Jewell Loyd has represented the United States in numerous international basketball tournaments. The 27-year-old native of Lincolnwood, Illinois has helped Team USA win gold at the 2018 FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup, the 2010 FIBA Under-17 World Championship for Women and even the 2014 FIBA 3x3 World Championships. And, of course, she's also a two-time WNBA champion, a two-time WNBA All-Star and a former No. 1 overall pick in the 2015 WNBA draft. This summer, Loyd is hoping to add to her impressive resume by helping the United States win its seventh-straight Olympic gold medal in women's basketball.
As part of our preparation for the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, NBC Olympics sent questionnaires to a wide range of athletes to learn more about their lives on and off the field of play.
Here’s some of what we found out about Jewell Loyd:
Tell us about your family.
Gwen and Calvin are my parents, both of them played sports. I have an older brother who went and played basketball at Valpo and played overseas for four years.
Where does your family come from?
Mom is from Mississippi and my dad is from Georgia.
How has your hometown shaped who you are today?
Everyone in my town helps look out for one another. I was with my friends everyday. My town is very diverse, which was awesome because your learned about other cultures all the time.
How much time do you train? How much do you sleep?
Four hours I would say in the gym and try to get my eight hours of sleep.
Typical training day?
Wake up, turn on ESPN. Practice starts at 11, get there at 9:30 to lift, won't leave until about 1 or something. Depends on shooting after practice.
What's your favorite workout?
5-on-5.
What's the most grueling workout you've ever done?
Working out with Kobe.
Earliest memory of playing basketball?
I just remember always being outside and being active. I didn't care what sport or game everyone was playing, I wanted to be a part of that. The one thing that I loved about basketball was that I could play with all my friends and that it was all about teamwork.
Specific breakthrough moment?
For me being in the WNBA and seeing all the players that I looked up to and seeing how they were so willing to help me get better made me realized that I am capable of not just being in the best league in the world, but I could go beyond that. Getting validation from my peers was important to me, it made me feel like I belong.
Earliest memory of watching the Olympics?
My family never really watched TV a lot, but when the Olympics were on we would always watch! I never thought I would ever have a chance at being an Olympian, that idea never crossed my mind.
Biggest obstacle that you've overcome?
The biggest thing with me is confidence and maintaining that. If I didn't have my circle around me to help me with that I'm not sure I where I would be.
Music of choice while training?
Anything from Logic or Justin Bieber.
What do you watch to unwind?
Food Network or HGTV.
Which Winter Olympic event would you like to try?
Snowboarding half pipe.
Advice you'd give a young player?
Be bold with who you are, love yourself and believe you are more than what people see.