Story Links
Feb. 16, 2004
by Cathy Bongiovi Stewart
For senior Safiya Grant-Fairley, time on Grounds has flown by. Just yesterday she arrived from The Bronx, N.Y., to begin her collegiate career, and now there are only a few games remaining in her senior season.
“When I came here, I was shy and not expecting what was going to happen,” Grant-Fairley shared. “But I would say I’ve grown a lot, and my experience here has been great.”
The 5-6 point guard has utilized her time at Virginia wisely. As a freshman, she saw limited action while adjusting to college life. As a sophomore, the point guard worked her way into the starting line-up. Last season as a junior, Grant-Fairley played in all 30 games with 17 starting nods. Named the team’s Most Improved Player, she racked up a career-best 12 points and a block against No. 1 Duke, helping the Cavaliers nearly upset of the nation’s top-ranked squad.
This season, Grant-Fairley has cherished her playing time. On Dec. 5, she had a good night playing in her home state as Virginia defeated Long Island, 76-59. The guard returned to the starting line-up and racked up a career-high five assists. She also added season highs of nine points and three rebounds while shooting a perfect 4-4 from the free throw line. In the win over Georgia Tech, she came off the bench for a season-high 11 points. Her four points, including two free throws, in the final two minutes of play sparked UVa to the win.
“I’ve learned a lot of things,” Grant-Fairley added. “I’ve been through a lot of ups and downs, but that’s typical for every college basketball player. I’ve had a lot of fun here. I’ve enjoyed my years. I’ve met a lot of people with different personalities. I wouldn’t change anything.”
Well, almost anything. Grant-Fairley realizes that this season is winding down, and she still has some goals she wants to achieve.
“I do want to make it to the NCAA Tournament and get as far as we possibly can,” Grant-Fairley said. “I don’t have any personal goals. I just want to win. I don’t really care how we do it as long as we win and make it to the tournament. I also want to do better than we did the last three years in the ACC Tournament. That’s pretty big, too. This is my last run. Of course, I want to go out a champion.”
That competitive spirit is what drives Grant-Fairley everyday in practice and in games. But she came about that naturally. The senior has a twin brother, Omar, who also plays basketball. The two have been competitive throughout their lifetime together.
“He goes to Nyack College. He’s a point guard, too,” Grant-Fairley said of her older brother. “He’s a year behind me, because he transferred from Five Towns College. He’s a lot like me. We talk every day. He’s my buddy.”
While Grant-Fairley is focusing on the rest of this season, she is also looking ahead to graduation in May. She will receive her degree in anthropology, but plans to stay in Charlottesville.
“I’d like to go to grad school here,” Grant-Fairley said of her plans.
“I’d like to get into the Curry School of Education and eventually teach elementary school.”
The guard does not plan on joining the coaching ranks.
“No coaching for me,” she laughed. “But I still want to be around. I still want to play for fun.”
Grant-Fairley plans to enjoy her final days as a collegiate player.
“I’m going to miss playing here, being around my teammates,” Grant-Fairley said. “This last year, I just want to make it special and keep the tradition going by making it to the NCAA Tournament. We’re just trying to work hard as a team, so we can achieve that goal.”