Nov. 13, 2015
By: Teagan Dillon (’18)
Junior Kristina Nelson is a dynamic forward from Buford, Georgia, and is excited to return to the Irish lineup after missing the 2014-15 season due to shoulder surgery during summer of 2014. The 6-foot-4 resident of Ryan Hall played in 32 games her freshman season and will be a great asset to the 2015-16 player rotation.
Q: How did you make yourself a key person in practice even with your shoulder injury?
A: I came to practice everyday and just practiced hard with the team to make them better and make myself get back into shape. I motivated on the sideline and helped Bri [Turner] get ready, teaching her everything that i knew from the past year.
Q: Do you think you could beat Coach McGraw in 1-on-1?
A: No, she’s too smart. She has all the IQ. She’s good.
Q: If you could choose one person on the team to complete your dynamic duo, who would it be?
A: Mychal Johnson. We always hang out together; we’re best friends.
Q: How did you get the nickname Coco?
A: When my mom was pregnant with me, my dad rubbed cocoa butter on her stomach. It then became a nickname when I was little, and it just kind of stuck.
Q: What are you most excited for this season?
A: I am just excited to get back on the court and really feel like I am part of the team. I was a part of it last year but getting to play with them is different.
Q: What’s your favorite TV show?
A: Keeping Up with the Kardashians. They’re just really funny, and the family environment is really cool.
Q: How do you like living in Ryan Hall?
A: I love it. Me, Taya [Reimer] and Bri [Turner] live there, and previously Markisha [Wright] and Jewell [Loyd]. I have a lot of friends that don’t play a sport, and it’s really good. It keeps me balanced.
Q: What was your best purchase?
A: I didn’t purchase it, but my parents did. It’s my car that I have now, and it’s my favorite thing. It’s a gold Tahoe.
Q: What is your favorite pump-up song?
A: I don’t really have one. I just kind of listen to the music we have in the locker room. It’s normally like rap or R&B. We mix it up sometimes, like Backstreet Boys. It’s really fun.
Q: What is your favorite class you have taken at Notre Dame so far?
A: I am in a Marriage in the Family class right now, and I think it’s really interesting because it teaches us the dynamics of being married and the differences between what people do in a marriage and what they do when they’re single.
Q: If you weren’t playing basketball, what sport would you be playing?
A: Probably softball or volleyball. My shoulder would probably prevent me from playing anything, but I’d try.
Q: If your teammates described you in one word, what would it be?
A: Probably nice. I’m funny sometimes, too, I guess.
Q: What is your most embarrassing moment?
A: Freshman year we were running outside of the JACC, and I tripped over the branches and fell on my face. The whole team saw. It was pretty embarrassing.
Q: What’s your favorite spot on campus?
A: I’d say my bed just because I really don’t get to sleep that often.