Oct. 13, 2008

With five days before the start of practice and nearly a month before the start of the 2008-2009 season, DaytonFlyers.com will sit down with the newest members of the University of Dayton women's basketball team to get to know the Flyer freshmen a little better. The series, called Full Court Press, will introduce each of the seven freshmen. In today's edition, DaytonFlyers.com features De'Sarae Chambers.

Chambers joins UD from Mason County High School where she finished her career as the school's all-time leading scorer and was nominated for McDonald's All-American honors after averaging 21.7 ppg as a senior. She shot 56.5 percent from the floor, 56.3 percent from behind the arc, and 82 percent at the foul line last year.

The Maysville, Kentucky native averaged 8.0 rpg while leading Mason County to a 24-8 record and a runner-up finish in the Regional Tournament. Chambers was named the KABC 10th Region Player of the Year, and selected to the Kenton County All-Tournament Team.

Why did you decide to play basketball at UD?
I decided to come to UD because the coaches are really nice, the school is very pretty, and it's close to home.

What is your first ever basketball memory?
My first memory was when I was in preschool playing at the Tom Browning Boys and Girls Club. I was playing with my basketball team and I was afraid of the ball. Every time I would get a pass or a try to get a rebound I would miss the ball or it would just hit me.

What are your career goals?
My career goals are to be successful at everything I do. Also, to win the Atlantic 10 Championship title and an NCAA title while here at UD, also to graduate and become a coach

What has been your most memorable moment in life? at UD? on the court?
My most memorable moment on the court was when I became the all-time leading scorer at Mason County. At UD, my most memorable moment is just being around the team and the coaches having fun and getting better. The most memorable moment of my life was when I earned the Youth Leadership Award from the NAACP.

What motivates you to get up in the morning? on the court?
In the morning what motivates me is just knowing that I am going to do something productive in my life, with school and basketball. On the court what motivates me is to know that I am getting better in every drill.

Who is your role model? Why?
My parents, because they have always stuck by my side and showed me how to be a young lady. Also, they have given me morals to live by that has got me to where I am today.

What athletes do you admire? Why?
Lebron James, because he is an excellent player and he shows a lot of respect for himself and others on the basketball court.

If you could have dinner with any three people in the world (living or deceased) who would they be?
Lebron James, Chris Brown, and Dr. Martin Luther King.

Tell us something about yourself that your roommate does not even know about you: I used to have a dog. She would be surprised because I am afraid of dogs now.

Favorite part of your game: Speed.

My favorite part of being a Flyer: All the support.

Teammate I hate guarding in practice: Kristin Daugherty and Kendel Ross.

If I could change one basketball rule: Three second rule in the paint.

I model my game after: I try to model it after Lebron James.

Prized Possession: Spiderman Collection.

Best non-athletic talent: Drawing.

Favorite hangout on campus: No particular place, I just like hanging with my friends.

Favorite food(s): Macaroni and Cheese, The Quarterback (Marycrest Dining Hall), and Dannon Fruit on the Bottom Yogurt.

Favorite restaurant(s): DeShay's and Applebees.

Favorite pizza topping(s): Just Cheese.

Favorite ice cream:Vanilla or Cookies and Cream.

Favorite movie(s): Love and Basketball.

Favorite website:You Tube and Facebook.

Favorite Holiday:Christmas.

Favorite sports team(s):Cleveland Cavaliers.

Hobbies:Sing, dance, play basketball, talk or text on the phone, and play on the computer.

Actress who would play yourself: Beyonce.

Your dorm/apt. is on fire...what three things would you save: Cell phone, Spiderman stuff, and pictures.

The best meal I can cook is: Macaroni and Cheese.

My favorite professor is:Kurt, my SI teacher for Philosophy.

My favorite piece of clothing is:My sweatpants.

If I played in a band, I would be:Drums or saxophone.

My signature outfit: My blue sweatpants and white high school play shirt, with my white forces.

Give the position you play and why you think it is better than the other positions on the court: I play the 2 position, it is better than the other spots because I get to do everything all the other positions do. I dribble, pass, shoot, maybe even post up.

My pregame ritual is: To pray to myself at least three times.