Diary Entries

9/2 - Ortal Oren  8/28 - Lisa Willis  8/21 - Emma Tautolo  8/13 - Julia Pitts  8/6 - Nikki Blue  7/28 - Sissy Pickett  7/22 - Gennifer Arranaga  7/18 - Jamila Veasley  2002 Archives

Note: Michelle is a senior guard and three-year letterwinner on the UCLA women's basketball team. The Pac-10's leading scorer in 2000-01, Greco had to sit out the remainder of the 2001-02 season for medical reasons after averaging a team-best 23.6 points per game in the season's first five games. As a junior in 2000-01, Greco led the Pac-10 in scoring (19.9 ppg) and free throw percentage (.865). She ranks 15th on UCLA's all-time career scoring charts with 1,158 career points entering this season and set the school single-game record last season with eight three-point shots made at Michigan State. Greco is also the UCLA record-holder for single-season three-point shots made (50) and attempted (171).

Oct. 11, 2002

The Untold Story of Michelle Greco #20

Last year, when I was told by my doctors that it would be in my best interest to sit out the remainder of my senior year, I can't even begin to describe my emotions and the disappointment that I was going through. However, after much thought and great advice from my family and friends, I came to a wonderful conclusion that things happen for a reason, and that I had the power to turn my unfortunate situation into a positive, and that, my friends, is what I did!

I can truly say that on all the road trips and even during practice and in games, I always managed to put on a smiling face. I decided to use my medical redshirt season as a year where I could reflect upon myself and figure out what I needed to improve on, whether it was on the basketball court, in the classroom, or in my personal life. Throughout the remainder of the season, I worked diligently on my consistency from the outside by shooting endless amounts of threes and jump shots during practice. The season surprisingly flew by, and before I knew it, spring and summer workouts had arrived.

During the spring and all throughout the summer, I have been working on physically being stronger, faster and better conditioned than ever before. Over the past month and a half, I have been a true beach bum because I have seriously been at the beach almost every day running. Distance running has become my new hobby and interest, and I love to go to the beach and run on the bike path. I never knew how peaceful running can actually be, especially when you're in shape. Also this summer, I was enrolled in summer school, where I took a Swahili class.

Now, the summer is over, and the fall is in the air, which means basketball season has arrived. Our first day of practice on Oct. 12 is right around the corner. I can't wait for the season to start because, for those of you who haven't heard, I have been cleared by my doctors to play, and I couldn't be happier.

At times I feel like I've been given a second chance to play again, and I truly feel blessed to be able to compete one last time for the UCLA Bruins. So with that in mind, you all will witness a slightly different Michelle Greco this season because I have learned to appreciate the opportunities that have been given to me because I am well aware of how quickly and easily things can change. My motto this year is to work hard, play hard, and most importantly, have fun and enjoy my last year in college!

I hope to see you at all of our games this season. See you there!