In the fourth edition of the “Off the Court” Q&A’s with players on the William Paterson women’s basketball team, Beacon reporter Daniel Karp interviewed senior guard Esmeralda Ruiz. “Ezzy,” as teammates call her, has cemented herself as a defensive specialist on the college court after a decorated high school career at Kearny, where she averaged 16.5 points as a senior and was named captain.

Name: Esmeralda Ruiz
Number: #4
Year: Senior
Major: Communication
Hometown: Kearny, NJ

What would your secondary career path be if your primary one doesn’t pan out?

If working as a media director for a company did not go as planned, I would become a police officer because I am big on helping people, and that is a big part of being a police officer. There are different situations to deal with while being a police officer, and the same thing happens here, especially as my position is working for the Recreation Center here at school.

What is a hidden talent that many people wouldn’t know you had?

Drawing. I used to do it a lot when I was younger. I like drawing humans. I used to draw faces a lot when I was younger. It was fun and an option when I was younger to keep my mind going, especially since phones and technology of today were not really a thing.

What kind of impact do you hope to have on the people around you?

I am the person who wants to have a positive impact on a person. I always feel good when a person can be themselves around me, especially all my friends and my teammates, because fitting into a team seems easy but it can be hard at the same time, and being in my fourth year and having these new girls have a smile on because of me means a lot.

What is your favorite board game or card game?

My favorite card game is Uno because it gets a lot of engagement amongst the people you play with. It is also easy to play and learn, and it fits my competitive mentality even if it’s not on the court. My favorite board game is Sorry because it’s also competitive and fun, and it’s a game from my childhood that to this day I still love to play.

What is your favorite spot on campus or around the local areas to chill?

The Rec Center. I feel like I am here 24/7 whether it is to work or if it’s something for basketball. Even when I’m not on duty, my friends and I will just come to hang out and see what is going on here. Support the volleyball team or the guy’s basketball team. The Rec is the place to be for me.