Aug. 25, 2008

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Marissa Coleman arrived on the campus at the University of Maryland three years ago as a highly-regarded wing player representative of the bright future of the quickly-growing Terrapins women's basketball program.

Now, Coleman is preparing to begin her senior season at Maryland. With the graduation of a five impact players, including first-round WNBA draft picks Crystal Langhorne and Laura Harper, Coleman, alongside classmate Kristi Toliver, has taken on elder statesman and senior captain status.

In between her first day in College Park and the present day, Coleman has delivered many memorable moments and has etched her name in the school record books in numerous statistical categories. A two-time Associated Press Honorable Mention All-American, Coleman was named the ACC Rookie of the Year in 2006, made two crucial free throws in overtime to help seal the 2006 national championship against Duke, and is the only player in school history to record a triple-double.

When she isn't filling up the box score on the court, Coleman devotes a lot of her free time to her electronics obsession. Whether it's cell phones, movies, video games, etc., Coleman probably owns the latest version. And whatever you do, don't challenge her to a "Guitar Hero" battle.

Q. How does it feel preparing to begin your final year at Maryland?
A. I think it's completely hit me. The thoughts are definitely going through my head like: "Wow, it's gone already. I have one more chance to win a national championship and go out on a high note."

Q. Have you already started to establish yourself, with Kristi Toliver, as the leader of the team?
A. I think once summer began and Lang and Harp weren't there, we realized that it was our turn to lead this team. We came in as freshmen together and now we have to become the senior leaders and take this team as far as we can.

Q. What adjustments do you have to make as a leader?
A. There is no room for error on our part. We can't make a mistake or slip up because all the younger players are watching us and are going to imitate what we do. We have to be on top of things at all times and make sure we are doing things right to show the others what needs to be done.

Q. Are there any particular skills you are focusing on for your final season and beyond?
A. I want to be more aggressive this year on the offensive end and work on my ball-handling to improve my off-the-dribble moves.

Q. Did you do anything interesting during the summer?
A. I didn't do anything fun, really. I mainly hung out in College Park. I took a couple classes and worked out a lot, which is what I had planned from the beginning.

Q. You're a big-time video game player. What game have you been playing the most lately?
A. Over the summer, I bought "American Idol" for Wii, so I've been having some karaoke battles in my house. And then, of course, I love "Guitar Hero."

Q. Did you buy "Guitar Hero: Aerosmith" when it came out?
A. No, I haven't got that one yet. At this point, I'm just waiting for "Guitar Hero IV" to come out.

Q. Do you have "Mario Kart" for Wii?
A. I do, actually. I just walked into the store a couple days after it came out and they had it ... it's pretty awesome. It's a lot of fun.

Q. Have you bought any more new gadgets recently?
A. I got the new iPhone. It does everything. I love it.