In the eleventh 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 Jade Martinez. The 5-foot-1 Martinez has earned a role in the starting lineup in her fourth year in Pioneer orange and black. Before coming to William Paterson, Martinez secured first-team honors at Ridgefield Park High School, where she averaged 17.6 points in her senior year.

Name: Jade Martinez
Number: #12
Year: Senior
Major: Psychology
Hometown: Ridgefield Park, NJ

What is one moment from your life that you would like to relive?
After we won a huge game in my freshman year in the playoffs, the energy and happiness we felt in the locker room was unforgettable.

Do you have any superstitions or quirky habits?
I can never eat the last bite of my food. Even if I’m not full, there will always be one bite left on my plate. 

What is your favorite way to stay active outside of basketball?
I like to go on runs, and I love to go to the weight room as well. I like the weight room a lot because I love how you can visually see results but you can also feel your body getting stronger as well.

Who has had a big impact on you?
My high school basketball coach is someone who has had a huge impact on my life. She helped me get to a level that I never thought I’d be able to be at, and that’s playing college basketball. 

What is one animal that you would like to come back as for one day?
I would love to come back as a sea turtle. I love the ocean, and I think turtles are so relaxed, and I would love for that to be my life for a day.