Livingston: Local legend
From her early days playing recreational basketball to becoming one of the standout first-year players for Utah State, Elise Livingston’s journey has been defined by dedication, resilience and an unrelenting work ethic. Now, in her first season with the Aggies, Livingston is proving why she was a must-have recruit for head coach Wesley Brooks and why she could be a centerpiece of the program moving forward.
Growing up in Millville, Livingston’s path to Division I basketball began when she was around five years old. At first, basketball was just something fun to do, alongside dance, which she participated in for years.
It wasn’t until eighth grade she decided basketball was her true calling. By high school, she was making waves at Ridgeline High School, where she helped lead her team to two 4A state championships.
Livingston was named first-team all-state three years in a row, showcasing her ability to rise to the occasion against top competition. In her senior year, Ridgeline was ranked No. 28 in the nation, according to MaxPreps, and she capped off her high school career with a game-leading performance in the state championship game, dropping 20 points to secure the title.
Livingston received interest from multiple programs, but her college decision ultimately kept her close to home. Her initial recruitment process took a turn when Brooks was hired at Utah State. Upon watching her film, Brooks knew he had to bring her into the fold.
JACK LEWIS BURTON Elise Livingston, 12, darts toward the hoop at the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum on Oct. 25.
“When I first got the job here, I watched her film, and I couldn’t believe she didn’t have an offer here,” Brooks said. “I just thought, ‘Oh my goodness, how did this kid not get an offer here?’ So, we immediately got to talking, and she wanted to come here.”
Livingston, who had already committed to another school, recommitted to Utah State under Brooks. The decision for her was an easy one — she wanted to stay in her hometown, play in front of her family and friends and contribute to building a winning culture at Utah State.
Like any first-year player transitioning to the collegiate level, Livingston has faced challenges. The game is faster, and mistakes are more costly.
“One of the biggest challenges is just the speed,” Livingston said. “You think you’re open, and you’re not open. Your decision-making has to be a lot quicker.”
Livingston admitted she has struggled at times with turnovers and has had trouble finding a rhythm in some games. However, as the season has progressed, she’s been able to find her footing in the college game.
Livingston has played in all 26 games so far and averaged 6.1 points, 2.7 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game. In conference play, she’s increased her scoring and rebounding numbers, demonstrating her ability to step up against tougher competition.
Her teammates and coaches have taken notice of her impact both on and off the court. Guard Mia Tarver described her as a dominant first-year student who works hard and is a leader in and out of the basketball setting.
“She’s really sweet, so she’s really fun to be around — very goofy,” Tarver said. “So, I enjoy being her teammate.”
Something Brooks has noticed being around Livingston is her relentless drive to improve.
Elise Livingston, 12, is challenged by a Westminister player at the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum on Oct. 25.
“She’s a winner. She works her butt off. She does everything I ask her to do,” Brooks said. “She’s going to be a four-year player here, and she’s the cornerstone of our program.”
Perhaps the greatest challenge in Livingston’s college transition has been adjusting to the team’s struggles just months after reaching the pinnacle of Utah high school basketball.
“I’m not really used to losing, but every loss is just — you learn from it and get better,” Livingston said. “You just have to grind through it, and hopefully, something good will come.”
With the Mountain West Conference tournament on the horizon, Livingston and her teammates are gearing up for the most important stretch of the season. Rather than dwelling on their record, they are focused on what they can control — continuing to develop their game.
“We just need to focus on ourselves — on what we need to do,” Livingston said. “We’ve obviously competed with every team in the conference, we just haven’t got it done. We’re just doing the best we can to focus on what we need to do to improve our weak areas.”
Whether it’s her ability to hit clutch shots, push the tempo or bring energy to every game, Livingston is setting the foundation for what could be a prolific collegiate career.