MOBILE, Ala. – This upcoming season, the South Alabama women’s basketball program will welcome six newcomers to the squad.  The third newcomer, one of five incoming freshman, is Diamonisha Sophus (pronounced Dye-moe-knee-sha Soe-fuss), a 5-5 guard from Houston, Texas.  A four-year letterwinner at Wheatley High School, Sophus was one of the most prolific scorers in the Houston area as she averaged 30.3 points per game during her senior season.  Over the course of her final three prep seasons, Sophus recorded over 1,400 points.  Recently the Houston, Texas, native sat down with www.USAJaguars.com.

Where are you originally from?  
“I was born and raised in Houston, Texas.”

How does living in Alabama differ from Texas?
“The atmosphere is a little different here.  The people here are friendlier and cooler.  They are easy to get along with around here.”

When did you start playing basketball?  How did you get involved with the game?
“I started playing when I was six years old.  My cousin and some other boys used to always be outside playing and I always wanted to go out there and play with them.  I would tell my dad that I wanted to and he finally made them let me play with them.  I then started playing ball in the park.”

What do you believe is a strength of your game?
“I think my cross-over is a strength, because I’m short.  I finally developed it where it was strong, last year.  Growing up I was able to cross-over the younger girls, as I kept getting to the next level, I got better and better at it.”  

What do you enjoy most about playing the sport?
“Winning and having fun.  That’s what I really like about basketball.”

What factors led to your decision sign with South Alabama?
“It was far away from home.  When I came on my visit, the other players were cool and easy to get along with, so I decided to come to South.”

What are you majoring in here at South Alabama and what do you are plan on doing after graduation?
“Exercise science.  I want to either be a P.E. teacher or someone close to basketball.”

How long have you known that you wanted to do that as a career?
“Actually, I didn’t know that that’s what I wanted to do, until I got here to college and realized I want to always be around basketball.  Basketball is my passion.  I love basketball.  I want to be as close to basketball as I can when I am done playing.”

What kind of player can fans expect to see when they watch you this season?
“I know they are going to like me.  I like exciting the crowd.”

Being one of five freshmen on the team, how has the transition from high school to college life been for you so far?
“It’s been very tough, especially in the weight room.  It’s the toughest thing that I have ever been through in my life.”

What do you think will be your biggest adjustment to adapt to the college game?
“In high school, I was the best player on the team.  In college, all of the players are good, so I’ll just have to see where I fit in.  I just need to be determined to win.”

Have there been any upper classmen you that you have sought out for advice to help you with the transition? How have they helped you?
“Mansa El.  She is really inspiring.  She is always on me to do right and watch what I say.  Be sure to watch how I do things (in workouts) and make sure I do it the right way.  If I don’t do things the right way, she has me start it all over.  She keeps me on the right track.”

With all five incoming freshmen already on campus, how has the group’s relationship developed?
“Yeah, it’s been good to have them, because they always encourage me to keep going.  It does make it a little easier having them around with me.  We’re all close and enjoy hanging out with each other.”  

What are your goals for the upcoming season – both individually and for the team?
“My goals are to be a contributor on the floor this season.  For the team, I want us to win the Sun Belt Conference championship and tournament.”  

Some incoming freshmen like to ease their way into their college careers and some like to come in and make an immediate impact.  Which type would you say that you are?
“I want to be a confident leader out on the floor and just fit in with the other girls. I don’t want to do too much, but I just want to make sure that they know that I am there.  Just find my place on the team.”  

What professional or collegiate player do you try to pattern your game after and what is it that you like about their game?
“Candace Parker and Maya Moore.  I love to watch both of them play. They both have a very good jump shot.  My jump shot isn’t the best right now, but I am working hard to develop it to be as good as theirs”.  

Who would you say has had the biggest impact on your life, either as a person or as a player? Why?
“My dad.  He’s been real supportive of me and been to every game that I have played in my life, since I was little, all the way to high school.”

What things do you like to do off the court?
“I don’t really like to do anything off the court other than go to the student rec and play basketball.  That’s all I like to do.  I’m a ‘gym rat’.”

Do you have any talents other than basketball?
“I used to run the 100m and 200m in track in high school.  I’m kind of fast, but I know these college girls are fast.”

If you could play any other sport, what would it be?
“Swimming.  I really like to swim.”  

Who was the main assistant coach at USA to recruit you?  Describe your relationship with that coach during the recruiting process.
“Coach (Aisha) Stewart.  She called me when she was allowed to. When I finally decided to sign with South Alabama, she called me and stayed on me.  She didn’t sugarcoat anything about down here or college, period.  She told me everything there is to know from how I need to present myself to being a good athlete and a good student.”

For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com.  Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).

Off the Court with Lady Jag…
Brittany Webb (July 13)
Taylor Jenkins (July 27)
Diamonisha Sophus (Aug. 3)
Sharon Sanders
Brianna Wright
Meghan Dunn

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