15 questions with... Chrissy DiCindio, a Penn women's basketball senior

The Daily Pennsylvanian asked Penn women's basketball captain Chrissy DiCindio 15 questions about her sport, her time at Penn, and her life overall. Here's what the senior had to say.

1. Can you introduce yourself? 

I am Christina DiCindio. I am a senior in the College, majoring in neuroscience, and I'm from Princeton Junction, N.J.

2. What are you watching on TV/Netflix right now? 

I am currently watching "Grey's Anatomy." We always have college or NBA games on the TV in our house.

3. Favorite Philadelphia food order? 

You can't go wrong with a Philly cheesesteak. And everyone in Philadelphia will tell you that Dalessandro's Steaks in Manayunk, Pa. is the best one, and I completely agree with that.

4. Your happiest Penn basketball memory? 

Definitely winning the Ivy League. We were at Brown and I was a freshman. It was just a crazy locker room experience. And I can picture everything so vividly right now. I am looking at my championship ring on my dresser and my little piece of the net. And that was probably one of the top three moments of my life, if I'm being honest.

5. What’s your go-to pump up music before a game? 

The whole basketball team is really into the "Big Bootie" mixes by Two Friends. We have those on in the locker room a lot — and even in our house on the big speaker. And that's also my automatic workout playlist. They're just super fun and energizing.

6. What would constitute a “perfect” day for you? 

It would be sunny and 75 degrees, and I would wake up early, get a nice cup of coffee — iced, always. It would be on a beach for sure. I mean, I love the beach — I'm from Jersey. And I think that it would finish with a charcuterie board and an Italian dinner with my teammates or my family.

7. What’s something you picked up or learned about yourself over the pandemic? 

I think that, before the pandemic, I relied on social interaction a lot, but I've learned to be alone and learned to be okay being alone, which kind of surprises me because I've never liked to be alone. I'm always with people. But I've learned to trust myself more.

8. Do you have a favorite professional basketball player whom you look up to? 

I admire most the players that have overcome tremendous adversity — so ridiculous injuries, like Gordon Hayward. [I look up to] people that have overcome tremendous adversities and come back stronger from them.

9. Do you have any post-graduation plans? 

I am trying to decide between going to physical therapy school or getting my master's in speech language pathology. I'm super interested in the brain, but I just don't think that medical school is right for me. So those two are my next best options for continuing my education with the brain, but not having to go through the rigor of medical school.

10. What was your earliest basketball memory and why did you continue playing? 

So my earliest basketball memory is in second grade. I was in our local town league, and I joined it with my best friend, and she turned out to be the most unathletic human being that I know. And she wouldn't fight me on that either. So she absolutely hated it, and I just never wanted to leave. I've been tall all my life so I think that I was naturally okay with it.

We were still playing with the shorter basket, so I just had an advantage over everyone. I loved that it was fast paced, and I think that one of my favorite feelings — even now when I play — is a full sprint up the court and trying to beat everyone down there, and I definitely remember doing that when I was in second grade.

11. Do you have any pregame rituals? 

I am the loudest — not annoying — but I'm an energy enforcer, as they say on the team. We have pregame dance parties, and if someone's being quiet or not excited, it’s my job to get them where we need them to be.

12. A genie gives you three wishes — what are they? 

I wish that the pandemic never happened. I wish that I had a dog. And can I wish for 100 more wishes?

13. What would be your first thought if you had a game three days from now? 

Start running.

14. What’s been your most meaningful Penn experience? 

I think just the fact that I've been able to take in so much information from the alumni that graduated before me, and that I learned to apply it to my own life, but also had the privilege to lead the grades younger than me, and try and give what I've learned to them.

15. If you could go back in time and talk to freshman you, what is one piece of advice you would give?

Don't stress so much. Everything will work out fine. And as long as you work hard, things will come your way.