Athlete of the Week: 10 questions with Angelina Giordano, Loyola basketball

Angelina Giordano is a senior combo guard for the Ramblers. The Lincoln Square (Chicago) resident was recently named to the All-Tournament team while leading her team to a 5-0 record at the New Trier/Loyola Thanksgiving Tournament.

1. Do you have any pregame rituals or superstitions?

Kind of a weird pregame thing I do — and I don’t know why — is I have to eat Skittles before a game. And a superstition is I wear my hair the same way every game. I do a braid on the top of my head and back into a ponytail and then another braid. 

2. What do you hope to do after high school?

A goal of mine is to play basketball and I want to major in sports marketing or communications and continue my career in sports because I have such a large passion for it. I think i’d be good for that. 

3. What is your dream job? 

My dream job is a sports interviewer, on the sidelines of any sport — football, basketball. I took a speech communication class at Montini (Catholic High School, Lombard) that kind of prepared me for it. 

4. Why did you transfer to Loyola?

Because of COVID, kind of, and the transportation. I took two Metra trains and a bus to get to Montini every day. With COVID, it was hard. My sister attended Loyola, and my parents and I figured out it was better to play with my sister.

5. How would you describe your time with Loyola basketball? 

I’d say we’re a core, solid group of girls. Since last year, we’ve created a new environment and new family. We’re trying to build off of last year’s accomplishments. I love playing for my teammates and coaches.

6. If you were to play another sport, what would it be?

I’d definitely play volleyball. I payed volleyball until eighth grade and then realized I just wanted to focus on basketball. 

7. If you are in Walgreens with a couple bucks, what are you buying?

I’d probably go to the Skittles section. Classic and purple are my favorite. 

8. What is your favorite thing to do off the court?

Either go out and watch another sporting event or hang out with my friends and family. 

9. What is something people don’t know about you?

I really like to water ski. That’s another hobby of mine. I’d say I’m pretty good. We learned because my grandpa lives in Arkansas and lives on a lake. I’ve known how to ski for a while. I’ve always known how so it’s really fun for me. 

10. What can this team accomplish this season and how do you do it?

We come to practice every day with willingness to learn and get better. We honestly didn’t know how this season would play that, but we got off to a hot start and want to build off that. That comes from working hard every day and looking at our next opponent. … This season could be something special. 

The Record is a nonprofit, nonpartisan community newsroom that relies on reader support to fuel its independent local journalism.

Subscribe to The Record to fund responsible news coverage for your community.

Already a subscriber? You can make a tax-deductible donation at any time.