VCU Rams

At 15, she was a college freshman. When she was 16, she was the youngest college basketball player in the country, with the weight of the VCU women’s basketball program on her shoulders. Now 20 years old, Quanitra Hollingsworth is getting ready to embark on a career in the WNBA after the Minnesota Lynx selected her with the ninth overall pick in the league’s April 9 draft. With WNBA training camp set to begin May 17, Around The Horns recently sat down with ‘Q’.

ATH: Quanitra, you’ve been finishing up your master’s degree, and at the same time preparing for your first WNBA training camp. How busy have the last few weeks been?
QH: I think the last few weeks have been busy, yet manageable. There was definitely enough to do in the 24 hours given in a day, but I never found myself overwhelmed. Once I got to Minneapolis, my professors sent me my final exams via email, so, that was simple. I think everyone around me tried to help and make things as comfortable as possible.

ATH: The Minnesota Lynx selected you with the ninth overall pick in the WNBA Draft, to the surprise of some. What was your initial reaction?
QH: The first thought that entered my mind was, ‘it’s really happening!’ You set so many goals, and many times you fall short, but to accomplish this individual goal was definitely a somewhat relief for me. I wasn’t surprised that I was drafted. I was just frazzled because after the buzzer of my last game, there was nothing else that I could do to guarantee that things happened the way I, and many others, wanted them to.

ATH: What would you say to the people who would doubt or question the Linx selecting you when they did?
QH: All those people who doubt or question the Lynx’s decision to select me doubt me and my abilities as an athlete. And I can only say what I have been saying for many years, don’t ever doubt what I can do! I can do all things through Christ. I have earned my opportunity at this professional level just as much as any of the other ladies that were drafted. I have and will continue to earn respect. Trust and believe that.

ATH: What are your expectations heading into training camp (May 17)? What has the organization said to you?
QH: Obviously, I am expecting to be challenged, both mentally and physically, each and every day. The coaches have expressed their confidence towards me early on, and I know what they’re expecting of me. As soon as I step on the court May 17th my destiny is in my hands. No matter how much confidence they have in me, I have to come out and earn a position on this team.

ATH: Roughly 16 months ago you ruptured your achillies tendon during a game. Talk about the rehab and how you stayed motivated on your way back to health?
QH: Rehab was never anything dreadful for me. I looked forward to it each and every day. There were times when coaches and trainers had to tell me to take it easy. I knew that I would have to work three times as hard as anyone else to get back to where I was and be prepared for the competition. I wasn’t going to allow my injury to be an excuse for being unprepared. My biggest motivational factors were seeing my team rally together after my injury and still get the job done. That togetherness and success spoke loud enough for me to come back ready and willing to lead a group of ladies that had already displayed so much character and built so much confidence.

ATH: This season, there were plenty of reasons to doubt this team. You were coming off major surgery, and you lost a WNBA-quality player (Krystal Vaughn). Then, one of your best players, D’Andra Moss, suffered a torn ACL during the season. Still, you guys managed to put together the greatest season in school history, reaching the NCAA Tournament for the first time. How did you guys overcome all that?
QH: Anything is possible when you come together and work for the good of everyone around you. Each member of the team this year, coaches, players, etc., displayed more selflessness than they had ever before. We all set our goals, established our path toward reaching those goals, and held each other accountable in the event that any one of us began to ever stray. Success like this is reflective of more than what is happening on the basketball court.

ATH: When you got to VCU, you were a 15-year-old high school phenom. Some could say you literally grew up at the school. How have you changed in the last five years?
QH: From the age of 15 to the age of 20, most people come into their own as an individual. I believe all of the diversity in my relationships, academic, athletic, social, and personal, allowed me to see more of the world than anyone else my age would have had the opportunity to observe. This truly was a blessing for me. Additionally, through basketball, I learned so many intangibles and character-building attributes that I can take with me for the rest of my life.

ATH: Is there anything you think about from that first year and laugh about now?
QH: I can always look back and laugh at our fashion. To look at how some of us carried ourselves and dressed is quite hilarious! Some people are still behind a few years in this area (laughing).

ATH: First NCAA bid in school history. One of three women to have their jersey retired. More than 1,000 points and rebounds. Freshman All-America. All-CAA. You’ve accomplished a bunch at VCU. What would you like your legacy at the school to be?
QH: I would like my legacy to be the impact I made as a student, player and teammate in this program, rather than what I did as an individual. I, and all of those who came while I was there, started something special. We established a solid foundation for VCU to grow upon and soar to its most unforeseen heights. The sky is the limit!

ATH: You’re going to complete your master’s in computer science. What are some cool things you can do with that kind of knowledge?
QH: If anyone ever crosses me wrong, I can definitely crash their entire computer hard drive at the drop of a dime (laughs)!

LIGHTNING ROUND
1. Quanitra Hollingsworth is… a true testament of how God blesses us above and beyond.
2. The best thing about college was… the memories I take with me.
3. Best place to eat at VCU is… BW3s. Obviously, there is not much to chose from when you are on a college student’s budget.
4. For me, basketball is… another avenue to be successful and be a blessing to others.
5. The worst show on T.V. is… The Wiggles.
6. When I’m not playing basketball… I am being my chill, and outspoken, self that most people don’t see.
7. My advice for incoming freshmen would be… don’t hinder yourself and your success with your mind-set.
8. LeBron James is… another testament of how God blesses us above and beyond.
9. My inspiration comes from… within.
10. The WNBA is… waiting for more VCU players!

-Chris Kowalczyk

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