For the last few years the “Lady Raiders” from Redan High School have but some outstanding talent on the floor and this past season, most notably seniors Porsha Phillips (McDonald’s All-American and LSU signee) and Univ. of Kentucky signee Amani Franklin.

While both of those names came up most of the time when talking about Redan girls hoops there was another name that was beeping loudly on the 4SHOT Hoops radar screen; junior Anelia Murray. Murray may have been the most consistent player on a Redan team that has made back-to-back trips to the Class 5A Final Four. Murray and I got a chance to sit down for a little session of “Keeping It Real”. 

L.A.:  “Who have been some of the most influential people in your life”?

Anelia:  “My dad, mom and my brother.  My dad had me in the gym since I was 6 years old.  My mom has always been by my side supporting me. My brother has really helped me with improving my game.”

L.A.:  “What has been one of the most memorable moments in your career so far?
Anelia:  “Playing in the 5A State Championship game last year as a sophomore. I really enjoyed playing in front of a large crowd like that and getting a chance to play on TV.”

L.A.:  “What moment(s) would you most like to forget?

Anelia:  “I will have to say getting my shot blocked in front of a lot of people.”

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

Anelia:  “I think the strongest part of my game is that I’m versatile.  I am a good ball handler.  I also shoot well and can bang inside.  It has been mentioned many times by coaches an others that I am above average in both speed and quickness for my size.  My quick hands and feet enable me to guard some of the quickest players including point guards.” 

L.A.:   “What do you think you need to work on to take your game to the next level?”

Anelia:  “There is always room to improve my dribbling skills.  I want to improve on my jump shot as well.”

L.A.:  “Who has been one of the toughest players you have had to guard and who is the best high school player you personally have ever seen?”

Anelia:  “The toughest players that I have had to guard are Shantell Black from Collins Hill and Tina Charles from New York.  I had to check Shantell in the state championship game. She’s a very quick and athletic guard, so I had to stay focus and play her game.  I played Tina in the Boo Williams Tournament.  She is a very strong player.  After seeing Maya Moore play in the Dell Curry Tournament in North Carolina, I though her game was real nice.  But when I saw her dunk and catch the oop with two hands, I was convinced that she was the best female high school player that I’ve seen so far.”

L.A.:  “Without tipping your hand, give me the names of some colleges that you would like to play for?”

Anelia:  “I like LSU, Wake Forest, UNC, North Carolina State and Louisiana Tech. “

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

Anelia: “ I use to take piano lessons and I play it well.”

L.A.: “Do you have a nickname?”

Anelia:  “Yes sir!  It’s Nea Nea!”

L.A.: “How does summer ball (AAU) differ from the regular season?”

Anelia:  “AAU is a lot tougher because good players from all kinds of schools come together and form teams.  It’s also more fun traveling and meeting new people.”

Murray has the skills to play the 1,2, or 3 positions if needed.

L.A.: “Most AAU Teams have players that play in their natural position unlike in high school where you usually play out of position. What position do you think you would like to play at the next level?”

L.A.: “Are you a Player or a BALLER, now at 4SHOT we think Players just go out on the court and play like every other player on the court. Now a BALLER can take over the game, not in a selfish way but they can dominate at “a whole nother’ level?”

Anelia:  “Oh no doubt, I’m a BALLER.  I come to play every game and I step it up when its time.”

L.A.: “Who’s the best Baller in the family, you or your brother Durand (a 6-7 redshirt freshman at Lamar University)?”

Anelia:  “Well of course me!  Ha! Ha!  But for real my brother is a very good ball player to me.  He is one of the few people that has helped make me who I am today.”

L.A.: “What type of advice does Durand give you about your game and how to handle recruiters?”

Anelia:  “He tells me to play for me and to ignore all the negativity.  He also tells me that schools can loose interest quick so always keep my game up.”

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

Anelia:  “I want to meet Bow Wow. Ha! Ha!  I really like him and I’m a big fan!”

L.A.: “If you were not playing basketball what would you be doing now?”
Anelia:  “Well, I’m interested in acting and modeling.  Two years ago I had a chance with John Casablancas, but I couldn’t do both so I just stuck to playing ball.  I’ll probably be more into that if I was not playing ball.”

L.A.:  “Describe the kind of ride you would like to have (example a Chevy with “22’s etc…), whatever car you would like?”
Anelia:  “I would like to have a white on white Bentley with Suicide doors!”

L.A.: “What is your favorite TV Show and Movie?”
Anelia:  “My favorite TV show was Making the Band 2.  My favorite movie is Belly.”

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

Anelia: “ I listen to a lot of the down south rap, but I’m getting more on the R&B side as I get older.”

L.A.:   “What type of sneakers do you like to sport?”

Anelia:  “I wear mostly Air Forces.”

L.A.:   “What type of cloths do you like to wear?”

Anelia:  “I wear a lot of Rocawear, Girbaud, and Ecko Red.”

L.A:  “What’s your favorite food?”
Anelia: “Wings and Seafood”

L.A.:  “Who’s your favorite player?”
Anelia:  “Dwayne Wade”            

L.A.:  “Who’s your favorite team?”
Anelia:  The “Suns”

L.A.: “What type of hobbies do you have?”
Anelia:  “I like going to parties and having fun with my friends.”

L.A.: “Anelia, thank you for your time, it has been my pleasure to be able to “Keep It Real” with you.”
Anelia:  “Oh you’re surely welcome and thank you for getting at me.”

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

This is Larry “L.A.” Williams …PEACE!