Here is a player of great potential, great inner strength and great energy! Natalia Zhedik... Being quite young she reached a lot already, though, definitely her talents deserve to get better known and recognized. To many specialists' point of view, Natalia overgrew her position and is really able to demonstrate terrific skills...
How did it happen that you came to basketball?
My first coach, Tatiana Lemekhova, came to my school to watch our physical training lesson. There she noticed me and invited to the Sports School. And already at my first training I demonstrated quite good results, and moreover, I liked the mode of the training and the game itself. So, from this point my career in basketball started.
When did you feel that you became a professional?
When I found myself in the team of the Superleague, I realized that it was a chance to get to professional Basketball, so in order to establish myself in the team I started to really work flat out during trainings and tried to train additionally as far as possible. All in all, I started to treat my activity professionally.
Do you have to make sacrifices in your life for the sake of basketball?
No, definitely I don't have to, though it is very difficult to be a professional athlete. But I am fond of what I am doing and I enjoy it and take pleasure from it. Basketball is my life!
In 2008 with the National Team of Russia you became the U20 European Champion. What did you feel at that moment?
First, it was a great feeling of happiness and unforgettable emotions! Then I should say that I appreciated the experience I got which allowed me to move to a new level of the game. I realized what it means to play in a real team. To a large extent this feeling of team spirit helped us to win.
You've never played in a team outside St.Petersburg. But if you have to change place, where would you like to play?
I would like to try playing abroad, for instance, in Spain, Italy or France.
Do you think that in professional sports it is essential to have some luck? Or maybe it is only hard work and diligence that count?
For sure, the most important are industriousness and diligence. As for luck, it favors those who work hard.
How does your family treat your activity? Do your relatives come to support you?
My family is very happy for me, they are really proud of me for being a professional basketball player. They always support me and try to visit all the matches where I play; and if they can't come to a match, I anyway feel their encouragement behind my back. It is very important for me.
Do you have any idol in basketball?
My favourite player is Gilbert Arenas, he is playing for the NBA team of Washington Wizards. I like very much his style of play, his movements.
What are your personal ambitions and plans in sports? What titles are you dreaming of?
My objective now is to get into the National Team of Russia, then go to the Olympic Games and become the Olympic Champion.
Alexander Kovalev, Spartak Moscow Reg. assitant coach, Head Coach of the Russian Youth National Team:
"When Natalia came to the Youth National Team last year I didn't know her as a player. But I immediately realized that she is a very promising girl with a lot of prospectives. The only thing is that she needs to change the club. She has good capacities, a very good long-distance shot, middle-distance shot, she keeps herself well in offense, sees the ground, can perfectly assist the ball. To my mind, she just needs a stronger club to demonstrate all her potential as it is high time for her to play with more experienced players."
Anna Petrakova, St.Petersburg player
Anna, could you share with us what type of person Natasha is? What do you appreciate the most in her?
Natasha is a very cheerful and positive person. She is very responsive and absolutely not prone to conflict. I like very much this feature of hers, she doesn't criticize anybody and always speaks well of people. She is a person of honesty and kindness, it is always a pleasure to communicate with her.
How would you describe her relations with other players?
Natasha communicates well with all the team, she is a quiet and trastworthy member of the team.
How does she show herself in a team work?
On the court she is famous for her commitment to work. She lays herself out on defense and struggles for every ball. And to describe her out of the court, I can draw an example. She voluntary committed herself to be in charge of preparing presents for the birthdays of all the members of the team. She collects money and selects a present for the birthday person. This indicates how unselfish and sympathetic she is.
What kind of a player is she? Can you describe some of her professional features? What are her strong and weak points?
As a player she is, first of all, a strong defender. She also performs very good attacks in jumps after sudden stops and very often she does it at the most crucial moment of a match. She is a person of exclusive commitment! As for her weak points, it is just the fact that she does not have much of experience, which sometimes can affect the quality of her assists, and carelessness at decision-making on the court. But still, with practice and experience Natasha will definitely get into the senior National Team.
Do you think she has all the qualities to build a successful career in professional sports?
I think she has already reached a lot in professional sports, and her industriousness and passion for basketball will surely drive her to the National Team.
Could you give her a piece of advice?
Just a little piece of advice to work under her assist. As for the rest, it will come by itself.
Let's meet Natalia...
Your favorite virtue
The value of Virtue is in Virtue itself
Your favorite qualities in a man
Reliability, sincerity and sense of humor
Your favorite qualities in a woman
Charm, wisdom and sense of humor
What you appreciate the most in your friends
Honesty and readiness to help
Your main fault
Impatience
Your favorite occupation
Sport
Your idea of happiness
Love for friends and family
Your idea of misery
Death of friends and family members
Where would you like to live?
Abroad
Your favorite color
Navy blue
Your favorite author
Paulo Koelho
Your favorite hero/heroine in fiction
Don't have any
Your favorite singer
Justin Timberlake
What you hate the most
Insects
Talent you'd like to be gifted with
Singing well
Your favorite motto
Self-confidence is the best confidence
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