University of Minnesota Athletics
Senior Spotlight: Rachel Banham
9/13/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Rachel Banham passed the career 2,000-point mark last year and was on track to break Lindsay Whalen's program record, before an injury cut her season short. She received a medical hardship waiver and decided to return for a fifth year with the Gophers. Banham chatted with GopherSports.com during Minnesota's first week of fall classes.
GopherSports: When you were sitting out last year, what did it mean to you to see your teammates wearing shirts that said Buckets for Banham?
Rachel Banham: It meant a lot. It was really cool. I got really emotional when I first saw it. I was super happy and it was a huge surprise. It just meant a lot that they were still playing for me and they knew how much it hurt me not to be able to play, and they were representing me in the game and everything they were doing.
GS: Obviously you don't want to get hurt, but are you glad your injury happened early in the year to give you more recovery time?
RB: As lucky as I could be with the situation, I got lucky with getting hurt at the right time. I was super lucky and blessed that I got granted a year back to be able to finish out my goals and play with all these girls and go to the NCAA Tournament and do all the things that I wanted to do last year.
GS: During summertime you were cleared to participate in most activities. What was the best part of summer workouts for you?
RB: Just getting back on the court. I missed basketball so much, and I wasn't able to do a lot. It was hard just sitting still. It was nice being able to do just about everything, I just couldn't do anything contact, but that's still the game of basketball. It was fun. I got to shoot, dribble, drive. I got to get my step-back. It was really fun.
GS: Tell us a little about your trip to Belgium and visiting Andre Hollins.
RB: It was really fun. It was a very long flight, and I hate flying. But it was worth it when I got there. It was a lot different. It's like a medieval town where he lives. It looks like castles everywhere, and that was cool. They had really good waffles and chocolate like everyone said. It was good experience to see Europe just for future reference for when I want to play overseas.
GS: You have the 3-point record and are close to the scoring record. How do you balance having those goals and the attention that comes with them, with keeping it about the team?
RB: I don't really think about the record super often. I know that it's very achievable and I'm right there, so if I play the way I can play, it's going to happen. I don't need to really think about it too much. Also if I play the way I'm supposed to, that's helping my team as well.
GS: Being the only fifth-year senior on the team, do you feel like a big sister to everyone?
RB: I feel like a grandma, kind of. I'm old. I feel like I've been here forever. It's kind of nice. I feel like I have so much experience with on-court, off-court stuff, so I can be here for any type of advice, which I love to give to all the girls. It's kind of fun. I almost feel like I'm a kind of coach/player, just being in that role last year as well. I feel like I'm almost an adult.
GS: What are you doing for school during you "super senior" year?
RB: Instead of doing grad school I picked up a second major, so I'm doing communications. Those classes are pretty interesting.
GS: What do you think it's going to feel like when you get into your first game this season?
RB: It's going to be really fun. I'm super excited. I'm also going to be extremely nervous, I already know-in a good way nervous, of course. It's going to be great being in front of our fans and my family again and just playing the game of basketball. It feels like it's been an eternity since I've actually played a game. I can't wait. I'm so excited. I wish it was Nov. 13.
