In 1980, Los Angeles Lakers coach Pat Riley asked a rookie to fill in at center for the injured Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

The only catch – the rookie was the starting point guard and it was Game 6 of the NBA Finals.

Magic Johnson was fresh off an NCAA National Championship at Michigan State when he scored 42 points, grabbed 15 rebounds and dished out seven assists in Game 6 against Philadelphia. He went on to help win the NBA Championship, as well as Finals MVP.

Fast-forward 22 years.

When NIU women’s basketball players Elizabeth Strobel and Jamie Wilson went down with injuries, coach Carol Hammerle had a decision to make.

The result: Senior guard Kim Boeding made the move to the post.

In her first action as a true post player, Boeding scored a game-high 22 points, on nine-of-11 shooting and collected a team-high eight rebounds in 33 minutes in the women’s exhibition opener.

“When Jamie was out, I got transferred to the post,” Boeding said. “I pretty much knew I was going to be the one that was put down there.”

Unlike Johnson, who was put back at his normal position for the remainder of his career, Boeding will finish her career as a forward.

Boeding, now a power forward, mentioned the physical aspect of the switch as one of the main differences. In the Huskies’ first regular season game against Wisconsin, the 6-foot Boeding and the 5-foot-11 Jennifer Youngblood were lined up against a front line of 6-foot-7, 6-foot-5 and 6-foot-3.

The result: The trio of 6-footers combined for 12 points while Boeding scored 11 herself.

“Its a lot more physical down there, definitely,” Boeding said. “Most of the girls that I’m guarding and that are guarding me are a lot stronger and a lot bigger. When I was a guard, I was the one with the height advantage. Now the tables have kind of turned on me.”

Despite the physical play, Boeding has been able to stay healthy and her numbers have stayed consistent throughout the season.

After averaging 3.5 points and 2.7 rebounds last season, Boeding has exploded for 9.9 points and 6.1 rebounds this year, placing her third and second on the team, respectively.

“I’m happy for her,” Hammerle said. “She is doing a great job. Coaches from around the conference call her our “X” factor, and I think she has been that all along.”

Boeding has made the seamless transition with help from fellow forward Jennifer Youngblood. And, according to Hammerle, Youngblood has benefited from Boeding’s play and the numbers back that up.

Youngblood is the team’s leading scorer and rebounder, and the duo have combined to lead the team in rebounding in 13 of the team’s 15 games so far this season.

As far as a favorite position, Boeding does not have one. The soft-spoken Ft. Madison, Iowa, native just does what she is told.

“I still mentally prepare for the game the same way,” Boeding said. “Both positions have their challenges, and they both have been fun. I’ve enjoyed playing the post.”

While the numbers don’t lie on Boeding, she seems to be humbled by the whole experience.

“I like to think I’ve done an adequate job filling in so far.”

For a career 5.6 points-per-game scorer, adequate seems like an understatement for this season.