Q & A With Simone Egwu

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First year Simone Egwu checked in with VirginiaSports.com to preview the 12th-ranked women’s basketball two games this week (Wednesday, Nov. 18 vs. USC Upstate at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 22 vs. Tennessee at 4 p.m.). Egwu hails from Odenton, Md., and scored 13 points in the home-opening victory vs. Manhattan.

Question: What was it like playing your first game at John Paul Jones Arena?
Egwu: It was kind of nerve-wracking just because I’ve never played in such a big arena to such a supportive and large audience.

Question: What can you tell us about USC Upstate?
Egwu: I think they’re going to be a tough game. You can’t underestimate anybody. We’re just taking it one step at a time.

Question: Did you watch Virginia’s 83-82 victory over Tennessee on TV last season?
Egwu: I had to jump through so many hoops to watch that game! I had to call six different people to see if they got the channel, then we tried to pull it up online. Then we were just going to listen on the radio, and then at the last minute we found someone who had it!

Question: And how does it feel now this year to be participating in the game?
Egwu: It’s going to be really crazy. For years I’ve watched these people play on TV and now I’m going to be one of those people playing against them.

Question: Why do you wear No. 4?
Egwu: It was my number all throughout middle school, but when I got to high school it got taken away from me because the jersey was too small. So when I got to Virginia I decided to go back to it.

Question: Why did you choose to come to Virginia?
Egwu: Because of the combination of basketball and academics.

Question: What are the three most-played songs on your iPod?
Egwu: TiK ToK by Ke$ha, that’s my jam. Bleeding Hearts Club by P.O.S. and Weightless by All-Time Low.

Question: What jobs have you held throughout your life?
Egwu: I was a cashier in an organic grocery store. That was fun.

Question: What is your favorite place you have ever visited?
Egwu: Los Angeles, Calif., with my dad. We got to see old family friends and it’s awesome and a beautiful place.

Question: What is the best gift you’ve ever received?
Egwu: My car, because it gave me freedom. It’s a purple Dodge Neon with a black bumper.

Question: If you could play another sport besides basketball, which one would you choose?
Egwu: Volleyball because I think it’s extra-cute. You can wear ribbons in your hair and no one cares, you can’t really do that in basketball.

Question: How does it feel to be a part of the team that got Coach Ryan her historic 700th victory?
Egwu: It’s a pretty important milestone in her career. And I think that it’s awesome, not to use that word again it’s exciting for me to already as a first year be a part of a team that is going to go down in history.

Question: Have you decided on a major yet?
Egwu: I haven’t declared, but I want to major in foreign affairs. I want to do international stuff, diplomacy-wise, I’d like to work for the United Nations.