Adriana Arroyo is a 5-foot-9 redshirt sophomore guard from Madrid.

Arroyo played club basketball in Spain as well as playing for the Spanish national teams for U14, U15 and U16.

Playing for a shorthanded Eastern Illinois women’s basketball team, Arroyo has stepped up into a larger role these past few weeks.

In this Q&A, Arroyo not only talks about how she likes to cook on the court, but how she likes to cook her eggs.

Question: When did you start playing basketball?

Answer: “I started playing basketball when I was around eight years old.”

Q: Why did you start playing basketball?

A: “I started playing because my dad used to play.”

Q: Did you play any other sports growing up?

A: “The first sport that I played was tennis.”

Q: How are you feeling about the season so far?

A: “Obviously, it was not the season that we were expecting. We expected to win way more games than what we did, but also, we have to think about how a lot of valuable players were injured this season. We couldn’t do anything about that, but I feel like as a whole, we’re working hard to be better every day.”

Q: What’s the difference between playing in Spain and playing here?

A: “There are so many differences. I think the main one is that we value more skills and IQ (in Spain). I feel like in America it’s more physical, more weight room since you’re younger. We don’t usually do that in Europe. Also, the rules are different.”

Q: Do you prefer playing here or in Spain?

A: “I like playing in both. I played in Spain all my life, so I loved it there. I love basketball so I would play anywhere.”

Q: Why did you decide to play at EIU?

A: “I love the program. I really liked the coaching staff there when I was doing my recruiting process and I really liked the girls here.”

Q: What is your favorite moment here at EIU?

A: “Practices, since we practice every day with each other. You get really good memories out of them.”

Q: What are your goals for your time at EIU?

A: “I want to be better as a player, and I feel like I’ve done that since my freshman year to now in my junior year. I’ve improved so much basketball wise and also, I’ve grown so much as a person having to be here by myself, having my family so far away.”

Q: What have you sacrificed to get to this point?

A: “I sacrificed not being able to see my family as much. I sacrificed having a life in my country since I was younger, like friends and relationships.”

Q: What would you say your best skill is on the court?

A: “My shooting. I’m a shooting guard; I love shooting threes. I would say my strength is more on the offensive side than the defensive side.”

Q: What motivates you?

A: “Being able to learn new things every day, which makes me better every day.”

Q: Who motivates you?

A: “I have to be the first person that motivates me because if I don’t feel motivation myself, no one can give me that. But obviously my family is an important part there.”

Q: Do you plan on playing basketball after college?

A: “I don’t know, but if I have the chance, yes.”

Q: What do you plan on doing after college?

A: “Starting my life. Finding a job or something like that.”

Q: On a long road trip, who on the team would you give aux?

A: “None of them. I will give aux to myself”

Q: Who is your favorite artist?

A: “Bad Bunny. Such a good artist”

Q: Lebron James or Michael Jordan?

A: “Michael Jordan”

Q: How do you like your eggs?

A: “Sunnyside up”

Q: Stevenson or South Quad?

A: “South quad 100%”

Q: Do you have any hobbies?

A: “I like to play tennis, and I like to do sports. I would say reading but not that much.”

Q: What is your favorite color?

A: “I like blue”

Q: Who is your favorite athlete?

A: “Stephen Curry or Rafael Nadal.”

Aaron Coffin can be reached at 581-2812 or at [email protected].