Future Friday: Q&A with Cyesha Goree
5/27/2016 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
May 27, 2016
After representing the block M with pride while they competed for the Maize and Blue, our student-athlete alumni have gone off to become professionals in different areas of their lives. Whether they continued on in their sport, helped to build up a company or started a family, they are building a future. They are building our future. As they leave the University of Michigan campus they go forth with all they learned here to create a better future for us all.
Cyesha Goree (2012-15) recently completed her first season playing professional basketball in Hungary after averaging 13.8 points and 10.5 rebounds as a senior at Michigan. Her team, UNI Gyor, finished second in the league and she was named the Player of the Year, Forward of the Year and Import Player of the Year. Following her successful season in Hungary, Goree joined the WNBA's Indiana Fever for training camp. She did not make the final roster but was among the last players released. Goree talks about what it was like playing overseas, learning to drive a stick shift car, how Michigan prepared her for professional basketball and what she envisions doing once her basketball career is over.
Q. How was your first season playing professional basketball?
A. It was a great experience. I lucked out, unlike a lot of people who might have a bad experience during their first year overseas, I got to play on a team that was very open to Americans. The coach was great. He knew basketball and he knows how to coach, even though he doesn't speak English. I had another coach translate it. Everything was great. I am going to try and play on the same team next season.
Q. What was it like living in another country?
A. I come to find out that when Americans are asked that question, our favorite way to describe it is that "it's different." My city was pretty small. At first, I was worried that I was not going to be able to get around. I had to learn how to drive a stick (manual transmission). My first day there, they gave me my car and I got in only to realize it was a stick. I didn't know how to even go about that, but luckily one of my teammates taught me how to drive it. It took me a couple of tries but I figured it out. It is just different. Things on Sunday are closed. Food-wise, I had to adjust to the type of food over there. Just the normal parts of living that you are so used to are different. But it was really nice and I loved it.
Q. What was your favorite place you visited while you were over there?
A. Because of the league my team played in, we got to go to Portugal, Belgium and France. I just think France was my favorite because every time we had days off, that is where I would go. It was great to go back there after going there as a junior with the team when we went to Europe. I was able to see a little bit more of the country and do more sightseeing than I have been able to when we are there for games.
Q. What was it like being in preseason camp with the Indiana Fever?
A. It was exciting. Before I went over to Hungary last summer, I was hoping to get invited to camp but it was full. The fact that they contacted me halfway through my season because they were impressed with how I was playing was definitely exciting. It was just one step closer to my dream of playing in the WNBA. Last year, I wasn't even in a camp and this year I was. It was nice, and I had a lot of fun. The players were great and I learned a lot from Stephanie White, the coach. She had followed my whole career and watched me grow. Even though I didn't make it, hearing the positive comments from her and (Fever GM) Kelly (Krauskopf), it has motivated even more to stay hungry and keep working. It teaches you to be ready to get a call, because you never know when it might come.
Q. How did your time at Michigan prepare you for what you are doing right now?
A. It prepared me to be able to adjust to any situation and still be successful. I battled with injuries during my time at Michigan. When I came in, I was not the star player out of high school. I had to work my way up and earn the right to play. I had to work to earn my respect from the coaches and players. Being at Michigan taught me to be patient and to never give up. I developed a drive to improve and stay focused while I was there. Overseas, you are alone a lot. Most of your teammates are from that country, so they always live there. When I got there, I was the only American. I had to find something to keep my mind in a positive mindset. I would go workout by myself to get better because there are a lot of younger girls who are playing just to play instead of playing to be a professional. I had to make sure I don't take any days off. I have to keep working hard and stay focused. I learned how to do that during my four years at Michigan.
Q. What are your summer plans?
A. Right now, I am just enjoying my family and my time off for a bit. I am still lifting and getting stronger and staying in shape. But once July and August comes, I will get back into heavy two-a-day training.
Q. How has your game developed since playing professionally?
A. Growing up and in college, if you are anywhere above 6-0, you are going to be playing in the post. That was my opportunity to be a back to the basket player. Since I have graduated and working more with Coach Joy (McCorvey) to prepare to come overseas, I have been working on my ability to face up. Luckily my coach over here has let me work on that. He thought he was getting just a back-to-the-basket player, but he has let me become more of a stretch forward. I was able to work on my jumper with him and change what I do after setting a screen. Now, I can set a screen and come out a bit. I can pick and pop instead of always just rolling to the basket. I was able to transform myself into someone who can play the '4' position instead of just the '5' position. I can take advantage of my match up better now. If a smaller guard is guarding me, I can post up. If someone bigger is on me, I can bring them out a little more.
Q. You will probably be playing basketball for a while, but do you have any plans for what you will do when your basketball career comes to an end?
A. I want to coach. I want to stay in the game as long as I can. I plan on playing for at least 10 more years but you cannot always determine your plan or destiny. If something happens, I plan on coaching right away and get into the field. I will have to start small and then work my way up, but I want to be a college coach.
Q. What would your advice to be to younger players who are getting into the game of basketball?
A. Just always have fun. Never let any pressure get to you. And just always work hard. You never know when your opportunity will come. I did not really have a name for myself coming out of high school or even a big name coming out of college. Now, I am almost in the WNBA. I feel like I am playing for those people who have to work hard and make a name for themselves. We have to go overseas and prove ourselves before we get a shot at home. Never take no for an answer. If you want to do something, set your mind to it and do it. You have to make sacrifices but at the end of the day, it is worth it for something positive to come out of it.
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