As a college basketball player, Jennifer O’Neill has just about done it all.Three Sweet 16s. Two Elite-Eights. A Southeastern Conference title. A 43 points on national TV in a football stadium. The list goes on and on.But for the UK guard, plenty remains to be done. And she’s put in a lot of time and effort to reach new heights in her last season at UK.A player of O’Neill’s stature — having among other stellar credentials wowed a national audience with that school-record scoring performance in AT&T Stadium last season — could be forgiven for lacking motivation. Yet given the work the senior has been putting in building up to the 2014-15 season, inspiration doesn’t seem to be in short supply.The fire that burns inside O’Neill is unique to her.”So much motivates me,” O’Neill said. “Definitely my mom, who set the bar high. My family, I want to be an example to my younger siblings and cousins. I read a quote that said, ‘Work hard in silence and let your success speak for itself.’ “That’s my mindset. I’m not worried about what people have to say about me, what people think about me. If I know what I’m doing, and I know I’m doing the right thing then I have nothing to worry about.”For her part O’Neill has always put in plenty of time in pursuit of improvement, but four years into her journey as a college basketball player, she has a more effective and efficient practice routine.”When I first got here I was really out of shape, so I worked on my fitness and nutrition,” O’Neill said. “I started taking it seriously and understanding when I was able to eat certain things at what time. Not counting calories, but really watching what I ate, when I ate it, at the time I ate it and stuff like that. “Now I really work on my mechanics. Little things I could do to get better. As far as footwork, making sure how my follow-through goes so my wrist isn’t twisted to the side. I’m constantly working with the coaches as much as possible. I get as many shots up as I can. Really that’s it, just my mechanics and technique is what I’m working on right now.”As a player O’Neill can always work on her game, but as a senior expected to play substantial minutes, she could also be called on to assume a leadership role.The role of veteran leader is a bit novel to O’Neill, but it’s one she has already started growing into.”I talk a lot more now,” O’Neill said. “Sometimes I get quiet and I don’t even realize it until Matthew (Mitchell) says things or my teammates say something. I’m definitely talking a lot more than I ever have since I’ve been here. “I’m trying to lead by example by really showing my teammates what they need to do in order to get better. It’s something I didn’t do my freshman year.”While O’Neill may not have initially been comfortable showing the way to her teammates, some of the UK Hoops newcomers have taken notice of O’Neill’s influence early this year.”Players like Jennifer O’Neill have taken me under their wing,” freshman Alexis Jennings said. “She’s made me feel like I’m sisters with everyone on the team already. She’s been here a while, and I can count on her to give it to me straight. Every practice she encourages me.”Indeed O’Neill’s embrace of a role as a mentor was likely outside her comfort zone, but it’s indicative of the attitude she’s taken on since arriving at UK.”I’ve grown up a lot; I’ve learned a lot,” O’Neill said. “I’ve been exposed to a lot of knowledge from coaches. They have just passed their knowledge down to me and just showed me what I needed to do. How I need to improve.”