Student-athlete profile - Marissa Raya, La Verne basketball

MARISSA RAYA

University of La Verne

Basketball

The lowdown: The 5-foot-7 senior guard leads the SCIAC in scoring at 18.9 points per game and has helped the Leos (14-5, 7-1) to a tie for first place. Has been the team’s leading scorer 13 times with a season-high of 35 coming against Cal Lutheran. Also had 34 in a nonconference game against Transylvania that included the 1,00th point of her career in that game. Has scored 30 or more four times and 20 or more eight times. Has been named SCIAC Female Athlete of the Week twice already this season. Was a first-team all-conference selection as a junior, averaging 15 points and 4.8 rebounds.

Age: 21

Hometown: Pasadena

High school: Bassett High School, 2004

Major: Criminology

Favorite athlete: Mia Hamm

Favorite team: Los Angeles Lakers

Most memorable moment: Winning the SCIAC in 2007.

Role model: My grandmother (Maria)

Person most influential in your athletic success: My parents (Francisco and Sheri).

Last good book you read: Monster: Autobiography of an L.A. Gang Member by Sanyika Shakur (AKA Monster Kody Scott).

Favorite movie: Grandma’s Boy

Can’t miss television shows: Dexter

Favorite vacation spot: Laughlin, Nev.

Favorite food: Barbeque ribs

Celebrity you most want to meet: David Beckham

Best advice anyone has given you: Not to quit at anything. Do what I love and always do the right thing.

Pre-game ritual or superstition: If I ride with friends on game day, I have to be the one that drives.

What’s in your CD player/iPOD? Mix tape (Hip-hop, reggae, oldies).

Other hobbies: Looking at cars, watching movies.

What do you want to be doing in five years: Become a police officer.