10 Questions with guard T.T. Watkins

That aspect won’t change. “I want to teach my guys something every day,” Lake says. “I have a lot of pride in watching guys grow and develop and succeed.” Ditto for himself. “I’ve never been set in my ways and said, ‘This is the way it is,’" he says. "I always want to be searching for better ways to do things – I think that comes across as genuine. I hope the players can see that not only do I expect them to grow and develop, but that I’m (also) growing and developing.”

Lake says Chris Petersen’s philosophies of “great foundation, built for life, uncommon unity” also will remain part of the Washington program.

“There was just a changing at the helm. I’m just going to take over the steering wheel, so to speak,” he says.

Though defense has been his career calling card, Lake says he has made it a point to stay in tune with all aspects of the game.

“Even when I wasn’t a head coach, I always had a well-rounded view of what our offense was doing to pin a team back,” he says. “I love the game; I love the strategy. It’s really going to get my juices flowing.”

That mindset ultimately is expected to flow down to the players – and to Husky Nation.

“You’ll see a team that is going to play with a lot of energy,” he says. “You’ll see a team that is excited to go play. I want these guys to cut loose and show what great athletes they are, and have fun out there.” Play with energy. Be excited. Cut loose. Have fun. That’s a good idea of what to expect from Jimmy Lake.

alifornia native T.T. Watkins arrived at Washington last year and hit the ground running, appearing in 20 games in her freshman season before sitting out the latter part of the season with an injury. Healthy again in 2019-20, Watkins has proven to be an important cog in the Huskies' rotation this year, averaging 5.0 points and 2.6 rebounds per game, and ranking second on the team in blocks. We caught up with Watkins to find out how she spends her time when she’s not playing basketball: C 10 QUESTIONS WITH... GUARD T.T. WATKINS

What has been your favorite place to visit in Seattle?

“Chihuly Garden and Glass, downtown by the Space Needle. It's just beautiful art all around, made from glass, which is epic and awesome to my eyes.”

Where is the most interesting place you’ve ever traveled?

“Puerto Rico. The weather was so beautiful in the morning. I love waking up to the smell of fresh air coming off of the water and the sounds of the waves crashing in. Just to be succumbed with peace.”

What do you do in your free time?

“I love to take nature walks, being able to listen to my own thoughts. To see the beautiful mountains, trees and everything nature has to offer. In addition to sitting and walking on the beach, listening to the waves. When I'm not outside, my free time in the house is occupied with the infamous Netflix. I can say Netflix has kinda taken over when I don't have anything else to do through the day.”

If you were to create a slogan for your life, what would it be?

“My slogan for life would be something that my grandma and my mother always told me my whole life growing up: 'You are destined to do great things,' stemming from my middle name, Destiny. Whenever they express those words to me, it just brings a smile to my face, and makes me feel, believe and know my life is meant for good. I am destined to be that light which shines so bright.”

What are the things on your personal bucket list?

“This is actually a very hard question. My top two are, changing 'my story' to what I want my life to be, and bringing happiness to other people's lives.”

What are some of the earliest memories of you playing basketball?

“When I played NJB ball and I would play against the boys' team. After the games, parents would come and ask me for a picture or an autograph.” Who is your biggest inspiration in basketball?

“My travel ball coach, Coach Irv. I remember him telling me, 'You can be good. You can be the best. I see it in you. But, you have to believe in yourself and you have to figure out if you want it or are willing to put the time and effort to be the best. I already see it in you. So go be it.' I will forever treasure those words from him. I don't believe he ever knew before he passed how much that meant to me.”

What do you love most about playing basketball?

“What I love most about playing basketball is making longlasting relationships with my teammates. We spend dayin and day-out with each other, and I can say that I love my team as if they were all my sisters.”

Who were your favorite basketball players growing up?

“My favorite basketball player growing up was Kevin Durant. In high school I wore the number 35, just like him. Everyone would call me KD, because I shot like him and I was long and athletic, as he was. I took it all as an honor and compliment.”

Can you talk about some of the experiences that have been

opened up to you through the sport and how they have changed your life? “Having the opportunity to be offered scholarships to further my education. To be on very diverse basketball teams and meet other talented individuals. The sport has provided me the opportunity to travel to different places. It has given me the traits of dedication, commitment and hard work. The sport has made me a well-rounded person and it has given me growth as an individual.”