Basketball phenom Taryn Sides excels in the classroom, as well as on the court
Behind an insatiable desire to succeed, deft playmaking ability, and a soft shooting touch, Taryn Sides lit up scoreboards across the Big 12 Conference during her junior-year campaign as the leading scorer for a young Kansas State women’s basketball team that grew stronger as the season wore on. Off the basketball court, Sides also put up big numbers.
Sides, a native of Phillipsburg, Kansas, who averaged 12.4 points per game and her195 career 3-pointers ranks ninth in K-State history, was named to the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District VII team. It was her second honor in as many years by the organization while she also earned 2026 All-Big 12 Honorable Mention honors.
“Academics has always been important to my family,” Sides said. “We don’t just talk basketball. We talk about my academics. We all take pride in it.”
Sides’ success in the classroom began from an early age. Her father, Keith, is a finance and accounting teacher while her mother, Robin, teaches English at Phillipsburg High School. They instilled hard work and discipline into their daughter, who balanced her time between the classroom and the gym.
“My parents stressed the importance of education and working hard in the classroom, just as I would work hard on the court,” Sides said. “I had a great work ethic for the classroom, just as I did for basketball. In third grade, I really realized that I liked learning, and it’s been important to me ever since.”
Just how successful has Sides been in the classroom?
“Growing up, I had all As,” she said.
How many Bs has Sides had in her life?
“I can’t tell you,” she said, chuckling. “Maybe two or three.”
Sides majors in integrative human sciences with a minor in marketing. She took 13 credit hours in the spring semester while balancing travel and competition during the grueling Big 12 women’s basketball season.
She credits her time management skills along with the tutors and academic support at the Evans Student-Athlete Success Center for helping her excel with her busy schedule.
“Time management can be hard at first, so it’s important to take advantage of all the resources you have and schedule your days and weeks to finish your classwork,” Sides said. “The Evans Student-Athlete Success Center is a great place to get away from everyone and have space and quiet. I’m grateful for the Evans Center and for all the resources K-State provides to make our lives a little easier.”
Sides was one of three players in the nation in the 2025-26 season to reach 450 points, 80 3-pointers, 125 rebounds, 125 assists and 60 steals.
She has big plans after her playing career is finished.
“I’m working to go into coaching,” she said. “I want to work my way up and learn and be successful so I can become a head coach. If not, I could be a really good assistant coach. That’s my goal.”