Q: You’ve faced a lot of adversity in the past couple years, how do you think you’ve built yourself up and prepared yourself for the WNBA.

A: I think the last two years playing overseas really has prepared me for this moment. For me, it was just needing more repetition playing and not being injured. I’ve been healthy for almost three years now so I think it’s just playing and repetition and getting a feel for the game back.

 

Q: What are you most happy with about playing in Chicago?

A: I think the atmosphere with this team. You know I’ve been to different training camps and everyone has been different but I love the coaching staff and the girls and how everyone comes together and plays together and plays as a team. It’s just the good winning atmosphere here it’s really contagious and you buy in immediately. I think that’s what I like so far.

 

Q: Who has influenced you the most in playing basketball?

A: Probably my dad. When I was 7 years old I started playing basketball so he started me at a really young age and just kind of instilled a lot of work ethic when I was little so I would probably say my dad.

 

Q: What do you think your biggest challenge is this year?

A: Just trying to establish my role to help this team in any way possible.

 

Q: Do you have any secret talents or skills?

A: In high school I used to do my friends hair and makeup for big dances and stuff like that. No one would think that at all. I have some kind of hand for hair and makeup. It’s really weird.

 

Q: What do you like to do most when you’re not playing basketball?

A: I love working out. It’s my passion so even if it’s not playing basketball. Lifting weights, eating healthy and being on herbal life and stuff like that I am so into that.

 

Q: How do you prepare for game day?

A: I try to get a good night sleep but that usually doesn’t happen. I like to have my coffee in the morning, eat a good breakfast, I always say a prayer and stuff like that and I just kind of chill out. I don’t do much before the game.
Q: Are there any artists that you listen to?

A: It’s weird I don’t like to listen to hype up music before games. I’m kind of like more of a slow music type of person. Whatever comes on my iPod I just kind of go with the flow.

 

Q: What is the best social media platform to follow you on?

A: Probably Twitter.

 

Q: What is your handle?

A: @Jackig_23

 

Q: If you had to pick one what would be your favorite WNBA city to play in on the road, other than Chicago.

A: LA. That’s where I went to college (USC)

 

Q: Do you have any ties to any specific causes?

A: Well, my mom is a two-time breast cancer survivor so any time I see something involving that I always try and do that.

 

Q: If you could change one thing about the world what would it be and why?

A: I feel like a majority of people are really judgmental so I would probably want to change the perspective of people in that way.

 

Q: If you had your own foundation what would it benefit?

A: I would probably want to start something for ACL comeback for kids that aren’t as fortunate as some kids to get the best treatment and whatnot but that would be really important to me.

 

Q: What made an impact on you in your youth?

A: My parents, definitely. They’ve been there for me every step of the way. I think if it wasn’t for them I wouldn’t have gotten the opportunity to do half the things I’m doing.

 

Q: As a player in the WNBA how do you want to impact the league?

A: You know, for me, as someone who is trying to get their foot in the door in the WNBA I just want to be a positive role model and a good person to my teammates and to the fans and the coaching staff. I think that’s really important for me not only to represent yourself with the Sky but also off the court.

 

Q: If you could have dinner with one person who would it be?

A: It would be Rihanna. I’m obsessed with her.

 

Q: What do you want to be remembered for?

A: Someone who can overcome adversity. Most people know I’ve injured my knees over and over again like five or six times but just to be remembered as someone who can get back and keep fighting for what they believe in and go after their dreams.

 

Q: Who inspires you in women’s basketball.

A: Well it’s funny. I have four favorite players and it’s really ironic because two of them are on this team. Elena Delle Donne, Cappie Pondexter, Cynthia Cooper and Diana Taurasi are my four all-time favorites and it’s been that way for a long time it’s not just because they’re on the team.

 

Q: What is your favorite book or author?

A: I don’t really have a favorite book or author but I really like self-improvement books like mentality kind of books. I really like Mind Gym, The Inner Game of Tennis and there is a couple others but those two really were really great for me.

 

Q: What would you be if you weren’t a basketball player?

A: Probably a trainer like a fitness trainer. Like I said, I am really into that stuff.

 

Q: What is your favorite holiday?

A: My favorite holiday is Christmas.

 

Q: What sport would you play besides basketball?

A: Soccer. I played soccer a majority of my childhood and I had to choose one when I got to high school.

 

Q: Why did you start playing basketball?

A: Back to my dad, he was a player. He played in college and then played overseas in Athens, Greece for five years and I think just him kind of introducing me to basketball and his ways in doing things. They stuck with me.

 

Q: What does the Sky mean to you?

A: The Sky for me, you know, obviously I haven’t been here very long yet but right away I really bought into everything that this program introduces you to: the coaching staff, what they stand for. Pokey has been sending us e-mails for the past two weeks and at the end the hash tag is “all aboard”. You know she really stresses “we” not “me”. So for me, the Sky is a very family-oriented environment. Everyone works together; everyone has each other’s back. I think I bought into that the moment I got here. I’ve been to different training camps and this one, for me, feels different and it feels really good and it feels like something I would love to be a part of.

 

Q: What’s your personal mission statement?

A: One of my favorite quotes is, “Take care of those who take care of you”. One of my best friends, Tina Charles, I’m sure you guys know who that is. Her and I have kind of lived by that for a really long time. She was the one who introduced me to that quote so for the past six or seven years I’ve lived by that.