Year: Senior
Major: Health sciences
Sport: Basketball
FP: How many sports did you play in high school?
Jo: I played soccer for three years then ran cross country my senior year. And I did track for four years in the spring time, along with basketball for four years.
FP: Okay, so you’re a versatile athlete, what made you stick with basketball all through college?
Jo: Basketball has always been my favorite sport ever since I was young. I have been?attending basketball camps ever since I was little. I played YMCA basketball, AAU, travel leagues, whatever I could possibly do to play basketball I was doing it. I fell in love with the sport and I felt like I was best in this sport and it was something that truly made me happy. It had always been a large part of my life and I wanted to have that continued in college.
FP: You’re a transfer from Rhode Island College, what made you want to transfer before your senior year?
Jo: Believe it or not it was a hard decision on my part. I did not get into the nursing program there and that was a huge discouragement. I tried hard to get some strings pulled for me but it just wasn’t going to work. After being there three years and doing quite well academically it was a disappointment not getting accepted. I did not want to spend another three years on top of my four years at that school to complete my nursing degree. I knew USM had an amazing basketball program and also had nursing. Being from Maine originally I thought it would be nice to transfer back home to be reunited in playing with Dawn Ross, who I had played with since I was 12 years old, and to also have my parents to be able to watch me.
FP: With that being said, how has your transition at USM been, on and off the court?
Jo: It has been one of the best decisions that I have ever made. The team was very accepting of me and Coach Fifield did so many things to make my transition here go smoothly. I have become so close with the girls on and off the court and have met amazing people here at USM. It has been a great opportunity and I do not regret my decision at all.
FP: You’ve got some huge games coming up. What are your keys to staying focused before and during the game?
Jo: Before the game, I try not to think about it too much. I just kind of take every game as it is. During the game I just have the mentality to play basketball. Not worry about who we are playing but knowing if I do — and the team does —- what we are?capable of doing then we’ll be all set.
FP: What are some of your hobbies when you’re not in school or mixing it up on the court?
Jo: During the school year, I work on Sundays as a waitress. I enjoy going to the gym and spending time with my friends. I’m very family oriented so I try to hang out with my family as much as I can. In the summer time I work as a lifeguard teaching swim lessons. I try to switch up my jobs every summer. I spend a lot of time at the beach and relaxing.
FP: If there was one thing you could change about the game of basketball, what would it be?
Jo: I love all aspects of the game of basketball, even the rules. I guess one thing could be the amount of minutes we play in a half. Sometimes it goes by too quickly.
FP: Is there anything you want USM to know about the “real” Josalee Danieli?
Jo: That I am a motivated individual who is laid back and is very easy to get along with. I have goals in life and will do whatever it takes to reach them.