Getting to Know Kelsey Mitchell
11/18/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Nov. 18, 2015
Senior Kelsey Mitchell has had a winding path to becoming a contributor to the Wolverines. She tore her ACL in the summer prior to her freshman season and then broke her foot after Michigan's foreign trip in 2013. She finally saw the court for the first time as a Wolverine on March 6, 2014, playing two minutes in U-M's Big Ten Tournament win against Indiana. After coming off the bench last season, Mitchell has started both games this season and already set new career bests in points (10) and rebounds (7). She talks about why she picked Michigan, how she made it through her injuries and the best thing she cooks in this week's Getting to Know.
Q. How did you get into playing basketball?
A. As a kid, I tried every sport. I never really got into anything but my brother played basketball and I watched him play a lot. I just picked up a ball one day when I was eight years old. My dad was a coach and it just stuck with me.
Q. When did you decide that Michigan was where you wanted to go to school?
A. I have always been a Michigan fan since I was younger. I felt like everyone in my city were Michigan fans. If you are from Detroit, Michigan is where you want to go. When I got the offer, I knew I had to take it.
Q. What is your earliest memory of the University of Michigan?
A. I remember going to a women's basketball game when I was 11. I remember watching Krista Phillips when I came to games during that time.
Q. What are your plans after graduation?
A. My plan right now is to go into social work. I want to give back to the city and work with younger children. I have always loved kids, so I want to stay around them and be able to help them in any way that I can.
Q. What is your favorite thing to do outside of basketball?
A. Outside of basketball, I love to cook. I would have to say that chicken alfredo is my best meal.
Q. You are known for making all types of funny videos on your phone. How did you get into that?
A. That goes back all the way back to high school. I was always the silly person who liked to make videos. One day, Siera (Thompson) and I were just bored and we made a video. The rest is history.
Q. You had a knee injury your freshman season and broke your foot during the foreign trip before your sophomore season. How did you get through all that?
A. Just wanting to play and put that uniform on. I wanted to get on the court. I have never been a quitter and I just couldn't quit. I had a lot of support from the coaches, my parents, my family and teammates. Everyone pushed me to get better and made me want to stay and get through it.
Q. What was it like to get on the court for the first time after missing the majority of your first two seasons?
A. It was crazy. At first, I was nervous. When I got out there, it was like "oh my gosh, I am finally playing." The last time I had actually played in a real game was in high school. It was exciting for me and something I will always remember.
Q. What do you want to bring to the team this year on the court?
A. I want to bring as much energy as I can. I am really focused on rebounding and being aggressive in the post. I want to help out in any way that I can.
Q. What does it mean to you to play your college basketball right down the road from where you grew up?
A. It means the world. It gives my family an opportunity to come to any home game. If I had gone somewhere far away, it would have been a struggle for them to make it to one game a season. Knowing that they are just 30 minutes away and can come to any game, it really is a blessing.
Q. What is your pregame routine?
A. I listen to a lot of gospel music before I play every game and before most practices. It motivates me.
Q. What is your favorite place on campus?
A. I would have to say the Diag because of all the history behind it. It is a beautiful spot.
Q. What is your best memory at Michigan?
A. I would have to say sweeping Michigan State last year.
