The University of South Alabama women's basketball team will welcome five newcomers to the Jaguar roster during the 2015-16 season.  Of the course of the summer, USAJaguars.com will sit down with each of them for Q & A session to help fans see another side of the newest Jags.  

The first newcomer for USA fans to get to know is Candice Williams, a 5-6 transfer guard from James Madison University.  Williams talks about returning to the city in which she was born and what it means to her to be a Jaguar among other topics.

What is one area of your game that you are looking at improving in this season and why?
"I definitely want to work on my leadership skills.  That's something I definitely do need to work on being a point guard.  I want to talk more out on the floor and make sure that my teammates know their personnel and where to get them the ball.  I want to be able to get my teammates involved out on the floor.  I think it's exciting to just get the new experience of learning my new teammates and learn how I can help them excel.  I also want to make my shot more consistent like I want it to be."

You had a successful high school career, but what was it like having to sit out a majority of last season due to injury and what did you learn during that time?
"It was tough, very tough, because nobody wants to be hurt, especially their freshman year, because it does hold you back a little bit in your development.  You don't get that college experience.  What I did learn during that time was to push myself more. It's tough going to rehab everyday when you aren't able to practice.  You learn to become tougher during that time and grow thicker skin.  It makes you definitely appreciate the game more.  You take it for granted when you're playing, but when you can't play for months at a time, you learn that appreciation.  You learn that it's a privilege to be able to work out and many people would kill to be in your position."

You were born here in Mobile.  How long did you live here and what are your feelings for your hometown?
"I lived here for two years.  Both of my parents are in the Army, so we moved around, but we would always come back and visit for family reunions and stuff.  I never went to school here in Mobile, but I do love Mobile."

What do you feel is going to be the biggest thing for you and your teammates to do this season to be successful?
"I definitely think that we need to be consistent.  Coming from the position that we were in last season, we definitely need to be more consistent and push toward the goals we are trying to meet.  I think that we have talent on our team.  The games we lost last year, we weren't being blown out in, so there is definitely potential there for us.  We just have to put it together and find where we want to be as a team.  With the mindset that we have going into this season, there is definitely going to be a change."

Is there a teammate of yours who you look up to?  What If so, who and why?
"Well, me and Marquita [Daniels] played AAU ball together and we were at rival high schools.  Because we were rivals, we didn't really talk that much, but now that we are on the same team, we are actually really close.  I also played AAU with D'Andra Pringle too.  It was a relief for me to know when I came here, that there were already people here that I knew.  That was very helpful."

Why did you choose to come to South Alabama?
"First off, I think the coaching staff is unique.  They aren't content where they are.  They want to get better.  They just want to win.  That's one thing I love about being here.  Another thing is that the campus is beautiful.  I'm from the south, so I'm happy that I get to come back down south.  I'm from Mobile and a lot of my family is around here, so I will have that support.  I think it was just a great opportunity for me, because my family hasn't got to see me play a lot.  Academically, South Alabama is really good too."

What type of player can fans expect to see out on the floor when they watch you play?
"I play hard all the time and I don't like to lose.  I'm always going to come out with energy.  I'm never going to just come out and go through the motions on the court.  I love to win and have fun while I'm doing it.  They'll probably just see an exciting type player to watch and somebody that just wants to win."

What are you majoring in at South Alabama and what do you plan to do after graduation?
"I'm majoring in exercise science and also want to get a minor in business.  I love sports and I want to stay around the business part of sports when I'm done playing."

Do you have a favorite place on campus?
"I do.  I like the Mouton Tower behind the Mitchell Center.  I just love the scenery around there."

What does it mean to you to be a Jaguar?
"I take a lot of pride in being a Jaguar, because this is my hometown.  I didn't grow up here, but when I came back to Mobile to see family, I passed by the campus all the time.  My grandma lives just 10 minutes away.  It means a lot for me to be here and represent where I'm from.  I take a lot of pride in being here."

Describe South Alabama women's basketball in a word:
"Hungry."

BONUS SHOTS WITH CANDICE
What is your favorite TV show? "SportsCenter."
What is your favorite memory that you have had so far playing basketball? "Winning the state championship my junior year."
What is the last movie you saw? "After Earth."
What I s your favorite food? "Crab legs."
If you could play any other sport other than basketball, what would it be? "Volleyball."
What talents do you have? "I'm good at talking to people.  I'm very social.  I'm very inviting, I would say."
Is there a saying you live by? "Just stay positive all the time when adversity hits you."
What is your favorite form of social media? "Instagram."
Do you have any pre-match rituals? "I go and meditate or visualize doing well in a game for 20 minutes to get my mind right.  I do that about two hours before a game."
If you could have a superpower, what would it be? "To be invisible."

OFF THE COURT WITH…
Candice Williams
D'Andra Pringle
Christen Carter
India Hall
Rehema Franklin  

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

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