The University of South Alabama women's basketball team will welcome four newcomers to the Jaguar roster during the 2016-17 season. Of the course of the summer, USAJaguars.com will sit down with each of them for Q & A session to help fans see another side of the newest Jags.
The third newcomer for USA fans to get to know is Shaforia Kines, a 5-7 guard from Huffman High School in Birmingham, Ala. Kines talks about who she feels will take on a leadership role on the team this season, why she chose South Alabama and what it means to be a Jaguar, among many other topics.
What are your goals and expectations for the season?
"My goal is to help my teammates make it to the NCAA tournament. My personal expectations are for me to get better every day on the court."
What do you feel is a strength that you bring to the team and why?
"My ball handling skills, my shooting skills and my defensive skills are some strengths I bring to the team."
What is one area of your game that you are looking at improving in this season and why?
"I want to become physically stronger."
What do you feel is going to be the biggest thing for you and your teammates to do this season to be successful?
"I feel we need to come together as a team and work together as a team. That's how we are going to go far."
Is there a teammate of yours who you look up to?
India Hall. She's been driving the freshman around to classes and showing us where to go for the fall. She stays right across the hall from our room and she's been a mother figure for us. She keeps us in line."
Who on the team do you feel will take on the biggest leadership role this season and why?
"Colby [Davis] because she's the only senior, so she is going to have to step up and take the leadership role."
Why did you choose to come to South Alabama?
"I'm going to major in exercise science and South [Alabama] is one of the top schools in that area."
What type of player can fans expect to see out on the floor when they watch you play?
"I can handle the ball. I am quick. I like to play defense and I can shoot."
What do you feel will be the biggest adjustment for you here at South Alabama either on or off the court?
"The biggest adjustment for me is going to be communication skills and how I talk. I have to step up and talk both on and off the court."
You said that you are an exercise science major. What are you wanting to do with that degree after graduation?
"I would like to go into physical therapy. I want to stay in the sports business.
Do you have a favorite place on campus?
"Stokes Hall where I live because I get to relax."
What does it mean to you to be a Jaguar?
"It means a lot because I didn't have to be here. For coach [Terry] Fowler to see something in me during the recruiting process was special to me and meant a lot."
Describe South Alabama women's basketball in a word: "Amazing."
BONUS SHOTS WITH SHAFORIA
What are your favorite professional sports teams? The Cleveland Cavilers and the Atlanta Dream.
What is your favorite TV show? Martin.
What is your favorite memory that you have had so far playing basketball? Last year when we made it to the Final Four of the state tournament. It was our school's time doing that, so that was big time.
What was your favorite show to watch as a kid? Sponge Bob.
What is your favorite food? Pizza.
What is one thing you can't live without? God.
When you are at home, what is one thing you like to do? Go to a gym back home called Sportsplex.
What is your favorite form of social media? Snapchat.
Who has been the most influential person in your life? My mom.
If you could have a superpower, what would it be? To be a giant.
OFF THE COURT WITH…
Kennedi Centers
Savannah Jones
Shaforia Kines
Camryn London
For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com, and follow the Jaguars at www.twitter.com/USAJaguarSports. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).
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