"Tremendous athleticism and shot blocking ability ... can post up, hit the three-pointer, and dunk ... could become the most versatile player to ever wear a Duke uniform."

That's how Duke University's women's basketball media guide describes 6-4 sophomore Iciss Tillis. And few could argue.

As a high school baller, Tillis led Cascia Hall Prep to a 3-A Oklahoma state championship, earned a bronze medal with the USA World Games team, and received All-America honors as well as USA Today's Oklahoma Player of the Year award. And as a freshman Blue Devil, Tillis shot 36 percent from the three, 43 percent from the field, and 72 percent at the line while leading the team in double-doubles and ranking second on the team in blocks and third in steals.

Last season, the Blue Devils defied the odds and ascended through the NCAA tournament to the Final Four two players and an assistant coach short. Tillis' versatility played a huge factor in that success. Named the best power forward by Nancy Lieberman prior to the ACC tournament, Tillis ranked second in the conference in defensive rebounds, rebounding, and steals and sixth in scoring with 14.3 points per game. She was also a team leader in three-point scoring and led ACC post players in assists with 94.

With two college seasons under her belt, Tillis is just getting warmed up. In this interview, she talks about what it was like losing two teammates last season, what makes her such a versatile competitor, and her non-basketball ambitions.

When did you start playing hoops?
My first team was actually in the third grade. I had been playing with friends and I knew I wanted to play on a team. This lady at the YMCA would see me playing with the boys and say, "I'm going to open a girls' team. You should come." So I would go to practices, or sometimes my coach would pick me up from school and we'd go practice. And I just loved it and couldn't stay away.

What was so appealing?
I think it was just that I was naturally good at it, and I wanted to keep getting better. I used to try to beat my coaches. All I wanted to do was play.

Why did you choose to attend Duke?
A combination of things. It's a great academic institution as well as a great basketball institution. And the team had a lot of potential back when I was looking at it. It was the best of both worlds. And its tough academic reputation didn't intimidate me. That's what I wanted.

Last season, Duke had two players leave mid-season. How did everyone cope?
At first it was shocking. But we looked at it as, "It's just us now. We have to make the best of it. By no means does this mean it's the end of our season. It only takes five to play. It just so happens there are only three people on the bench waiting to get in the game." So we just kept playing, and we were in the best shape, so it didn't even phase us at all. Their absence made us better, actually. The biggest issue was making sure no one got hurt.

What was being in the Final Four like?
Being in the Final Four was an awesome experience. You hear all the hype about it, but it was even more than I expected. I didn't expect it to be quite as big as it was. I underestimated it.

Did you feel the pressure?
I didn't feel any pressure at all. I thought, "We made it this far. Who's to stop us? All we have to do is get out there and play."

What do you do to keep your game sharp?
I have a lot of goals in mind that I work to fulfill. That keeps me striving toward perfection. Playing perimeter defense is one primary goal of mine this year. Others are improving my post game, getting stronger, incorporating a pull-up jumper, and getting more flexible.

What's your favorite thing about playing basketball?
Getting out there and playing in a game. Practices are great, but I think everyone gets sick of practices. To actually get out there and have people admire your game and team is fun. Those are the benefits of playing.

What is your least favorite aspect?
My least favorite part is trying to find a balance between basketball, academics, and a social life. That's really hard. Now that I've gotten older, time management isn't a big deal at all. I know what I need to do, how to get it done, and how to get ahead. But I still have to work really hard in the classroom, and it's frustrating because sometimes you feel like you want to be a regular student. Then you have to go to practice. But then when you make it to the Final Four, it all pays off.

Is your on-the-court versatility pure talent or a conscious effort?
It's pretty innate. I've always been like this. When I was younger, I was always the post player shooting threes during game warm-ups rather than down there shooting little two-foot chip shots.

Does having such a breadth of skills make competition more enjoyable for you?
I just like playing it all. I don't want to be one dimensional. When people scout me I don't want them to think, "With Iciss, all you have to do is get in front of her on the post and that's it. She can't make a shot after that." Or, "She's tall. You should be able to give a head fake and go by her." I don't want to be like that.

And that's because I know I can do better than that. If that was all I was capable of, it would be different. I'd be trying to perfect my post game. But I have so many different things I want to perfect. I don't want teams to look at me and be like, "If Iciss guards you outside, just go right by her because she's a step slow." I know I'm fast and I want to be able to guard the best guards.

How did you get the name Iciss?
My dad named me. Iciss was an Egyptian goddess.

How do your dreams of becoming a lawyer fit into your basketball plans?
I've thought of going to law school right after college. And since law school is in the fall, it works out perfectly. I can play professionally and go to law school at the same time.

Any idea yet of what area of law you're interested in?
I would like to do entertainment law. But even if I don't end up practicing law, I just really want to have my law degree. However, I would love to practice. That's always been a fantasy of mine.

If you were given the opportunity to practice law, would you give up your professional basketball career?
I don't know. I love basketball too much to quit, so I don't know how that would work out.

You've stated one of the people you most admire is former U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno. Why?
Because she's a woman. She's plain. And she gets the job done. People make fun of her all the time, like on Saturday Night Live, but she's very highly respected. I think she's a great leader. She has her stuff together, and she's not trying to impress anyone.

What does Duke have to do next year to win the championship?
We're going to have to be a great rebounding team and have great chemistry.

Any advice for high school players?
All I can say is practice. And love of the game will definitely get you here.

Interview conducted by Gball Editor Shelly Wilson.


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