Hoops Elite Magazine - Issue 2 | Page 17

HOOPS ELITE MAGAZINE alongside the boys, rather than playing dolls & dress up with girls. I was teased a lot throughout my childhood because I wore hearing aids, braces and glasses and because I was different than other kids. I don’t think any of the issues that I dealt with had anything to do with me being a women’s basketball player. I was just different than other kids. 3. Who was/is your most inspiring coach? I’ve been blessed to have played for several great coaches. The most inspiring coach would have to be Coach Pat Summitt. I learned so much throughout my four years at UT. She pushed me to get better every day. She teaches her players about the game of basketball, but also about the importance of being positive role models. She encouraged me to not only be a great basketball player on the court, but to be an even a better person off the court and, 17 | Issue 2 - March 2015 while I was in school, to focus on my academics. She taught me to embrace my hearing disability & use it to inspire other kids & people that might have the same obstacles. she’d make a move and score. So frustrating, but a challenge that I loved. 4. If you weren’t playing basketball, what would you be doing? I love basketball so much that even if I weren’t playing, I’d still be involved with the game in some capacity. My ultimate goal is to be a general manager. 7. Tell us about the Catch the Stars Foundation. When did it start and why does it exist? I’ve always been passionate about youth and giving back to the community. Upon being drafted by the Indiana Fever back in 2001, I wasn’t able to make an impact on the court because I was coming off of an ACL injury. Despite not being able to play, I wanted to get involved with the Indianapolis community and told our then community relations director to sign me up for as many appearances as she possibly could. 5. Who has been the hardest person to guard? Why? The hardest person for me to ever guard was my former teammate, Chamique Holdsclaw. It was so hard to guard her because she was great in everything and made it look so easy. It’s funny because I remember having to guard her even in the WNBA and I would think I had her locked up, and 6. What would your five player WNBA Dream team look like? One appearance was at Riverside Family Center, where I met the park manager and struck up a friendship with him.