Timi’a Swanson : To me basketball is more than just a sport to me. It represents blood, sweat , and tears. It’s a sacrifice for me. I’ll risk my life about that sport. Basketball calms me and it shows me my strengths and weaknesses.
Joe Gaiter: What is your untold story?
Timi’a Swanson : I was a young kid that loved playing basketball growing up. I would play with grown men and women up the road from my grandmother’s house. A couple years after I was starting to change and I was hanging with the wrong crowd and was going through stuff with my family and poverty played a big part into why I started taking the sport even more serious because I had the talent to play. No one graduated in my family besides my mother and she couldn’t fulfill her dreams because her mother stopped her. My mother was a single parent with no support. So, I started taking basketball serious to take care of my mother and my siblings and give them what they deserve.
Joe Gaiter: What are your fondest memories of Americus Sumter High School?
Timi’a Swanson : When I won a state championship in high school & graduation.
Joe Gaiter: Tell us about your recruitment experience?
Timi’a Swanson : My recruiting experience was good and bad. I thought I wasn’t being recruited because of how my grades were. I wanted to go D1 but I couldn’t due to me having bad grades. I thought no team wanted me and I knew I could play basketball very good. So, I ended up going to a community college for two years and the experience there taught me a lot about myself and as a player.
Joe Gaiter: How was your time at Chattahoochee Valley Community College?
Timi’a Swanson : Challenging. Coaches and my teammates depended on me in the time of need. I was taught discipline and to learn and study the game more if I wanted to be successful playing basketball.
Joe Gaiter: What made you choose Clayton State University?
Timi’a Swanson : I chose Clayton state because the coaches and players made me feel at home. The program and environment was welcoming, peaceful, and enjoyable. Also, I was close to home to travel and see my family. The institution overall I felt was a fit for me.
Joe Gaiter: Tell us about the relationships you have with Head Coach Kaleena Coleman and Assistant Coach Brittany Hall?
Timi’a Swanson : The coaches and I have a very strong relationship. I talk to them how I talk to my friends. They are so open to hearing what I have to say about certain things and vice versa. Any time I need help with anything or any advice they are willing to help. Both of them are very encouraging and motivating people. It’s a lot of tough love that comes with our relationship. I look up to the both of them.
Joe Gaiter: What were your stats this year?
Timi’a Swanson : 10.0 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 2.0 ASPG, and 2.0 STLS per game.
Joe Gaiter: What makes you want great Forward on the court?
Timi’a Swanson : My versatility and hard work ethic is what makes me great at my position. Everything I do on the court I tried to do it full speed. I’m strong attacking the basket and confident shooting now. I can also create match up problems offensively.
Joe Gaiter: CSU was 20-10 this year. What would you contribute to your winning season?
Timi’a Swanson : Rebounding and scoring.
Joe Gaiter: Have you reached your athletic peak?
Timi’a Swanson : Not quite, my mental isn’t fully right. I’m so passionate about the game. I tend to let my emotions get in the way of things when I’m on the court. I’m working on controlling my emotions.
Joe Gaiter: What is life like for you outside of basketball?
Timi’a Swanson : Staying in my room constantly, doing school work, go to the gym and work on my mid-range and handles, and hang with a few friends.
Joe Gaiter: What is your major and how do you plan on using it?
Timi’a Swanson : Health and fitness management. I want to work in the physical therapist/ sports medicine field and apply my skills to many different situations. Health and fitness management can help you get to and stay at a healthy body weight, and reduce your chances of bone fractures.
Joe Gaiter: How are you staying in-shape during the off-season?
Timi’a Swanson : Eating healthy, doing at home workouts, and running the track.
Joe Gaiter: What motivates you?
Timi’a Swanson : Family struggle motivates me. Knowing that close family wanted to live their dreams and couldn’t motivates me to work hard and grind to take care of them. I motivate myself because if I want something so bad, I’m going to put in the work and outwork anyone to get what I want and where I want to be in life.
Joe Gaiter: What are you grateful for?
Timi’a Swanson : My mother and siblings and my niece. I’m grateful for the small support system I have outside of my family and every coach that coached me, believed in me, and taught me that I could be better than what I am. Lastly, Coach Harris! That woman has been there for me through everything. We have a love and hate relationship but she wouldn’t turn her back on me for nothing. I’ve done dumb things and she forgave me and lectured me about the things I did. She has pushed me, went out her way for me and I’m really grateful to have her in my life.
Joe Gaiter: Final Words?
Timi’a Swanson : Remember the name TIMI’A SWANSON !
Joe Gaiter:Shoutouts?
IG: tswan_5
Twitter : tswan_5
FB: Timi’a Swanson
Timi’a Swanson, Clayton State, Interview with Joe Gaiter was last modified: May 7th, 2020 by Joseph Gaiter
