In just her second year with the Wildcats, forward Kendall Hackney has already become one of the team’s top scorers. She is averaging 11.2 points per game, and scored 17 points against Iowa in just 28 minutes of playing time Sunday. I caught up with the sophomore at practice, where she told me about her dream job, coach Joe McKeown’s quirks, and how Meshia Reed might fare against Michael Thompson.
Q: When you were a kid, what was your dream job?
A: My dream job was either to be a Disney animator or a WNBA basketball player.
Q: Thoughts on coach McKeown?
A: Coach McKeown is just an awesome person. He’s funny, but I respect him a lot. I know his history in the world of college basketball. I’m honored to be playing for such a great coach. It’s easy to forget that, but he’s got a great personality. He’s funny, but, you know, I can respect him and listen to him when I need to, so overall, I think he’s a great coach and he’s fun to play for.
Q: What would you say is the funniest story or funniest thing you’ve heard him say in your time here?
A: What’s funny is that his shoes are always untied and his jacket sleeves are always too long for his arms so he looks sometimes like a little kid. So yeah, and he always keeps me entertained so those are some of his quirks, I think.
Q: If you could set up a modern-day Battle of the Sexes between the men’s basketball team and the women’s, and you had to set up a one-on-one, what matchup would you most like to see?
A: I’d probably want to see (senior guard Michael) Juice (Thompson) and (senior guard) Meshia (Reed) battle it out, that would be a pretty funny one because they’re friends, but to see them go at it would be funny.
Q: What’s your favorite dining hall on campus?
A: I got to go with Foster-Walker, that’s my home place right now, so I’m loving Foster-Walker.
Q: Favorite place in Evanston or on campus?
A: Evanston, really honestly, I love the lake. I love going to the lake in the spring and summer and fall, never in the winter because it’s always too cold, but I love the lake. I love being near a body of water. Always love it. It’s just nice to be there, to be able to go and escape for a little bit. If you want to read or anything, so that’s probably my favorite place.
Q: If you weren’t at NU, where do you think you would be?
A: I would have been at University of Southern Cal, that’s where I signed originally, verbal, so I’d be at the University of Southern California.
Q: Best friend on the team if you could pick one?
A: I’d have to go with probably Kate Popovec and Dannielle Diamant. I live with Dannielle, but we’re all kind of really good friends. I’ve known Kate for a while. Definitely those two for sure.
