Athlete profile: Erin McDonnell
Erin McDonnell
Compiled by Morristown This Week
Erin McDonnell, 17, lives in Convent Station and plays basketball at Kent Place School in Summit. McDonnell scored her 1,000th point last season.
When did you begin playing basketball? What drew you to it? I started playing basketball when I was 5 years old. I went to a small Catholic school and basketball was the only sport they offered.
What has been your biggest thrill as a basketball player? My biggest thrill as a basketball player is seeing hard work pay off. Team success means more to me than individual accomplishments.
Do you participate in other sports? Which one is your favorite? I play tennis but basketball is my favorite because it is more team oriented.
What athletes do you admire? Do you have a favorite team? I admire Jayne Appel (Stanford basketball player) because of her character and her incredible basketball talent. My favorite team is the Los Angeles Lakers.
Who is your biggest inspiration? Why? My biggest inspiration is my AAU coach, John Griff. He has taught me so much about basketball, and he made me the player that I am today. In addition, he has taught me many valuable life lessons such as staying focused, committed, and taking care of my teammates.
What is the greatest lesson you have learned from playing sports? The greatest lesson I have learned from playing sports is to never give up. Even when something goes wrong, there is not enough time in the day to sulk because mistakes are normal. There are plenty of times when things go wrong but I have learned to move on and respond with composure.
How do you get ready for a game? To get ready for a game, I envision myself playing in the game and I think about what I need to do to help the team win. I also listen to music.
Are you superstitious? In what ways? I wouldn't call myself superstitious, but I would definitely say that everything happens for a reason. I also believe, as John Wooden says, that the harder you work, the more luck you will have.
What do you see yourself doing 10 years from now? Ten years from now I see myself as a doctor.