Graduate student Leeza Burdgess (#42) is the second in a "Countdown To Tipoff" series presented by the La Salle Women's Basketball program. The series will feature a fun "getting to know" Q&A with each player to acquaint fans with this year's squad. The team is excited to kick off its season on Nov. 8th when the Explorers host crosstown rival Temple. The full schedule will be released in the coming days.

Leeza Burdgess
Graduate | 6'4 | Forward/Center
Miami, Fla./University of Pittsburgh/Miami Norland HS


If you could choose to stay a certain age forever, what age would it be?
23
 
If you could witness any event (past, present or future), what would it be?
The best volleyball game my mother played at the University of Florida.
 
If you could learn to do anything, what would it be?
Stay on balance! I am VERY clumsy.

If you were immortal for a day, what would you do?
Since it's only one day, I would probably do any activity where maintaining mortality is sometimes an issue. So bungee jumping and skydiving will definitely be on the list.

If you won the lottery, what is the first thing you would do?
Take my mom on a vacation.

If you were reincarnated as an animal, what would it be?
A mockingbird or any bird that can fly and sings.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you choose?
Waldo, from the Where's Waldo games, because I think a worldwide game of Hide-and-Go-Seek would be pretty amazing.

What celebrity do you get mistaken for (or would like to get mistaken for)?
Beyonce, of course!

What do you want to be when you grow up?
A professional basketball player.

When you have 30 minutes of free time, what do you do?
Lie down and listen to music.

What was the last movie, TV show or book that made you cry or tear up?
I saw the Green Mile for the first time this summer, and I may have shed a tear or two.

What was your most embarrassing moment?
I have way too many to choose just one.

What's the best/worst gift you've ever given/received?
I really appreciated having my coaches and roommate there for my surgery (I cried like a baby), which was scheduled for the day before my birthday last year.  They really took care of me and helped me realize that everything was going to be okay.

What do you miss most about being a kid?
I miss all the great times I had with my middle school/high school teammates! We are all still good friends now, but we really had each other's back like family. 

What is your first memory of being really excited?
I'm so dramatic and can get really excited about realizing I have an extra piece of gum in a pack I'd thought was empty. So, nothing really pops into my mind.

What story does your family always tell about you?
Since I am accident prone, they rotate through the most embarrassing wipe-outs I've had.

Are you a cat person, dog person, both or neither?
I love dogs and hope to own one someday.

The best part of waking up is?
Folgers in your cup! 
 
Quick Hits:

Favorite sports movie: Remember the Titans

Favorite non-sports movie: Mean Girls

Favorite sport, other than basketball: Volleyball

Favorite TV show: Family Guy

Most overrated TV show: The Office

Favorite month of the year: October, I was born on Halloween

Favorite food: Crab/Seafood

Least favorite food: Liver

Favorite color: Burgundy

Least favorite chore: Washing the dishes

Favorite sound: The autumn leaves rustling in the wind

Biggest pet peeve: When people leave food on dishes in the sink

Favorite quote: In Due Season