Story Links
Jan. 7, 2004
by Dustin Lubertazzi
At 6-6, sophomore Deidra Chatman has done a lot of growing in her life. This season shouldn’t be any different, as she looks at Virginia’s aspirations as a team and what she can do to contribute to its success.
“I was always the tallest kid in class,” Chatman explained. “I have my class picture from second grade. In the picture, all the other kids are sitting on bleachers. I’m standing beside my teacher in the back row. I came up to his chin, and he wasn’t a short man.”
Chatman hasn’t always been a basketball player, but she was always tall. When she moved from Oakland, Calif., to Richmond, Calif., while in the sixth grade, she was encouraged by her new friends to try out for a team. From that point on, she always got picked to play and learned as she went.
“It took some time for my skills to develop,” said Chatman. “I was really bad in sixth grade, and in eighth grade, everyone expected me to know how to play, but my teammates and friends were still disappointed. Finally in high school, I started to get better and play on AAU teams to get college exposure.”
Chatman claims self-inspiration. She’s out in the world making something of herself for herself. She gave up her summers to play basketball – to improve and help her teammates. She values all her hard work and recognizes her blessing.
“It’s just crazy. On all my teams the coaches would say that only one of us would ever be able to go to the next level,” Chatman said. “I had always been the worst, so it was ironic that I was the one that succeeded. It is truly a privilege to have this opportunity, so I have to take full advantage of it.”
Chatman realizes the intensity of the competition at the professional level and knows that making that step might not be the right outlet for her.
“I’ve thought a lot about my life after college, but I don’t even know what I’m majoring in yet. I love fashion, but I’m scared I’m too tall to be a model. Then again, my height could be a big seller. People always stare!”
Chatman got her first career start earlier this season against UNC-Greensboro, a game in which she had four points, seven rebounds, and three blocks. Chatman would like to see more starts, but she is very conscientious of the team doing what it takes to win.
“I’d like to start more, but if my team would be better off with me coming off the bench, then I’ll do what I can to produce,” she said.
In six games, Chatman’s contributed 2.7 points and 2.8 rebounds per game. She’s also blocked a team-best seven shots.
“Deidra is probably the most improved player on this team,” head coach Debbie Ryan shared. “She worked extremely hard all summer on her game and on her fitness. I have not seen a player work as hard as Deidra did this summer almost in my career. She’s worked every single day to get better, and it’s really showing in her game.”
There are a lot of expectations for the Cavaliers this year, and Chatman & Company are aware of them. All of the highly competitive teams in the ACC and throughout the nation have a championship on their minds.
“Every team wants to win a championship, but who’s really willing to put in all the hard work? The team that works the hardest will win,” Chatman said. “I admire teams like Duke, Connecticut, and Tennessee for that. As long as we take pride in every game we play, I think we’ll accomplish our goals.”
Since middle school, Chatman has loved basketball. It has always brought her close to people. It made her move from Oakland to Richmond that much easier. Her friends played basketball with her all the way through high school. Now in college, she’s met an outstanding group of young ladies, and together they will grow even more.