WashingtonMystics.com caught up with Rookie, Marissa Coleman, during the 2009 season....

Q: This being your rookie season, has there been any player you’ve faced that you were in awe to play against?
A: Not necessarily, because when I was in my junior year at Maryland my team got the chance to play in an exhibition game against the USA Team, and most of those players were ones that I had watched and admired growing up. I will say that when I had the chance to play against Diana Taurasi, I was really excited because she was always one of my favorite players.

Q: Who would you say had the biggest influence on your basketball career growing up?
A: My parents, of course. They invested so much time and so much money into sports early on. The sacrifices they made are the reason I was able to have reached this level of success and any that I may reach in the future.

Q: As a WNBA player and role model to young athletes, what would you say is your biggest responsibility off the court?
A: I think it’s really important for all of us to set a positive example for today’s youth everywhere we go, because people are always watching even when you least expect. We have to remember that people look up to us, so we must conduct ourselves in a way that will only bring a positive reflection back on the league.