Shipley’s Sanaa Redmond is Main Line Girls Athlete of the Week

The 5-foot-6 junior guard, a first team All-Friends’ Schools League and first team All-Main Line girls basketball selection last winter, has averaged 25.9 ppg, and more than 3 apg, 3 spg and 3 rpg in the Gators’ 4-3 start. She is shooting 63 percent from two-point territory and has converted 44 percent of her three-point attempts. She scored her 1,000th career point Dec. 7 against Penn Charter. As a sophomore, she averaged 15.3 ppg, 3.4 rpg and 2.2 apg for the PAISAA state finalists.

Q: What is your most vivid memory of scoring your 1,000th point?

A: My most vivid memory was not knowing I had reached it initially, to then hearing the very loud cheers of the crowd (family members and classmates) and then from my teammates and coaches. It is a feeling that I’ll never forget.

Q: What area of your game do you feel you improved the most in the off-season? 

A: I think I improved the most in my aggressiveness and confidence.

Q: Last season, Shipley won the Friends’ Schools League title and advanced to the PAISAA state finals. What is your most vivid memory of last season – can you share it with us?

A: My most vivid memory is winning the FSL title, it was so great because we fought from being down at the half.

Q: What do you think is the strongest aspect of your game? What part of your game are you working on the most currently?

A: The strongest part of my game is my scoring ability and ball handling, and what I’m working on the most is being consistent in free throw shooting and 3’s.

Q: Tell us a little about your start in competitive basketball. Who have been your most important basketball mentors; and what was the most important thing you learned from each of them?

A: I started playing competitive basketball with a church league called Mt. Airy Church of God in Christ with all boys, I was the only girl. Some of my biggest basketball mentors have been my AAU coaches and high school coach. My biggest mentor has been my current coach at Shipley, Sean Costello. The most important thing that I learned from him is to always stay mentally in the game and play hard.

Q: Tell us a little about your pre-game preparation the day of a game.

A: On the day of a game, I like to eat a good breakfast. I also like to take Epsom salt baths the night before to relax my muscles. Then I eat a healthy lunch that has a protein, carbs, vegetable and fruit. I also listen to music throughout the day also. When it gets closer to the game, I listen to pump up songs and then I listen to smooth and calming songs to get me mentally ready. After that, I’m ready to go.

Q: Who is your favorite basketball player, and why?

A: My favorite basketball player is Lebron James because of his great leadership, athleticism, and love for the game.

Q: You wear uniform jersey No. 4 Shipley basketball – why did you pick this number – does it have any special significance to you?

A: I’ve worn No. 4 since I was in grade school. I chose this number because I look up to Skylar Diggins and because I wanted to be one number above two guards I love, who are Allen Iverson and Dwayne Wade.  

Q: What do you think you’d like to major in at college? Is there a career path that particularly interests you at the present time?

A: I’d like to major in something in the medical field. The reason is because I’ve always been interested in math and science.

Fun facts – Sanaa Redmond

Favorite book: The Fault in Our Stars.

Favorite author: Nicola Yoon.

Favorite TV show: Raising Dion.

Favorite athlete: Lebron James.  

Favorite pre-game pump-up song: Big Stepper by Roddy Ricch.

Favorite team: Philadelphia Sixers.

(To be selected as Main Line Girls Athlete of the Week, a student-athlete must first be nominated by her coach.)

To view a gallery of the Main Line Girls Athlete of the Week from 2013 to present click here