Athlete of the Week: Maya Dunson, Wayne

Grade: Junior

Age: 16

Sport: Basketball

Claim to fame/honors: Verbally committed to play basketball at Loyola University in Chicago; member of National Honor Society; 4.75 GPA; starting guard for Warriors

Bet you didn’t know … I play the piano and French horn

Words you live by: Enjoy the little things

Toughest opponent: Mason

Biggest influence: My parents and my grandparents

Match-day rituals: I listen to music on my headphones the whole day even when dressing before the game, and during the halftime of the JV game I go to shoot in another gym if available.

What’s on your bedroom walls? Pictures of family and friends

When I’m bored I like to … Read books and read on my phone

Favorite movie: Anastasia

Person who would play you in a movie: Taraji P. Henson

Favorite TV show: Law and Order: Special Victims Unit

Favorite musical artist: J. Cole

I can’t live without: Donuts and Law and Order: SVU

I can live without: Turkey bacon

Event you’d like to attend: Coachella or the NBA Finals

Favorite book: Maximum Ride or Percy Jackson and the Olympians

Favorite home-cooked meal: Turkey and dressing with mashed potatoes and mac and cheese. Pretty much Thanksgiving.

Favorite restaurant: Thai 9

Favorite smell: Baby powder

Favorite cereal: Cap’n Crunch with the berries

Store where you’d like a shopping spree: American Eagle, Abercrombie, Bath and Body Works, Dick’s Sporting Goods

Vegetable you won’t eat: Lima beans

I’d love to trade places for a day with … Michelle Obama

Whose mind would you like to read? My dog Layla

Place where you’d love to travel? Spain

Talent you’d like to have? Singing

Favorite school subject(s): Math and science

Favorite athlete: LeBron James

Favorite team: Cleveland Cavaliers

Favorite Olympic sport: Gymnastics

Something in the world I’d like to change: World hunger

Favorite sports moment: Winning districts last year

Favorite junk food: Donuts

Best thing about basketball: All of the teamwork and leadership that goes on within a team; becoming the leader of your team to guide your team to success

In 10 years, I hope to be … in residency to become a radiologist

Nominate an Athlete of the Week: Send an email to freelance writer Dave Lamb at d_lamb@msn.com. Please include the athlete’s name, school, sport and a phone number or email address where we can reach that athlete. Please include Athlete of the Week in the subject line.