Nov. 1, 2007
As the Knights prepare for their exhibition game against Rollins College on Sunday, Nov. 4, UCFAthletics.com continues it series of interviews with members of the UCF women's basketball team. Today the spotlight turns to freshman D'Nay Daniels. The former Floridian, who now calls Atlanta, Ga. home, talks about being a part of the UCF team, returning to her roots and her brush with fame.
What does the team's motto "Prepare and Compete" mean to you?
To me, it means to prepare to come into practice and compete like you would in a game. It's very important to prepare for games because if you don't you won't be ready to compete at your best.
How has the team started to come together?
We're all best friends. It seems like we do everything together, but we do spend a lot of time together because we all live near each other. Everyone gets along really well. That kind of chemistry is really going to help us out on the court.
What are you looking forward to most this season?
I'm looking forward to traveling with the team. I think it's going to be a lot of fun because I will be experiencing new things with my teammates.
What is the best part of being on this UCF women's basketball team?
I am happy to be part of something new and to help build the UCF women's basketball program.
UCF head coach Joi Williams and the rest of the staff have already begun to involve the team in community service. What charity or social cause would you like to help?
I like to hang out with kids because I can relate to them and I understand what they are going through. They look up to us and I really like being a role model.
What influenced your decision to come to UCF?
I lived in Miami most of my life and I knew I wanted to come back to Florida. It was between the University of Miami and UCF. I chose UCF because Miami can be hectic, which can cause a lot of distractions. Orlando is different and I love it here.
You were all-conference in both volleyball and basketball during high school. What made you pursue basketball as your sport of choice?
Basketball is the sport my mom played and she is my role model. She wouldn't have minded if I had chosen volleyball, but by choosing basketball, I made both my mom and I happy. Basketball was her love and it's my love, too.
You said that the most impressive person you have ever met was media mogul P. Diddy. How did that come about?
There were a few children of celebrities that went to the same school I did. I am really good friends with his son. I introduced myself to P. Diddy when I was at his son's eighth grade graduation.
What are you hoping to purse your degree in at UCF?
I haven't really decided. I'd like to do either business or sports medicine. I know sports medicine takes a lot of time, so I'll have to see. Hopefully, by next year, I'll have it figured out.
Sunday's game against Rollins College tips off at 2 p.m. Admission to the contest is free. The Knights make their regular-season debut in the new UCF Arena when they host Texas Tech on Nov. 9 at 7:30 p.m.
Single-game tickets are now available for women's home games. Adults are $5, while children (age 2-12) and seniors (age 55 and older) are $4. All tickets are general admission. Tickets to all games can be purchased through all Ticketmaster outlets, at www.ticketmaster.com, through the arena box office or at the UCF ticket office located at Bright House Networks Stadium.
Season tickets are also available for the women's basketball team's debut season and can be purchased by calling 407-UCF-1000 or by surfing to UCFAthletics.com.
For the latest news and information on the Knights, tickets or apparel log on to www.ucfathletics.com - the official site for UCF varsity sports. Also check out UCFPhotos.com, the exclusive fan source for UCF action sports pics.