Bermudian basketball player Erica Woods is making a huge splash at the IMG Academies (IMGA) in Florida where she is honing her skills in preparation for the next level of her fledging sports career.

With the IMG Basketball Academy programme still in its infancy, Woods was in a male-dominated arena when she attended a summer basketball camp in 2007.

Now a senior and finishing her second year at IMGA as a full-time student, she's mulling her choices, looking at what she believes will be the best college to attend.

Those choices are being narrowed down to several mid-major Division-One schools that need a point guard.

With world-class training and education facilities, coaches and athletes, IMGA is regarded as one of the best multi-sport institutions in the world.

And Woods has been making the most of her opportunity.

According to coaches, the young Bermudian stood out for her game, not her gender.

"She wasn't timid or afraid to take it strong to whomever she was playing against," said women's coach Shell Dailey. "She made a few guys smirk."

Regardless of where she goes, Woods is already a success at home.

Although she grew up playing a variety of sports against older cousins who toughened her up, Woods remained focused on basketball.

At 15, she was a member of Bermuda's women's basketball team at the Island Games in Greece, with the second-youngest player on the team being 18-year-old.

But, she wanted to further develop her game and grabbed the opportunity to attend IMGA.

Since arriving, Woods says her technique and accuracy has improved, while also gaining strength.

"With the competition here, you've got to work hard every day," she said.

And she's already making big plans for her future.

She wants to help start basketball clinics for girls in Bermuda, major in business in university, before attaining a Masters in sports management.

She wants to play in the WNBA, but wouldn't mind playing in Europe as well.

"It's not all about money," Woods said. "If I get paid to do what I love to do and get to travel a little bit, that's good enough for me."

For now, though, she's still waiting on the right suitor for next year.

"Wherever Erica goes to college, she will be an impact player," Dailey added. "She's got great character and will blossom because of her determination and work ethic."

Built to better athletes who get comfortable dealing with the pressures of competition, the instructors at IMGA say they know how to best mould and shape 'properly balanced, well-rounded athletes'.