When Memphis senior DeeDee Hagemann and East Carolina freshman Devin Hagemann take to the court at Elma Roane Fieldhouse Saturday, they will be playing against each other for the first and potentially last time in their college careers.
DeeDee spent her fist three seasons of college basketball at Michigan State, starting for an NCAA tournament team last season. She transferred to Memphis with this opportunity to play her younger sister in mind.
Devin, who is thriving in her first season at East Carolina, grew up looking up to DeeDee.
Devin Hagemann dribbles the ball up the court in East Carolina's game against Rice.
"She was the closest sister in age to me, so you know, I kind of, followed her a little bit and just fell in love with the game," said Devin. "Growing up, she's always been one of my big role models.”
As the two youngest of four siblings, DeeDee and Devin had plenty of one-on-one battles in their childhood with DeeDee using her age and size to her advantage.
"Even though we played the same position, she would try to put me in the post, and that used to just irritate me a lot," said Devin.
DeeDee admitted she did what she had to do to win but offered a different perspective.
"In my defense, I felt like if she was that little of a guard that could guard a post up, then there's nobody she can't guard," said DeeDee. "So honestly, I feel like she should be thanking me.”
The Hagemann sisters had one year of high school together, but the COVID-19 pandemic cut their season short.
"We were kind of devastated because we wanted to win a championship together," said DeeDee. "But I feel like life goes on, and we get more opportunities. This is another opportunity that we get: my last year, her first year, you know, we get to play each other.”
Devin has won American Athletic Conference freshman of the week twice this season, averaging 4.1 points and 1.9 assists in just under 20 minutes a game. She credits DeeDee with helping her navigate her first year of college.
"It was actually such a blessing, just seeing what she went through and how much she had to work to get to the point that she's at right now," said Devin. "I lean on her a lot, you know, I never really get down on myself, but even if I am down, she always picks me up."
Playing in the same conference, the two sisters help each other out whenever they can. They text about their games and what to expect from future opponents.
"I mean, us playing the same position, and also her being my sister, like, if she lost to this team, and I’m about to play them, I play with more (of a) chip on my shoulder because you beat my sister, so you can't beat both of us," said Devin.
Memphis and East Carolina only play one game against each other in the regular season, so this could be the only opportunity for the sisters to play against each other.
"I'm definitely going to tell her good luck, and I always want the best for her," said DeeDee. "I hope she comes out here and scores 100, but I still hope we win at the end of the day."
With ECU and Memphis both towards the bottom of the conference standings, both sisters understand the importance of winning the game. When the game tips off, it's business as usual.
"Once it starts, it’s just basketball," said Devin.
So, on Saturday, Memphis and East Carolina will battle it out for crucial positioning in the AAC standings and, for the Hagemann family, lifetime bragging rights.
"This is my last year of college basketball, and I'll be damned for her to win and be able to hold that over my head for the rest of my life," said DeeDee. "That's crazy. So nah, I can't go out like that."
