L.A.:  "Who have been some of the most influential people in your life so far"?

Jewel: “Well, of course I put God first. Next is my mother for being the strong woman that she is.  I am very close to all of my family members and my close friends. They all have an extremely paramount influence on the decisions that I make. As far as basketball goes, I have to give most of the credit to my AAU coach Victor Barnes. I'm not a perfect player, and I still have a whole lot to learn b/c I started playing so late, but Coach Vick works really hard with me to sharpen my fundamental skills and my development.”

L.A.: "How long have you actually been playing basketball?"

Jewel: “I tried out for my middle school team in seventh grade, and even though I was really nervous, I still made the team. Unfortunately, I sucked so I didn't get much PT at all. I played that next year, but I didn't really improve until I started playing AAU in the summer following my 8^th grade year.”

L.A.:  "What has been one of the most disappointing moments or times so far in your career?

Jewel: “Umm, That's a hard one. I have to say this summer after AAU Nationals. During the tournament, our team had some issues that I thought were resolved. Well about two weeks later, we all met at Golden Coral and decided that we probably weren't going to have a team next summer. I was devastated to find that out because my teammates had become like my sisters. After learning so much and growing so much together, I felt like years of bonding were just thrown down the drain.”

L.A.:  "What about some of the high points in your career so far?
Jewel: “High points in my career? Well the most recent one that I can think of is the last time we played Newton Co. High. I was so nervous b/c Coach Kirkpatrick from UNC Charlotte had informed me that she'd be there. Also, I was even more nervous b/c my AAU teammate Brittany Carter is a very advanced player, and she has a good, developed game. Well I knew that the coach strategically chose to come to that particular game b/c she wanted to see how we matched up against each other. Sure enough, right before the game, she showed up on the front row @ half -court. The beginning of the game was a little shaky, but as I got warmed up, I felt at ease. It was a fun game, and it's too bad we suffered a 3-point in overtime.”

L.A.:   "What do you think you need to do to get yourself ready for the next level of basketball?"

Jewel: “I know that I could work on feeling more comfortable doing post moves. My mid-jumper is good most of the time but it could use a little work too, and I'd like to improve my range. Also I need to work on my handle. In the open court I'm fine, but I need to be more under control.”

L.A.: "You have been playing the center position in high school but you move around like you could be a forward or even a guard at the college level. What position would you like to play?"

Jewel: “I think a forward would be nice, but I want to be a guard even more.”

L.A.: What is the strongest part of your game?

Jewel: “Rebounding. It's also what I enjoy the most.”

L.A.:  "What type of personal and or team goals have you set for this season?"
Jewel: “Personally, I would like to shut down every key person on the teams we play. If I'm assigned a player, I want to keep her from having her usual game. Also, it would be great to have at least a double-double every game. As far as team goals, I really think our team can and should go far into the playoffs. We are off to a real bad start, but I know when we play together, we're a big threat.”

L.A.:  "Who has been one of the toughest players you have had to guard?"
Jewel: “Brittany Carter from Newton during this school year. OOhhh. Kelley Cain the big girl from St. Pius was hard to guard. This summer, we played against Collins Hill, and Maya Moore was hard to guard too. She's a pretty good player.”

L.A.: "Tell me something about yourself that people wouldn't know by just looking at you?
Jewel: “I'm a really loud person, but I can be extremely shy sometimes.”

L.A.: do you have a nickname?"
Jewel: “Joy, that's what the people closest to me call me.”

L.A.: “What AAU Team do you play for and how does summer ball (AAU) differ from high school ball?"

Jewel: “For the past 3 years I've played for SD Lady Eagles, but I'm not sure of the team this summer. It's way more competitive than high school. You know how there are people who play in high school, but they don't really take it seriously? In AAU, there are none of those people. Everybody shares the same goal of getting exposure to get that coveted scholarship. It's like its business, but it's still a lot of fun.”

L.A.:  If you could meet anyone in the world who would it be and why?
Jewel: “Tyra Banks b/c I think she' a really cool person, and I think it would be fun to model one day.”

L.A.:  "I'm going to throw out some word comparisons and I want you to choose one, Nike, Reebok or Adidas?"
Jewel: “Nike”

 
L.A.:  "Escalade, Denali, Corvette, Mercedes or Ferrari?"
Jewel: “I'm sorry; I have to go with my own: Infiniti G35. That's my dream car.”

L.A:  "What's your favorite food?"
Jewel: “CHEESECAKE!!!”

L.A.:  "Who's your favorite player?"
Jewel: “That's easy; Dwayne Wade”

L.A.:  "Who's your favorite team?"

Jewel: “Miami Heat”

L.A.: "What's your favorite TV Show and movie?"
Jewel: “America’s Top Model; Love and Basketball”

L.A.: "What type of music do you listen to and who is your favorite performer?"
Jewel: “Pretty much everything, but R&B and Rap mostly. I love Kanye West”

L.A.:  “What do you like to do when you are not playing basketball?”

Jewel: “Listen to music, chill/w friends, go to the movies, I just like to get out.”

L.A.: "Jewel, thanks for taking the time for a little Street Talk and good luck!"
Jewel: “Thank You”

If you want to “Keep it Real" on Street Talk …holla at me