Emily Calabrese, one of five new additions to the St. Bonaventure women’s basketball team, is one of the two freshmen on the squad alongside Abigail Johnson.
Calabrese hails from Wyckoff, New Jersey (about thirty miles outside of New York City) and has played a big impact in how she has developed.
“I really love where I am from,” Calabrese said.
“They really focus on recreational sports and the travel teams are great. This is how I got involved in basketball and has really helped me grow my play and become a really good player.”
Growing up, Calabrese played numerous sports. However, basketball eventually came out on top.
“I was the kid that played all the sports,” Calabrese said.
“Originally, my main sport was soccer. Eventually, my dad asked me if I wanted to start playing basketball and I said I would try it out. It ended up being my favorite sport and I knew(basketball) was the sport I wanted to pursue and play in college.”
Calabrese went to Ramapo High School in Ramapo, New Jersey, where she averaged a double-double for her career, recording 17.6 Points and 12.6 rebounds per game during her four years. She was named to multiple selective teams, such as First Team All-North Jersey and Second Team All-State. She is also the only player to record both over 1000 points and 1000 rebounds in the history of Ramapo High School.
When Calabrese came to visit the little school in Olean, New York, she knew right away she belonged.
“The atmosphere, the community, the coaches, everyone was great,” she said. “I knew this is where I wanted to be.”
A lot of this success can be attributed to the confidence that Calabrese has in herself.
“Over time, my confidence (has grown),” Calabrese said.
“I tried out for my AAU team. I didn’t think I was going to make it at first, but I did. That really grew my confidence. I started going to a trainer to help grow my game more. I like being a leader on and off the court.”
Being a freshman, this will be Calabrese’s first taste of Bonnies basketball and she is very much looking forward to it.
“I have an opportunity to really make an impact this year,” Calabrese said.
“Hopefully I can be very positive and play really well to help my team. (Also) to have a successful season in and out of conference. Maybe even make it to the (NCAA) tournament.”
Right before our time together ended, and with both of us New Jersey natives, there was one question that stood above the rest and needed to be answered.
Pork Roll or Taylor Ham?
“Taylor Ham,” Calabrese said.
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