University of Minnesota Athletics
Courtside with Kehinde Bello
12/8/2016 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Kehinde Bello (Southfield, Mich.) is a freshman forward for the Gophers. In high school, she and her sister, Taiye, helped their team win consecutive division championships.
How did it feel to go into a game for the first time at Williams Arena?
It was exciting.
What have you been working on to earn more opportunities to get on the court?
My mentality and effort and working hard when I have the opportunity.
What do you feel are the main strengths you bring to the team?
I would say physicality and defense.
How do you feel you and your teammates are doing on defense so far this season?
I feel like we're really fast and we have the ability to be one of the best. We just have to communicate better.
Now that you're a month into your first season, how do you feel more prepared for Division I basketball than when you first got here?
We were preparing before the season even started with summer training. Coach Ralph (Petrella) really pushed us in the weight room and we all got stronger.
Your brother (Olaseni Lawal) was in the Olympics for Nigeria this year. Were you able to watch those games and talk with him while he was in Rio?
Yeah. It was nice. We watched the games online. He took a lot of pictures and showed us.
After the summer when all the freshmen roomed together, who are you rooming with now? How has that been, and what do you do to bond off the court?
Sue (Key) and KB (Karley Barnes). It's been fun. We watch a lot of movies, or just sleep in our rooms.
Who's the messiest roommate?
I'd say sometimes I can be a little messy, going from school to practice. But when I get back at night, that's when I really clean up.
What's your favorite class right now?
I wouldn't say I have a favorite class right now, but I like writing essays as long as they're not too long. So I guess I enjoy doing that for my media class.
Have you always enjoyed writing?
Free writing. I used to do that for fun sometimes when I was younger.
Do you know what classes you're taking next semester?
I'm taking econ, a multi-cultural youth class about racial issues and stuff, and I'm taking an environmental class because I'm interested in the environment.
Is there a future road trip you're most looking forward to with the team?
Maybe to Michigan, when we go back home. We'll have some family at the game.
What did you like the best about the team's trip to the Bahamas?
When we went snorkeling, for a second when I looked under the water, it freaked me out because I'm just a small person. That just made me realize we're always playing basketball and going to school and just going through life, but when I looked down there, there's so much more out there. This world isn't just us. You just feel a little smaller. It was cool.
Do you have a favorite movie or show you watched recently?
"A Different World."
What's your favorite homecooked meal?
My mom makes this thing called jollof rice. It's a traditional Nigerian dish. It's really good.
As a writer, you must like reading, too. Do you have any favorite books?
I like to read, but it has to be something I really want to read. I used to read a lot more when I was younger. I read The Sisters Grimm series. I read like all those. Those were my favorite childhood books. And Junie B. Jones.
