Khera Goss is a senior guard on the Toledo women's basketball team. A four-year starter, Goss has been named to the MAC's All-Defensive Team each of the past two seasons and is a two-time team captain. She has been voted the team's best defensive player in three straight seasons as well. Goss has appeared in 100 games in her Rocket career, starting all but one of them, averaging 7.1 PPG. The Indianapolis native comes from an athletic family and, in addition to being an excellent basketball player at Ben Davis High School, she graduated as the school's record-holder in the high jump.
On growing up in Indianapolis in an athletic family
Indiana is definitely a basketball state, so it's always something I have been surrounded by. On top of that, everyone in my family played sports. I grew up in the gym, whether it was watching my sisters play or playing the game myself. Once I saw them go on to success as basketball players, I realized I wanted that too. My oldest sister, DeAirra, played basketball at Western Michigan before transferring to IUPUI, and my second-oldest sister, Bria, played basketball at Kentucky. Also, my brother, Harrison, played football and ran track at Kentucky State.
On her other athletic pursuits
I also was on the track and field team in high school and was the school record-holder in the high jump. But basketball was always my first love, so I stuck with that. They tried to get me to run the 400-meter dash but I was not interested.
On what she likes to do outside of basketball
Growing up everything was always "basketball, basketball, basketball." It wasn't until I got to college that I started to branch out more and try different things. I recently just got into roller skating. I like to paint with Yani [senior Yaniah Curry]. I've learned that you can't just cling to one thing, and since coming to Toledo I've realized I really like to try new things.
On her fourth season as a member of the starting lineup with Quinesha Lockett, Sophia Wiard, and Sammi Mikonowicz and how that benefits the team
That time together has meant everything. We like to look back and see how much we have grown since our freshman year [2020-21]. That was a tough year and we struggled, but that built character and helped us learn how to play with each other. Having that core still intact and being able to play with them means a lot. Our chemistry is crazy. Sometimes we know what someone else is going to do before they do it.
On her defensive ability and her success as one of the top defenders in the MAC
Defense is all about your attitude. Of course, there are skills and techniques you need to learn, but you have to want it. Growing up I was never the strongest player offensively, but I always thrived on defense. My play on defense is what helps kickstart my offense. It's always been that way for me. I take pride in guarding the best players so Q and Soph [senior guards Quinesha Lockett and Sophia Wiard] don't have to, so they can have more energy on offense. I don't mind doing that for anybody.
On how her family shaped her as a basketball player
I really tried to model my game after my sisters. I remember watching them get after it on every possession. My dad also coached me growing up and we always pressed the whole game. So defense has been ingrained in me since I was young.
On improving her offensive game
I've worked with Coach Cullop on my shot. I was not the greatest shooter my freshman year, and I realized how much that was hurting us as a team. I could make an impact if I was able to bring my defender out as well and create space for others, so it was just about getting in the gym and getting up extra shots.
On being a psychology major and what she wants to do after basketball
I love picking people's brains, and I love to talk. One day I would like to go into school psychology because I like working with kids. I took a child development class that I enjoyed, but my mentor Michelle Taylor helped too. She is a school psychologist in Toledo and has let me shadow her at her job, and I realized that was something I would like to do.
