St.Frances guard Tyshell King recently lost her father, Freddie King, to a senseless act of violence in Baltimore where she has grown up. Faced with a new set of challenges at the age of 18, she has set out to complete the journey without her biggest supporter. Tyshell talked to 695Hoops about her father, her college decision and life in general.

695: Tell me how you got started playing...

Tyshell: I first started playing in recreational programs. I didn't want to play but my father saw my potential and made me play. Eventually I started liking it, then I started loving the game. It took time and patience.

695: Where did you grow up?

Tyshell: I grew up in Cherry Hill, South Baltimore.

695: Have you played any other sports?

Tyshell: I played Volleyball for a year.

695: What other hobbies do you have?

Tyshell: I love to laugh, hang out with my friends and most of all I love to shop! I love to look good (laughing).

695: Have you ever considered modeling?

Tyshell: Yes, but my father would say "Girl, you better go back to sleep and wake up to reality."

695: What do you love about playing this game?

Tyshell: I love the fact that I can be very unpredictable on the court. I love to make my opponent speechless on offense and I like to take hearts on defense.

695: I like that. Do you talk trash while you're on the court?

Tyshell: Yes, I do talk a lot of trash on the court. More now than ever.

695: Talk about the recruiting process...why did you switch from Wake Forest to Georgetown? How was that first call?

Tyshell: That first call was very intimidating. I was very shy about it and I didn't really understand it all at that point. To make a long story short I didn't understand how blessed I was until after a long talk one day with my father about growing up and maturing into a young lady who knows what she wants. I made the switch unexpectedly but mainly because Georgetown is closer and I wanted to see my father in the front row for every game supporting me.

695: What do you want to add to your game for college?

Tyshell: I would love to get better at all aspects of the game and study the game more so my basketball IQ improves as well.

695: What position are you most comfortable playing?

Tyshell: I am most comfortable playing any position my team needs me to play to win the game.

695: Who is your favorite coach?

Tyshell: My favorite coach was and still is my father. I look to my father as a mentor and someone who did not sugarcoat anything. I pray at night with my father and I know he is still looking at everything I do.

695: Can you dance? I mean can you really move or do you just two step?

Tyshell: I can really dance but I do have my shy moments. I love to listen to any hip hop to get me going, but I will always have my father's words to replay over and over until its time to step on the court.

695: Who is your favorite player?

Tyshell: Derrick Rose. I love his game.

695: Tell me about a funny AAU road trip story...

Tyshell: Once when we were in New Jersey my father wanted me to take an ice bath. He had the tub filled with 7 buckets of ice and I was screaming because it was soooo cold! He was yelling for me to stay in and everyone to came to the room to see what the commotion was. It was hilarious!

695: Obviously without your dad this Thanksgiving will be different. Talk about you previous memories of the holidays with your dad...

Tyshell: Our Thanksgivings were full of fun and laughter. My father was so unpredictable. We would spend the holidays with Infiniti Alston and her father (Tim Alston) and their family. After we were full and watching football games we would all sit and joke about random things we see on a daily basis.

695: Thanks and good luck with everything.

Tyshell: Thanks Coach Al.