Ava Stebbins is a member of the Penn Girls Basketball Team.
What is your favorite part of playing basketball?: My favorite part about playing basketball is building strong bonds with my teammates and being around them all the time.
What inspired you to start playing basketball?: My older brother, who I have always looked up to, played basketball growing up, so I decided that I wanted to play to be like him.
What do you think makes a great team captain?: A good team captain is someone who puts the team first, is hard-working, and is a leader who the team can always trust and rely on to make the right decisions.
Who is your biggest role model in the sport and why?: My biggest role model right now is Caitlin Clark because she is a great all-around player and shooter. She is an inspiration for many kids and she believes that through commitment and passion, you can achieve your aspirations no matter what obstacles you are faced with.
What is the most important lesson you have learned from Penn Athletics: The most important lesson that I have learned is the importance of working hard no matter what and being accountable for everything that you do.
What are your best tips for balancing basketball and school?: The best advice I would give is to develop good time management skills by prioritizing your tasks and making sure that as a student-athlete you do not wait until the last minute to complete assignments and study.
What is your favorite drill to do in practice?: My favorite drill during practice is any sort of shooting drill.
Do you have any pre-game rituals?: My pre-game rituals include praying and listening to music that gets me prepared to play.
What is your favorite sports movie and why?: My favorite sports movie is Hoosiers because it is about a basketball team from a small town in Indiana. The movie embodies values that are vital in sports and exemplifies many themes about basketball and life in general.
How do you handle losing a big game?: After a big loss, I always reflect on what I did well in the game and what I could’ve done better. This is a great way to reset your mind and understand the improvements that need to occur in order for a successful performance in the next game.
