University of Georgia Athletics
Quick Chat: Asia Avinger
November 01, 2023 | Women's Basketball, The Frierson Files
By John Frierson
Staff Writer
Asia Avinger liked what she saw the first time she was on the same court as the Georgia women's basketball team. At the time, last December, she was playing for San Diego State.
The Lady Bulldogs and Aztecs met last season during the West Palm Beach Invitational, and Avinger had nine points, two assists and two steals in the game, which Georgia won 63-44. At the time, she had no idea that she'd one day suit up for Georgia.
A 5-foot-7 guard from Cerritos, Calif., Avinger played two seasons at San Diego State before transferring to Georgia. After redshirting in 2020-21 due to injury, Avinger made the Mountain West All-Freshman team in 2021-22 after averaging 12.0 points and 3.9 assists per game. Last season, she earned All-Mountain West honors after posting 11.6, 4.2 assists and 2.0 steals a game, while shooting 48% from the field.
During a recent Quick Chat, Avinger talked about her decision to come to Georgia, her favorite player, her start in basketball, and much more. Here's some of what she had to say:
Frierson: Did you play a bunch of different sports when you were young, or was basketball always your main thing?
Avinger: Growing up, I would play every single sport that I could possibly play. I have two brothers that I grew up with, so we would play all kinds of sports. They played football, so I was good at that, and I used to play on a 7-on-7 team with my brother. I tried to do every little thing until I knew that I really wanted to play basketball.
Frierson: Growing up fairly close to the beach, did you do a lot of surfing and other water sports?
Avinger: That's something I always wanted to try but never really got the chance to. Hopefully I can try that one day and be good at it.
Frierson: What was it about basketball that won out over all of the other sports you did?
Avinger: I think I just fell in love with the game when I was about two years old. I've loved it ever since I can remember. I started dribbling when I was two years old, and I was like, this is my thing and I want to stick with it. I never get tired of it, and I've always had this love and passion for the game.
Frierson: So what brought you to Georgia? You're a long way from home.
Avinger: It is a long way from home. I actually played against Georgia last year, and I didn't think anything of it at the time. I just loved the way they competed and played really hard. After going through the season, I just thought it was time for a change and to play on a bigger stage. I wanted to be in a conference that had the best level of competition, so when I hit the (transfer) portal, I wasn't really expecting anything. I was just like, wherever I end up, that's where I'm supposed to be.
One of my first calls was from Coach ABE (Katie Abrahamson-Henderson), and it was funny because I was like, "I loved playing against your team and the way you coached. I loved how passionate you guys are, and I would love to be a part of that." And she was like, "Just come on a visit and see how things go." Everything went great, they were like family, and it just felt right to come here.
Frierson: What is it like to move all the way across the country?
Avinger: I went to San Diego State, and that was about an hour-and-a-half away from home, so I've already got the hometown, or close to it, experience. I was looking for something completely different, no matter where I ended up. I didn't have time to go home a lot before, not like people would expect, so I was like, this is going to be a big change, but it's the best decision for me to help me grow and mature.
Frierson: As we do this, Halloween is right around the corner. Do you have a favorite Halloween candy?
Avinger: I would have to go with the Reese's peanut butter cups.
Frierson: Did you have a favorite Halloween costume when you were a kid?
Avinger: Actually, when I was younger, I used to dress up as Michael Jackson for Halloween. He was one of my favorite pop stars growing up. That's the one I really remember.
Frierson: Who is the funniest person on the team?
Avinger: I would have to say Zo (Zoesha Smith). She's naturally silly and goofy, a very outgoing person. She brings a lot of laughs and fun to the team.
Frierson: Who is your favorite player of all time?
Avinger: My favorite would have to be Steve Nash. I know that's different, I know a lot of people say Kobe (Bryant) or LeBron (James), but I just loved the way Steve Nash played. He was so poised, he could shoot, get assists — he could do a little bit of everything.
(This Q&A was lightly edited for length and clarity.)
Staff Writer
Asia Avinger liked what she saw the first time she was on the same court as the Georgia women's basketball team. At the time, last December, she was playing for San Diego State.
The Lady Bulldogs and Aztecs met last season during the West Palm Beach Invitational, and Avinger had nine points, two assists and two steals in the game, which Georgia won 63-44. At the time, she had no idea that she'd one day suit up for Georgia.
A 5-foot-7 guard from Cerritos, Calif., Avinger played two seasons at San Diego State before transferring to Georgia. After redshirting in 2020-21 due to injury, Avinger made the Mountain West All-Freshman team in 2021-22 after averaging 12.0 points and 3.9 assists per game. Last season, she earned All-Mountain West honors after posting 11.6, 4.2 assists and 2.0 steals a game, while shooting 48% from the field.
During a recent Quick Chat, Avinger talked about her decision to come to Georgia, her favorite player, her start in basketball, and much more. Here's some of what she had to say:
Frierson: Did you play a bunch of different sports when you were young, or was basketball always your main thing?
Avinger: Growing up, I would play every single sport that I could possibly play. I have two brothers that I grew up with, so we would play all kinds of sports. They played football, so I was good at that, and I used to play on a 7-on-7 team with my brother. I tried to do every little thing until I knew that I really wanted to play basketball.
Frierson: Growing up fairly close to the beach, did you do a lot of surfing and other water sports?
Avinger: That's something I always wanted to try but never really got the chance to. Hopefully I can try that one day and be good at it.
Frierson: What was it about basketball that won out over all of the other sports you did?
Avinger: I think I just fell in love with the game when I was about two years old. I've loved it ever since I can remember. I started dribbling when I was two years old, and I was like, this is my thing and I want to stick with it. I never get tired of it, and I've always had this love and passion for the game.
Frierson: So what brought you to Georgia? You're a long way from home.
Avinger: It is a long way from home. I actually played against Georgia last year, and I didn't think anything of it at the time. I just loved the way they competed and played really hard. After going through the season, I just thought it was time for a change and to play on a bigger stage. I wanted to be in a conference that had the best level of competition, so when I hit the (transfer) portal, I wasn't really expecting anything. I was just like, wherever I end up, that's where I'm supposed to be.
One of my first calls was from Coach ABE (Katie Abrahamson-Henderson), and it was funny because I was like, "I loved playing against your team and the way you coached. I loved how passionate you guys are, and I would love to be a part of that." And she was like, "Just come on a visit and see how things go." Everything went great, they were like family, and it just felt right to come here.
Frierson: What is it like to move all the way across the country?
Avinger: I went to San Diego State, and that was about an hour-and-a-half away from home, so I've already got the hometown, or close to it, experience. I was looking for something completely different, no matter where I ended up. I didn't have time to go home a lot before, not like people would expect, so I was like, this is going to be a big change, but it's the best decision for me to help me grow and mature.
Frierson: As we do this, Halloween is right around the corner. Do you have a favorite Halloween candy?
Avinger: I would have to go with the Reese's peanut butter cups.
Frierson: Did you have a favorite Halloween costume when you were a kid?
Avinger: Actually, when I was younger, I used to dress up as Michael Jackson for Halloween. He was one of my favorite pop stars growing up. That's the one I really remember.
Frierson: Who is the funniest person on the team?
Avinger: I would have to say Zo (Zoesha Smith). She's naturally silly and goofy, a very outgoing person. She brings a lot of laughs and fun to the team.
Frierson: Who is your favorite player of all time?
Avinger: My favorite would have to be Steve Nash. I know that's different, I know a lot of people say Kobe (Bryant) or LeBron (James), but I just loved the way Steve Nash played. He was so poised, he could shoot, get assists — he could do a little bit of everything.
(This Q&A was lightly edited for length and clarity.)
Assistant Sports Communications Director John Frierson is the staff writer for the UGA Athletic Association and curator of the ITA Men's Tennis Hall of Fame. You can find his work at: Frierson Files. He's also on Twitter: @FriersonFiles and @ITAHallofFame.
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