BOBBY JACKSON

INTRO

     It's very rare that you meet individuals in life that are humble and truly genuine.  Those two qualities are very rare. You definitely don't find those traits in individuals that attain a certain level of success.  The biggest compliment that I can give my friend Bobby Jackson is that he always stayed the same in terms of how humble/down to earth he is and the way he treats people. So thank you for that Bobby!

     I also know that he is one of the hardest working players that I ever had the pleasure of playing with.  Hard-nosed.  (Squaring up with Tracy McGrady.)  Competitive. (Battling Mike Bibby for minutes on those Sacramento Kings teams.)  Marksman shooter. (Sixth Man of the Year 2003.)  So the success that you saw Bobby have in college, the NBA, current business endeavors and the golf course-shouldn't really be a surprise.  There is one individual that instilled a foundation in BJ at an early age.  She is one of the main reasons why he became the man he is today.

TRAINWITHERICHARRIS: We had a very diverse team in regards to where guys came from.  What made you want to sign with the Gophers coming from your respective hometown? (Salisbury, North Carolina) What other options did you have? 

Bobby Jackson: I wasn't highly recruited coming out of high school, so I went to junior college. (Juco) The one thing that caught my eye about the University of Minnesota was the fact that there were a bunch of guys on the team that got along from all different parts of the country.  Coach Clem Haskins played a huge part in my decision.  So did Milton Barnes and Larry Davis.  In terms of the schools on my list, I narrowed it down to Indiana, Cincinnati, Oklahoma, Wake Forest and Clemson.  Those were the schools that I looked at.  Everybody thought I would go to Wake Forest or Clemson because those schools were close to home.

TWEH: I remember you coming on your visit and killing when we played pick-up.  I thought to myself, who is this guy?  Do you remember that?

BJ: I do. Again, that's what I took away from that visit.  I loved the fact that everyone was close knit.  The guys treated me the same and didn't look at me like I was coming in to take their job.  I was looking for that brotherhood.

TWEH: You definitely showed how skilled you were that day, but your work-ethic and passion for the game were also evident.

BJ: Basketball was always a challenge to me.  I loved playing against different guys and showing who I was and where I came from.  I had to get it the hard way and go to juco. (Western Nebraska Community College) That experience taught me a lot.  I wouldn't change it.

TWEH: What was the basketball culture like in your hometown?

BJ: We were behind a little bit.  You come from NYC-the mecca of basketball.  You guys had a lot of avenues growing up.  Playing for the Gauchos gave you the opportunity to play all over the country.  We had a small AAU team and I played with my best friends.  Most of those guys weren't good enough.  We would stay in the area and play teams in Charlotte, Greensboro and Winston Salem, but would never venture outside the state.  From that standpoint, we didn't get to see the wide spectrum of basketball.  I could've played for a bigger AAU program, but I wanted to play with my friends. I think that's one of the best things that happened for me.  I never lost focus of where I came from and I never left my friends behind-even though my game developed and their's didn't.  We got our butts kicked pretty much all the time.  However, it was the friendships we had and the bond that made me stick there and be there for them.  I would definitely do it again. 

TWEH: What was your first interaction with Clem 'The Gem' Haskins like? What was his message to you?

BJ: Two things stood out for me with coach.  The first thing was the fact that I didn't have a father figure in my life growing up. Secondly, I never had the opportunity to play for a black coach.  Coach Haskins was a straight shooter.  He told me, "You have the potential, you have the talent, but this program is about getting your education and teaching you how to become a man.  I'm going to be hard on you."  For me, that was a challenge.  I valued and respected that!  A lot of other coaches weren't doing that.

TWEH: What do you mean?

BJ: I went on visits to other schools and it wasn't about your well-being and developing you as a young man.  Those things were a factor in terms of deciding to go to the University of Minnesota.  I remember it like it was yesterday.  He was the only coach that said, "With your potential, you have a chance to play in the NBA. If you're willing to do the right things and play the right way, you definitely have a shot."  That's why I love and respect coach Haskins.  He saw something in me and it materialized.  He was that father figure I never had.

TWEH: R.I.P. to your mom Sarah Jackson.  Did she like Coach Haskins? 

BJ: Thanks.  My mom absolutely loved him!  When I did go on the other college visits, I told her about what they were offering me and what they wanted from me.  She was like nope.  She never wanted me to get anything for free.  She said, "You're going to get a free education and play basketball. I don't want them to think that they have anything over your head."  She wanted me to earn my keep.  That's just how my mom was.  I relayed all of the information from my visits to her.  At the end of the day, my mom was basically like, "You have to make a decision as a young man.  I can tell you what to do, but what do you feel comfortable with?"  So I respect her for allowing me to weigh the pros and cons and make a decision.  Which led to the University of Minnesota.

TWEH: I know that those bags (money) were tempting though!  They had to be coming your way. Lol.

BJ: It was, I can't lie about that.  It just goes back to my mom and the values/foundation that she instilled in me.  She worked really hard to support us, but she only had a sixth grade education.  It was really tempting to me.  So I always had her in the back of my mind in terms of not accepting anything for free and working for my own.

TWEH: Looking back @ how the 95'-96' season ended. I believe we won our last 6 or 7 regular season games. Did you have any feelings that 96'-97' could be special?

BJ: To be honest E, I knew we were good in 97'-I didn't realize we were that good.  I didn't know what the ramifications were in terms of making it to the Final Four.  All the hype associated with it.  I actually didn't pay attention to it.  It didn't hit me until we actually played our first NCAA game.  That season was special.  We had big road wins at Indiana and Michigan.  We also won the Big Ten Championship outright.  I didn't really pay attention to how successful we were at the time.  I was just a kid from Salisbury, North Carolina that loved to play basketball.  I was just looking forward to going out there and competing with the great group of guys we had.

TWEH: I really felt like we had the pieces to be a really good team going into that year.  Toughness and size inside, perimeter players that could score the ball, great D inside and out, and experience.  What role did you try to bring every game?

BJ: Going into my senior year in 97, I wanted to focus on being a leader.  I wanted to be a good teammate and at the same time push my teammates.  Another big thing was that we all respected the coaching staff. (Larry Davis, Bill Brown, & Charles Cunningham) They made us better every day and pushed us.  We had some great, tough-nosed coaches.  If it wasn't for them, we wouldn't of been where we were.

TWEH: True indeed. Two things I remember about our practices were how intense they were and the fact that we competed against one another.  Me, you, Sam Jacobson, Quincy Lewis and Charles Thomas. Then the 'bigs' John Thomas, Courtney James, Trevor Winter and Miles Tarver competed like crazy on the other end.  We also had the 3rd group with the 'Twins'-Jason & Jermaine Stanford and Aaron Stauber.  They played their part as well and made us better.  Can you elaborate on the art of competing?

BJ: I agree 100%.  In today's sports, kids don't want to compete.  They want everything handed to them.  For us, I loved the art of competing.  Competing is something that should be done every day in sports.  Most kids forget how to compete.  They want to be on a team where their job is given to them.  They want to start without putting in the work.  Our coaches made us work.  That's the only way we were able to get where we did because we competed every day.  We did it in a friendly environment and we all respected our coaches.  I probably was the only rebel on the team.  Competing is a huge part of being successful.  My question is this.  If you can't compete in today's sports, how do you win?  How do you become a leader?  How do you understand what brotherhood and teamwork are all about if you can't compete on a high level and then put that in the game?

TWEH: We had the 'Barn' rocking.  What was special to you about Williams Arena?

BJ: The end of the 96' season was very important. What we did was build momentum and create a buzz in the 'Barn' for 96-97.  Just the way we played and how intense we were.  The fans appreciated the way we changed the game by picking up full court defensively.  We created a buzz and people started coming.  We had it electrified when we played at the 'Barn'. It was a special place to play.

TWEH: We beat Clemson early in the season in the 'San Juan Shootout'. When I talk to my friend Merl Code (shooting guard on that team) he always says that we were the only team that made them feel like they were in a physical war.  They usually punished the other team.  What do you remember about that game?

BJ: That game was probably the most physical game that I ever played in.  Even though I had a great game, they made me work for everything.  That Clemson team made me work the hardest on the court!  They will always be a great memory, because we played them twice that year. Fortunately, we were able to beat them. They played team basketball and played physical.

TWEH: The UCLA game is a blur for me-lol.  What were your thoughts going into that game?

BJ: What I remember about the U.C.L.A. game was the fact that all the critics said we didn't have a chance.  I remember reading that and it pissed me off.  They were the storied program with the rich tradition.  So I was very motivated to beat them.  However, they were very talented and played the game at a high level.  Our physicality played a huge part in us wearing them down.

TWEH: That Kentucky game was a nightmare.  I felt like I let us down in terms of the guard play and how many turnovers we had. That was uncharacteristic of us.  We had I belive more than 20 turnovers. The funny thing about that game though, is that we cut it to about 6 with 2 to 3 minutes left.  Coach Haskins made the returning team watch that game in the beginning of the 97'-98' season.  You know how intense his film sessions were. Lol.

BJ: He made you guys watch it? Lol. Honestly, I watched that game a couple of weeks ago and I couldn't believe how much we turned it over.  It was an apple turnover fest.  It wasn't just one person-it was everybody.  Being a coach now, I was looking at myself like 'how could you try to make that pass.'  Like you said, we still had a chance to win that game. Hats off to Kentucky, they were a great team.  We hadn't seen that style of play that whole year.

We all come from basketball rich States.  Name your state's all time starting 5.  (After some back and forth banter and debating, BJ finalized his list.)

BJ: Man that was a tough question. You made me really think about that one.  If I sit down and think about all of the guys that played in the 'league', I could go on forever.  I'll go with this 5 right now.
1. Steph Curry
2. MJ
3. Jerry Stackhouse
4. James Worthy
5. Charles Shackleford

TWEH: Here is where things get interesting.  Speaking of Steph, how would you have guarded him?

BJ: That's tough. When I played, you could hold and grab. As well as use the arm bar.  The rules are different  now.  I would pick up 94 feet and be physical with him.  My goal would be to wear him down for the 4th quarter.  Is he going to make shots-yes.  It's ok to make shots in the first 3 quarters, but in the 4th, I need him to be worn down. No legs.

TWEH: You also have to go at Steph or any other great offensive player. You have to make them work and play defense.  I know you didn't have a problem with being aggressive on the offensive end.

BJ:  He wouldn't of guarded me.  He would of had to guard somebody though.  What I respect about him is that he does play defense.  Not all the time, but he does give the effort.  He's a great player that puts the work into his craft.

TWEH: What was the story behind the long socks? I still don't know.

BJ: Man it used to be cold in the Barn.  So I needed those long socks to stay warm.  Once I got to the league, I was used to it and it just stuck.

TWEH: What motivates you now BJ.  What are you passionate about?

BJ: My kids motivate me now E.  My goal is to be the best dad that I can.  I do things with them and spend as much time as I can with my kids.  The game of basketball has been great to me!

TWEH: Thx for your time B. It was great to talk about those great memories with you.

BJ: Thx E, it was fun. Appreciate you.

Bobby Jackson
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Eric Harris
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THE COFFEY SHOP

     How do you explain a 6'8 unselfish (CAN YOU SAY UNSELFISH) high school basketball player with the skill-set/mind-set of a point guard, and the ability to knock down shots like a shooting guard?  Those point guard attributes don't come around often.  Not to put any pressure on Amir, but I think of three individuals. Magic, Jalen Rose and LeBron.   Did I mention that he can defend the 1 thru 4 positions?  The answer is Minnesota's home grown talent-incoming Golden Gopher Amir Coffey.  He has all of the tools to be successful on the collegiate level & in the pros.  His toolbox includes handles, footwork, high basketball I.Q., leadership skills, coachability, creativity, mental toughness, defense, and he hits the boards.  The kid has the total package, yet he is one of the most humble and respectful young men you will ever meet.  Renee Pulley is a basketball guru in the state of Minnesota, as well as the founder of the Nike Elite AAU program Howard Pulley Basketball.  This is what Mr. Pulley said about the phenom. "Amir is a point guard at 6'8 who can pass, rebound, and shoot.  He is a great kid who is totally team first without a selfish bone in his body.  I think he has a chance to be in the NBA and he will turn Minnesota around next season."  

     The Coffey name holds a lot of weight in the Twin Cities.  Amir's dad Richard was a key component on the 1990 Elite 8 Gopher basketball team.  Both of his sisters starred at Hopkins High School before playing D1 basketball.  I had the pleasure of talking to Amir about his journey as a student-athlete and his plans on transforming the Gophers back to an elite level program-not only in the Big 10, but nationally. These are lofty goals for any incoming freshman, but if anyone is up to the task-it's Amir.  "Amir is a talented kid.  I say kid because Amir still looks like a 9th grader.  He is just going to get better and better as he matures.  He missed a full year and is still exceptionally skilled!  He is a phenomenal passer and very unselfish (there goes that word again) in a day when many college kids don't have and aren't interested in that kind of game, said Kenny Novak. (Amir's Hopkins H.S. Head Coach.)

TRAIN WITH ERIC HARRIS: The state of Minnesota has been producing a ton of talent for a long time now.  Your name has been ringing bells in Minnesota and the midwest for years.  Break down your game for me & let the East coast know why they need to pay attention.

AMIR COFFEY: I'm a top talent combo guard. I can dribble well, I'm a great passer and I can score.  I play multiple positions on the court.  I was recruited as a 1 & 2 for college.  I just get the job done.

TWEH: What school do you go to and how did you guys do this year.

AC: I go to Hopkins High School. We are 23-1.  We still have a few games till sections and states start. (At the time of the interview, this was the teams status.)

TWEH: What do your individual numbers look like?

AC: I average 19 points and 14 rebounds.

TWEH: Why the University of Minnesota?  I didn't think we had a chance to get a 6'8 point guard that can do everything on the court.

AC: The main thing was the relationship I built with the coaches over the years.  They have been recruiting me since my freshman year.  We talked on the phone or texted each other every other day.  So I built a strong relationship with them and I had a great visit there.  I also liked what Coach Pitino told me about the position they would play me at and the way they run their offense.  I like the players there now and it felt like the right fit for me.

TWEH: Have you been to any Gopher games this season?

AC: I've been to a couple games.  Usually when they play, I have a game on the same night.

TWEH: Who did your top 5 come down to?

AC: My top 5 came down to the Gophers, Arizona, Miami, Texas, and Alabama. In no particular order.

TWEH: I never played with your dad, but the stories about him from Coach Clem Haskins are legendary.  Coach always described Richard Coffey as a fearless competitor/warrior.  How would you describe your dad and the influence he had on you & your sisters on & off the court?

AC: My dad was an enforcer, so he played a different game than my sisters and I. He did all of the dirty work and played his heart out every game.  He always said that 'we had more skill than him.'  So when we were younger, he just wanted to put more in our game.  The shooting and dribbling skills that he didn't have.  You can't teach that stuff to someone when they're older.  It starts when you're young so that you have it down.  Of course we were going to always play hard.

TWEH: How young were you when the training started?

AC: The training with him started as young as I can remember.  We were always in the gym working on skills.  When we were older, we started working with some trainers that he trusted and he knew for a while.

TWEH: Talk about your mom's influence.

AC: My mom's name is Sheba. She never worked out with Me, Sydney or Nia, but she has always been a big supporter of us.  She came to all of our games.  Till this day, I don't think she ever missed one.  She's always been around to help us any way she could!

TWEH: Game to 10 by 1's. Who wins? When did you finally beat your dad? 

AC: The first time I beat my dad was probably in 6th or 7th grade.  At that time, he was getting older and couldn't move as well.  I would just use my speed to get by him.  When we were younger he could move a little bit better and he was still tough and rough.  He has no chance now.

TWEH: Your dad wasn't the only household rivalry growing up. Both of your sisters play d1 ball and will eventually play professionally. What was that experience like?

AC: My oldest sister Sydney is a senior at Marist College. My middle sister Nia is a junior at Northwestern.  When we were younger they used to get me. I think I can take them now.

TWEH: Your favorite quality about each sister outside of basketball?

AC: Sydney is very outgoing and has a good sense of humor.  Nia is a very caring person and easy to talk to.

TWEH: I know that you've heard some Coach Clem Haskins stories from your dad.  What's your favorite?

AC: My dad used to tell me stories about Coach Clem Haskins all of the time.  A funny story that he told me happened at one of their practices.  Coach was injured and he was in a wheelchair and he was yelling at the team, but he couldn't get up.  So he told the team to huddle up while he had a blanket over his legs.  Then he ripped the blanket off and tried to stand up.  It was pretty funny the way my dad reenacted it.

TWEH: Favorite place u visited on campus?

AC: The student hall on campus is probably the coolest place I visited.  The restaurants in the food court, the movie theater and bowling alley. It was nice.

TWEH: Favorite thing to do in Minneapolis?

AC: I like riding around in the city with my friends and listening to new music.  The city is really beautiful.

TWEH: Who is your favorite artist? Why?

AC: J. Cole. That's my guy.  I love what he talks about.  It's not always about money, girls and drugs.  He talks about life and what people go through. The things he went through as well as a kid.

TWEH: Toughest player you ever played against in your league? Why?

AC: Tyus Jones. Tyus was a good leader and just a smart player.  He got everyone involved on his team and also was able to get his numbers.

TWEH: Toughest player you played against in Nike's E.Y.B.L.? (Elite Youth Basketball League)

AC: I would say Malik Newman. (Freshman at Mississippi State.)  Every team in the EYBL is tough.  I'll go with Each One Teach One from Florida.

TWEH: Talk about Renee Pulley and the influence he has had on you.

AC: Renee is a great guy.  I've known him since I was little.  He really looks out for kids and builds them up thru basketball.  He has a lot of good programs like the Howard Pulley summer league and all of the camps that he runs.  He just really looks out for people.  Not just the kids that come up in his program-everybody.  So I appreciate him for that.

TWEH: What are your individual/team goals for next year?

AC: My team goals are to win a Big 10 championship and get in the NCAA tournament.  Individually, I just want to develop as a player and get good quality minutes as a freshman.

TWEH: My first time seeing you play at the EYBL in Minnesota, I immediately thought of Jalen Rose at Michigan.  That comparison came to mind because of Jalen's ability to score, pass, play the point and change speeds at 6'8.  Do you ever hear that from people?

AC: Yeah that's funny.  That's who most people say my game reminds them of.

TWEH: Favorite sneaker brand? Favorite shoe to ball in?

AC: Nike. The Jordan 11 Columbia.

TWEH: Favorite subject? Why?

AC: English because I always do well and I like my teachers.

TWEH: What's your G.P.A.?

AC: 3.4/3.5

TWEH: Favorite book? Why?

AC: When I was younger, Harry Potter was my favorite series-I read every book.  I don't know why I loved em so much.  People used to call me weird.

TWEH: Favorite NBA team? Favorite player?

AC: The Rockets.  James Harden.  I love watching him play and adding moves to my game.

TWEH: I firmly believe that everything happens for a reason. How did the injury make u better?

AC: It helped me in terms of the time it gave me to work on my body and add some muscle.  That will help me down the road.  Also, I was able to pick up different things from watching on the bench.  I watch tape a lot, but it's different when you watch from the bench.

TWEH: After retiring from a long and successful career in basketball.  Do you ever see yourself living in a warmer state to get away from that insane cold weather?

AC: That's a tough one. I love Minnesota-I've lived here all my life.  You're right though, it is cold.  I guess moving somewhere warmer would be a possibility.

TWEH: Thanks Amir. I look forward to watching your great career as a Gopher and in the pros.

AC: Thanks Eric. The pleasure was all mine.

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ASHLEY MARTIN

     When you think of the modern day athlete,  you usually don't have too many positive thoughts about them off the field/court. The stereotype is that they are selfish and  think of themselves first and foremost, never giving back to the communities that they come from.  Although we know that this isn't always the case, it is refreshing to work with an athlete that is doing something to promote change and positivity for others.  The truly astounding part about Ashley Martin is that she is still in High School.  I know that when I was in H.S., I only thought of myself. 

     "Ashley became a priority recruit from the moment we first saw her. We can run her at the guard spot and she can score, post up smaller guards, make great reads, even bring the ball up-but we can also run her in the post if we need to, simply due to her height and mentality for the game. This is a kid who can do a little bit of everything and will only get better and better. She will be a tremendous addition to or team immediately", said Iona Head Coach Billi Godsey. 

     It is my pleasure to introduce you to a young lady that wears many hats. I'm proud to say that she is a TRAIN WITH ERIC HARRIS client, but she is also a human rights activist, student-athlete, change agent, and future Iona Gael-Ashley Martin.

TRAIN WITH ERIC HARRIS: For those that don't know you, who is Ashley Martin?  What drives you?

ASHLEY MARTIN: In terms of basketball, the competition drives me.  Always wanting to be the best whenever I step on the court. I want to make my name known whenever we play.

TWEH: Your dad (Chucky Martin) was very successful as a player. (Now assistant coach @ Indiana University.) Do you ever think about that when you have success on the court? Do you believe that it's genetics?

AM: Not at all. Don't get me wrong, my dad is a huge part of my career. I get my work-ethic from him and my mom.  As far as skills, I don't think it's genetics.  I think it's a lot of hard work!  Both of us being in the gym at 6 am and going on runs. Parents can always influence their kids, but it was always my choice to play basketball.  He never pushed it on me.

TWEH: It's usually the opposite with most dad's that have played the game on a high level.  They become too involved.

AM: He was never like that.  It's funny because he actually didn't want me to play AAU.  I really had to get it going on my own in terms of finding an AAU team.  Once he saw me putting that extra effort in, he started to workout with me.  Then he contacted you so that we could really get after it. 

TWEH: Who do you play AAU with?

AM: Westchester Hoopers.

TWEH: Your mom (Jackie Phelps) is a steady presence in your life, how important is she?

AM: My mom's impact has been tremendous. She has always been my go to.  It's great to have both parents, but mom has been that steady presence who takes me to games, practices and workouts with you.  She's not a basketball voice, so she can just give her unbiased viewpoint on certain situations.

TWEH: It seems like you have a very strong support system-I feel like that's very important to anyone that's trying to be successful.  Your mom talks very highly of former UNC Tarheel and current Columbia University coach Derrick Phelps. Are you you guys related?  What role does he play?

AM: No, we aren't related.  Derrick has been a very good mentor during my basketball career and the recruiting process.  He has played a key role.

TWEH: Congrats on your commitment to Iona College.  I know that you're excited.  What are some of your goals from an individual and team standpoint?

AM: Individually I want to continue to keep getting better and learn how to be productive on the collegiate level.  Rookie of the M.A.A.C. is a goal that I have in mind.  If I work hard enough and the stars align for me, then that will be a possibility.  In terms of the team, I want to win the M.A.A.C. championship.  We have a really good 2016 class coming in next year and I feel we can make a run for it.

TWEH: What made up your mind in terms of choosing the Gaels? What other schools were interested?

AM: Delaware, Hofstra and Rider.  What sealed the deal was Iona had a really good family atmosphere and it was a really good fit in regards to the coaching staff and the size of the school.  I felt really comfortable with every single one of the coaches.  I could call any one of the coaches right now and it would be like talking to a coach who's been coaching me for years.

TWEH: What was your parents approach to this important decision?

AM: My parents left it up to me and helped out with the pros and cons.  Obviously, if I was going crazy and making a bad decision-they would've put their input in.

TWEH: Coach Godsey seems like a really nice person.  See also seems committed to taking that program to the next level. So don't be fooled by how nice she is off the court-lol. I know that she and her staff are going to push you.  Do you welcome that challenge?

AM: Of course!  I wouldn't be playing basketball if I didn't want to be pushed by my coaches.  Coach Godsey and Coach Kelly do get after the players in practice and in games.  That's one of the main reasons that I chose Iona.  I trust them to really push me to that next level.

TWEH:Tell us about your foundation  www.survivalchildrenfoundation.org. I'm really impressed that you are so passionate about helping others in Ghana.  You rarely see that in today's self-absorbed youth culture. Where did it all begin? Why does it mean so much?

AM: My mom & I first went to Ghana 3 years ago when I was 15 on vacation.  We went to one of the poorest towns in Ghana and we had a chance to hang out with the kids and speak to the people.  That opportunity gave us a chance to see what it was really about.  It was such a moving experience. As soon as we left the town, I wanted to go back and spend the rest of our trip there.  I didn't realize what I wanted to do until we returned to N.Y.

TWEH: What was the leg work like?

AM: Once we got back to New York, I said to my mom that 'we should come up with some ideas to help the kids in the town.'  We finally agreed to do the foundation and go from their in our pursuit to help the kids. Originally she didn't want to do it because she knew it would be a huge responsibility, but I was just so committed to it. I called one of my classmate's parent-who's a lawyer, and he helped with drawing up the legal documents to incorporate the organization. I also asked a family friend to help with office space and we wound up getting a space for free.

TWEH: What issues did you see while in Ghana that were so disturbing?

AM: The poverty, lack of accessible running water-so many things.  What really moved me was that everyone was still so happy & positive. If these people were happy with literally nothing, who would I be not to help them out if I have the power to?

TWEH: How can people help to support the cause?

AM: We have fundraisers to bring in funds. One fundraiser that turned out to be a fun idea was when we sold jewelry.  People that are interested in supporting  should check out the site, there is a lot of info there.

TWEH: Back to hoops. Who do you pattern your game after?

AM: Diana Taurasi is a big idol of mine and Derrick Rose. I would say a combination of those 2 guards.

TWEH: Favorite artist?

AM: I like hip hop, R&B and pop. I'm kind of all over the place.

TWEH: Favorite shoe to ball in?

AM: It doesn't matter. As long as they lace up & have good traction, I'm good.

TWEH: What do you want to pursue academically @ Iona?

AM: I'm interested in psychology, I think that with the foundation and not really knowing what I want to do after college-something to think about is child psychology. If I do end up pursuing the organization, then maybe a minor in business.

TWEH: Any aspirations to play after Iona?

AM: Of course, I feel that every basketball players dream is to play after college. That opportunity would be a huge blessing.  If not, you need a plan B.

TWEH: Favorite subject in school?

AM: Don't really have a favorite. They're all pretty much the same to me.

TWEH: What's your GPA?

AM: B's all the way thru.

TWEH: Thx for your time Ashley. It's a priveledge to train you and see your development on the court. Most importantly, I'm inspired by what you're doing off of it.  Keep being an inspiration to your generation as well.  Keep up the great work!

AM: Thx for everything Eric!

Websites
www.survivalchildrenfoundation.org
www.iona.edu
www.marymountnyc.org

Instagram:
@itshley
@iona_wbb
@westchesterhoopers