Written by James LeClercq
Iman Scott is getting ready for a new healthy basketball season full of new opportunities and a leadership role. In her final season with the Broncos, Scott attempts to give it her all and leave it all on the court as she moves through another chapter in her career.
SCU: How is your recovery from your injury last season? Will you be 100% by the start of the season?
IS: My recovery process is going really well. I am slowly getting back on the court, doing agility work, running, and practicing my jump shot. My goal is to be practicing with the team as soon as possible and hopefully I will be able to suit up for our first preseason game on Nov. 1.
SCU: Do you have any pre-game rituals?
IS: On game days I don't really have any special rituals besides using music to get in the zone. Right before it is time for us to take the court, I put my headphones on and listen to music in order to pump myself up. I don't really have a "go to" playlist, its usually whatever music works to get me hyped. If I'm not listening to the latest hip-hop and R&B songs, I turn to old school R&B or songs by Beyonce to get me going.
SCU: As a guard, what skills could you not live without?
IS: As a guard one skill that I could not live without is the ability to effectively handle the ball. A guard without ball handling skills can stifle a team's overall performance. This is why I make sure to practice my ball handling as much as possible. As a guard, I have to be able to maneuver around the court and get the ball to my teammates so that we can win games.
SCU: What are your goals for this upcoming season as a team and as a player?
IS: The team is looking really good so far and we have been working hard all summer to make sure we have a great year. My goals for the team are to have an overall winning record, win the WCC tournament, and make it to post season play. As for myself, my immediate goal is to simply get to the point where I am actually participating in a full practice with the team, and suiting up for games.
SCU: How does it feel stepping up to the role as a team leader in your final season with the team?
IS: It is crazy how fast these last three years have flown by. Sometimes I still have a hard time believing that I will be graduating soon. As a result, I have been a little hesitant to embrace my seniority and step into the role as a team leader. In addition, I usually like to lead by example, but it is hard for me to do when I have not yet been cleared to practice with the team. However, in the mean time I plan to step up as a team leader and become more of a vocal presence off the court in order to help my teammates.