FORT BELVOIR, Va. (April 19) -- Lynetta Kizer, Maryland University's 6-foot-4-inch star center, culminated her senior season with the Terrapins by leading her team to the Elite Eight of the National Collegiate Athletics Association Women's Basketball Championship.

Her performance on the court during "March Madness" and throughout her college career has earned her the distinction of being one of 15 players invited by the Women's National Basketball Association to attend their draft Monday in Bristol, Conn.

Basketball is an expression of Kizer's competitive passion that began to develop early in her life. Fort Belvoir's youth athletics program provided the young player the building blocks for her stellar career.

Kizer is the oldest daughter of Yvonne Kizer, who retired from the U.S. Army after 20 years of service, and Keith Kizer. She attributes much of her success to the experience she gained during her years playing on Fort Belvoir Barracudas basketball teams, after getting her first exposure to the game abroad.

"I began playing basketball in Stuttgart, Germany when I was 7," she said. "Fort Belvoir was my first organized basketball team, state-side. The competitive nature that Belvoir created through organized basketball definitely helped me develop as an athlete."

Any athlete who rises to secure a starting spot on a Division One NCAA team usually gives a nod of thanks to the influence of a particular coach. During her formative years the one providing the instruction, inspiration and focus she needed to combine raw talent with consistency and precision on the court was Coach Rich Herman. Herman continues to coach youth basketball and track and field at Fort Belvoir today.

"Coach Herman was my first coach, for the Belvoir Barracudas," she said. "He really saw my potential first hand and pushed me harder than the other girls."

Kizer added that the close-knit quality of Fort Belvoir's athletics programs made a lasting impression on her as well.

"One of my fondest memories of Fort Belvoir was playing with some of my closest friends," she said.

The sports landscape began to change for Kizer during middle school. She was growing increasingly aware that basketball was developing into much more than just a Saturday pastime.

"I realized that basketball was going to be my passion in the 8th grade," she said. "That was when schools began to recruit me."

Kizer attended Potomac High School in Dumfries, Va. and quickly established herself as one of the program's most successful women's basketball players. As a starter all four years, serving as team captain for three of those years, Kizer racked up impressive statistics. She clearly demonstrated her leadership skills in contributing to her team's success. During her senior year at Potomac she averaged 21.7 points, 12 rebounds and three blocks per game and was selected as a McDonald's All American, playing in the All-Star game in Milwaukee, Wis. She was also selected to play in the Women's Basketball Coaches Association High School All-American game in Tampa, Fla. Kizer was ranked the Number 5 overall prospect and the top center in the nation in 2008 according to HoopGurlz.com.

Kizer's success in high school led to her becoming a highly sought after athlete for college recruiters. She enjoyed an array of offers from some of the country's top universities. Kizer ultimately chose Maryland over other Atlantic Coast Conference schools Duke, North Carolina, Virginia and North Carolina State as well as non-ACC schools Rutgers and the University of Southern California.

As a Terrapin, playing under head coach Brenda Frese, Kizer continued her standout athletic performance through all four years of her NCAA career. After earning the ACC Rookie of the Year distinction as a freshman in 2008-09, she continued to grow as a player and a leader, culminating her senior year by scoring in double digits in 21 of 33 games. Kizer hit two free throws and a clutch three-pointer in the final minutes of the Terps' second round win over Louisville March 19, then she scored 15 points and grabbed six boards in Maryland's win over Texas A & M in March 25's Regional Semifinal.

Kizer, a recipient of the Anne and Bob Strahota Director's Circle scholarship, is proud of her accomplishments as a college basketball star. However, she also stayed committed to balancing her scoreboard point totals with equally impressive results in the classroom and lecture hall.

"It's an honor to play at the University of Maryland," she said. "It's difficult to manage athletics and academics but we have a good academic support system that helps us be successful in the classroom."

As her college career comes to its conclusion, Kizer is looking forward to continuing her basketball career in the Women's National Basketball Association.

"After graduation I plan on continuing my career in the WNBA as well as overseas," she said.

One mock WNBA draft has Kizer going in the second round (No. 15 overall) to Los Angeles. Another possible destination is Minnesota via a 19th overall draft selection. According to Doug Feinberg of the Associated Press, Kizer will likely go in the first round (10th overall) to the Washington Mystics.

Kizer is the oldest of three children, with one brother (Dominique) and one sister (Quiana). Of her many accomplishments, she said that her biggest thrill remains winning a gold medal at the 2008 Under-18 International Basketball Federation World Championship in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

To see Kizer's career statistics and awards or to follow Maryland University and the Terrapins throughout the year, visit www.umterps.com.

Editor's note: This story is part of a series about NCAA-level athletes who started their sports careers at Fort Belvoir.