Beyond the Hardwood:
Jessica Simmonds
Name:
Jessica Simmonds
Team:
George Washington '06
What playing professional basketball means to me:
Playing professional serves as an indication that all the years of hard work that I put in,
has finally paid off and it doesn’t stop here. By playing professional
I will be able to say that I’ve played against and with some of the
most talented ball players in the world, while at the same time making
a reputation for myself. In addition, by playing professionally I will
be able to travel to places never imagined and I will be able to
experience different cultures and people beyond my imagination.
What I expected professional basketball to be:
Well I haven’t
experienced professional just yet, but I would expect it to be highly
competitive and a lot of fun. Also, I would expect this level of ball
to have profound improvements on my game as a whole.
What it really is:
N/A
Something I wish I'd learned while playing lower division basketball:
I wish I would have learned how to shoot and dribble consistently
while playing lower division basketball. Because I was considered
tall for my size they made me play inside and failed to teach me guard
skills. So now thru experience, I realized that I was mislead
throughout my lower division career; not only am I an undersized post
but I have the ability to play both inside and outside with my
quickness and strength. There is always room for improvement.
Why I love playing basketball:
I love playing ball because it is a
gift given to me from God. Through his blessing bestowed upon me I
have been able to experience life in an entire different spectrum if I
didn’t play the sport. Playing ball provided me with a full education
and different accolades throughout my career.
The women’s player that’s most fun to watch right now...
Sheryl Swoopes
My most memorable coach (and why)...
Daniel “Shoes” Crawford because
he was my first basketball coach and without him laying down the
foundation for me, I don’t know where I would be.
I'd go crazy on a road trip without...
MUSIC:) It keeps me entertained
and balanced.
A teammate (past or present) that I’ve been the most inspired by is (and why)...
Anna Montanana, because when she played she always exuded
a confidence and high will to win every game. Her passion for the
sport was an inspiration for me, she allowed me to step up the level
of my play because of the faith she had in me. She stood by my side
through thick and thin and that is not easy to come by.
Three things I'd like to do before I die...
hmm... have a child or two,
have a comfortable life, and travel across the world.
Advice I'd give to a younger player who plays my position is...
Be an
all around player, be coach-able, and never give up.
An aspect of my game that I'd really like to improve is...
ball
handling.
Website I Visit Most Often:
My email and www.Facebook.com