Q+A with Sunny Greinacher: Just be happy being yourself

Sonja “Sunny” Greinacher, 22, is a senior forward, and leading scorer, for the Gonzaga women’s basketball team.

The two-time All-West Coast Conference player has already earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology and is currently pursuing her master’s degree in school counseling.

She grew up in Essen, Germany, and came to the United States as an exchange student her junior year of high school.

Q: When did you first realize that you were tall?

A: Probably like 16. That’s when I realized that I was significantly taller than any other girl. For my height, I’m also very skinny. But, I was never really concerned at all about body image.

Q: What are the best and worst things about being 6-foot-4?

A: The best things are probably how many doors were opened to me. Basketball-wise, people-wise, people come up and talk to you. People think it’s cool because it’s rare for a woman to be that tall. Sometimes I would like to just go to the mall and look for clothes without teenagers staring at you. In general, I really enjoy being tall. It’s better than being too short.

Q: What is one thing that annoys you about being a Division I athlete?

A: It is kind of like a job. There a lot of things outside of basketball that you are obligated to do. It’s not only that you have to show up for practice for 2 1/2 hours. There are lots of things you have to take care of outside of basketball.

Q: How would you describe yourself so that a total stranger would feel he or she knows you?

A: Well, tall, basketball player. I would say funny, open-minded, and pretty tolerant to basically everything.

Q: If you ruled the world, what is one of the first things you would do?

A: I would forbid any kind of war, especially for any kind of religious or money reasons. I would probably make it easier to travel without any kind of visa or any of that stuff. I would also lower gas and travel expenses.

Q: If you never played another minute of basketball, how would you occupy your time?

A: Oof, that’s hard. I would pick up yoga. I would learn how to play the guitar because that has been my New Year’s resolution for three years in a row and I haven’t done it. Travel a lot. Volunteer at a local animal shelter. I probably would spend a little more time studying for school.

Q: What would you tell an 8-year-old girl if she told you that she wanted to grow up to be you?

A: Oh, I would tell her, she should be glad to be who she is. Not everyone is perfect. I would tell her, just that, she would be happy being herself if she is true to herself.

Q: What is the best advice that your mother or father gave you when you left home?

A: Probably just always keep working hard but stay true to who I am.

Q: When you stub your toe or miss a shot, which language comes to mind first?

A: Right now it’s definitely English. I’m not a big curser or talker on the court. But even in my head, it’s English. I don’t even speak German much anymore except when I Skype. When I go home, it flips back to German.