W.D. Mohammed High School's Fatiha Salaam

Fatiha: “My parents, Muhammad and Mary Salaam. They have always been on my side and have been there for me through thick and thin. My father, my first coach, he taught me the game of basketball and instilled a certain passion of the game in me that I have not let go since the age of five. My mother, she is my strength and motivation. She believes in me and knows that whatever I put my mind to, I will accomplish. Knowing that she is there with that encouragement motivates me.”

L.A.: "What has been one of the most memorable moments of your career so far?”
Fatiha: “One of my most memorable moments of my career so far was when my AAU Girls Basketball Team won the 16u National Championship as well as the Jr. National Championship. Being ranked number one in the state and receiving TWO National Championships in the summer of 2005 is a moment that I will not forget, especially since I have my BEAUTIFUL CHAMPIONSHIP RING now.”

L.A.: "What moment(s) would you most like to forget so far in your career?
Fatiha: “One moment that I would most like to forget so far in my career was last year in the Sweet 16 when my high school team lost by 5 to Bowdon and went home without the GOLD. It’s a feeling that motivates me to accomplish what I as well as my teammates, have been striving for this whole year, becoming Class A State Champs. Every game, I think of that feeling and how I felt walking off the court and for the entire week, knowing that we should have won that game and the State title, and it encourages me as well as my teammates to LEAVE IT ALL ON THE COURT, EVERY GAME WE PLAY!!”

L.A.: "What is the strongest part of your game?”
Fatiha: “I believe the strongest part of my game is my ability to drive, pass, and think on the court. My sense of the game gets stronger every play. This year I can read a player and team within the first four minutes of the game. A couple of years ago, I was just a pure shooter and since I’ve been at W.D Mohammed High School, I have been able to develop my moves going to the basket. Now that I have all most perfected that I’m learning how to better distribute the ball to ma teammates. Now defenders don’t really know what to expect from me in a game.”

L.A.: "What part of your game do you think you need to work on to be ready at the next level ?"

Fatiha: “No matter how good a player is, there is always room for improvement. With me, I feel that I need to work on my defense as well as my shooting to be ready for the next level. With every game, I try and improve on a certain weakness, that way I don’t have to do it all at once. But once I get these weaknesses down, I believe I will be the "Unstoppable Fatiha," while still working on my game.”

L.A.: "What type of personal and or team goals did you set heading into the season?"

Fatiha: “The personal goals I set heading into this high school season were to work on my weaknesses and become a better player while helping my team and school win their first State Championship. My teams' goals were to take one game at a time to become Class A State Champions.”

L.A.: "Who has been one of the toughest players you have had to guard?"
Fatiha: “One of the toughest players I have had and will guard is myself. Only I can stop myself and only I can keep myself going. It is all a mental things that has to be dealt with, in the game of basketball as well as life.”

L.A.: "If you were not playing basketball what would you be doing now?"
Fatiha: “I have never pictured myself not playing the game of basketball, but as tough as it is, if I wasn’t playing basketball, right now, I would probably be running track and cross country.”

L.A.: "Tell me something about yourself that people wouldn’t know by just looking at you?”

Fatiha: “Something about myself that people wouldn't know by just looking at me would be that I am a very shy young lady. Even though I might be yelling and screaming on the court; off the court, I am very shy and to myself.”

L.A.: "You have such a pretty name, what does it mean?"
Fatiha: “Thank you. Well my first name, Fatiha, is actually the first chapter of the Muslims' Holy Book, The Quran, and it means, “The Opening or One Who is Victorious”. My middle name, Amatullah, means “Female Servant to God, Allah”. And my last name, Salaam, means “Peace.”

L.A.: "How does summer ball (AAU) differ from the regular season and which do you prefer (AAU or Regular Season)?"
Fatiha: “AAU basketball differs a lot from the regular season because you are playing with as well as against some of the top players in the state and the nation. You are also being coached by some of the smartest and best coaches in the country, like my AAU coaches, Kathy Walton, Krystal Hudson, Charles Huddleston, Terry Montgomery.. the whole Ga. Metro Squad. If I had to choose, I would prefer to play AAU ball all the time because it is so much more competitive. AAU girl ball players are girls who play the game because they love it, instead of playing with or against girls who are just playing because the team needed at least ten players.”

L.A.: "Most AAU Teams have players that play in their natural position unlike in high school where most players are out of position. You play both guard positions, which would you prefer to play at the next level?"

Fatiha: “At the next level, I would prefer to play whatever position my coach wants me to play. I can play either the one or two guard and whatever position they put me at, I will try my best to perfect it and work hard on being the best at the position.”

L.A.: "What do you want to be when you grow up?"

Fatiha: “Every since I was a little girl, I have always wanted to work with kids and help them at the same time and since my mother has been a Nurse for the last "something something" years, she has helped me make my mind up and has also been my biggest inspiration to becoming a Pediatric Nurse.”

L.A.: "If you could meet anyone in the world (past or present) who would it be and why?

Fatiha: “I would love to meet Michael Jordan and actually have a conversation with him about life and basketball because he has been through thick and thin to achieve the accomplishments he has been recognized for and at the same time, he keeps a cool head with all of the negativity. I love his style of play and his character.”

L.A: "What’s your favorite food?"
Fatiha: “Maccoroni and Cheese and Taco Bell... I have to eat them at least twice out of a week.”

L.A.: "Who’s your favorite player (man or woman)?"

Fatiha: “My favorite male player is Dwayne Wade for Miami Heat and my favorite female player is Nikkit Teasley for the Los Angeles Sparks.”

L.A.: "Who’s your favorite team?"

Fatiha: “After the “Lady Caliphs” at W.D Mohammed High School and the 2005 Ga. Metro Squad, it would be the Miami Heat. I love me some D-WADE!!”

L.A.: "What is your favorite TV Show and Movie?"
Fatiha: “My favorite TV Show is Family Guy and my favorite movie is Love and Basketball. They made the movie off of and for me.”
 

L.A.: "What type of music do you like and do you have a favorite artist or group?"

Fatiha: “I like to listen to R&B music and my favorite artist right now is Chris Brown and my favorite group is Destiny Child.”

L.A.: "I just met you but there is a beauty and calm about you that doesn’t fit most athletes that I have interviewed and I would dare guess that, that something about you makes others around you calm and comfortable as well. Where does that come from?"
Fatiha: “Thank you, but I guess it comes from me being myself and smiling. My father has told me since I was a little girl to smile no matter what. My mother has always told me to live how I have been raised and be true to myself. My coach Fard Abdur Rahman has told me since the first day I met him that I was a winner and a smart, beautiful Muslim young lady. I guess it’s my smile, character, and the people who have had the most influences on me that calms me as well as the other person.”
 

L.A.: "Ms. Fatiha, thank you for you time, it has been my pleasure to be able to "Keep It Real" with you."
Fatiha: “No, thank you for giving me the opportunity to Keep It Real with L.A. on Street Talk.”

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

This is Larry "L.A." Williams …PEACE!