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University of Massachusets Athletics
Q&A With Women's Basketball Sophomore Alisha Tatham
December 13, 2005 | Women's Basketball
Dec. 13, 2005
Q and A with Alisha Tatham
By Jed Sigal
Q: What was it like playing for the Canadian Junior National Team?
A: It was a really great experience, because I was able to travel to different countries and see their different styles of play. This year we went to the World Championships and that was just amazing, because there were the best players in my age group from around the world. It was great to see the talent level from all of the different countries. I went to France for a mini-tournament and Tunisia (Africa) after that.
Q: How does the international game differ from the collegiate game?
A: The rules are much different; we used FIBA (International Basketball Federation) rules. Within that, there were just a lot of minor differences. The physicality is a lot different. It is much more physical down there. Before this past summer I would have said that I like playing here better, because that's what I was used to, but now I'll say that I like playing there better because they don't call touch fouls. The international refs just let the players play. Recently, the NCAA made a rule that in the women's games, if you lay a hand on the ball handler at anytime then that's a foul. There are so many more whistles and we just can't play.
Q: What do you think can be done to make women's basketball more popular?
A: Well, obviously girls cannot jump as high as guys so it is easier for them to dunk. So maybe lower the rims a little bit so we can dunk in every game. It would be easier for us to get a fast break dunk, just like the guys.
Q: What is the best part about being a student athlete?
A: The different things that are available to you, like the fact that we get study hall and they make sure we keep our grades up. The privileges and connections we get around campus make it a little easier to balance school and sport. They help make our schedules around practices. Benefits like that are the best parts of being a student athlete.
Q: How has your sister helped in your transition to college both on and off the court?
A: She has definitely made it a lot easier than if I was to go to any other school. She gave me the heads up of what I had to look forward to, so I wasn't coming in not knowing what to expect at all. Just having her here as someone to fall back on if I needed anything, I know that I have someone close already. I don't have to go off and try to get that relationship from somewhere else. Having her here is like a great comfort zone for me, she is able to make me comfortable anytime.
Q: Between the two of you, who has the better jump shot?
A: I don't know, I think we both have pretty good jump shots. I guess since I'm answering the question I would probably say me, but if she were answering she would probably say her. I think I'll just say me.
Q: What goals do you wish to achieve throughout your collegiate career?
A: I want to be academically and athletically better than I was last year. I want to improve every year, from skills on the basketball court to grades in the classroom. Whatever situation I'm in is easier now that I'm a sophomore, because I know what I'm getting into. When I was a freshman I didn't know what I was getting into, so it was tougher. I definitely know better ways of studying for exams or tests and I know my coaches a lot better than I did the first year. I just want to get better every year.
Q: How do you see this season shaping up?
A: We are kind of struggling right now, but there is no doubt that we have a really good team. There is just something that isn't clicking right now. It is still early and the coaches are just trying to put different things together to get us ready for our conference schedule. We are going to come together as a team and figure out what we need to do to win.
Q: When you are not playing basketball, what activities do you enjoy?
A: I like watching TV. I like America's Next Top Model and Puff Daddy's show Making the Band 3. Those are my favorite shows; I can't miss an episode. I enjoy just watching television and relaxing. It's hard when you have practices and games and schoolwork. It is a very tough schedule, so sometimes it's nice just to relax.
Q: If you could play a professional sport other than basketball, which would you choose?
A: I would do track and field. I did track before I played basketball and I loved it. I did the 100-meter and the 4 by 100 meter. I kind of moved straight away to basketball, but if I wasn't playing basketball I would definitely do track.
Q: What is your greatest basketball memory?
A: I think it was last summer when I went to Puerto Rico for the FIBA qualifying tournament for the World Championships I went to this year. We qualified in the top three teams; America was first, Puerto Rico was second, and we beat Brazil to be third. We were the last team to get into the World Championships and that was just a great experience. It was great because of the atmosphere, and the fact that my team was the first women's team in Canada to ever make it to the World Championships. We kind of made history, it was unbelievable. It was great and exciting.
Q: What is the funniest thing you've witnessed on a basketball court?
A: It would probably be when I was a lot younger and I had just started playing the game. I scored in the opposite hoop, but that was when I was really really young. I had just started playing and I was throwing basketballs over the hoop and everything. It was probably one of my first goals ever.
Q: Following a long practice, what is your favorite thing to eat?
A: I like Nature Valley Granola Bars, especially the one with almonds and cranberries. On campus, I think that breakfast is the best meal at the DCs. I usually get an omelet and a waffle.
Q: What CD is most played in your room?
A: I really like slow jams, so I would play a lot of R&B. I don't really like the fast stuff. I like reggae a lot, because my family is from Jamaica. I like the old stuff.
Q: And finally, what are your plans post-graduation?
A: I'm not sure exactly where life is going to take me, but I just want to be successful. Whether I am still playing basketball or I get a job with my degree, I just want to be successful.
