[Basketball insert] Q&A with Noelle Quinn

Some call her the silent assassin, and while her personality may
not be intimidating, her play on the basketball court instills fear
in her opponents. Noelle Quinn, a member of the vaunted Triple
Threat, is looking to follow up her amazing freshman season with an
even better sophomore campaign. But this year, she will be asked to
be more of a leader. While that may be asking a lot of Quinn,
she’s up to the challenge. Quinn recently sat down with the
Daily Bruin to discuss her inability to trash talk, how she’s
going to bring the fans into Pauley Pavilion, and a secret
crush.

Daily Bruin: You’re a soft spoken player, Noelle. Have
you ever trash- talked to anyone, gotten in their face? We all know
basketball players do that. Noelle Quinn: (Giggles) I just let
my game speak for itself, I’m not a good trash talker. I let
Lisa (Willis) and Nikki (Blue) do that, they’re good with
their words. I can’t trash. I’d probably end up saying
“Ah, I’m sorry I didn’t mean to do it.”
DB: You’re part of one of the most feared threesomes in
women’s basketball (Quinn, Willis, Blue). What are some of
the nicknames you have for each other. NQ: I’m the GM,
Nikki’s the president, and Lisa’s the CEO. DB: Why
the GM position? NQ: I just like that title. I kind of want to
be a GM one day. DB: A lot of people think women’s hoops
is boring. Ever since you came to UCLA, you’re bringing a new
flavor to Bruins’ basketball. Do you really like the
behind-the-back and no look passes? NQ: I do. I’m a
people pleaser. I love it when the fans are into it. I like the
oohs and the aahs. That’s what makes the game so exciting
because you have the potential to make the game exciting. They pay
to come to the games, so I need to give them a show every now and
then. DB: But compared to other schools, like Minnesota, Pauley
Pavilion isn’t getting any love, so isn’t that the
GM’s job to fix? NQ: Yeah! That’s the GM’s
job. I have no doubt we’ll get more people because we have
big-time teams coming to Pauley. If we generate more winning we
generate more fans. But actually, as long as my family is there, my
team, or as long as somebody is in the gym, I’m fine with it.
DB: Alright, final question, Noelle. You’re stranded on a
deserted island. Who are you bringing? And don’t forget the
family and your teammates ““ they’re going to read
this. NQ: I’d bring my sister, Elonte. Even when times
get rough she can still do my hair. I’d bring my mom.
I’m obligated to. She’s my mom. I’d need company,
though. DB: Ooh, a guy in Noelle’s life. Spill it.
NQ: Yeah. … (long pause) Boris Kodjoe. DB: Say what?
Who’s he? NQ: From (the movie) “Love and
Basketball,” the guy Monica (the main character) took to the
dance. DB: Why bring him? NQ: Just to look at him. DB:
So would you make him sit at the other end of the island? You know
… eye candy? NQ: I’d go “Can you just sit there
and let me admire you?” (Laughs and smiles)

Interview conducted by Bryan Chu, Bruin sports senior
staff.