Welcome to uclabruins.com's moderated chat room. On Tuesday, March 4, Bruin guard Michelle Greco joined the chat room to talk UCLA women's basketball as the Bruins approach the Pac-10 Conference Tournament. Greco, the Pac-10 scoring leader with a 19.2 points per game average, is considered among the nation's top players. She is a Wade Trophy nominee for the National Player of the Year and a finalist for the Lieberman Award for the nation's top point guard. She also leads the conference in steals per game and ranks amongst the Pac-10 leaders in free throw percentage. Greco ranks seventh on UCLA's all-time scoring list with 1,678 career points and moved into third place on the all-time Pac-10 steals list with 282. The senior from LaCrescenta, CA is coming off an outstanding weekend, scoring the game-winning basket with six seconds remaining to defeat Oregon in a come-from-behind victory.
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| Greco: Hello everyone. Thanks for joining in. I'm ready to take your questions. | ||
| Nneoma ( Hercules CA): How did it feel to make the last shot of the game with only SIX SECONDS left in the game? And also did you guys party after that, me and my friends wanna know!!! GOOO UCLA!!!! | ||
| Greco: As I watched the seconds tick away, I reflected for a brief moment on how I wanted to end my last game at Pauley. Knowing that I had the opportunity to win the game for my team was an unbelievable feeling. And no, I didn't party, but I did celebrate with my friends and family. | ||
| Josh (La Crescenta): Michelle, it has been a pleasure watching how well you have done at both CV and at UCLA. What game or games stand out the most for you while playing for UCLA? Good luck with the rest of the playoffs and go Falcons. | ||
| Greco: Hi, Josh! Thanks for the question. At UCLA, I think my most memorable game was my freshman year, having to fill in for Erica Gomez and play against Colorado State in the Sweet 16. | ||
| Angela Lee (Oxnard): Hello, you're like my idol and I totally look up to you and because of you I have developed a love for UCLA and so with that said, do have any advice for people who look up to you? You're a balla for life. | ||
| Greco: Thank you, Angela. It's nice to know that someone looks up to me like that. | ||
| kelly j. (seal beach): In a live chat a few years ago, you mentioned that you might want to be a basketball coach. Is that still true? If so, what team would you want to coach? | ||
| Greco: Yes, that still is true. I would like to coach at the college level someday, but maybe I will start coaching at the high school level first. | ||
| Leroy (Oakland CA): Hi Michelle, I am a cousin of Nikki Blue's, and I saw both of your games in the bay area, and will also see you this coming weekend in San Jose. Is the team ready to take on the challenge of the pac 10 tourney? | ||
| Greco: Yes we are. As a team we look forward to competing and hopefully winning the whole tournament and getting a bid to the NCAA Tournament. I'm glad that you will be coming to support us! | ||
| chunky Hersey Nebraska: I've heard your brother is really good in basketball??? Is it true you have never beat him in a game?? if so, how come and do you ever think you can beat him?? thanks chunky | ||
| Greco: Yes, it is true. I've never beaten my brother in a game. HOWEVER, our last one-on-one game I was one point away from winning. I had a wide-open layup, and I was thrown to the ground. And at that point, I just walked away and said it wasn't worth it. I am very confident that in our next encounter I will be able to overtake the 6-4, 215-pounder Michael John Greco. Great question, brother! | ||
| kelly j. (seal beach, ca): How do you mentally and/or physically prepare for each game? (i.e., follow any superstition/ritual, eat specific foods, warm up a certain way, etc..??) | ||
| Greco: Every afternoon game, I eat a breakfast burrito -the same breakfast burrito for the past five years. For our night games, the chicken caesar sandwich, no fries but a baked potato is my meal of choice. Also, I have to take a shower and fix my hair. And as I drive to the gym, I listen to my music of choice, and I visualize. | ||
| Megan D. (claremont): If you could play on any team in the WNBA, which team would it be? And how important is it that your family be able to go to the games? | ||
| Greco: It's very important to have my family at my games. Ideally, I would love to play on the Sparks. However, getting the opportunity to play on any team in the WNBA would be a dream. | ||
| Richard (Fontana): You've had more steals than Winona Ryder. What's your secret? | ||
| Greco: Great joke - I like your humor! My secret is anticipating the pass and reading people's eyes. | ||
| Robin Randolph (Sherman Oaks): Hi Michelle Greco. I am a huge fan of yours. I go to a lot of your games and you did great as usual this season. I was just wondering what you plan on doing these next few months since you are finished at UCLA? | ||
| Greco: First, I plan on finishing school, and also I will be dedicating my spring to working out and preparing for the WNBA draft. | ||
| Richard (Fontana): You are the epitome of a student-athlete and I want to thank you for coming to UCLA and hanging in there. You have style, grace and dignity plus a smile that could light Paris. Which of your accomplishments are you most proud of? | ||
| Greco: Thank you very much for your kind words! I think graduating this June with a double major and finishing my basketball career at UCLA on a positive note with this great season we are having are the accomplishments I am most proud of. | ||
| Sam (Riverside): Even during the down times you always seem to have a smile on your face. How do you maintain your positive attitude. | ||
| Greco: I've just always been a positive person, and for some reason I've always been able to find the silver lining in any situation. Thanks for noticing! | ||
| Ken (Los Angeles): In your UCLA bio, I see that you were a good tennis player in high school and that Pete Sampras is the athlete you most admire. Did you think about playing college tennis? Have you practiced with the Bruin tennis team, under Coach Stella Sampras? | ||
| Greco: In high school, I loved playing tennis. I actually would have liked to continue playing tennis in college, but I knew that I wasn't as talented in tennis as I was in basketball, so tennis became just a hobby of mine. No, I've never practiced with the UCLA tennis team. However, I do enjoy watching them practice and play matches. Pete Sampras still is the athlete I admire most. | ||
| Brandon August, Pasadena: Michelle, What shape do you think Ucla will be in next season w/o #20 on the floor? | ||
| Greco: I think the team will be fine next year. We have a great recruiting class coming in, along with a foundation of freshmen players who have done very well for our team this year. I wish them the best of luck next year, and I will be watching! | ||
| Becky (Valley Village): Hey Michelle, I want to congratulate you on job well done this weekend, but also throughout your career. I was watching the start of the Oregon game in tears, no joke, because I knew that I would never see you play at Pauley again. ~Becky~ | ||
| Becky (Valley Village): Here's the rest: What were the emotions like going into this game, during the game, and afterwards? I wish you the best of luck in the years to come, hopefully in the WNBA, and whatever endeavors you embark on. Congratulations again, Becky | ||
| Greco: I was very sad because UCLA has been my home for the past five years. Knowing that everything was about to come to an end was difficult for me. However, I feel ready to move on, and leaving UCLA with no regrets and finishing positively gives me a lot of self-satisfaction. Hitting the winning shot in that game was so exciting, and I couldn't have asked for anything better. | ||
| John (Los Angeles): OK, Brandon asked my question. Here is another one. Why #20? | ||
| Greco: 20 has been my jersey number ever since I was in middle school, and it's been a lucky number for me, and I've grown accustomed to it. | ||
| Brad (temecula): If the WNBA doesn't work out are you interested in playing overseas? | ||
| Greco: Yes, I am. I am very interested in playing overseas, regardless of whether or not the WNBA works out. I think it would be a great experience being able to travel and visit a new country while playing the game that I love. | ||
| Richard (Fontana): What is the one thing most people would be surprised to learn about you? | ||
| Greco: That I love watching the Weather Channel. I love the rain and thunderstorms. And I also really love gadgets. For instance, my remote control holder and my magnetic flashlight are fabulous - wonders of the world! | ||
| Robin Randolph (Sherman Oaks): One last thing I wanted to ask you Greco. Are you going to work at UCLA Girls Basketball Overnight camp over the summer? That would be great. | ||
| Greco: More than likely I may be busy. However, if I get an opportunity to make an appearance or coach for a few days, I'll definitely be there. | ||
| Jessica (West Covina): What kind of music do you like to listen to? | ||
| Greco: I love all types of music. I'm a country fan, an R&B fan, a soft rock fan and basically anything that is appealing to the ears. I'm a huge Jewel, Barbra Streisand and Celine Dion fan. I love music that I can sing to, even though I have a terrible voice. | ||
| Bryan (LA): This team is the most well-conditioned team I have seen in my three years at UCLA. How much conditioning does the team do in the offseason? | ||
| Greco: Conditioning takes up our entire daytime schedule during the Spring, Summer and Fall. We spend endless amounts of time lifting weights, running on the track and playing basketball. When basketball season finally rolls around, our team is in tip-top condition, and we feel stronger than ever. It's a lot of work, but in the end it's all worth it!! | ||
| Gail, Northridge: Congrats on a great season. I have enjoyed watching you play. Are you hopeful at getting selected in the Wnba draft. And if you are selected how hard would it be to come off the bench, as opposed to being the "go to" player? | ||
| Greco: I am hoping to pursue my basketball dream of playing in the WNBA. If I'm fortunate to be able to play on a team, I will do everything in my power to make the best of it. Not being the "go to" player will of course be a change for me, but I will accept the challenge and work my hardest in order to give myself an opportunity to play more minutes. | ||
| La Crescenta, CA: Congratulations on a super game against Oregon! You are a great player. We love you. This is Mom and Dad. After the season is over how would you like to celebrate? Which favorite dinner can we prepare for you? | ||
| Greco: Thanks Mom, thanks Dad!!! I had a feeling you guys would ask me a question!! Well, I can't believe my years at UCLA are coming to an end. It's been a great five years, and I have my wonderful and supportive parents to thank. You'll never know just how much you both mean to me. Thank you so much for everything you've done for me. Oh, and by the way, I would like to celebrate the end of my season with a vacation to Hawaii!! Just kidding!! And, of course, chicken with mashed potatoes and gravy sounds terrific. Okay - see you guys later. Love you both. | ||
| Greco: Thanks, everyone, for all of your questions and your support. I have to go to practice now, but I do appreciate you all taking the time to chat. Thanks!! | ||
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Welcome to uclabruins.com's moderated chat room. On Tuesday, March 4, Bruin guard Michelle Greco joined the chat room to talk UCLA women's basketball as the Bruins approach the Pac-10 Conference Tou
