Women’s Basketball
TOP 10 TUESDAY: Ravens sweep basketball polls; three teams return to No.1 status
Throughout the 2017-18 season, U SPORTS sits down with one key athlete, coach, and staff member of each U SPORTS athletic program in our new interview series “Getting to know…”
Name: Leashja Grant
School: Lakehead University
Sport: Women’s basketball
Position: Forward
Year of eligibility: Fourth
Program: Psychology
Hometown: Nassau, Bahamas
1. What attracted you to Lakehead University?
What attracted me to Lakehead was the culture and the opportunity for a second chance to play after things didn’t work out at Texas Tech after a visa issue. Lakehead was a great fit for me academically and the coaching staff worked really hard to make me feel comfortable in a new situation.
2. What’s your favourite memory, and your greatest athletic achievement as a U SPORTS student-athlete?
My favourite memory thus far is meeting new friends and teammates, especially the first-year players who I have become really close with. My greatest achievement as a U SPORTS student-athlete was earning MVP at the University of Winnipeg Tournament.
3. Where are you hoping your path will take you after university?
After university I have always dreamt of being a professional basketball player either in the WNBA or overseas. I want to be able to play for a few years after university and do the best I can at the pro level. I would then like to find a career in the field of my degree. I really hope to use my degree to help others.
4. Who’s had the greatest influence on your athletic career?
So many people had a great influence on me and my athletic career. I have had a lot of support along the way from the Bahamas, to high school in Kansas to junior college in Texas, making it to Division I at Texas Tech and to getting a chance to play two more years at Lakehead. My dad, my family, all my coaches and friends back home to my supporters in Kansas & Texas. I am very grateful to my current coaches and to be able to continue playing and keep my dream alive of playing professionally.
5. Who is someone in the sports world, past or present, with whom you’d love to have dinner with? Why?
Dirk Nowitzki. He is my all-time favorite player. Once upon a time, I wanted to develop my game into his and it’s something that I am still working on to this day. The most poise and unbelievable shooter in the game today. I’ll even pay for the dinner!
6. What is your pre-game ritual? Do you have any superstitions/idiosyncrasies around preparing yourself for a game?
I don’t really have a pre-game ritual but I do quote Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
7. What’s your go-to song to get pumped up for practice or a game?
My go-to song that gets me pumped before practices and games would be “Bank Account” by 21 savage.
8. What’s your favourite social media account to follow?
Snapchat is my favorite. Most of my teammates call me the snapchat queen because of the many snaps I do a day
9. If you could try another sport, what would it be and why?
Softball. I was a good pitcher in high school and I really enjoy the sport.
10. What’s the most embarrassing thing that’s happened to you as an athlete?
The most embarrassing thing that has happened to me as an athlete was thinking that I was tall enough to dunk but in actuality I ended up spraining both my ankles and my wrist trying.