| |
 What's It Like To BE...
What's It Like To Be a College Basketball Star?
Its March, and that means its time for March Madness! I love basketball. Have you ever wondered what its like to be a basketball player? I am so lucky to have had the opportunity to talk to Ivory Latta, Senior All-America point guard and a leader on UNCs womens basketball team. Ivory is one of my favorite players because she has such enthusiasm and energy, as well as athletic talent. Im one of her biggest fans!
 Truman: Ivory, thanks for taking the time to talk to me. I know youre on your way to basketball practice in few minutes. Did you come from a family that was big on sports?
Ivory Latta: Yes, my whole family was into sports. They were
especially into baseball. Somebody was always playing sports in my family.
Truman: When did you first play basketball?
Ivory Latta: At the age of three. I was the youngest of seven, and I had brothers who were playing basketball in high school. I played in middle school and high school and then AAU (Amateur Athletic Union) basketball, which is when I really knew I wanted to come to UNC. My brothers, when I was growing up, were always watching NBA
basketball and Michael Jordan, and I knew early on that this is where I wanted to come.
Truman: You must spend a lot of time practicing. Whats a typical day like?
Ivory Latta: I practice almost every day, jump shots especially. I couldnt put a time on it, but I spend a lot of time practicing on my own, as well as with the team. The team practices 2 1/2 hours, not every day, but many days a week.
Truman: You seem like such an upbeat, positive person. Have you even had any disappointments or obstacles that youve had to work hard to overcome?
Ivory Latta: Nah. What you see is what you get. Im pretty much always enthusiastic and happy, and I try to enthuse the other players, too.
Truman: When I saw you play live at Carmichael Auditorium in January and when I watch you on TV, I notice you enthuse the fans as well as your teammates. Youre a great player and a lot of fun to watch.
Ivory Latta: Thanks!
Truman: You come across as a leader on the team. How important is teamwork?
Ivory Latta: It takes teamwork to win championships. Everybody has to be on the same page, working together. You still need to do individual things to make yourself a better player, but teamwork is really important.
Truman: How important is it to listen to your coach?
Ivory Latta: Its very important to listen to the coach, to connect with the coach as well as with the point guard and the whole team. The coach will help you to improve as a person as well as as a basketball player.
Truman: Basketball is a very physical sport have you ever had any injuries?
Ivory Latta: Yes, in high school I had a torn cartilage, and in a Final Four game last year, I injured my left knee and had to have surgery.
Truman: That must have been hard for you. No matter how positive a person you are, when you are injured, you just have to wait for things to heal.
Ivory Latta: Thats true.
Truman: As busy as you are with the team, how do you find time for studying, for making academics a priority?
Ivory Latta: Academics are always #1. In fact, academic excellence is the number #1 reason I came to Carolina. I knew the school had great academics, and my parents always emphasized that education was the most important thing.
Truman: I understand your college major is exercise and sport science?
Ivory Latta: Sports management.
Truman: What is sports management?
Ivory Latta: Its a very open field. I can do almost anything with it for instance, I can go to medical school, or I could start my own sports management agency.
Truman: What was your favorite subject in school when you were younger?
Ivory Latta: Science.
Truman: What are your goals for after college?
Ivory Latta: Id like to play in the WNBA (Womens National Basketball
Association) and after that well, Ill take things as they come. I have lots of options.
Truman: Is there any one personal accomplishment that you are
especially proud of?
Ivory Latta: Im happy and grateful for everything that has come my way as Ive been playing sports. Theres no one thing that really stands out over all the others.\
Truman: Is there anything special youd like to tell our Kidsville News! readers about reaching for their sports goals?
Ivory Latta: It takes a lot of hard work. Be ready to sacrifice to become really good at your sport. Stay focused. You may have to give up some friends who arent at the same level that you are, not go out as much. Thats not to say you cant have a life, but you have to be willing to make sacrifices. Set yourself around positive people who have similar goals.
Truman: Thats great advice, Ivory. Thanks for talking to us. Now wed better let you get to practice!
Special thanks to Martha Tempest, publisher of Kidsville News! of the
Triangle, for arranging Trumans interview with Ivory Latta.
|
 |
