Columbia’s Abbey Hsu Shines On and Off the Basketball Court

Notebook is a Columbia News series that highlights just some of the many fascinating students who study at our University. 

Don’t leave Abbey Hsu open! The senior star of Columbia Women's Basketball recently set an Ivy League record for most 3-pointers. Now, she is also closing in on Columbia’s all-time scoring record (1,973 points). As this article published, Hsu had 1,962 points and was poised to break the Columbia record in an away game against Dartmouth.  

When Hsu is not on the basketball court, you can find her studying or riding a Citi Bike downtown to make the most of all that New York offers.

When are you graduating, and what is your major?

I am graduating in May of 2024, and my major is economics. 

What drew you to economics?

I chose economics because I was always fascinated by how our markets work, and wanted to understand it more on a micro level. I also feel that a degree in economics can be used in so many ways.

How do you like studying in New York? What are your favorite urban activities?

I love studying in New York. The fact that you can hop on the subway and experience so many things—from some of the best restaurants in the country to Central Park and great shopping—is something you can’t experience anywhere else.

Any recommendations for how to best enjoy the city beyond campus?

I would say the best way to experience the city off campus is not to be afraid to go downtown. I feel like a lot of people stick to the Columbia bubble because it’s sometimes a hassle to go downtown, but it’s so worth it to experience all parts of Manhattan. I also recommend using Citi Bike as a fun way to get around town.

How do you manage to balance your time playing basketball with studying and leisure activities?

It’s definitely tough at times to balance everything. But having been a student-athlete my whole life, I’ve been trained from a young age to manage my time so that I accomplish what needs to get done in order to have time for leisure activities. At first, as a freshman, it was sometimes hard to find that balance, just because the school workload here was different from high school. But as I got used to it, I picked up a routine and found that healthy balance.

What do you hope to do after college?

I hope to play basketball professionally after graduation.