Before entering UCLA in 2003, junior forward Amanda
Livingston helped lead her high school team to the state title in
her senior season. The Yorba Linda native now plays a pivotal role
on a Bruin team full of high-caliber players looking to work
together to find success. Livingston sat down with Daily Bruin
reporter Ajaybir Behniwal and discussed everything from the role on
her team to her chances against players from the UCLA men’s
basketball team to her pastimes.
Daily Bruin: How difficult has it been to live up to the
standards that were expected of you in your first year?
Amanda Livingston: It was never really difficult. I just look at
it as a challenge. I take it day by day. I like the challenge,
honestly. That’s what drives me.
DB: Would you rather be known as a rebounder or a scorer, or
what would you like to be known as?
AL: This year, we have a lot of superstars on the team and
we’re really, really focusing on getting everybody
involved.
Being known as a good rebounder, that would be nice because I
always try to attack the boards. But I’d rather be known as
the physical presence, the banger, the person that does all the
little things.
Having a label isn’t that important to me. It’s all
about the team.
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DB: Is there anyone on the men’s team you think you
might be able to ball up?
AL: That I might be able to ball up? Probably not. Maybe some of
the injured ones. I don’t think I’d play them one on
one ““ I have enough injuries. Who knows what would
happen.
DB: How would you handle going against Michael Fey
differently from going up against freshman walk-on Kelvin
Kim?
AL: Well, let’s see. Michael Fey is a post player.
He’s tall. How tall is he? I would just keep Michael Fey off
the block and see what he could do outside.
As far as Kelvin Kim, he’s pretty quick. I like him.
I’d just give him a little bit of space and hopefully
he’ll miss the jumpers.
DB: Which do you think you’d have a better chance
against?
AL: Um … Fey. But I’m not trying to downplay him. You
guys aren’t going to make it sound like that, are you?
DB: No, no, no.
AL: OK, good.
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DB: After a big win at home at Pauley Pavilion, what do you
usually do? Do you just go back to your room and relax, or do you
get together with the rest of the team?
AL: Celebrate with my teammates. I don’t like to relax.
Like after Texas we all hung out and had food and celebrated with
each other; or we celebrate with our families.
Well, some of us prefer to sleep. Nikki Blue likes to sleep a
lot. She’s probably the one who’d go to sleep unless we
asked her to come.
DB: When all the girls on the team get together outside
of
practice, what do you like to do?
AL: We like to play Catch Phrase. We like to eat a lot. Recently
we had team bonding at (assistant coach) Maylana Martin’s
relative’s Malibu beach house and we all went down there and
played some games to kind of get to know each other. It was really
fun.
DB: Of the freshmen, which do you have the closest
relationship with?
AL: Rey Rey (Chinyere Ibekwe). Um … just because she’s a
post player and, I don’t know, I just feel a bond with her.
But Ashlee (Trebilcock), I played Swish with her for a couple of
years, so we already have that connection as far as on-the-court
stuff.
And Tierra (Henderson), I mean, we have a good relationship.
She’s funny. She’s got her attitude … in a good
way.
DB: Are there any nicknames for any girls on the team that
are pretty random?
AL: I call Lisa (Willis) “Beyoncé” ’cause
she thinks she looks like Beyoncé.
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DB: What are some of your hobbies other than playing
basketball?
AL: I love to shop, and I love watching sports.
DB: Let’s say you have a grand to spend anywhere.
Where would you go and what would you buy?
AL: Ooh, a grand? I’d definitely probably go shopping in
Beverly Hills. Actually, I take that back, because my
money’ll be gone like that. So if I had a thousand dollars
… yeah, I’d probably go to the Fox Hills Mall and get some
new clothes.
I’d do that, then I’d take all my friends out to get
something to eat.
Interview conducted by Ajaybir Behniwal, Bruin Sports senior
staff.