University of Minnesota Athletics
Courtside with Palma Kaposi
12/12/2016 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Palma Kaposi (Pecs, Hungary) joined the Gophers from the Hungarian National Team and has almost completed her first semester of American university studies.
How has American college basketball been different or similar to what you expected?
I thought it was going to be like this. It's going to be physical and a fast tempo. That's how we played in Hungary, too. We played in a fast tempo. Since I'm playing with younger players now, everybody is playing at an even faster pace and we're one of the fastest teams in the Big Ten. I really like this style. I like that we have to be more physical and tough to win games.
How did all your international basketball experience help you prepare for the college game?
With the Hungarian National Team we played against very good teams like Spain and France. They're very well-known teams in Europe. We had a chance to get better and better every day. When I was practicing and playing with the Hungarian National Team, our team played in the EuroCup, so we had a chance to play against Moscow or France.
What have you been working the most on improving so far?
I'm working on my 3-point shot. I would like to make a better percentage. I want it to be one of my best skills, so I'm really working on it. I would like to play more on the perimeter so I can be an inside and outside player.
Have you been teaching any of teammates some Hungarian words and phrases?
Yes, I've been teaching Jessie (Edwards) a lot of words because she's very interested in it. She's very good at it. She's asking every day for some new words: "yes," "no," "hi" or "fork" and "knife." Whatever she wants to know, I teach it to her.
Do you and Jessie have a special bond, both being international students?
Yes, definitely. I really like hanging out with her. We always have so much fun and a lot of things to do, shopping or just going to the hot tub.
For Minnesotans who might not know much about Hungary, what would you want them to know about your home country?
I really like my home country, especially the city where I was born. It has a university, too, like Minneapolis. There are a lot of university students. It's kind of similar to Minneapolis with the U of M. I really like that it's calm and at the same time it's a pretty place. We can have a lot of fun there.
What were your favorite things about the team's trip to the Bahamas?
I think it was a good learning experience, basketball-wise. Unfortunately we lost, but we learned a lot through those games. Hopefully we will be able to correct our mistakes in the next games. I really enjoyed the beach and that we had some free time so we could go and explore.
You have done a lot of traveling for basketball, but had you ever been anywhere like that before?
I've been in the Canary Islands in a European championship. That was fun.
You were watching a show about LeBron James on the way back from Bimini. Are you his biggest fan on the team?
Oh my goodness. That is my favorite movie now. I really like him, and I really like how he's playing, and how much effort and work ethic he has. He's just my favorite player and I can learn a lot from him.
