Q&A with Amaya Finklea-Guity
2/24/2021 3:04:00 PM | Women's Basketball
As the Syracuse Orange prepare to host Boston College in the Carrier Dome on Thursday, Feb. 24 (8 p.m., ACC Network), we continue our Q&A series to help you get to know your Orange! In this edition we talk with senior Amaya Finklea-Guity!
 What has the biggest challenge been this year playing during a pandemic?
Not having fans around or my family being able to visit me.
How has adjusting to online or hybrid classes helped you academically during the season?
It has been pretty good. I feel that the teachers have made great adjustments to online and it has helped to make sure that their students feel safe – both in my online and hybrid classes.
With the regular season coming to an end, what lessons do you and your teammates take into ACC tournament?
That it is all or nothing. It's either you win, or you don't. ACC tournament time is the time to play your best game yet and prove that you are really the team to beat and are the best in the conference. So, we learned to come together as one and get ready to show people what we have not shown them before.
Sunday will be your last game in the Carrier Dome, what will you miss the most about playing there?
Just being able to play in the Carrier Dome is special within itself. Looking at the Carrier Dome , it is just a different environment, a different vibe that you don't feel with other arenas. There is no place truly like the Dome.
Where is your favorite place on campus?
Now it is The Schine Student Center after the renovations. It is beautiful in there and I think I will be going there a lot more often before I graduate.
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What do you plan to do after graduation?
I am not sure yet.
You have gotten a lot of praise for your artistic talent, is creating art something you wish to continue after college?
I always looked at art as my go-to whenever life gets hectic so I believe I will continue painting even after college. It is just something I love to do.
How do you want to be remembered when people look back on your playing career at Syracuse?
I want people to remember me as that consistent go to person that whenever you needed her to step up the most, she did.
Who is the funniest person on the team?
This is a tough question because I feel like everybody is goofy and funny in their own way. Everybody is always cracking jokes.
Where would you go on vacation if time off and money are non-factors?
Somewhere beautiful and tropical like Bora Bora, Turks & Caicos, Thailand... pretty places like that with gorgeous views of the ocean.
What is your favorite pregame meal?
I usually like what we get for pregame which is steak, chicken, some type of vegetable, sweet potatoes and fruits.
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What is your pregame ritual?
I paint my nails a different color before every game, the night before. I have been doing that since 7th grade in middle school.
What is the first thing you like to do after a game?
Usually, I go get something to eat because I am starving after a game.
What will you miss most about Syracuse University?
The people as cliche as it sounds. The people are what made Syracuse and with the pandemic, I realized this season that it's seeing the fans, students and everybody around that makes Syracuse, Syracuse.
What is your favorite movie?
I love all types of movies so this one is really tough to pick but, my all-time favorite movie is Spongebob the Movie (2004). I guess it just shows I'm a kid at heart.
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 What has the biggest challenge been this year playing during a pandemic?
Not having fans around or my family being able to visit me.
How has adjusting to online or hybrid classes helped you academically during the season?
It has been pretty good. I feel that the teachers have made great adjustments to online and it has helped to make sure that their students feel safe – both in my online and hybrid classes.
With the regular season coming to an end, what lessons do you and your teammates take into ACC tournament?
That it is all or nothing. It's either you win, or you don't. ACC tournament time is the time to play your best game yet and prove that you are really the team to beat and are the best in the conference. So, we learned to come together as one and get ready to show people what we have not shown them before.
Sunday will be your last game in the Carrier Dome, what will you miss the most about playing there?
Just being able to play in the Carrier Dome is special within itself. Looking at the Carrier Dome , it is just a different environment, a different vibe that you don't feel with other arenas. There is no place truly like the Dome.
Where is your favorite place on campus?
Now it is The Schine Student Center after the renovations. It is beautiful in there and I think I will be going there a lot more often before I graduate.
Â
What do you plan to do after graduation?
I am not sure yet.
You have gotten a lot of praise for your artistic talent, is creating art something you wish to continue after college?
I always looked at art as my go-to whenever life gets hectic so I believe I will continue painting even after college. It is just something I love to do.
How do you want to be remembered when people look back on your playing career at Syracuse?
I want people to remember me as that consistent go to person that whenever you needed her to step up the most, she did.
Who is the funniest person on the team?
This is a tough question because I feel like everybody is goofy and funny in their own way. Everybody is always cracking jokes.
Where would you go on vacation if time off and money are non-factors?
Somewhere beautiful and tropical like Bora Bora, Turks & Caicos, Thailand... pretty places like that with gorgeous views of the ocean.
What is your favorite pregame meal?
I usually like what we get for pregame which is steak, chicken, some type of vegetable, sweet potatoes and fruits.
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What is your pregame ritual?
I paint my nails a different color before every game, the night before. I have been doing that since 7th grade in middle school.
What is the first thing you like to do after a game?
Usually, I go get something to eat because I am starving after a game.
What will you miss most about Syracuse University?
The people as cliche as it sounds. The people are what made Syracuse and with the pandemic, I realized this season that it's seeing the fans, students and everybody around that makes Syracuse, Syracuse.
What is your favorite movie?
I love all types of movies so this one is really tough to pick but, my all-time favorite movie is Spongebob the Movie (2004). I guess it just shows I'm a kid at heart.
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Players Mentioned
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