Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Q&A with newcomer Shayla Middlebrooks
7/13/2016 6:11:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Freshman hails from Elyria, Ohio
GoBlueRaiders.com will be conducting a Q&A with a different women's basketball player each week as part of "What Do You Know Wednesday." This week's #WDYKW feature is freshman Shayla Middlebrooks, the daughter of Corey and Brandi Middlebrooks. Shayla is from Elyria, Ohio.
GBR.com: What would you say made Middle Tennessee stand out to you?
SM: It was actually the coaching staff and the team. They both were very welcoming and made me feel at home.
GBR.com: Being from Ohio, how important was it to you to find somewhere you felt comfortable?
SM: It was very important. You have to have some type of chemistry.
GBR.com: What would you say would be your ultimate achievement to accomplish in your time at Middle Tennessee?
SM: Having a good season off an injury (in high school).
GBR.com: When did your injury take place?
SM: I first got hurt in the 12th game of the season. It was January 9 against Mentor. I went up for a jump shot and my leg popped. I fell down and couldn't get up. I knew I was in pain. I knew something was wrong. I usually don't fall down, or when I do, I usually get back up and start playing again.
GBR.com: How has the rehab gone and where do you feel you are now?
SM: At first, in Ohio, when I was doing rehab up there, it was going kind of slow. I had to wait six weeks because I was on crutches. Since I have been here, I can feel my leg has gotten much stronger.
GBR.com: How did you get in to basketball?
SM: Honestly, I have no clue. I just picked up a ball and started playing.
GBR.com: So far, what would you say is the most different thing about Murfreesboro, Tennessee then from where you are from?
SM: The people down here a much nicer. In Ohio we can be pretty rude.
GBR.com: What do you think you have had to adjust to the most since being here?
SM: Being more independent. I was independent a lot in Ohio, but down here it's more of being my own person.
GBR.com: What has been the best piece of advice someone has given you to help you succeed?
SM: Just work. My dad told me that. That's basically what I go by now.
GBR.com: How important are your academics to you and getting your degree?
SM: It's very important. You have to be smart to go far.
GBR.com: Do you have aspirations of playing basketball beyond college?
SM: I would love to do that, but if I don't I know I need something to fall back on.
GBR.com: Do you know what you would like your career path to be or what you would like to work on?
SM: At MTSU they have the concrete industry management program. It's kind of like architecture with more chemistry. I am thinking of doing that.
GBR.com: Who would you say has had the most influence on you?
SM: I would say my parents. If they catch me slipping, they will pick me back up and put me back on my feet and tell me exactly what I need to do.
GBR.com: Do you think being here earlier helps you adjust?
SM: Oh yeah. Even just this past month with coming in July, it's made it way easier to transition to college life.
GBR.com: What are your thoughts on going to Costa Rica? Have you been out of the country before?
SM: My parents were planning on taking me out of the country. I'm not sure where, but it will be my first time. I was excited. I think it will be fun. It will be a great bonding experience.
GBR.com: What are you looking forward to in being a part of the Lady Raider program?
SM: Becoming a part of the team, and hopefully to win some games.
GBR.com: What would you say made Middle Tennessee stand out to you?
SM: It was actually the coaching staff and the team. They both were very welcoming and made me feel at home.
GBR.com: Being from Ohio, how important was it to you to find somewhere you felt comfortable?
SM: It was very important. You have to have some type of chemistry.
GBR.com: What would you say would be your ultimate achievement to accomplish in your time at Middle Tennessee?
SM: Having a good season off an injury (in high school).
GBR.com: When did your injury take place?
SM: I first got hurt in the 12th game of the season. It was January 9 against Mentor. I went up for a jump shot and my leg popped. I fell down and couldn't get up. I knew I was in pain. I knew something was wrong. I usually don't fall down, or when I do, I usually get back up and start playing again.
GBR.com: How has the rehab gone and where do you feel you are now?
SM: At first, in Ohio, when I was doing rehab up there, it was going kind of slow. I had to wait six weeks because I was on crutches. Since I have been here, I can feel my leg has gotten much stronger.
GBR.com: How did you get in to basketball?
SM: Honestly, I have no clue. I just picked up a ball and started playing.
GBR.com: So far, what would you say is the most different thing about Murfreesboro, Tennessee then from where you are from?
SM: The people down here a much nicer. In Ohio we can be pretty rude.
GBR.com: What do you think you have had to adjust to the most since being here?
SM: Being more independent. I was independent a lot in Ohio, but down here it's more of being my own person.
GBR.com: What has been the best piece of advice someone has given you to help you succeed?
SM: Just work. My dad told me that. That's basically what I go by now.
GBR.com: How important are your academics to you and getting your degree?
SM: It's very important. You have to be smart to go far.
GBR.com: Do you have aspirations of playing basketball beyond college?
SM: I would love to do that, but if I don't I know I need something to fall back on.
GBR.com: Do you know what you would like your career path to be or what you would like to work on?
SM: At MTSU they have the concrete industry management program. It's kind of like architecture with more chemistry. I am thinking of doing that.
GBR.com: Who would you say has had the most influence on you?
SM: I would say my parents. If they catch me slipping, they will pick me back up and put me back on my feet and tell me exactly what I need to do.
GBR.com: Do you think being here earlier helps you adjust?
SM: Oh yeah. Even just this past month with coming in July, it's made it way easier to transition to college life.
GBR.com: What are your thoughts on going to Costa Rica? Have you been out of the country before?
SM: My parents were planning on taking me out of the country. I'm not sure where, but it will be my first time. I was excited. I think it will be fun. It will be a great bonding experience.
GBR.com: What are you looking forward to in being a part of the Lady Raider program?
SM: Becoming a part of the team, and hopefully to win some games.
Players Mentioned
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