ended the 2023-2024 season in the British Basketball League earning the highest honor of being named to the five-person All-Team. The eight-month stint, playing just outside of London for the Essex Rebels, is also affording her the opportunity to get her master’s degree.
How long does she think she will play? “As long as my body holds out,” Kat responded. “I feel great. And I am so fortunate to be able to do this and grow as a person and an athlete.” Basketball is hard on the body, as is the case with many sports. Kat has had eight knee surgeries and one hand procedure. “I know this won’t last forever. I just want to continue to expand my whole person. The experiences, relationships and opportunities have been so enriching. I feel blessed,” she continued.
Basketball has given her the world to explore. And she does not take that for granted. “I’ve always loved to travel and meet new people. The friendships I have made, the people I have met, traveling, living in different cultures, I am living the dream. Being a gym rat really paid off for me,” Kat laughed.
