Dan Fleser of The Knoxville News-Sentinel had a question and answer session with former Lausanne standout, Lauren Avant.
Q: What were you like growing up?
A: I was pretty nerdy. I was a tomboy and a nerd. It was either all school or all sports.
Q: You were in a Time Magazine feature, "Courting Eighth Graders," then a year later you were in Sports Illustrated's "Where will they be?" feature. So what was it like for you to be a child star?
A: I consider myself to be just like anyone else. Getting recognized by people, especially AAU (tournaments) in different cities, it was new. It was exciting at first, but I know I can't get complacent. I still have my goal that I haven't achieved and that's winning the national championship.
Q: Your boyfriend is former Ole Miss guard Terrico White. How did that work with you being such a big Tennessee fan?
A: It was really interesting because he almost came here. He almost came to Tennessee.
Q: In your bio you mentioned your mother (Dana, clinical director at Methodist University Hospital, Memphis) as a famous person you admire. What is it about her?
A: She used sports to get to college and college to achieve a profession and I thought that was admirable, that she continuously worked hard not only in school but in sports. That's what I want to do.
Q: You also mentioned Pat Summitt. Are you just trying to score points?
A: She did the same thing. She talks about all the time her farm days. What I think of with her is her morals and values. She is one of the most honest people you'll ever meet in your entire life. That's just how she is. There's no sugar coating.
Q: Finally, you mentioned Jackie Robinson, who broke the color barrier in baseball, and Dred Scott, a slave who sued unsuccessfully for his freedom. What about those choices?
A: They really inspired me because they pursued their goals in spite of the circumstances. They understood the consequences and they still persevered. They could've easily not stood up and not tried to do anything but they did and now they're remembered in history.
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Congrats Lauren! I remember your uncle talking about you all the time when you were a little girl and to see you now it's so amazing! Keep up the good work!
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