Q-and-A with Crystal Smith

Dec. 3, 2004

hawkeyesports.com visited recently with junior guard Crystal Smith from Haughton, LA. Here’s a piece of that conversation.

Do you have any pre-game rituals?
“I always have to listen to my favorite rap songs to pump me up before every game.”

How would your teammates describe you?
“They always say I’m like a quick little rabbit that comes out of nowhere.”

What are your responsibilities as a team tri-captain?
“My responsibilities are to be vocal and to get the team motivated in practice and in games.”

How did you get hooked on gummi worms?
“One day after school, I went to the store to get some Reese Peanut Butter Cups for a snack, and there in front of me was a bag of dinosaur gummies. I was very interested in dinosaurs at the time so I got them. Then after that, I would buy the gummy bears, worms and then anything with the word gummy in it. I like sour gummies, though.”

What CD or movie in your collection would you consider to be the most embarrassing and why?
“Well, none of the movies I own are embarrassing because I have the best movies, but if I have to pick one CD, I would say a boy band called Dreamstreet.”

What do you enjoy most, playing defense or offense and why?
“Defense, only because when you get a steal your defense turns to offense and it’s a great feeling when you have made a great defensive play.”

What do you like most about Louisiana?
“That’s an easy question; the food!”

What is the best April Fool’s joke anyone has played on you?
“You know, no one has ever April fooled me.”

What’s the best part about being short?
“Hey, I wouldn’t say I’m short. I’m height challenged. The best thing about being `height challenged’ is showing everyone how high I can jump.”

Do you have any phobias, if so which one(s)?
“I’m afraid of spiders, so arachnophobia.”

What does it mean to be named Most Valubale Player of the Junkanoo Jam?
“Being named MVP was a great honor and I’m glad I had an opportunity to share this honor with my teammates.”

If you were deserted on a deserted island, which of your teammates would you want to have with you and why?
“I would want to have Tiffany Reedy because I would need someone to keep me in a good mood, and she knows how to make me laugh.”

Is there any significance to your uniform number?
“In high school, all the jerseys were to big for me except for the number ten so I had to take it.”