WASHINGTON (October 18, 2023) - In order to get to know the team a bit better, the Howard University women's basketball team sat down with its student-athletes and asked a series of questions to each class about themselves, life, their interests and more!
 
Marissa Steel returns for her third season on the team! The junior forward from Laurel, Md., played 30 games a year ago.
 
Q: What made you choose Howard?
A: THE CULTURE! The campus itself is beautiful, and you can always stay true to yourself. I am
very big on surrounding myself around positive and driven energy. The students here are going
to become BLACK lawyers, doctors, business owners, etc. What better way to motivate yourself and create long-lasting connections than going to the REAL HU.
 
Q: What has been the best part about your college experience?
A: The best part about my college experience was meeting my teammates honestly. I have made some long-lasting friendships so far & great memories!
 
Q: What is your favorite HU tradition?
A: The swag surf! Nobody does it like us!
 
Q: How do you balance your social life with your academic and athletic commitments?
A: It's definitely a challenge; however, I love to work on keeping my life as balanced as possible
to limit stress during the season. I usually make sure everything is taken care of academically
BEFORE going out with friends, etc.
 
Q: Have you modeled your game after someone? If so, who? If not, what's your
playstyle?
A: Sylvia Fowles for sure! Her back-to-the-basket game was A1, and her footwork and touch
around the basket was crazy. I am also more of an energy player.
 
Q: What is your favorite part about being on the Howard Women's basketball team?
A: The sisterhood. No matter what we have each other's back & we are always TTG!
 
Q: What 3 things would you like to accomplish in your junior year?
A: Maintaining a 4.0, getting another ring with my sisters & having a great/safe season and meeting more people.
 
Q: Do aliens exist? Will we ever see evidence of a real alien in our lifetime?👽
A: YES, they do exist! There have been several UFO sightings recently. I think we walk past
some everyday.🤭
 
Q: What is something that is extremely simple but extremely important to you?
A: Being clean/smelling good!
 
Q: Who are three artists in your daily rotation?🎤
A: CHIEF KEEF! Young Thug, Mariah the Scientist
 
Q: What is your roommate pet peeve?
A: BEING MESSY AND/OR LOUD. Just clean up pleaseeee.
 
Q: Does ranch belong on spaghetti?🍝
A: Ew, NO … but sugar does!
 
Q: Who is your biggest inspiration?
A: My mother is my biggest inspiration for so many reasons. Her unconditional love and support, her strength and resilience, and the many, many sacrifices that she has made for me will never go unnoticed and I am always grateful for her.
 
Q: When did you realize you could go D-1?
A: I realized that I could possibly go D1 after my sophomore year season. We accomplished so
many things that year as a team and individually, and I was super motivated towards being the
best that I could in order to go D1!
 
Q: If you were a fruit, which fruit would you be and why?🥭
A: If I were a fruit, I would be a pineapple. Pineapples have a unique appearance with their
spiky exterior and vibrant, presence. I think I embody that as well as I am not the average height for a woman and my hair is very unique! I also appear to be spiky (hardbody) on the outside but really I think I'm really sweet on the inside. They are known to be sweet and tangy. I can be sweet, and "tangy" as well on the court!
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.