Northwestern University Athletics
Pulliam Reflects on Pan Am Games
8/15/2019 2:41:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Junior Lindsey Pulliam was named to the 12-member roster for the U.S. Pan American Games Women's Basketball team. The USA earned a silver medal in Lima, Peru, going 4-1 in five games.
NUSports.com caught up with Pulliam for a Q&A about her experience representing the USA.
What was it like getting selected?
"It was a blessing and an honor to be recognized as one of the top players in the country. There was a lot of work that went into the tryouts. We would have two sessions everyday during the week: practice and working out. Once we started playing it was a good way for me to showcase what I could do. It was a lot of fun to be part of the process."
How did you find out you made the team?
"They sent Coach [Joe] McKeown a letter. So when I got back to campus, he sat me down and showed me the official letter. It was awesome."
How did it feel to represent your country?
"Wearing the USA on my jersey was really cool and surreal. It was a great experience. Getting to play with the best in the country, alongside people I have played against before, was an important learning experience and a lot of fun."
What was it like playing on the same team with those players who you had played against before?
"It was cool getting to know them off the court and being able to use the their skills for our team advantage. I didn't have to worry about playing against them and we were able to grow and learn together."
What was the best part of the trip?
"Obviously getting to play was my favorite part but other than that, making new friends and meeting new people in the village, that was definitely the best part of the trip."
What was it like being in the village?
"It was really different. It was all the athletes from all the countries. The U.S. teams for all sports stayed in one section. It was really cool to meet athletes from other sports from the U.S, they were just awesome. I loved hearing their stories and how they got to where they are now. That was my favorite part. Also, every country had little pins and we had lanyards that we would trade pins with. It was a fun way to get to know people from other countries and hear their stories."
What was the biggest thing you learned?
"I think the biggest think I learned is to always take advantage of opportunities in front of you. It was a once in a lifetime opportunity and I think it's important to just remember that. These opportunities are not always guaranteed so taking advantage of showcasing what I can do, because you're also never guaranteed minutes. Making the most of the time you have on the court is always something I want to do."
Did you have any friends or family members come watch you play?
"My mom and my dad and Coach Tangela [Smith] came to games. I loved seeing them there, it was awesome. It meant a lot for me to see the three of them. My parents could have been on vacation with my siblings but they came to Peru where it was winter time there to watch me play. Coach Tangela being there was huge because it's her vacation time too and she came to every game and supported me. She is family."
What about the experience can you bring to the next season?
"Being able to play with the top players in the country elevated my game and gave me a new perspective of the game. I know I can bring that intensity to our team this year as we continue to compete at the highest level and achieve our goal of being a top contender in the Big Ten which I know we are capable of."
Where are you going to put your medal?
"I might hang it in my room or I'm going to give it to my mom who will hang it in our house."
What's next?
"I'm excited to take some time off and rest so I'm ready to go when the summer is over and it's time for the season!"
The #B1GCats open their season on Sunday, Nov. 10 at home against Loyola Maryland.
NUSports.com caught up with Pulliam for a Q&A about her experience representing the USA.
What was it like getting selected?
"It was a blessing and an honor to be recognized as one of the top players in the country. There was a lot of work that went into the tryouts. We would have two sessions everyday during the week: practice and working out. Once we started playing it was a good way for me to showcase what I could do. It was a lot of fun to be part of the process."
How did you find out you made the team?
"They sent Coach [Joe] McKeown a letter. So when I got back to campus, he sat me down and showed me the official letter. It was awesome."
How did it feel to represent your country?
"Wearing the USA on my jersey was really cool and surreal. It was a great experience. Getting to play with the best in the country, alongside people I have played against before, was an important learning experience and a lot of fun."
What was it like playing on the same team with those players who you had played against before?
"It was cool getting to know them off the court and being able to use the their skills for our team advantage. I didn't have to worry about playing against them and we were able to grow and learn together."
What was the best part of the trip?
"Obviously getting to play was my favorite part but other than that, making new friends and meeting new people in the village, that was definitely the best part of the trip."
What was it like being in the village?
"It was really different. It was all the athletes from all the countries. The U.S. teams for all sports stayed in one section. It was really cool to meet athletes from other sports from the U.S, they were just awesome. I loved hearing their stories and how they got to where they are now. That was my favorite part. Also, every country had little pins and we had lanyards that we would trade pins with. It was a fun way to get to know people from other countries and hear their stories."
What was the biggest thing you learned?
"I think the biggest think I learned is to always take advantage of opportunities in front of you. It was a once in a lifetime opportunity and I think it's important to just remember that. These opportunities are not always guaranteed so taking advantage of showcasing what I can do, because you're also never guaranteed minutes. Making the most of the time you have on the court is always something I want to do."
Did you have any friends or family members come watch you play?
"My mom and my dad and Coach Tangela [Smith] came to games. I loved seeing them there, it was awesome. It meant a lot for me to see the three of them. My parents could have been on vacation with my siblings but they came to Peru where it was winter time there to watch me play. Coach Tangela being there was huge because it's her vacation time too and she came to every game and supported me. She is family."
What about the experience can you bring to the next season?
"Being able to play with the top players in the country elevated my game and gave me a new perspective of the game. I know I can bring that intensity to our team this year as we continue to compete at the highest level and achieve our goal of being a top contender in the Big Ten which I know we are capable of."
Where are you going to put your medal?
"I might hang it in my room or I'm going to give it to my mom who will hang it in our house."
What's next?
"I'm excited to take some time off and rest so I'm ready to go when the summer is over and it's time for the season!"
The #B1GCats open their season on Sunday, Nov. 10 at home against Loyola Maryland.
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