Michigan State University Athletics
Chatting with Melanie Small
2/11/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Feb. 11, 2005
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Melanie Small is a freshman forward from Copley, OH. She was a four-year starter in high school and named all-state her junior and senior year. She averaged 18.3 points, 5.5 rebounds, four assists, and three steals as a senior. So far this season Small has seen action in seven games with five points and eight rebounds.
Q. How far away is Copley, OH?
A. It is about 250 miles. It takes about three hours and 15 minutes to drive.
Q. What do you miss the most from home?
A. My bed, my family, my friends, the normal stuff you miss when you go away.
Q. Why did you decide to come to State?
A. I liked the school, I liked the people when I came here. I like the players. It is a beautiful school and it's clean. I am very picky about cleanliness. There is a lot of diversity and I like that because there is a lot of diversity in the real world. I think that is very important to experience in college.
Q. What has been the best part about college life so far?
A. Being around people you love because you get to know them being around them so much. Being independent, not that I wasn't at home, but now I am all by myself. Just the whole aspect period is very interesting.
Q. How did you start playing basketball?
A. My dad asked me if I wanted to play basketball and I was like `umm no, not really but I'll give it a try'. Slowly I got into it and I started to like it.
Q. What do you think makes MSU's team unique?
A. You will not find anybody like any of the people on this team, as a person and as a player as far as I am concerned. You will never find anyone like some of these people; I love them to death.
Q. Biggest challenge you have had adjusting to the college level of play.
A. Which one do you want? The game is different. It is a lot faster and a lot harder, you go a lot harder. I definitely have never worked as hard before. Plus you have schooling which is also different than home. So it is just a big adjustment, but well worth it.
Q. If you could play any other sport what would it be?
A. It would probably be volleyball. I like track but I just don't like to be competitive at it. I enjoy running on the track, I just don't want to run against people. I don't care if people are faster than me. But you have to be competitive just because of the nature of it.
Q. What motivates you to play?
A. The passion of the game, the love of the game. Looking over sometimes and seeing people that I respect so much and love so much rooting for me. It just pushes you that much further to want to go out and give it your all.
Q. What is one thing you wish you did more of?
A. I wish I could see my family more, but also get to the Breslin more and work out and get my game together. There are a lot of things I wish I could do more of.
Q. Favorite fast food restaurant:
A. I do like junk food. I like McDonalds. I like Wendy's. I like Jimmy John's. Taco Bell is alright. I like Boston Market. Steak `N Shake is not bad. I could go on for days.
