This week, SashaVujacic18.com is putting the spotlight on the mother-daughter/coach-player tandem of Shereen and Leah Lavi. Not only does this dynamic duo from Manhattan Beach share the same genes, but also the love for basketball and, of course, our favorite Laker, Sasha Vujacic.

How long have you been a fan?

Leah: Three years.
Shereen (mom): Five years.

What was it about Sasha that first caught your attention?

Leah: His quickness.
Shereen: His zest for the game. You can feel his excitement while getting ready to play and playing in a game.

What are some of your favorite things about Sasha?

Leah: He is aggressive and passionate.
Shereen: He never gives up, he has so much energy, he runs circles around people; they don’t always know or think he is coming to get the ball and then he steals the ball. He’s always open or trying to get open on the court, oh, and, of course, his smile.

Do you always watch the Lakers games together?

Leah: Mom starts watching the games and keeps track of when they are, then she starts getting excited about something in the game and she pulls me in, we sit together and start yelling at the TV: “Phil put Sasha in!” “Sasha is wide open, he is asking for the ball, no one is guarding him!!!!” Etc. Etc.

What is it like having a mother/daughter who is also a Sasha fan?

Leah: I have someone to talk to while watching the game. I can relate to Sasha as he is playing and my mom gives me pointers.
Shereen: I used to watch Sasha and the Lakers alone, but not anymore! I have someone to high five during the games and Leah and I get to learn from watching Sasha playing and empathize when he gets bad calls. I am good at spotting Sasha in a crowd so Leah doesn’t miss the opportunity to take a picture with him.

Do you have any game watching rituals or game day look?

Leah and Shereen: Turn on the 61″ HDTV, raise up the volume and get the snacks out and don’t answer the phone!

Do you have a favorite Sasha moment or game?

Leah: YES! Mom saw Sasha at a local outdoor event, and when we approached him and his friends for a photo, he was extremely nice and happy to oblige. I was so surprised he was so tall and so nice to me and my best friend.
Shereen: Well, my favorite moments get replaced when a new one comes around, but the latest one is when in a recent preseason game against the Warriors, out of the blue, he chased down the player with the ball and didn’t give up at all and when trying to take the ball away from the player in mid-air fell into the Laker bench and was celebrated by his teammates with lots of smiles and pats on the back for his aggressive-don’t give up-go-getter attitude. Before that, it was when he took a picture with my daughter and was so sweet to us and her. Leah will never forget it.

Tell us about the club basketball that you are playing.

Leah: I have been playing recreation basketball in the MBYB League (Manhattan Beach Youth Basketball) for my mom since kindergarten (eight years). We finally won the championship last year with the Girls 7th/8th grade division Cookie Monster team! My mom has been the commissioner of my grade for the girls since kindergarten and our first team was named the Sparks. She always wants to make sure the girls have great coaches and a safe place to learn and enjoy the game of basketball. After the season, we put an all-star team together and play in the RBYB (Redondo Beach Youth Basketball) Tournament. Mom and I have fun together with all of our teams.

What is it like being coached by your mother/coaching your daughter?

Leah: Cool because I get advantages like choosing which quarters I want to play and the coach listens to my coaching advice.
Shereen: Wonderful because Leah is so fun to coach. She actually listens, tries very hard, wants to win, and is good to her teammates. She has a natural ability. The only issue is when I don’t take her advice.

Does Sasha influence the way you play/coach in any way?

Leah: Yes, I want to be quicker, make more baskets, and be more aggressive like Sasha. I am going to show my mom energy this season.
Shereen: I cheer my teams, I get excited about each and every good thing that happens during a game, and I support my players a lot like Sasha does on his team.

Are there some Sasha techniques that you have adopted and applied to your games?

Leah: I don’t ever give up. We had a lot of close games last year and we came from behind and won, and even when I wanted to, I never gave up like Sasha.
Shereen: When I coach, I coach from the heart because I love the game of basketball and all that one can learn from the game like teamwork and how to support your teammates and to have a positive mental attitude (PMA), and to not give up, give it all you have. This is how Sasha plays and how he is in life and while playing for the Lakers — humble, sweet, generous, full of zest and enthusiasm, tries hard to pull for his team whether on the bench or in action, and on and on. When I coach, I refer often to Sasha’s style of playing because if everyone played with the passion he has, anything is possible.

If you could say one thing to Sasha, what would it be?

Leah: Stay tough! Practice your shooting and thank you for taking the picture with me. It is my Facebook profile picture and I look at it and remember the moment everyday!
Shereen: Hey Sasha (big hug), thanks for being you, for being so good to the kids that look up to you, for being so entertaining, and for being so nice to me when I met you. You even let me talk basketball with you; that was a moment I will never forget. You are my favorite Laker and I will be cheering you on from my sofa with Leah by my side!