Women’s Final 8
Final Gold Medal Game: McMaster Marauders win first ever U SPORTS Women’s Basketball Championship
U SPORTS sits down with one key athlete, coach, and staff member of each U SPORTS athletic program in our interview series “Getting to know…”
- Name: Jordan Korol
- School: University of British Columbia Okanagan
- Sport: Basketball
- Position: Forward
- Year of eligibility: 4
- Program: Arts
- Hometown: Coldstream, B.C.
1. What attracted you to UBC Okanagan?
I’ve always wanted to attend UBCO. I love the Okanagan, and since UBCO is only a short drive from my hometown, going to school here seemed like a natural fit for me. The school also has a great academic reputation which is really important to me. Regarding basketball, I was attracted to UBCO since the program was young and I realized that I could make an impact early on and help build the program over my career. Coach Bobby Mitchell also was a factor in my decision, as I had been coached by him through the Jr. Heat Basketball program and knew I would become a great player with his help.
2. What’s your favourite memory, and your greatest athletic achievement as a U SPORTS student-athlete?
My favourite memory during my career is when my team beat MacEwan this season to earn our first win since 2017. Our point guard Vanessa Botteselle was making plays happen for everybody, and our pick-and-roll action seemed like an unstoppable force. Everyone on the team contributed to that win and it was the most fun I’ve had playing basketball in a long time.
My greatest accomplishment as a U SPORTS student-athlete has been helping to build this program into what it is today. The team’s win-loss record may not show it, but this season our team was record-breaking in a number of ways. We rebounded the ball better, had less turnovers, and averaged more points per game than any other past Heat women’s basketball team. Those statistics demonstrate how much the program has improved, and I am very proud that I have been able to contribute to that success.
3. Where are you hoping your path will take you after university?
After I graduate next year, I’m hoping to attend law school. Being a U SPORTS student-athlete has taught me many life skills that will be valuable to a career in law, and I’m excited to find new ways to challenge myself.
4. Who’s had the greatest influence on your athletic career?
My parents have definitely had the greatest influence on my basketball career. Being former university basketball student-athletes themselves, they have taught me the value of perseverance and dedication. Their support has allowed me to navigate the struggles and successes I’ve experienced throughout my time at UBCO, and I am extremely grateful to have this opportunity to make them proud.
5. Who is someone in the sports world, past or present, with whom you’d love to have dinner with? Why?
would love to sit down with Blake Griffin. He has always been my favourite NBA player because of his hard work and commitment to his team. When he was first signed to the L.A. Clippers, he was faced with the task of rebuilding a program, and I would love to know his thoughts on how that experience shaped his attitude as a player. He was also my inspiration to identify and work on weaknesses in my game, as he has transformed over his career from a dunk machine to a player who can not only make a strong post move but can also shoot and handle the ball.
6. What is your pre-game ritual? Do you have any superstitions/idiosyncrasies around preparing yourself for a game?
My pre-game ritual is pretty strict. I make sure to have small meals of eggs, chicken, avocados and bananas on game days. Before heading to the gym, I watch the last 30 minutes of the Crossfit documentary The Redeemed and the Dominant to get me fired up. Then before I start my warmup, I make sure to go through the game plan again to dial in my thoughts.
7. What’s your go-to song to get pumped up for practice or a game?
The one song I always listen to before a game is Monster by Kanye West. I also listen to lots of Pitbull and Flo Rida songs, but I’ll admit that my teammates do not always approve of my taste in music.
8. What’s your favourite social media account to follow?
My favourite social media account to follow is @katrintanja, since she always looks like she’s having fun during tough workouts and I also want my biceps to look like her's one day.
9. If you could try another sport, what would it be and why?
I would definitely choose beach volleyball. Being on a beach all day while getting a good workout in seems like a great time to me.
10. What’s the most embarrassing thing that’s happened to you as an athlete?
I have accidently scored on my own hoop before, and now I’m always very careful to remind myself which hoop is my team’s whenever I step on the court.