While her first name may be puzzling to pronounce, there's no mystery about Schuye LaRue's game. As a first-year player at the University of Virginia, LaRue was named ACC Rookie of the Year after averaging 14.4 points and 8.0 rebounds per game. She was also named to the 1999-2000 All-ACC second team.

This year, the 6-3 LaRue is off to another flying start, averaging more than 17 points per game (more than 22 in conference play). On Jan. 11, she scored 29 points led the Cavaliers to a victory over arch-rival North Carolina, hitting the winning layup with 1.8 seconds remaining to pull out the 78-76 win.

The day after hitting that last-second shot, LaRue spoke to Gballmag.com about performing in the clutch, adjusting to college ball, her love of movies, and her unusual first name (for the record, it's pronounced "Sky").

Gball: Congratulations on the victory at North Carolina. Do you see yourself as a go-to player in those situations?
LaRue: I do. I like the pressure. I want the ball in my hands to get the job done for the coach in those situations. Unfortunately, we've been in this position before this season, so we're kind of used to it now. We'd rather win much easier.

You had a successful first season, but was it hard getting used to playing college ball and learning to balance sports and academics?
Last year really kicked me off as far as getting into the college game and I learned a lot last year. It was kind of hard: getting up, going to class, going to practice, playing in the games, doing weight training, going running, and not getting very much sleep. It was a matter of getting my body broken in, but I'm more used to it now. So I was ready to come in and be a big part of the team this year.

As a first-year player, what parts of your game did you need to work on?
I thought I had to work on all aspects of my game. I don't really single out one part of my game as standing out. I love to play basketball, and that means every aspect of the game--rebounding, passing, blocking shots, just doing everything decent. I also really love encouraging players, getting them to perform.

When did you first start playing basketball?
Probably when I was five or six. I had this slap ball that I loved to dribble around in my garage and driveway. I always shot around or dribbled when I was bored, and it grew on me.

Did you have any roles models among athletes?
I really liked Hakeem Olajuwon's game. He was small for a center--he wasn't like a post player, he was able to shoot, penetrate, dunk, so I really liked his game. I really didn't look up to any other players, I just liked the game in general, watching them play, pushing the ball up and down the floor.

You went to high school at Archbishop Carroll in Washington, D.C. What made you choose to attend Virginia?
I really didn't want to go to Maryland, since it was too close to home. So UVA fit right in perfectly. I had a tournament down here with my AAU team and got to see a lot of the campus. I really liked the place, so I thought why not come here.

Have you chosen a major yet?
I really wanted to major in computers, but I think that's going to be a second major. I really don't know right now.

What have been some of your memorable games so far?
Last night, of course, and I really liked the game we played against Louisiana Tech earlier this season. We could've won that game. We really didn't get the calls, let the refs get to us, and made a couple of mistakes, but I really enjoyed playing against them. They're a great team with a lot of great players, and I really like competing against great players--it's good to play against someone who can play as well or almost as well as you. That was a great game to play.

You play power forward and center. Do you like the physical part of those positions?
Yeah, but you've got to be able to take those hits. I definitely get hit and they do not call the fouls. They assume it doesn't hurt me, but it does. It's continuous contact.

What do you like about your Head Coach, Debbie Ryan?
The best thing I like right now is that she's given me the freedom to play. Last year, I really couldn't do everything that I wanted to do.This year, she's really given me the freedom and confidence to do push the ball, so great things have happened for me.

This summer, Coach Ryan announced she had pancreatic cancer. Although she underwent successful surgery, the news must have shaken up the team.
It was really a shock when she told us. When we found out during the preseason, we really worked hard, because we wanted to do well for her, and do what we could to help her.

How has she been this season?
She's been perfectly fine so far.

Do you have any favorite things to do off the court? What music do you like?
Mostly rap music. I like to go to the movies a lot, and also rent movies, hang out at home, and talk on the phone.

What are some of your favorite movies?
"Rush Hour," "Home Alone," "House Guest." I really like scary movies, too -- "Scary Movie" was really funny. I thought "Love and Basketball" was OK, but it didn't really grab me.

What's that tattoo on your shoulder?
It's a gargoyle. Everyone says it's ugly because it's scary looking. But I like tattoos. I have a lot of them, especially on my back. They hurt to get, but I like the pain.

What are your plans after graduating from Virginia? Do you want to play pro basketball?
I definitely want to continue my basketball career, I haven't thought about doing anything else. I haven't been out of the country, but we've traveled a lot for AAU and college.

"Schuye" is a pretty unusual name, at least in the way it's spelled. What are the most common mispronunciations you've heard?
"Skoo-yay," "Shoo-yay," "Shoe," a lot of weird ones. I don't know what my mother was thinking when she came up with my name.

Photos courtesy of University of Virginia Sports Information.

Interview conducted by Gball Associate Editor Jim Catalano.


Check out last year's q&a's by clicking here