College Interview article

Interview with PA’s Finest

Writer Chris Drummond sat down with two up-and-coming women on the Kennesaw State Basketball team. These are Gillian Piccolino and Amani Johnson.

CD: What was the first time you fell in love with the game of basketball?

AJ: My dad played college at Saint Vincent University, just 45 minutes away from where I lived in Pittsburgh. He always had me dribbling a basketball at an early age. I played competitive soccer, softball as well, and around my freshman year of high school, that is when I decided to stick with basketball for good.

GP: So mine is the exact opposite of Amani. Nobody in my family played basketball; we were a softball family. I just always knew from a young age that I wanted to play basketball. I did not have a moment where I fell in love with it.

CD: Next question is for you, Amani. In the last two years in high school, your team went 52-4, barely losing any games. Also, you played with your sister as well; can you talk about that experience?

AJ: I would attribute our success in the last two years in high school to having a solid group that came up together. My father started us playing together in rec leagues and had a travel team as well. We just knew how to play with each other and what each person could do. Playing with my sister was great; she was another player who made our team better. She feels that she was the missing piece, but I think it was a combination of leadership on the team and her coming on.

CD: Anytime you go 52-4, I do not know if you can say that you are the missing piece - but to each her own. If she wants to believe that, let her.

CD: Pic, you went to Keystone Oaks High School. The basketball team your freshman year was not very good. When you joined, you guys had a winning season every year you played. Can you talk about changing the culture into a winning culture?

GP: Like Amani, we had five girls that all played together from 4th grade and up. The chemistry was there, and the comfort level was there too. I certainly cannot take all the credit because it is a team effort, but I was happy to be a part of the turnaround from our freshman year team.

CD: Were there any other offers outside of KSU, and what was our message to you that won you over?

GP: The difference for me was how involved the coaches were before I got here. I had one other offer, and that was Loyola Marymount; it is in California.

The coaches here at KSU were calling me every week, constantly reaching out and I figured if they are doing that, without even knowing me, they must want me. So to me, that's what made the difference.

AJ: The coaching staff probably loved me and hated me during the recruiting process. I had a couple of other offers, I went on three official visits, and KSU was waiting and waiting for me to commit, but the other schools wanted me as well. I was just trying to make the best decision possible and it took me to weigh out the pros and cons for every option. When it came down to it, there's no other place that would fit me.

CD: Next question for you Pic. What was the biggest adjustment/challenge playing Division 1 basketball coming from high school?

GP: I would say mentally and understand your role for the betterment of the team. You come from a program averaging 23 points a game to now joining a team that has players just as talented and even more talented than you are. So I would say that those two things were the biggest adjustment for me.

CD: Going into this off season, what did you guys work on individually to help better your games for the betterment of the team?

GP: So before I came to college, I would primarily shoot threes CD: I noticed that.

GP: Yeah, but the two main things I would work on the driving to the basket more and my mid-range. I still work on my three, of course, but I kinda know I got that in my back pocket. Going through my freshman year, I learned you have to be a versatile player, doing one thing is not enough.

AJ: I would say at the end of last season, I scored 45 points, I don't have to do anything in the off season, only joking. (laughs by all of us). I need to work on my three more and find more creative ways to score the ball I would say.

CD: Let's get into some rapid-fire questions. Who is your favorite athlete?

GP: Steph Curry

AJ: Lebron, Skylar Diggins- Smith, but I also love Sydney Leroux-Dwyer as well

CD: Favorite team to root for?

AJ: GO Steelers

GP: I was just about to say that, Steelers.

CD: Pre-game music you listen to before a game?

GP: I'm all rap. Love Lil Baby and Young Thug

AJ: I also like rap and Hip Hop

CD: Favorite meal or pre-game meal?

GP: Grilled Cheese and fries

AJ: Maryland Blue Crabs, so delicious with the O bay sauce

CD: With the protests and movements going on, as a team, what have you discussed about exhibiting your stance on this?

AJ: We have had discussions as a team and it is an ongoing discussion to have with everything going on. There have also been discussions about wearing a patch on our jerseys for the upcoming season. We're discussing what would be on the patch and if we can get it sewn on our jerseys. We want to help educate people about what's going on because you cannot move forward if you do not know what is going on as well.

GP: We all know on our team where we stand on this. We have a bigger platform than others who can just post online. We have to make sure that we educate and help others educate themselves on what is going on. A video was put out over the summer, which Amani was in it, helping to spread the effort to be enlightened on issues like this and coming together for an important cause.

CD: You guys played Duquesne last year, which is in PA. How was that playing your homecoming game?

GP: I was so excited to play Duquesne because my family and friends would always say to me, "Why did you go so far, we want to come to watch you play." It was so special to me because we had more fans there for us than for them, everybody loved coming to see us play.

AJ: I agree, It was really special. It was really exciting to see all my family friends and teachers in high school. It was so much energy in the building. It is a different connection when you know the people, It was amazing.

CD: Expectations for the freshman this upcoming season?

GP: Our freshmen have done a really good job so far being able to balance everything. It has been a lot for them but they are living up to the expectations on and off the court.

AJ: I would agree. The best thing about having freshmen come in is that they're mold-able, meaning we can show them how to do things the right way but we as upperclassmen can learn from the freshmen as well. They're in the gym multiple times a day, working out and on their games. It is so cool to see. I'm excited to see how they will do and what role they'll fill on our team.