| TIME
OUT WITH... Zane Teilane The
only player from Latvia currently in the WNBA, Mystics rookie center Zane
Teilane has been in the United States for several years now for college. In that
time, she has taken a liking to Oprah, Natalie Portman and Antonio Banderas. Yet,
she still does not know how to drive! Get to know Zane (pronounced ZAH-nay) in
the latest installment of "Time Out." Have You Seen her?
Time
Out Index |  |
|
| |
| Birthplace/Hometown |
| Riga, Latvia | |
| Class Year,
Major, and Degree | | Senior,
Indisciplinary Studies in Business and Fashion Merchandising, Bachelors | |
| Have you played
professionally before? | | No | |
| Have you ever
played on a national team? If so, for what team, whe33%n and in which tournaments? |
| Yes, for the Latvian National Team, U-20
European Championship, U-21 Worlds Championship in Croatioa, 2003. Womens National
Team - European Championship 2005, in Turkey. | |
| If you could
play one-on-one against any player or athlete, who would it be and why? |
| Kobe Bryant, to see if I can defend him
:) | |
| Who
has been a role model for you in basketball? | | My
first coach Inara Jakabsone. | |
| When
did you become interested in the game of basketball and when did you decide you
wanted to pursue it professionally? | | It
was in grade 6, but in high school I knew that I wanted to go play in college
and then play professionally. | |
| Do
you have any superstitions or rituals? If so, what are they and how did they come
about? | | I
always pray before the games, and listen to music. | |
| What are your
hobbies or primary interests outside of basketball? |
| My family, friends, music, traveling, cooking. | |
| Who were the
major non-basketball influences in your life and why? |
| My mom, she always encourages me to be
strong and never give up. My friends and fiance, they always support me, encourage
me to do my best. | |
| How
would others describe you? | | At
first people might think that I am very shy, but when they know me better it is
opposite. My friends also say that I am generous, funny, good listener. | |
| How would you
describe yourself? | | I
think I might be shy at the beginning, but I like to make people around me happy,
I always try to think positive of others and don't judge. Accept people for who
they are. | |
| Which
languages do you speak? If any other than your native language, do yo |
| Latvian is my native language,
English, Russian, some German. | |
| What
is one surprising fact about you that many people do not know? |
| I am engaged. I don't know how to drive. | |
| Of which achievement
are you most proud? | | Coming
to a different country with a totally different language, without even knowing
where I was going, and then finishing the university in 3 and 1/2 years, and also
being able to do well in school and on the basketball court. | |
| If you were
not a basketball player, what would you be? | | Maybe
working in some business, or being in an organization that helps people in the
world. | |
| Do
you have any pets? What type of pets and what are their names? |
| I have a cat, Basis. (It is a short term
in Latvian of the name basketball). | |
| What
is your favorite food? | | My
mom's | |
| What
is your favorite color? | | Black,
blue, and green. | |
| What
is your favorite book? | | Bible,
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho | |
| What
is your favorite movie? | | The
Notebook, Latvian movies. | |
| What
is your favorite television show? | | Oprah | |
| Who is your
favorite actress? | | Angelina
Jolie | |
| Who
is your favorite actor? | | Gerard
Depardieu, Denzel Washington, Antonio Banderas. | |
| Favorite song
to do a karaoke number to? | | Queen,
"We Will Rock You". | |
| Favorite
place to visit/spend time | | Australia,
Egypt, Italy. | |
| Do
you have any post-graduate academic plans? | | Graduate
school. | |
| Which
current WNBA player are you most looking forward to meeting and why? |
| Lauren Jackson, because I think she is
a very active player both in defense and offense, a good teammate, and I hope
that I can learn from her on how to improve my game. | |
