June 10 - Despite being undersized, Washington Mystics center Chasity Melvin has emerged as one of the league's best centers. But off the court, she has embraced an entirely new culture and way of life and has found herself in places she never expected to be. WNBA.com recently caught up with Melvin in New York City.

Q. So how are you finding New York this trip up?
"You know, I'll be honest, New York is just too crowded for me. I am from North Carolina. It's definitely a little different.

Q. As is Washington D.C. Having been there more than a year now, have you gotten to see the sites, museums and monuments?
"I haven't done the museums yet."

Melvin is currently averaging a career-high with 6.9 rebounds per game. Mitchell Layton/NBAE/Getty Images

Q. So are you waiting for an invite to the White House after you win it all?
"Yeah, I really just want to win a championship."

Q. You have spent several offseasons playing overseas in Israel. What was that like for you?
"As a spiritual person, it was very fulfilling because I got to see everything that I read in the Bible and everything that I learned growing up in Church. I saw all the sites and be in the country where Jesus walked. It's a feeling you really can't explain and growing up, I never imagined I would be in Israel."

Q. Would you want to go back?
"I love Israel. It's like my second home. I wish it was a lot closer because I would be there on vacation all of the time. I really enjoy the country."

Q. So for everyone who hasn't been, what were some of the places there that you got to see?
"Well, I've been all over the country. I went to the Dead Sea, Jerusalem, all over the north, a cool town called Eilat down south and Mount Hermon, where they even have a little snow. It's a really small country, so you get to see everything if you spend time there."

Q. Did you learn a lot about the Jewish culture?
"You know, I wouldn't mind becoming Israeli. They have a lot of holidays and have a lot of time off. I give it a lot of respect because they don't forget where they came from and honor their traditions. It's great that they have such a long history. Even though people there aren't all very religious, they still respect the heritage and the culture of where they come from."

Q. So switching gears a bit, do you still play the piano?
"I never get to play anymore. I miss it a lot. Every time I go home, I play for my mom and my family a little bit, but I travel a lot and no longer have a piano or a keyboard, so it's hard to find time to practice. I first started when I was in the fourth grade and I stopped taking lessons in eighth grade."

Q. What was your favorite type of music to play?
"I like to play gospel hymns and stuff like that. My dad was very excited and would let me play in our church. I like playing classical music and pretty much everything. But I have to read music. I have to know the notes. I can't play by ear. I'm not that talented. It'll come along if I ever get back into it."

Q. Do you think you'll ever start it back up again?
"I plan on starting back up with it again once I finish playing basketball."

Q. Were you a the middle child growing up?
"No, I was the second oldest. I'm the oldest girl, but I have an older brother."

Melvin had a career year in Cleveland in 2003. NBAE/Getty Images

Q. What was it like growing up with so many brothers and sisters?
"It was a lot of fun. I definitely don't want to have just one child. You always have someone to play with. You learn how to share but also have someone to blame when something bad happens. We were never alone, either. There were always friends and family over the house.

Q. And they're all grown up now?
"Yes, and it was hard for my mom and dad when we all left the house. They had the 'empty nest syndrome' when we left, so that was bad. Our family was great. You can almost always trust your family. They are going to love you unconditionally. No one loves you like your sister and brothers."

Q. So do you have any pre-game rituals or superstitions?
"I wear my socks inside out and my teammates get a kick out of that. As long as the WNBA symbol is showing, it's ok. But really, I just like to be consistent. I like to room with the same person on the road, I don't like switching roommates. I like to sit in the same spot on the bus. Stick with what works. I won't change anything unless I'm playing really really bad. I read the Bible and listen to gospel music before the game to get into a focus."

Q. What was it like going from Cleveland to a new city?
"Last year, it was very difficult. I had played in Cleveland for so long that I got used to the system, the surroundings, the coaching staff, the people I played with and everyone in the organization. Then to come to a new organization in such a short period of time was difficult. Now I have adjusted and I don't think about it that much anymore. I missed Cleveland a lot last season and I'm sure all of my old teammates did as well."

Q. You were instrumental in Washington's second half run last season. What is your role on the team this year?
"I feel like I lead by example. I just have to come out and play hard. I feel like, personally, I need to start getting double-doubles. I'm trying. It's hard work, but I have to do it. I'm kind of small at the center position for my size, but I feel like I can do it if I really concentrate on it."

Q. What is your mentality going into a game?
"I need to be more aggressive, but I feel really good this year. I felt good last season, but I wasn't able to show it until the end of the season. I'm on a plan. I don't like the way I showed up in the first half of last season, so this year I just want to make up for time lost."

Q. How important are these next couple of weeks for the Mystics as far as getting healthy and finding your chemistry?
"It's really important. It's going to make or break our season, how well we come together as a team. These games are critical not just because we want to win, but we have to come together. But we're losing practice time because now the games are happening. So we just have to make it up in the games and come together on the court. The east is going to be close. Going to be tight and if we keep improving, we'll be there in the end. The sky is the limit for us. Just like everyone else in the east."