University of Minnesota Athletics
Courtside with Taiye Bello
1/29/2017 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Freshman Taiye Bello (Southfield, Mich.) is coming off a game in which she led the team with seven rebounds and scored nine second-half points against No. 15 Ohio State.
What was different for you in the Ohio State game than in other recent games?
I felt like this game I stayed in the moment a lot better than I did previously. That's something I try to work on: my mental game and getting more confident.
What's the hardest part of adjustment to college and Division I basketball?
A lot of things, but the biggest is accountability. I'm an adult now. So all the decisions you make, you have to take responsibility for them whether the outcome's good or bad.
What has been the best part of your first year as a Gopher?
The best part is my teammates. They always make everything fun, even if I'm having a bad day.
Is there any one game that has been your favorite?
I would probably say my first game was the most fun. (Bello had a double-double in her debut against Harvard.)
How was the trip to your home state to play against Michigan?
It was interesting. It would have been nice if we got the win.
Did you get to see some friends and family there?
Yeah. My mom and dad came. My AAU coach came. My high school coaches came.
You also get to play against Michigan State twice this year. Are those games especially fun for you?
Yeah, it is fun, especially playing away but them also having to come here.
Will you and Kehinde have some fans in the crowd in East Lansing?
It's a little bit farther away, but I'm sure some will still come out.
Are you still thinking of majoring in computer science?
At the moment I kind of changed it, but I'm thinking about going back. I haven't talked to my academic advisor yet about it.
Whether or not you end up choosing computer science, it seems to be something that interests you. What drew you to that field?
One thing I'm most interested in is web development.
Have you done anything with that before?
I have, but it's nothing big. I made a web page. It wasn't interactive though. That's something I would have to work on.
People probably always tell you and your sister that you're really quiet. What does it take to get you to talk more?
If it's a topic I'm interested in. But that doesn't necessarily mean I'll be loud.
Is there anyone on the team you think should talk a little bit less?
Annalese (Lamke) talks a lot, but it's okay.
If you were going to play on another Gopher sports team, which would it be?
Volleyball.
Did you get to go some games during the volleyball team's Final Four season?
Yeah. I went to a lot of games. If I didn't play basketball, in another life I'd probably play volleyball. I played in high school. I wasn't good.
Do you know some of the players on the volleyball team here?
Regan (Pittman) and (Alexis Hart). They're both freshmen.
If you could pick a superpower, what would you want to have?
I was thinking about teleporting, but then I was thinking about invisibility. Probably invisibility.
How would you use it?
Just be nosy.
Are there any good movies or TV shows you've seen lately?
"Game of Thrones." It's the number one show. I just finished watching the season over break.
