University of Minnesota Athletics
Transition Game; Junior forward Kadidja Andersson
1/22/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
"Ever since I started playing basketball, I had a dream of coming to the United States and playing basketball because it is not as big in Sweden as it is here," Andersson recalled.
Her dream started when she first stepped foot on the basketball court back in the sixth grade. With support from her coach and best friend, she played on club teams throughout Stockholm, Sweden. She knew that she needed to work hard because of the opportunity available to come to the United States and play college basketball. Her sweat and determination on the court paid off by making two of her dreams come true - she made the Swedish National Team and she came to Minnesota to play college basketball.
Basketball in the United States is different than what Kadidja was used to playing back home in Sweden. "I knew it was going to be a lot different, but you can't prepare yourself or grasp what is coming your way, " Andersson commented. "Everything is at a much larger scale. Basketball in the United States is more professional than anything that I have experienced. There are so many people working for and with you."
Her transition from Stockholm to Minneapolis was easier than some may expect. The environment between the two cities is very similar, but the one thing she hasn't quite gotten used to is the food. "I called my mom and told her that I wanted Swedish meatballs when I got home (for winter break)," Andersson said.
Her "winter break" included 20 hours of flying between Minneapolis and Stockholm and allowed her only 48 hours in Sweden to enjoy mom's Swedish meatballs. The flight and leaving her family and friends have become less difficult. "It is getting easier to leave Sweden and my family," Andersson added. "I have school, friends and basketball to keep me occupied. Minnesota is starting to feel like my second home."
With her family so far away, Andersson relies on the support from her teammates and their families. "We really are like one big family. It has been amazing because we are so close to one another. Every challenge has brought us closer and made us stronger. Janel (McCarville) and I have become very close. I go home with her to visit her family and they have started to feel like my second family. It has been nice to have a home away from home."
Not only has Andersson grown as an individual off the court, but she has improved her game and grown as a basketball player as well. "My role in Sweden was to score, but I knew that it would be different when I came to Minnesota. There is greater talent and more competition, but I feel that having this type of competition has improved me as a player. I now have to compete for playing time. I am more appreciative and understand that rebounds and assists are as important as scoring. I am grateful for my role on this team."
Her basketball experiences have gone beyond the playing court. She has traveled to over 20 different countries with Team Sweden, not to mention being a member of another team - the All-Big Ten Academic Team. These accomplishments and experiences have helped make Andersson into an all-around player and person.
Hopefully her goals will continue to be achieved and her dreams will come true. Andersson is an amazing person, on and off the court, who has helped create dreams here in Minnesota. "When I first came to Minnesota, four years seemed like a long time to me, but the last two years have gone by so fast and I have so many wonderful memories that I do not want my dream to end."
Whether dreaming with eyes closed or wide open, if a student-athlete has a dream in life, she has to stick to it. Andersson adds, "I was used to one thing (on playing basketball in Sweden) and then to come to Minnesota and experience what I have has been my dream come true."
Written by Media Relations Student Assistant Lisa Hardy Dreams. Every student-athlete has them. There are those who dream at night with their eyes closed. Then there are those who dream during the day with their eyes wide open. They are the ones who act out their dreams and make them reality. For anyone experiencing the transition between high school and college, change can be scary, but imagine traveling halfway across the world to make one of your dreams come true. Kadidja Andersson did just that.
"Ever since I started playing basketball, I had a dream of coming to the United States and playing basketball because it is not as big in Sweden as it is here," Andersson recalled.
Her dream started when she first stepped foot on the basketball court back in the sixth grade. With support from her coach and best friend, she played on club teams throughout Stockholm, Sweden. She knew that she needed to work hard because of the opportunity available to come to the United States and play college basketball. Her sweat and determination on the court paid off by making two of her dreams come true - she made the Swedish National Team and she came to Minnesota to play college basketball.
Basketball in the United States is different than what Kadidja was used to playing back home in Sweden. "I knew it was going to be a lot different, but you can't prepare yourself or grasp what is coming your way, " Andersson commented. "Everything is at a much larger scale. Basketball in the United States is more professional than anything that I have experienced. There are so many people working for and with you."
Her transition from Stockholm to Minneapolis was easier than some may expect. The environment between the two cities is very similar, but the one thing she hasn't quite gotten used to is the food. "I called my mom and told her that I wanted Swedish meatballs when I got home (for winter break)," Andersson said.
Her "winter break" included 20 hours of flying between Minneapolis and Stockholm and allowed her only 48 hours in Sweden to enjoy mom's Swedish meatballs. The flight and leaving her family and friends have become less difficult. "It is getting easier to leave Sweden and my family," Andersson added. "I have school, friends and basketball to keep me occupied. Minnesota is starting to feel like my second home."
With her family so far away, Andersson relies on the support from her teammates and their families. "We really are like one big family. It has been amazing because we are so close to one another. Every challenge has brought us closer and made us stronger. Janel (McCarville) and I have become very close. I go home with her to visit her family and they have started to feel like my second family. It has been nice to have a home away from home."
Not only has Andersson grown as an individual off the court, but she has improved her game and grown as a basketball player as well. "My role in Sweden was to score, but I knew that it would be different when I came to Minnesota. There is greater talent and more competition, but I feel that having this type of competition has improved me as a player. I now have to compete for playing time. I am more appreciative and understand that rebounds and assists are as important as scoring. I am grateful for my role on this team."
Her basketball experiences have gone beyond the playing court. She has traveled to over 20 different countries with Team Sweden, not to mention being a member of another team - the All-Big Ten Academic Team. These accomplishments and experiences have helped make Andersson into an all-around player and person.
Hopefully her goals will continue to be achieved and her dreams will come true. Andersson is an amazing person, on and off the court, who has helped create dreams here in Minnesota. "When I first came to Minnesota, four years seemed like a long time to me, but the last two years have gone by so fast and I have so many wonderful memories that I do not want my dream to end."
Whether dreaming with eyes closed or wide open, if a student-athlete has a dream in life, she has to stick to it. Andersson adds, "I was used to one thing (on playing basketball in Sweden) and then to come to Minnesota and experience what I have has been my dream come true."
Written by Media Relations Student Assistant Lisa Hardy
