Sister, Sister

Simply by looking at them, you can tell that Samira and Chatilla Van Grinsven are sisters.  Whether it is their 6'2" frame or their dark curly hair, the resemblance is striking.  However, according to the two, their similarities stop at their appearance.

"I think we are different," said Samira.

"Yea, our personalities," added Chatilla.

"I think that since I am the oldest, my parents put responsibility on me, and that shapes people in different ways.  Playing style: I am a post, and Chat is more of everything else," continued Samira laughing.

The Van Grinsvens grew up in Helmond, Netherlands, in a basketball family.  Their father used to play basketball professionally, while their mother still competes today.  Both credit their parents for getting them involved with the sport.

"They definitely pushed us towards the game," said Samira.

"I tried every sport, but basketball just stuck with me, I think mainly because of my parents," added Chatilla.

The sisters, who are about two years apart, have played basketball together since Chatilla was eight years old. Though playing together can create rivalry for some siblings, Samira and Chatilla say that was not the case for them.

"Our parents from the very beginning kind of instilled in us not to be jealous," said Samira. "I am always happy with what Chat does.  I think every sister has the little fights about clothes and things like that, and we used to argue about just regular things that other sisters would argue about, but never basketball."

It was not until Samira left to attend Casper College, a small junior college in Casper, Wyoming,that the two separated and played without the other.  After her two years at Casper were up, Samira began looking for other places where she could continue to play basketball.  One of those places was Saint Joseph's University. 

"I made a couple of visits, and St. Joe's was one of them, and I really liked the girls and how they took me in," said Samira.  "I also really liked Coach Griffin and her staff, and how they viewed their program, their players, and the overall goal that they had."

In her first season with the Hawks last year, Samira added depth to the post position.  She started in 27 games, ranking sixth in the Atlantic 10 with 47 blocks.  She also pulled down 152 rebounds and averaged 7.2 points per game. 

After realizing that she had found herself in what she considered a perfect situation, Samira began to try to persuade her sister to transfer out of Colorado State and join her on Hawk Hill.

"Since we grew up together, we have the same ways of thinking, so I thought that she would like it just as much as me," said Samira.

"She used to tell me all of her stories about how much she really liked the team and the coaching staff," Chatilla said. "We always have played basketball together [and] this was a great opportunity for us both to play together again.  So I had to take this opportunity."

After talking to Coach Griffin, Chatilla, a member of the Dutch National Team, made the decision to join the Hawks for her sister's final season.  The two moved in together this year, happy to be with each other since their family is far away in the Netherlands.

"Yeah, it's awesome, especially since we are both from Europe," said Chatilla.  "Being so far apart from family, it's nice that I have Samira around me."   

However, because she transferred this year, NCAA rules require Chatilla to red shirt for a season, and she will be unable to compete with her sister. 

"I try not to think about it [sitting out]," said Chatilla.  "I just love that I am here and am able to see my sister play.  I was out in Colorado before, and I wasn't able to see her games and see the team do really well, so I am very happy to be here even though I have to sit out a year.  It is worth it."