Aisha Mohammed: A Different World

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Nov. 29, 2006

For every college student, leaving home and adjusting to life on campus can be quite a challenge. For junior college transfer Aisha Mohammed, the adjustment has been much more difficult.

A native of Lagos, Nigeria, Mohammed is half a world away from her closest friends and family. She’s had to adjust to a new culture, a different language, and meeting new people. Most of us would rely on our families who would be only a phone call or short drive away. For Mohammed, e-mail has been her lifesaver to communication with home, which is an 18-hour plane ride away.

“I miss my family,” Mohammed said.

After spending two years at Central Arizona College, the 6-3 center moved to Charlottesville to earn her degree and to don the orange and blue for Virginia this season. One of the top junior college players in the nation, the All-American averaged 22 points, 11 rebounds while shooting 70 percent from the field last season. Named the national tournament MVP, Mohammed helped defending national champion Central Arizona to a perfect 28-0 record in the regular season and No. 1 NJCAA national ranking. The squad advanced to the 2006 national semifinals where Mohammed earned first-team Kodak/WBCA All-America honors.

Mohammed first learned to like basketball by watching NBA games on television.

“I was like, `Oh my God.’ The guys playing were really tall and the girls, too,” Mohammed remembered. “I like Lisa Leslie; that’s my favorite player. I said one day I’m going to be like Lisa Leslie.”

Following in Leslie’s shoes, Mohammed’s has had plenty of international experience with the Nigerian National Team. She participated in the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece. With the victory over Korea, where she had 13 rebounds and eight points, Nigeria became the first team from Africa to win an Olympic game.

Mohammed’s traveled the world thanks to her sport, visiting Germany, Greece, Turkey, Egypt, and South Africa. In 2003, Mohammed and her teammates met Fidel Castro during a tournament in Cuba. But Nigeria will always be her favorite place.

“I don’t know how to describe it, but Nigeria is like other countries,” Mohammed said. “It’s like the U.S. We have mountains; we have deserts. It’s a fun place to be. The culture and the dressing are different.”

With all of her travels, Mohammed still misses the pleasures of home.

“The hardest thing has been the food,” Mohammed said. “It’s different from U.S. food. We eat rice and stew, and we have some nature food.”

With her family so far away and rarely able to see her play, Mohammed is happy to be in the United States.

“It’s my dream. When I was growing up, I said one day I’m going to be in the U.S. to see how it looks,” Mohammed said. “Besides I want to play in the WNBA. Most of my teams have been in the U.S. and that gives me more motivation.”

An avid player, Mohammed had the prestigious opportunity to represent her country once again at the 2006 World Championship in Sao Paolo, Brazil, in September. In the team’s final game against Senegal, Mohammed’s future changed. She tore the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in her left leg, prohibiting her from playing with the Cavaliers this season.

While the honor of representing the Lady Tigers yielded many happy memories, Mohammed has no regrets although she now deals with daily rehabilitation on her knee. She is relieved to know that she still has two years of eligibility with Virginia. Now the anthropology major watches her teammates from the sidelines and provides an encouraging voice from the bench. She’s ready for next season when she will be able to play for the Cavaliers.

“My goal is to be a good player, to contribute to the team, and to be No. 1 in the nation,” Mohammed said. “I think, we’re going to do it by the grace of God. That’s my goal.”

For now, Mohammed is focused on her studies and trying to meet people outside of basketball.

“Something that is difficult for me right now is trying to make friends,” Mohammed shared. “It’s hard here. Maybe it’s because of the way I speak. I don’t have confidence to talk to people to become my friend. I’m shy.”

But Mohammed’s love for UVa helps with the adjustments.

“I love everything,” Mohammed said. “I like my coach. I love my teammates. I love the arena; that place is like paradise to me; that’s my second home.”

Out of Bounds with Aisha Mohammed

Favorites
Food: Rice, chicken
Junk Food: Candy
Ice cream: Vanilla
Color: Black & Red
Movie: Juwana Man, Love & Basketball
Musician: Michael Jackson
Actor: Will Smith
Actress: Queen Latifa
Book: The Bible
Spot on Grounds: John Paul Jones Arena
Class at UVa: Drama
Basketball Drill: Shooting

Most embarrassing song on my iPod …
a country song

Three words that best describe me …
determined, confident, graceful

My most prized possession …
my gold medal

My advice to a young athlete is …
never give up no matter how hard it gets.

Best Christmas present as a kid …
candy and a soccer ball

Best thing about being a Cavalier is …
having fun with my teammates.

One thing I always pack for road trips is …
iPod, bible, and pillow

I chose Virginia because …
it’s a better place for me to achieve my goals as a basketball player and as a student.