MOBILE, Ala. – University of South Alabama women's basketball guard Jayla Morrow recently sat down with USAJaguars.com to discuss the upcoming season, her contributions to the program the last two years, and her the long-term goals both on the court and professionally.

Born and raised in Birmingham, the 5-foot-8 junior guard came to South after helping Wenonah High School to four consecutive state championships.  In 63 career appearances for the Jags — including six this season — she has averaged 2.8 points and 2.1 rebounds per game to go along with 109 assists and 47 steals.  In addition to scoring in double figures on six occasions, she has led USA in steals 14 times and assists in 11 contests.

What are your goals and expectations for the team this year?
"My goals and expectations this year are to win the Sun Belt Conference championship — we were so close last year — continue to work hard and learn from our mistakes, and to continue to build team chemistry."

What do you hope to accomplish individually this season?
"The number one goal that I have set is to become the Sun Belt Conference Defensive Player of the Year."

What do you do best on the court that helps the team win?
"I think what I do best is play defense, I don't mind checking the other team's best player.  I get other players involved, I'm a great passer and I feel like I am a floor general."

What were your expectations when you came to South?
"My expectations were high due to the fact that I had won four state championships, I knew the feeling.  I wanted to bring that same energy here to South Alabama so that I could win at least on championship in college."

Did you know what you role on the team would be your freshman year?
"I believe that everyone has a role on a team, I just let my work speak for itself and went with the flow.  If it was my time, I was going to be ready."

What did you do after your first year to earn more playing time last season?
"I understood what they [the coaches] wanted from me — you have to understand your role and what you bring to the table.  I got closer to the coaching staff, that bond with coaches is very important to a player.  And it was all about learning the system and how you can produce in it."

What are your long-term basketball goals?
"I just want to win a Sun Belt championship.  I plan on going overseas to extend my basketball career.  I'm going to let everything flow and whatever is for me will come.  I am going to put that in God's hands."

What do you want to do professionally when you are no longer playing basketball?
"I think I have the ability to touch and inspire others so I plan on becoming a mental health counselor.  I want to communicate with juveniles.  Everyone has a bond, something in common with people who aren't as fortunate as they are, so I want to make an impact on those people's lives."

Why did you want to come to South Alabama?
"Based on my visit, it was all about family and the team, it was never about me.  I loved the chemistry, it reminded me of my situation in high school."

When and why did you first start playing basketball?
"I first started playing basketball when I was four.  The crazy thing was I didn't really like basketball, I just played it because my dad wanted me to play.  My first year I didn't get on the court, my mom didn't want me to play since I didn't get in but my dad said to stick with it because he thought there was something there because they had both played.  That next year when coach put me out there I realized I could shoot and dribble.  And I used to always watch my brother play AAU, the excitement, the fans and the support inspired me to play.  Over time I grew to love the game."

Where there any other sports you were interested in growing up?
"I actually played softball, I was the pitcher but I got hurt and didn't want to play anymore.  And I was in a dance company.  Basketball took a toll on that because I would have dance competitions on the same day as a game so my mom made me choose."

At what point did you think earning a scholarship and playing in college was a possibility?
"I was in the seventh grade and the high school coach told me I should play at the high-school level because I was so gifted, so that year I ended up playing on the high school varsity team.  That's when I realized that I had the potential to move forward, and ever since then I have been working hard and putting in the time to reach that goal."

How is it possible to like three different NBA teams?
"It's very possible because every team brings something different.  I'm a Clippers fan because I feel like they are complete, they have good offensive and defensive players and they have team chemistry.  I like the Lakers because I feel like LeBron [James] is my brother, I am going to support him regardless of what team he plays for.  And I'm also a Brooklyn fan now that Kyrie [Irving] is there, I love the way he plays point guard."

Do you still write poetry?
"Yes, I still write poetry frequently, any time I have free time outside of basketball.  I normally write about things that I go through, and things that I see other people go through; I believe that if they don't write it down I should be able to tell their story and touch them in some type of way."

What is it like growing up the youngest of four kids?
"I am very blessed because I have older siblings.  They take care of me, there are some things I don't have to worry about or ask my mom or father to do because my brothers look after me."

Do you have any interest in travelling outside of Alabama after you graduate?
"When I graduate I do not plan on staying in Birmingham.  I plan on going overseas, but if that doesn't happen I want to move to Atlanta or Texas — somewhere bigger — just to experience more things and take advantage of opportunities."

For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com, and follow the Jaguars at www.twitter.com/WeAreSouth_JAGS. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).

Join the South Circle, the unrestricted giving option of the University of South Alabama Athletics.  Contributions to the South Circle directly support all 17 sports in addition to various support programming. For more information on how you can join visit: http://jaguarathleticfund.com/give

—USA—