Hailey Van Lith and TCU teammates erupt in celebration after emotional Mark Campbell gives full scholarship to Ella Hamlin

On Tuesday, sophomore guard Ella Hamlin earned a full scholarship. The moment came after the TCU Horned Frogs’ 90-81 victory over the UCF Knights, a fitting nod to her initial debut against the same team.

Coach Mark Campbell turned to the student body, holding open tryouts to recruit new talent. Among the Underfrogs, the group of students who answered the call, Hamlin stood out.

During the postgame locker room celebrations, a video shared on X/Twitter by the team's official account wrote:

"No one more deserving."

Campbell spoke directly to Hamlin:

"Ella, a year ago was the debut of the Underdogs. Ella, in this moment, how scared were you when you were shooting around doing warm-ups, getting ready for the game a year ago today? There were about 25 cameras that were following everyone. Ella, we're just super grateful for you."

He went on to praise her for embracing adversity:

"Ella, when there's adversity, most people run away from it. The Underfrogs' adversity hit, and you guys decided to step up so we could continue our season. I appreciate you, Ella. Thank you, Ella. More than you know. That game a year ago was the foundation of our program. Now is the time. Ella, thank you for stepping up to the plate and coming back and being a huge part of this team. Ella, you've earned a full-ride scholarship."

As her teammates erupted in cheers, Hamlin’s journey came full circle, marking a moment of triumph for the entire team.

On Jan. 23, 2023, Hamlin and her fellow Underfrogs debuted against the UCF Knights, a game that Campbell credits as the foundation of the program’s rebuild.

Fast forward to January 2024, and Hamlin is the only member of that quartet to return this season. On Tuesday night, nearly a year after her first appearance, Campbell awarded Hamlin a full scholarship in an emotional postgame ceremony.

Ella Hamlin and Horned Frogs' season so far

A native of Granbury, Texas, just 40 miles from Fort Worth, Hamlin originally planned to focus on nursing at TCU, bypassing scholarship offers from smaller schools. However, when the opportunity to join the basketball team arose, she adjusted her life and academic schedule to take on the challenge.

This season, TCU women’s basketball has soared to new heights, boasting an 18-1 record and a national ranking of No. 10. The Horned Frogs set the tone early in their matchup against the UCF Knights, exploding for 30 points in the first quarter.

By halftime, TCU held a commanding 47-32 lead, capitalizing on UCF’s defensive lapses. The Knights struggled to guard beyond the arc, allowing the Horned Frogs to shoot 9-of-25 from 3-point range and establish a double-digit advantage.

In the third quarter, TCU continued to dictate the game’s tempo. Hailey Van Lith delivered a standout performance, setting a career-high with six 3-pointers. She finished the game with 20 points, seven assists and four rebounds, solidifying her role as a key contributor to TCU’s success. When the final buzzer sounded, TCU secured a 90-81 victory.

The Horned Frogs will remain at home to prepare for their next challenge against the Utah Utes on Jan. 17. With a 6:30 p.m. tip-off, the game will be streamed on ESPN.