May 17, 2007 • Colorado Springs

The last time ThunderRidge High School (Colo.) graduate Emily Fox was at a USA Basketball trials, she cheered on her former high school teammate Abby Waner from the sidelines. Today, she wore a USA across her chest and battled for her own spot on a USA National Team.

Fox is one of 45 women competing for a spot on one of two USA Basketball teams, the U21 World Championship Team and the Pan American Games Team, at this weekend's USA National Team Trials, held at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo.

While she may be a USA Basketball newcomer, Fox is no stranger to competition. In fact, she and Waner led ThunderRidge to three consecutive Colorado state titles in 2003, 2004 and 2005 before taking her game to the collegiate level at the University of Minnesota.

As a Gopher, she's helped Minnesota to the 2006 NCAA Tournament and the 2007 WNIT. She averaged 12.9 ppg. and 3.9 apg. as a sophomore in 2006-07, including 16.5 ppg., 8.5 rpg. and 4.5 apg. during the Big Ten Tournament, while recording a career high 30 points on Jan. 25 versus Iowa.

Recognized as a 2007 All-Big Ten Conference second team selection by Big Ten coaches and All-Big Ten third team by the league's media, Fox hopes to be recognized by the USA Basketball Women's Collegiate Committee and named as a finalist for one of the USA teams Sunday morning at the conclusion of trials.

Usabasketball.com stole a few minutes with Fox, and she dished on returning to her home state of Colorado, college and...sportstacking?

How is it to be back home in Colorado?
It's great. Coming home always feels good. I got home Saturday the 12th, so I was home for a couple of days before I made the trip to Colorado Springs, and I spent a lot time with my family. It was Mother's Day, so it was great to be home for that. We went for a family run together, and we went to church together. I also spent a lot of time with my friends and worked out. I ran a lot to try and get used to this altitude again.

When was the last time you were home?
The last time I was home before this weekend, I was actually here for the Sportstacking World Championships on April 10. I was here for two days. I started sportstacking in like third grade, so I've been doing it for a long time now.

How did you do?
I actually did this competition just for fun, and I brought some of my teammates from Minnesota. We did a relay competition and did okay. We lost to the Germans. We took third place in the women's division. We were probably competing against about 10 teams, but there was over 11,000 competitors in the tournament.

Which teammates did you bring with you?
I brought Ashley Ellis-Milan and Katie Ohm to compete with me. I actually showed them how to do it when I came to Minnesota about a year ago. They really got into it and started practicing so we could be ready for the tournament. They did really well, but comparatively to all the really fast people, they were a little slower. Still, we did well.

Growing up in Colorado and being familiar with USA Basketball, what's is it like to be a part of trials for the first time?
This is so cool. I've been coming to watch my Highlands Ranch teammate Abby Waner in all these tryouts here for a long time, so to actually be a part of it now is just such an honor. All these other girls here, just to be able to play with them is really special. I feel like I've accomplished something. Obviously, I'm really focused on making one of the teams, but it feels great to even have that opportunity.

Are your parents coming to watch trials?
Yeah, they are coming down. They are so excited about this whole thing. And my high school basketball coach is coming, and then my aunt and my uncle are coming too.

Do you keep in touch with your former high school coach?
Yeah, I do. He found out I was coming to trials and called me right away and asked to be put on the guest list. It's really nice, especially since Abby's had all this sucess here with USA Basketball. It's fun to be a part of it.

This is your first time staying at the U.S. Olympic Training Center. Has it been what you expected?
I didn't really know what to expect. But it's gone well. My room is really nice. The training center dorm is actually a lot nicer than my freshman dorm at Minnesota.

Do you think meeting other players an important part of the experience?
Obviously it's mostly about basketball, but it's also really cool to meet these great players I've watched play and to get to play against them.

Are you nervous?
I'm nervous, but in a good way. I'm really excited--in a good way I think.

Did Abby give you any advice?
Yeah, just to play and play your game. Not let your nerves force you away from what you do best.

What is it that you do best?
I definitely like to run the floor and make my teammates better by distributing the ball and seeing the floor.

What has your experience as a student athlete been like?
It's been great. The coaches and the whole community have just really embraced the athletes.

What are your goals for your junior season at Minnesota?
I think last year we were a very young team. I feel like we have a chance to prove a lot of people wrong. We definetely want to make it into the NCAA Tournament. That's a huge goal for us. And personally, just to get better and help make my teammates better.

How about Minnesota's hire of Tubby Smith as the head men's coach?
It's pretty cool, I see him around the gym all the time. Hopefully I'll get the chance to learn a few things from him.

Do you think it will have a positive effect on the school as a whole?
Oh for sure. It was exciting to hear and there's a buzz. It was a great hire, and I think it will bring a lot of great players to Minnesota.

What's your favorite thing about basketball?
Probably the people I've gotten to meet. And then on the court, I love running with the ball in my hand, love running.

What other activities do you enjoy off the court?
I like to water ski. They have all these lakes in Minnesota. I love to be outside.