WashingtonMystics.com had a chance to talk with Mystics forward Emma Meesseman for an exclusive one-on-one Q&A session.
WashingtonMystics.com: You’re having a career year so far this season. What has been going so right for you in your third year?
Emma Meesseman: I think I know the league now, I know the players. I know what I have to do without being too scared to do it. I know that coach has confidence in me so it boosts my confidence when doing stuff on the court. And I think I’m just getting stronger physically as I grow older, that’s a big thing.
WM.com: What’s it like having all this All-Star buzz around you? Is it a goal of yours to make the team?
EM: No. I mean it would be a nice experience of course. It’s a dream everyone has, but my dream is already complete just being here. I think all supporters create buzz because they want their team to be All-Stars, so we’ll see if that’s going to happen. If it’s there, okay. If it’s not, that’s all right.
WM.com: What’s the most fun part for you about playing for a young, up-and-coming team like the Mystics?
EM: Just the energy we bring on and off the court. We laugh all the time. Even the older players talk to the younger players and we all just have the same chemistry between us. It’s just great being here, we’re all friends.
WM.com: Who’s the toughest player you’ve ever had to play against?
EM: Della Donne is really good. It’s so hard to stop her. But physically, for me, it’s hard to play against Catchings as well because she’s so strong and has so much experience. Whatever you stop, she can do something else.
WM.com: What’s something about D.C. that you’ve enjoyed that maybe you weren’t expecting when you came here?
EM: Georgetown. Like it’s a really nice place. It’s so calm, it’s not really like American. I don’t associate Georgetown with America, the image I have in my head for some reason. That town is just really nice.
WM.com: What do you miss most about home that you can’t find or do here in America?
EM: I would say the last two years it’s been food. But now I can make all my favorite stuff myself, so I guess just the feeling of being home. The feeling of being surrounded by friends and family.
WM.com: What’s your favorite food?
EM: All Belgium kinds of food. Not American food. Just like oven dishes. I like a lot of different foods.
WM.com: Besides basketball, what activity or hobby do you like to do in your free time? And if you weren’t a professional basketball player, what would you be?
EM: Right now I just like to read, to hang out, visit places. If I weren’t a basketball player, I’d probably be like a tennis player or volleyball player. Any sports with a ball.
WM.com: Are you superstitious? Do you have any game day rituals?
EM: No. I won’t do any crazy stuff I’ve never done before like any weird stuff. But I don’t think I would ever fail at something if I don’t do something else, so, no, I’m not superstitious.