Sports Biggest Loser: OSU basketball player Shaunte Smith

Then after her sophomore season in Stillwater, she realized she was on the bench more than she was on the floor during games.

That’s when she decided to change.

"At first, it was hard,” Smith said. "I had to learn how to eat.”

Smith wasn’t eating a ton, but she wasn’t eating healthy either. Her main food groups were fast food, fried food and greasy food. She rarely eats any of that anymore.

She became a cardio junkie, too. She hit the treadmill so much that her coaches have occasionally banned her from it.

Smith slimmed down from 184 pounds to 165.

Transforming her body had a similar effect on her game. Smith went from reserve to starter to key cog as a rebounding force and an offensive threat.

"It’s a real difference,” she said. "I feel it in my energy and my quickness and just making me feel more alive.

"I had to make myself into the player that I am.”