Q&A with Sophomore Basketball Player Gabby Badway: on academic success, family lineage, and a Coca-Cola obsession.

 

As the basketball season is approaching, sophomore Gabby Badway looks to play an increased role to help the team win. The 5’8 guard played in 22 games last season and shot the lights out with a 40% field goal percentage. Off the court, Gabby recently won the Susan E. Henninger Medal in First Year Pure Science for 2017-2018, which is the freshman award for outstanding achievement in sciences. Add that to being on the dean’s list, with 4.0 GPA, which sets her up well for her goal of being a pediatric oncologist. She comes from a pretty impressive family as well. Her dad is a doctor, her one brother is in the army, her other brother works for the British government, and her sister played basketball at Notre Dame. She accredits her family for a lot of her success and the person she has become.

 

 

Mike Smith: “How are you preparing for this upcoming season?”

 

Gabby Badway: “We just finished preseason so we are all in pretty good shape. We had conditioning and lift every day, so I feel pretty good in that aspect. Right now we just started out practicing so we’re going over plays and all of that stuff. Personally, I’m trying to mentally prepare and get my shots up.”

 

MS: “You had a decent amount of playing time last year. What do you expect your role to be this year?”

 

GB: “I have more of a leadership role. I’m not a freshman anymore so I hope to get more opportunities on the court this year.”

 

MS: “What’s it like playing alongside standout player Mckayla Roberts?”

 

GB: “She challenges us in practice and she’s a great role model. Playing against her every day forces you to step up your game.”

 

MS: “What’s it like playing for coach Castelli and how has she helped your game?”

 

GB: “She’s a great coach. She always pushes me to do better and demands excellence every day. She wants us to fulfill all of our potentials so she’s tough on us.”

 

MS: “You’ve experienced a couple of nagging injuries in high school and a little bit at Le Moyne. How has that affected you and how do you deal with injuries?”

 

GB: “They are definitely annoying and are a little setback. Last year was tough because it happened during the preseason when I was trying to learn the offense and defense that this team plays. None of them have been really serious so it’s just about getting over them and getting back to my game.

 

MS: “What specific injuries have you had?”

 

GB: “I broke my hand in high school and I’ve also had a few high ankle sprains that took a while to heal. Last preseason I had a high ankle sprain and later in the year I had a concussion.”

 

MS: “You mentioned ‘your game.’ What is your game?”

 

GB: “Well, in high school I was more of a true point guard but when I got to Le Moyne I had to become more of a shooting guard. When I got recruited a big part of it was my pull up jumper.”

 

MS: “Why did you decide to come to Le Moyne?”

 

GB: “When I visited I felt a dynamic between the team and coaches that I really liked. They had a very family feel. The school itself has a very good reputation, and it just felt right when I visited.”

 

MS: “You recently won the Susan E. Henninger Medal in First Year Pure Science for 2017-2018. What’s it mean to you to win an award like that?”

 

GB: “It just showed the hard work that I put in.”

 

MS: “What do you value more basketball or academics?”

 

GB: “My coach will tell you I value academics a little too much and not enough basketball. But, I try to value both equally and it gets hard, especially being a science major. I try to give equal time to both because they’re equally as important.”

 

MS: “Since the WNBA is still growing, does that affect valuing academics and basketball?”

 

GB: “Basketball won’t be in my future but it did get me here, whereas, academics are going to get me into medical school.”

 

MS: “Where do you envision yourself after Le Moyne?”

 

GB: “I hope to go to medical school and become a pediatric oncologist.”

 

MS: “I know you’re from Pittsburgh. How often do you get to go home?”

 

GB: “I get to go home during fall break and Christmas. Hopefully, I don’t get to go home during the spring because we hope to be in the NCAA tournament.”

 

MS: “You’ve got a big family. How many brothers and sisters do you have?”

 

GB: “I have two older brothers and one older sister. My oldest brother works for the British government and my other one is in the army, after attending West Point. My sister played at basketball at Notre Dame.”

 

MS: “I see that you’re a big Notre Dame fan. How come?”

 

GB: “My dad went there and my older sister went there. She played basketball for the team that went to the national championship and lost to Texas A&M. She got to play under Muffet McGraw and played with Skylar Diggins.”

 

MS: “How has she helped you with your game?”

 

GB: “When I was younger we would play one-on-one, now she just watches the games and gives me some tips every once and while.

 

MS: “Who’s the most influential person in your life?”

 

GB: “My dad David.”

 

MS: “How come?”

 

GB: “If I need help with school, basketball, or anything in general. He’s also a doctor so he’s been through everything that I want to do. He knows better than anyone what I’ll need to go through so I always turn to him for everything.”

 

MS: “You played for legendary AAU coach, John Miller. What has he done for your basketball career?”

 

GB: “When I was learning the game and trying to get to the collegiate level, he helped me with anything I needed.”

 

MS: “What’s it like playing for such a renowned AAU team?”

 

GB: “It was awesome. AAU helped me develop my skills and get to college. It was very serious but it was fun at the same time. Everyone was good and we won a lot. The practices were really intense but it prepared me for college.”

 

MS: “You’re always walking around with a can of Coke. What’s the deal with that?”

 

GB: “If you walk into my garage at home, you see stacks of Coke. My dad never liked coffee so he always drank Coke and I guess it got passed down to me.

 

MS: “Your friends have told me that you think you’re a good singer but you actually aren’t. So, what song would you sing for an American Idol audition?”

 

GB: “Bring it Over by Billy Currington or anything country.”

 

MS: “Since you like to sing, are you comfortable in your own skin?”

 

GB: “I would say so.”

 

MS: “How’s that play into your personality?”

 

GB: “I try to be confident in most situations, on and off the court. I go into most things confident because I believe in myself and I trust myself.”

 

MS: “Last question. When you die, what do you want your legacy to be?”

 

GB: “I just want to positively affect people. At the end of my career, I hope I’ve helped people and made a positive impact on them. I want to leave having helped someone or a family. I just want to make a positive impact.”