Making the transition from high school to college is never an easy task.  Moving out of state and meeting a group of people that you see and work with everyday is an even bigger challenge -- unless you are Kent State women’s basketball player Taisja Jones – who has had to conquer that feat twice.  Not only has Jones been a key player for KSU’s 12-7 Overall, 5-2 MAC record but she has been able to develop bonds with her teammates and coaches since becoming a Golden Flash. We were able to catch up with Jones to get a more in-depth look at her adaptation to her new Kent State “family”.

1. Coming from a Junior College in Denison, Texas (Grayson County), what has been your biggest adjustment thus far?

The way coach [Head Coach Bob Lindsey] wants me to play.  He pushes me to play hard on every possession and that is really hard to do because I’m so use to jogging and just going at my own pace.

1. What were your expectations for yourself in your first game at Kent State?  

I really didn’t have high expectations. I just wanted to get in the game, score, and call it a day. I didn’t think that I would start or even play that much.

1. What do you identify as the main contribution to your success this season?

I would have to say my coaches and my teammates. They encouraged me and helped me make it through because I didn’t see any light at the end of the tunnel.

1. You are a very versatile player, which do you prefer to play- guard or forward? Why?

I prefer to play guard because I feel like there is a bigger opportunity to score. You can penetrate or you can shoot the three. The only time I post is when there are smaller defenders on me. Other than that, I don’t really think to post up.

1. With the regular season over half way through, what do you think is going to be the biggest challenge for you and your team in making post season play?

Playing hard for the whole game and playing together as a team. I believe that as long as we have energy and keep encouraging each other we will make it.

1. If you could play a different sport, what would it be and why?

I would probably choose to do track so I can do the jumps. I enjoyed doing long jump, triple jump, and high jump in high school.

1. Is there a history of skilled basketball players such as yourself in your family?

My uncle was pretty good at basketball. He basically taught me everything I know. My mom was also a basketball player. She could shoot the ball pretty well.

1. Being a criminal justice major, where do you see yourself in 10 years?

I can see myself working as a correctional officer in a juvenile detention center or being a juvenile probation officer.  I know for sure that I will be doing something that deals with juveniles.

1. Do you have any interesting hobbies or skills aside from basketball?

I can play the trumpet. I was pretty good at it in high school. I love to text! I use almost 2500 text messages a month.

1. What is your most memorable moment in your athletic career?

I would have to say when a lot of my family got to come to my game. That was their first time seeing me play and they were all happy and amazed.  Plus I had a pretty good game so that made it even better.