Get to Know Taja Cole: Ready to Lead in Junior Season

Get to Know Taja Cole
Jr. // Point Guard // Richmond, Va.

Stats/Accolades:

Finished 2017-18 sixth in the SEC in assists (135 total)
Started all 33 games at point guard for the Lady Bulldogs last year
Scored in double figures in five of the team's last eight games entering the NCAA tournament

What is the next step for you this year- what do you want to improve on as a player after having one year under your belt?

"I had a tough start at the beginning of the year when it came to free throws. I finished pretty strong towards the end of the year. I want to improve on that and become an even better free-throw shooter. I also feel if I can get a consistent three point shot I will be in really good shape and will help my team out a lot more."

You are going to be stepping into a bigger leadership role this year. How do you embrace that?

"I am definitely excited to step into more of a leadership role. I think just holding myself accountable and also holding the team and the freshmen accountable will lead to us having a successful season."

What have you seen from the freshmen so far that has impressed you?

"I have seen another year of a group of freshmen that came in and clicked with the entire team automatically. I definitely thank my coaches for that, for recruiting good people and not just good players. I also see drive, determination and a group of girls that are athletic and love to win."

Being a redshirt-junior, you will be on pace to graduate in the next year. What are your plans?

"It depends on how this year goes, but I definitely want to graduate this year. I am thinking about getting my master's degree. I am a communications major so I would probably get my master's degree in sports media."

All Lady Bulldog fans know you are a shoe connoisseur. What kind of shoes should we expect to see on the court from you this year?

"I don't know yet, it kind of depends on what shoes we get. Hopefully some fresh Nikes, hopefully some Kyrie's or KD's."

People may not know but you actually started your own clothing line. What are your career goals?

"Definitely. If I go to the WNBA, I will have a lot more help and more people that could help me manage the clothing line. Playing basketball here, going to tutoring, going to classes, being a point guard and running a clothing business would be hard. So the dream would be to play in the WNBA and own a clothing line."

Who did you idolize as a player growing up?

"I love Allen Iverson. He is from Virginia. He was a point guard. He is short. He has some swag to his game but he is very determined and he loves to win, just like me."

If you could play one sport that wasn't basketball, what would it be and did you play any other sports growing up?

"My first sport actually wasn't basketball, it was football. If I didn't play basketball I would play flag football."

Who is your biggest inspiration?

"My mom. She has a huge heart. She is always worried about everyone around her and making sure they are alright, that she forgets to think about herself; unfortunately, I am the same way sometimes. I will go all day thinking is my team alright, is my family alright, I have to take the freshmen to eat and I forget to eat. It is just something my mom rubbed off on me."

What is the first thing that comes to mind when you hear Georgia Basketball?

"Defense. It is so hard to beat Georgia because we're going to play you hard on defense for 40 minutes. That is what we pride ourselves on and it's one of the reasons I came to Georgia. I really take pride in defense, it's something that you can't teach and it's just your heart. Georgia recruits on defense and builds a love for defense and it's really fun."

University of Georgia Athletics

Get to Know Taja Cole: Ready to Lead in Junior Season

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