1 00:00:00,160 --> 00:00:03,440 Speaker 1: Originally you weren't picked for the All Star Game, and 2 00:00:03,480 --> 00:00:06,480 Speaker 1: then I witnessed it. I was there, we played the 3 00:00:06,519 --> 00:00:09,520 Speaker 1: sparks hanging on a forty three point game? Was that 4 00:00:09,640 --> 00:00:13,800 Speaker 1: like maybe snub fueling? That was it? Just I feel 5 00:00:13,800 --> 00:00:16,480 Speaker 1: like getting buckets tonight? What was that forty three point game? 6 00:00:16,600 --> 00:00:16,720 Speaker 2: Like? 7 00:00:17,280 --> 00:00:19,080 Speaker 3: It was definitely a snub. That's why I was a 8 00:00:19,120 --> 00:00:23,000 Speaker 3: snub statement. I have history with being snubbed and then 9 00:00:23,000 --> 00:00:24,599 Speaker 3: coming out and performing like crazy. 10 00:00:24,760 --> 00:00:25,920 Speaker 1: Yep, yep, love it. 11 00:00:26,000 --> 00:00:27,120 Speaker 2: That's definitely what it was. 12 00:00:27,160 --> 00:00:30,360 Speaker 3: And I was just so, you know, upset and frustrated 13 00:00:30,400 --> 00:00:32,600 Speaker 3: because I felt like I was having a cellar season 14 00:00:32,920 --> 00:00:36,320 Speaker 3: up until that point, and to say it just went 15 00:00:36,840 --> 00:00:41,159 Speaker 3: unnoticed was kind of episode because we're doing good. 16 00:00:41,200 --> 00:00:44,240 Speaker 2: It's not like we were losing. It's not like we suck. 17 00:00:45,159 --> 00:00:46,760 Speaker 3: In my eyes, we had three All Stars and I 18 00:00:46,800 --> 00:00:50,680 Speaker 3: should have been one originally, but to then not choose me, 19 00:00:50,720 --> 00:00:52,520 Speaker 3: it was definitely a choice. 20 00:00:55,040 --> 00:00:57,760 Speaker 1: Welcome back to Sometimes I Hoop. I'm your host Hayley 21 00:00:57,840 --> 00:01:00,920 Speaker 1: Jones and my rookie year for the Atlanta Dream and 22 00:01:01,000 --> 00:01:04,200 Speaker 1: this week I'm joined by a certified bucket. But this 23 00:01:04,240 --> 00:01:08,279 Speaker 1: isn't about me. We got Kentucky two thousand points score 24 00:01:08,640 --> 00:01:12,040 Speaker 1: the reigning WNBA Rookie of the Year now a two 25 00:01:12,080 --> 00:01:15,280 Speaker 1: time All Star, and new fun fact, the fastest dream 26 00:01:15,280 --> 00:01:18,200 Speaker 1: player to score one thousand points none other than my 27 00:01:18,280 --> 00:01:21,399 Speaker 1: close friend and teammate Ryan Howard. Thanks for hopping on 28 00:01:21,440 --> 00:01:21,759 Speaker 1: the pod. 29 00:01:22,319 --> 00:01:24,960 Speaker 2: Thank you so much for having me. Truly a blessing. 30 00:01:25,440 --> 00:01:27,720 Speaker 1: No, no, it's true, it's truly a pleasure. Thank you 31 00:01:27,800 --> 00:01:30,399 Speaker 1: for blessing me with your presence. It's not like I 32 00:01:30,400 --> 00:01:38,399 Speaker 1: see you enough. So just kind of the way the 33 00:01:38,560 --> 00:01:41,280 Speaker 1: WNBA is right now, everybody's kind of on a playoff push. 34 00:01:41,640 --> 00:01:45,039 Speaker 1: Competition is tight right now. Which teams are you keeping 35 00:01:45,080 --> 00:01:47,280 Speaker 1: your eye on as we get closer to the playoffs 36 00:01:47,280 --> 00:01:48,160 Speaker 1: to make a little run? 37 00:01:48,400 --> 00:01:51,440 Speaker 3: Right now, I'd say I'm more focused on, you know, 38 00:01:51,520 --> 00:01:54,360 Speaker 3: how Washington is doing and how Dallas is doing since 39 00:01:54,360 --> 00:01:56,720 Speaker 3: we're all in that same kind of area. 40 00:01:56,960 --> 00:01:58,960 Speaker 1: Yeah, I'm with you. We're all like basically of the 41 00:01:58,960 --> 00:02:01,960 Speaker 1: same record, one in front, one behind, So I feel 42 00:02:01,960 --> 00:02:04,600 Speaker 1: like with every game it shifts. So there's really no 43 00:02:04,760 --> 00:02:09,200 Speaker 1: telling who's four or six right now. But tell me 44 00:02:10,000 --> 00:02:13,440 Speaker 1: how things shifted for you focus wise as a team 45 00:02:13,720 --> 00:02:15,480 Speaker 1: now that we're halfway through the season. 46 00:02:15,639 --> 00:02:16,480 Speaker 2: I would say, for us. 47 00:02:16,520 --> 00:02:20,600 Speaker 3: Focus wise, we're more locked in on us and how 48 00:02:20,639 --> 00:02:24,959 Speaker 3: we're doing. As far as making this push for the playoffs. 49 00:02:25,280 --> 00:02:29,960 Speaker 3: We've pretty much seen almost everybody now and so we're 50 00:02:30,000 --> 00:02:32,519 Speaker 3: just trying to make sure we stay locked in because 51 00:02:32,560 --> 00:02:34,320 Speaker 3: we can't control with other teams, so we can only 52 00:02:34,360 --> 00:02:35,080 Speaker 3: control what we do. 53 00:02:35,360 --> 00:02:39,200 Speaker 1: Any teams that surprised you or specific players who's kind of, 54 00:02:39,320 --> 00:02:41,799 Speaker 1: you know, under the radar and really came to shine. 55 00:02:41,480 --> 00:02:44,839 Speaker 3: This year, I would say, I don't know, Indian's having 56 00:02:44,880 --> 00:02:47,440 Speaker 3: a better year than what they've had in the past, 57 00:02:48,040 --> 00:02:51,000 Speaker 3: but you know, they're also in every build, so I 58 00:02:51,040 --> 00:02:53,680 Speaker 3: expect nothing less for them to continue to get better. 59 00:02:53,960 --> 00:02:56,560 Speaker 3: I'm not really surprised by anybody in the league because 60 00:02:56,639 --> 00:03:01,400 Speaker 3: you know, there's so much room for access, especially with 61 00:03:01,480 --> 00:03:04,560 Speaker 3: it being such a small league. It's just about, you know, 62 00:03:04,639 --> 00:03:07,160 Speaker 3: taking your chance and having an impact with it. 63 00:03:07,280 --> 00:03:09,000 Speaker 1: They're one of those teams where they may not have 64 00:03:09,120 --> 00:03:11,600 Speaker 1: the best first half, but then all of a sudden 65 00:03:11,680 --> 00:03:16,040 Speaker 1: you peep the score and like, yeah, like literally their 66 00:03:16,080 --> 00:03:19,280 Speaker 1: game yesterday. I was like, oh, you know, okay, I'll 67 00:03:19,280 --> 00:03:21,040 Speaker 1: come back to it. I started doing whatever around the 68 00:03:21,080 --> 00:03:23,200 Speaker 1: house and I was like, hold up, how are they 69 00:03:23,320 --> 00:03:27,800 Speaker 1: back in this game, which is just scary as an opponent. Honestly, 70 00:03:27,840 --> 00:03:30,760 Speaker 1: you gotta stay on your p's and q So. I 71 00:03:30,800 --> 00:03:33,560 Speaker 1: don't know. I think in Indie's having a better year. 72 00:03:34,000 --> 00:03:36,240 Speaker 1: But I heard you loud and clear when I had 73 00:03:36,280 --> 00:03:38,480 Speaker 1: your mom on the pod last season that Miss r 74 00:03:38,520 --> 00:03:40,840 Speaker 1: J gets more shy than you. So I had to 75 00:03:40,880 --> 00:03:43,760 Speaker 1: invite you and get you on the pod. And you know, 76 00:03:43,840 --> 00:03:46,480 Speaker 1: the Black Mama Network kind of started with our moms 77 00:03:46,600 --> 00:03:50,000 Speaker 1: and then she manifested me coming to Atlanta. So does 78 00:03:50,000 --> 00:03:51,320 Speaker 1: Miss RJ really run the show? 79 00:03:51,520 --> 00:03:52,360 Speaker 2: She runs it. 80 00:03:52,400 --> 00:03:55,920 Speaker 3: She's the head and she's the employees. You know, she's 81 00:03:56,240 --> 00:03:57,240 Speaker 3: in charge of everything. 82 00:03:57,480 --> 00:03:57,760 Speaker 2: Yeah. 83 00:03:57,800 --> 00:04:00,160 Speaker 1: I feel that that's how Miss Monique is as well. 84 00:04:00,200 --> 00:04:02,200 Speaker 1: I just kind of do what she says. Yeah, I 85 00:04:02,200 --> 00:04:05,320 Speaker 1: can believe that. Okay, So how did you get into basketball? 86 00:04:05,360 --> 00:04:06,640 Speaker 1: What started this all for you? 87 00:04:06,800 --> 00:04:07,160 Speaker 2: My duke? 88 00:04:07,360 --> 00:04:10,920 Speaker 3: She played, of course pretty much, you know most of 89 00:04:10,960 --> 00:04:13,840 Speaker 3: my family played, but my mom she played. She coached 90 00:04:13,880 --> 00:04:16,960 Speaker 3: me all the way up until high school. But she's 91 00:04:17,000 --> 00:04:21,120 Speaker 3: also like she's played in an Olympics. I'm not going 92 00:04:21,200 --> 00:04:22,159 Speaker 3: to try to put the year out. 93 00:04:23,640 --> 00:04:25,520 Speaker 2: I don't want to make She'll come for you. 94 00:04:25,600 --> 00:04:26,359 Speaker 1: She'll come for you. 95 00:04:26,560 --> 00:04:31,640 Speaker 2: So she has her little bronze medal. She's coached collegiately. 96 00:04:31,760 --> 00:04:33,760 Speaker 3: She has a lot of experience, and so I always 97 00:04:33,760 --> 00:04:36,719 Speaker 3: looked up to her and wanted to basically be like 98 00:04:36,720 --> 00:04:38,279 Speaker 3: her while I was growing up, and so she always 99 00:04:38,279 --> 00:04:40,360 Speaker 3: put me in a position to be successful. She made 100 00:04:40,360 --> 00:04:43,159 Speaker 3: sacrifices for me, like wherever we needed to move, we 101 00:04:43,160 --> 00:04:45,919 Speaker 3: would move. She got me the best trainers, and so 102 00:04:46,440 --> 00:04:48,960 Speaker 3: she's really like paved the way but allowing me to 103 00:04:49,000 --> 00:04:51,000 Speaker 3: be myself and allowing me to do other things. So 104 00:04:51,040 --> 00:04:54,680 Speaker 3: I played other sports growing up, and she played at 105 00:04:54,680 --> 00:04:57,240 Speaker 3: Florida for collegeball, and I wanted to go to Florida 106 00:04:57,320 --> 00:05:00,599 Speaker 3: for the longest, but ultimately she was like, oh, like 107 00:05:01,240 --> 00:05:02,720 Speaker 3: are you sure you don't want to look at other 108 00:05:02,839 --> 00:05:05,440 Speaker 3: schools and like basically saying like no, don't go there 109 00:05:06,320 --> 00:05:10,599 Speaker 3: to an extent, but she really has done everything that 110 00:05:10,680 --> 00:05:13,839 Speaker 3: she could miss. RJ big shout out. 111 00:05:14,080 --> 00:05:14,679 Speaker 2: What a queen. 112 00:05:15,000 --> 00:05:18,120 Speaker 1: We love her, queen. She's the best. You mentioned her 113 00:05:18,160 --> 00:05:20,200 Speaker 1: coaching you most of your life up until high school. 114 00:05:20,240 --> 00:05:23,880 Speaker 1: And I feel like we can definitely bond because on 115 00:05:23,880 --> 00:05:26,839 Speaker 1: one hand, it's great your mom's your coach, but also 116 00:05:27,040 --> 00:05:28,200 Speaker 1: there's trauma. 117 00:05:28,040 --> 00:05:30,279 Speaker 2: Because you're like, now everything's your faults. 118 00:05:30,360 --> 00:05:33,000 Speaker 1: Yeah, everything's your fault. They can take it out on 119 00:05:33,040 --> 00:05:35,279 Speaker 1: you because they know you can take it. But I 120 00:05:35,320 --> 00:05:38,680 Speaker 1: think for me, the craziest thing that I struggled with 121 00:05:38,680 --> 00:05:41,240 Speaker 1: with my mom is like, how you're going to be 122 00:05:41,320 --> 00:05:44,080 Speaker 1: at practice and yell at me for two hours and 123 00:05:44,120 --> 00:05:45,640 Speaker 1: then you get in the car. And my mom was 124 00:05:45,760 --> 00:05:47,920 Speaker 1: very much like, you know, what's what happens at the 125 00:05:47,920 --> 00:05:49,760 Speaker 1: gym stays at the gym, and then we get in 126 00:05:49,760 --> 00:05:51,920 Speaker 1: the car and she's like, oh, let's hang out, let's 127 00:05:51,960 --> 00:05:53,960 Speaker 1: do this and that, And I'm like, I don't like 128 00:05:54,040 --> 00:05:54,640 Speaker 1: you right now. 129 00:05:54,720 --> 00:05:57,160 Speaker 2: I need some space, like absolutely nothing. 130 00:05:57,200 --> 00:06:00,280 Speaker 1: But yeah, like what do you think the best and 131 00:06:00,480 --> 00:06:02,200 Speaker 1: worst parts were with your mom? 132 00:06:02,720 --> 00:06:04,280 Speaker 2: I would say the best was just being able to 133 00:06:04,320 --> 00:06:07,400 Speaker 2: spend time. Like I knew with basketball it was going 134 00:06:07,440 --> 00:06:07,760 Speaker 2: to come a. 135 00:06:07,760 --> 00:06:10,960 Speaker 3: Lot of sacrifices, Like many athletes don't have a lot 136 00:06:10,960 --> 00:06:14,279 Speaker 3: of friends because like a lot of non athletic friends 137 00:06:14,520 --> 00:06:16,559 Speaker 3: because they can do things that athletes can't. 138 00:06:17,040 --> 00:06:19,360 Speaker 2: And so I feel like being able to still have. 139 00:06:19,240 --> 00:06:21,920 Speaker 3: That relationship and bond with my mom and so being 140 00:06:21,960 --> 00:06:24,280 Speaker 3: able to you know, spend that time, even if it 141 00:06:24,360 --> 00:06:27,240 Speaker 3: was her yelling at me, it was just more core 142 00:06:27,320 --> 00:06:30,200 Speaker 3: memories that were going to be made. But I did 143 00:06:30,240 --> 00:06:34,000 Speaker 3: hate her yelling at me. Yeah for somebody else's mistake. 144 00:06:34,360 --> 00:06:36,960 Speaker 2: How was it my fault? How like, oh, you're supposed 145 00:06:36,960 --> 00:06:37,920 Speaker 2: to know, they're supposed to be there. 146 00:06:38,200 --> 00:06:38,960 Speaker 1: Make it make sense. 147 00:06:39,200 --> 00:06:40,640 Speaker 2: I don't even know where I'm supposed to be. 148 00:06:41,279 --> 00:06:43,200 Speaker 1: Yeah, Like I'm trying to figure out my job, but 149 00:06:43,240 --> 00:06:46,080 Speaker 1: all of a sudden, everyone's mistakes are now your fault, Haley, 150 00:06:46,200 --> 00:06:51,120 Speaker 1: And I'm like, I'm ten, how are their mistakes my fault? 151 00:06:51,320 --> 00:06:53,719 Speaker 3: Talking about you the leader of the team, Well, we 152 00:06:53,839 --> 00:06:55,440 Speaker 3: are in the fourth grade. 153 00:06:55,800 --> 00:06:56,640 Speaker 1: What do you mean leader? 154 00:06:57,520 --> 00:06:59,119 Speaker 2: What I like you to coach? 155 00:06:59,720 --> 00:07:02,800 Speaker 1: You're leader, ma'am. You growing up with your mom as 156 00:07:02,839 --> 00:07:05,240 Speaker 1: a coach is definitely a different experience. I know I 157 00:07:05,320 --> 00:07:07,520 Speaker 1: was definitely the least favorite on the team every time 158 00:07:07,560 --> 00:07:10,640 Speaker 1: my mom was a coach. So I think it's really funny. 159 00:07:10,680 --> 00:07:12,920 Speaker 1: But like you said, like they did so much for us, 160 00:07:13,200 --> 00:07:16,360 Speaker 1: driving to AAU practices, driving to tournament, to this and that. 161 00:07:16,920 --> 00:07:19,880 Speaker 1: So do you feel like there was a specific tournament 162 00:07:20,040 --> 00:07:22,720 Speaker 1: where you showed out and that kind of put you 163 00:07:22,760 --> 00:07:23,239 Speaker 1: on the map. 164 00:07:23,600 --> 00:07:27,480 Speaker 3: So our team when my mom started it, we grew 165 00:07:27,560 --> 00:07:30,600 Speaker 3: up and we was all on that same team until 166 00:07:30,680 --> 00:07:34,600 Speaker 3: high school, so of course younger we always played up. 167 00:07:34,800 --> 00:07:37,840 Speaker 3: So we'd be like fourth grade playing against sixth graders 168 00:07:38,480 --> 00:07:39,640 Speaker 3: and get whooped and. 169 00:07:39,520 --> 00:07:42,440 Speaker 2: Go get ice cream after because we tried our best, but. 170 00:07:43,960 --> 00:07:46,560 Speaker 3: Like, because we had so much chemistry, we were so 171 00:07:46,760 --> 00:07:50,640 Speaker 3: good that coaches were coming to every game, and so 172 00:07:51,680 --> 00:07:54,400 Speaker 3: they obviously had been watching us for a long time, 173 00:07:54,480 --> 00:07:56,560 Speaker 3: but they knew what each of us can do, and 174 00:07:56,640 --> 00:07:59,280 Speaker 3: you know, we tried to help each other be successful. 175 00:07:59,320 --> 00:08:01,120 Speaker 3: So if somebody was having a good game, we kept 176 00:08:01,160 --> 00:08:04,000 Speaker 3: going to them. But you know, we were just out 177 00:08:04,040 --> 00:08:07,560 Speaker 3: there having fun. We didn't really care about much going on. 178 00:08:07,960 --> 00:08:10,480 Speaker 3: That just wasn't what our focus was on. We wanted 179 00:08:10,520 --> 00:08:13,280 Speaker 3: to enjoy the time that we had together before you know, 180 00:08:13,320 --> 00:08:14,240 Speaker 3: we go back to school. 181 00:08:14,480 --> 00:08:17,120 Speaker 1: A you is filled with some of the like just 182 00:08:17,160 --> 00:08:20,200 Speaker 1: best friendships. They were so pure, especially when you're younger 183 00:08:20,240 --> 00:08:22,320 Speaker 1: and you have that same group hanging out with these 184 00:08:22,320 --> 00:08:24,120 Speaker 1: people for two months literally. 185 00:08:23,800 --> 00:08:28,920 Speaker 3: Nonstocks and it's like no stress, no school, and then yeah, just. 186 00:08:28,120 --> 00:08:30,720 Speaker 1: Just living the life. And I just don't know how 187 00:08:30,800 --> 00:08:33,560 Speaker 1: at that point in my life, I could eat a 188 00:08:33,559 --> 00:08:36,920 Speaker 1: hot dog and some nachos and I pull up and 189 00:08:36,960 --> 00:08:39,680 Speaker 1: I hoop, I get one right, layup one left laip 190 00:08:39,760 --> 00:08:42,160 Speaker 1: free throw. Let's go drop a thirty ball in front 191 00:08:42,200 --> 00:08:44,319 Speaker 1: of hundreds of college coaches. 192 00:08:44,000 --> 00:08:46,440 Speaker 2: Right, and now don't even get that layup? 193 00:08:46,600 --> 00:08:50,880 Speaker 1: Yeah, like you just run out ready to roll and 194 00:08:51,040 --> 00:08:53,280 Speaker 1: like no water in three days and I'm a. 195 00:08:54,800 --> 00:09:00,719 Speaker 3: Sprite and in Sucdonald's like. 196 00:08:58,880 --> 00:09:02,600 Speaker 1: Like now, if I don't have that twenty minute activation session, 197 00:09:03,320 --> 00:09:06,480 Speaker 1: I can't do it. And even sometimes after that, I 198 00:09:06,520 --> 00:09:08,400 Speaker 1: still need some time to get that first drill to 199 00:09:08,480 --> 00:09:11,720 Speaker 1: warm up. Yeah, it don't be making any sense. Do 200 00:09:11,800 --> 00:09:14,559 Speaker 1: you remember playing against anybody in the league? 201 00:09:14,600 --> 00:09:17,679 Speaker 3: Now, in travel ball, it would have to be people 202 00:09:18,000 --> 00:09:21,840 Speaker 3: like us. I played against Nus when she was on 203 00:09:21,880 --> 00:09:25,040 Speaker 3: Sports City U and was I was on FBC. It 204 00:09:25,120 --> 00:09:26,600 Speaker 3: was her and it was a cook. 205 00:09:26,880 --> 00:09:29,160 Speaker 1: Oh it wasn't Taylor on that team too? Or was 206 00:09:29,200 --> 00:09:30,320 Speaker 1: she not on that team yet? 207 00:09:30,559 --> 00:09:32,520 Speaker 2: I'm not sure, but I don't know. She might she 208 00:09:32,640 --> 00:09:33,200 Speaker 2: might have been. 209 00:09:34,000 --> 00:09:39,959 Speaker 3: I remember we whooped them, like absolutely absolutely demolished them, 210 00:09:40,000 --> 00:09:44,200 Speaker 3: not whooped and who would have thought that? You know, 211 00:09:44,320 --> 00:09:46,880 Speaker 3: me and I was were the game friends two years later. 212 00:09:47,040 --> 00:09:49,640 Speaker 1: Yeah, now you too are just inseparable, But at that 213 00:09:49,840 --> 00:09:51,319 Speaker 1: time you just couldn't have whooping. 214 00:09:51,920 --> 00:09:55,680 Speaker 2: That's crazy, Like we absolutely crushed them. 215 00:09:55,880 --> 00:10:02,240 Speaker 1: Oh my god, Well that's crazy. No, I just gonna 216 00:10:02,240 --> 00:10:03,760 Speaker 1: hear this and then have some being with you. 217 00:10:04,320 --> 00:10:08,400 Speaker 3: But she's gonna have to eat that one. 218 00:10:09,000 --> 00:10:09,400 Speaker 2: Geez. 219 00:10:10,520 --> 00:10:15,280 Speaker 1: Oh my god. Well okay, so you were on varsity 220 00:10:15,360 --> 00:10:18,320 Speaker 1: in the eighth grade, which is unheard of. You're like thirteen, 221 00:10:18,360 --> 00:10:20,840 Speaker 1: putting a whooping on these girls about to go into college. 222 00:10:21,520 --> 00:10:23,880 Speaker 1: And I read something and I need you to clarify this. 223 00:10:24,320 --> 00:10:28,720 Speaker 1: How does one miss a dance and yet still be 224 00:10:28,920 --> 00:10:31,960 Speaker 1: named queen of the eighth grade dance? Is that true? 225 00:10:32,080 --> 00:10:34,000 Speaker 2: Ryan? That is true? 226 00:10:34,240 --> 00:10:36,200 Speaker 1: Wow, it's popular. Look at you. 227 00:10:36,520 --> 00:10:39,720 Speaker 3: It is true. I had to make a sacrifice that day. 228 00:10:39,920 --> 00:10:44,000 Speaker 3: So that was my first high school basketball game as 229 00:10:44,000 --> 00:10:44,760 Speaker 3: an eighth grader. 230 00:10:45,400 --> 00:10:47,520 Speaker 1: But you still got you still got queen of the Dance. 231 00:10:47,640 --> 00:10:49,720 Speaker 2: But I still was, as you should. 232 00:10:49,920 --> 00:10:52,319 Speaker 1: And then you double down and then you were prom 233 00:10:52,400 --> 00:10:56,120 Speaker 1: queen in high school. So so young, Ryan, you're a 234 00:10:56,200 --> 00:11:00,440 Speaker 1: queen in eighth grade. You're a prom queen, just just 235 00:11:00,440 --> 00:11:02,839 Speaker 1: just the girl of the school. What was that like? 236 00:11:03,080 --> 00:11:07,280 Speaker 1: Just hooping getting buckets? Boom, turn around, I'm your prom queen. 237 00:11:07,520 --> 00:11:08,720 Speaker 1: I run this entire school. 238 00:11:09,120 --> 00:11:12,400 Speaker 2: I mean, what's understood, doesn't You're No? 239 00:11:14,480 --> 00:11:17,600 Speaker 1: I immediately regret asking this question next. 240 00:11:17,720 --> 00:11:20,400 Speaker 2: No, No, it was great. 241 00:11:20,640 --> 00:11:25,280 Speaker 3: So everybody in school loved me, Like I didn't want 242 00:11:25,320 --> 00:11:27,600 Speaker 3: to be known as the bestball player who was like 243 00:11:28,520 --> 00:11:31,319 Speaker 3: not nice, not for me. Yeah, so I you know, 244 00:11:31,600 --> 00:11:34,760 Speaker 3: I talked to different groups in high school and so 245 00:11:34,960 --> 00:11:37,600 Speaker 3: just being able to you know, be there and just 246 00:11:37,640 --> 00:11:40,880 Speaker 3: be a normal person, like, yeah, people in high school 247 00:11:40,880 --> 00:11:42,920 Speaker 3: are going to hype you up, but you can still 248 00:11:42,960 --> 00:11:44,200 Speaker 3: be genuine to anybody. 249 00:11:44,360 --> 00:11:46,160 Speaker 1: And I feel like people don't always expect that, like 250 00:11:46,200 --> 00:11:48,560 Speaker 1: if you're this top athlete you're doing this, and that 251 00:11:48,640 --> 00:11:52,200 Speaker 1: they have these just preconceived ideas about who you are, 252 00:11:52,440 --> 00:11:55,760 Speaker 1: and then here you are being Ryan, making SpongeBob jokes, 253 00:11:56,080 --> 00:11:59,000 Speaker 1: cracking up about this and that talking to anybody. Ever. 254 00:11:59,480 --> 00:12:01,480 Speaker 1: I bet that all those people really appreciate that, and 255 00:12:01,520 --> 00:12:03,400 Speaker 1: now like they know who you are. Even when you're 256 00:12:03,400 --> 00:12:05,839 Speaker 1: in the league being rook of the year, you're still 257 00:12:05,840 --> 00:12:08,719 Speaker 1: their eighth grade and high school prom queen that they 258 00:12:08,760 --> 00:12:12,520 Speaker 1: all know and love. Yes, But so these college coaches 259 00:12:12,520 --> 00:12:15,760 Speaker 1: have been coming to your game since basically you were born. 260 00:12:16,280 --> 00:12:19,559 Speaker 1: But when did recruiting get real for you? And then 261 00:12:19,720 --> 00:12:21,880 Speaker 1: which visits? Like how did you narrow it down to 262 00:12:21,920 --> 00:12:23,000 Speaker 1: a visit you were going to take. 263 00:12:23,520 --> 00:12:25,880 Speaker 2: Recruiting was serious in seventh grade. 264 00:12:26,400 --> 00:12:37,800 Speaker 1: Jesus, and like Ryan, I thought somewhere year, wow, okay. 265 00:12:38,520 --> 00:12:41,840 Speaker 2: Was when like the operas started coming in You're like twelve. 266 00:12:43,040 --> 00:12:47,520 Speaker 3: Yeah, But it was at that moment some of the 267 00:12:47,520 --> 00:12:50,240 Speaker 3: bonds that I still have with some coaches were built, 268 00:12:50,559 --> 00:12:54,240 Speaker 3: and so like it came down. So my final five 269 00:12:54,400 --> 00:12:59,679 Speaker 3: for Kentucky, South Carolina, n C State, Florida. 270 00:12:59,160 --> 00:13:00,040 Speaker 2: And Purdue. 271 00:13:00,320 --> 00:13:03,360 Speaker 3: And Purdue was definitely in that group that had been 272 00:13:03,400 --> 00:13:07,199 Speaker 3: there since the beginning. Purdue coaches came to track meets. 273 00:13:07,400 --> 00:13:10,760 Speaker 3: Oh my god, that's how serious it was. Yeah, But 274 00:13:11,480 --> 00:13:14,400 Speaker 3: Kentucky was just it felt like home when I was 275 00:13:14,400 --> 00:13:16,719 Speaker 3: on campus, not saying that anywhere else didn't, but like 276 00:13:16,960 --> 00:13:19,440 Speaker 3: when you know, you just know. And I had that 277 00:13:19,480 --> 00:13:21,480 Speaker 3: feeling as soon as I you know, was with the 278 00:13:21,520 --> 00:13:24,840 Speaker 3: team at the coach's house and just you know, having 279 00:13:24,840 --> 00:13:27,840 Speaker 3: fun with everybody, making jokes like there was nothing about 280 00:13:27,840 --> 00:13:29,120 Speaker 3: basketball to be said. 281 00:13:29,480 --> 00:13:31,120 Speaker 2: Like it was just enjoying the moment. 282 00:13:31,520 --> 00:13:35,719 Speaker 1: So then Kentucky, you had an amazing career there, just legendary. 283 00:13:36,000 --> 00:13:38,679 Speaker 1: And then sophomore and junior year you were play of 284 00:13:38,720 --> 00:13:41,840 Speaker 1: the Year at SEC, which is kind of big time, 285 00:13:42,480 --> 00:13:46,360 Speaker 1: and then winning that as a sophomore is tough. So 286 00:13:46,440 --> 00:13:49,400 Speaker 1: what was that like winning is a sophomore and then 287 00:13:49,640 --> 00:13:50,959 Speaker 1: you ended up going back to back. 288 00:13:51,320 --> 00:13:54,280 Speaker 2: I also was freshman of the Year, so I knew 289 00:13:54,280 --> 00:13:56,360 Speaker 2: I had to follow that up. Oh I'm sorry, let 290 00:13:56,400 --> 00:13:59,400 Speaker 2: me let me throw that in there, National Freshman of 291 00:13:59,440 --> 00:13:59,800 Speaker 2: the Year. 292 00:14:00,120 --> 00:14:01,280 Speaker 1: Sorry apologies. 293 00:14:01,480 --> 00:14:04,600 Speaker 3: N So I knew, like obviously doing that, you have 294 00:14:04,720 --> 00:14:07,360 Speaker 3: to back it up with something, And you know, I 295 00:14:07,400 --> 00:14:11,360 Speaker 3: couldn't go in and allow teams to be like, Okay, 296 00:14:11,400 --> 00:14:12,960 Speaker 3: well they know who I am. 297 00:14:13,040 --> 00:14:15,319 Speaker 2: Now it's been a year. They're going to try to 298 00:14:15,360 --> 00:14:16,200 Speaker 2: come harder, and. 299 00:14:16,120 --> 00:14:18,520 Speaker 3: I have to switch it up, like I have to 300 00:14:18,520 --> 00:14:21,080 Speaker 3: be able to come harder as well to make sure 301 00:14:21,160 --> 00:14:23,520 Speaker 3: that they don't know what my next move is. 302 00:14:23,840 --> 00:14:26,240 Speaker 1: Okay, So back to back play of the year. You're 303 00:14:26,600 --> 00:14:29,440 Speaker 1: carrying Kentucky through and through. You just kind of created 304 00:14:29,480 --> 00:14:32,800 Speaker 1: this culture there that I think was really special. And 305 00:14:32,840 --> 00:14:36,160 Speaker 1: then how do you feel throughout your time in Kentucky? 306 00:14:36,240 --> 00:14:38,920 Speaker 1: How did that prepare you for the league? You know, 307 00:14:38,960 --> 00:14:41,120 Speaker 1: the transition is hard, but I feel like depending on 308 00:14:41,160 --> 00:14:43,000 Speaker 1: where you played, the coach that you had. I know 309 00:14:43,040 --> 00:14:45,200 Speaker 1: your coach came to a Chicago game that was really 310 00:14:45,200 --> 00:14:46,280 Speaker 1: special when she surprised you. 311 00:14:46,760 --> 00:14:50,040 Speaker 3: But what were your years like beating up into the league. 312 00:14:50,760 --> 00:14:54,160 Speaker 3: There was definitely a lot of ups and downs. We 313 00:14:54,240 --> 00:14:57,360 Speaker 3: had winning teams, we had some losing teams. But it 314 00:14:57,520 --> 00:15:02,000 Speaker 3: just built how I can op come at firstity as 315 00:15:02,080 --> 00:15:05,200 Speaker 3: a person and as a leader of a team, and 316 00:15:05,280 --> 00:15:08,280 Speaker 3: so just being able to, you know, continue to try 317 00:15:08,280 --> 00:15:11,360 Speaker 3: to have fun through everything and you know, stick with 318 00:15:11,400 --> 00:15:14,560 Speaker 3: my teammates through everything that went on. They kind of built, 319 00:15:14,600 --> 00:15:17,280 Speaker 3: like the charisma that I have now with you, with 320 00:15:17,360 --> 00:15:21,720 Speaker 3: everybody on Atlanta's team, and so of course they wanted 321 00:15:21,760 --> 00:15:22,720 Speaker 3: me to be successful. 322 00:15:22,760 --> 00:15:26,160 Speaker 2: But as the time was winding down, we didn't. 323 00:15:25,880 --> 00:15:28,840 Speaker 3: Talk about the draft at all because like there was 324 00:15:28,880 --> 00:15:32,320 Speaker 3: a moment where like I was listening to it and know, 325 00:15:32,360 --> 00:15:34,600 Speaker 3: everybody's talking about the draft, like, oh, this is going 326 00:15:34,680 --> 00:15:37,120 Speaker 3: to happen. Oh You're going to drop blah blah, and 327 00:15:37,200 --> 00:15:40,200 Speaker 3: I got, you know, really bad anxiety about it because 328 00:15:40,200 --> 00:15:42,680 Speaker 3: I was so stressed and like I couldn't focus on, 329 00:15:43,000 --> 00:15:44,440 Speaker 3: you know, where my feet were at the time. I 330 00:15:44,480 --> 00:15:47,360 Speaker 3: was only focusing on the league, and I didn't like 331 00:15:47,480 --> 00:15:50,800 Speaker 3: what was happening and nothing good was coming from it, 332 00:15:51,080 --> 00:15:53,120 Speaker 3: and so we stopped talking about it. Like my coach 333 00:15:53,320 --> 00:15:56,360 Speaker 3: did anything I had to do with anything that was 334 00:15:56,400 --> 00:15:58,720 Speaker 3: not college basketball was not allowed to be talked about 335 00:15:58,720 --> 00:16:01,960 Speaker 3: with me, And so I feel like that really helped 336 00:16:02,080 --> 00:16:05,440 Speaker 3: me just focus in and try to be there for everybody, 337 00:16:05,440 --> 00:16:08,240 Speaker 3: for our teammates, just so you know, we can continue 338 00:16:08,280 --> 00:16:11,360 Speaker 3: to have fun while this time that we have together 339 00:16:11,480 --> 00:16:12,280 Speaker 3: is minding down. 340 00:16:12,720 --> 00:16:14,760 Speaker 1: Yeah, when you're a senior, you know you're going to 341 00:16:14,800 --> 00:16:16,640 Speaker 1: go pro. People know that you're expected to be a 342 00:16:16,760 --> 00:16:20,200 Speaker 1: lottery pick, whatever it may be. It's trying to figure 343 00:16:20,240 --> 00:16:22,560 Speaker 1: out like I'm about to move wherever I'm going to move, 344 00:16:22,600 --> 00:16:24,000 Speaker 1: I'm about to be a pro. I'm about to leave 345 00:16:24,000 --> 00:16:26,680 Speaker 1: my college campus. But at the same time, you're trying 346 00:16:26,680 --> 00:16:28,160 Speaker 1: to keep your feet where you are and you're like, 347 00:16:28,520 --> 00:16:30,920 Speaker 1: I want to enjoy my time, focus on my teammates, 348 00:16:30,960 --> 00:16:33,080 Speaker 1: but oh my god, I'm about to be a pro, 349 00:16:33,320 --> 00:16:35,160 Speaker 1: Like how does this work? Where am I going to live? 350 00:16:35,320 --> 00:16:38,400 Speaker 1: Like all these logistics and you're like, Okay, I need 351 00:16:38,440 --> 00:16:41,000 Speaker 1: to perform so that the league sees that. But at 352 00:16:41,040 --> 00:16:42,920 Speaker 1: the same time, it's like people already know who you are. 353 00:16:43,120 --> 00:16:45,240 Speaker 1: You've been doing this for the past however many years, 354 00:16:45,280 --> 00:16:48,520 Speaker 1: So it's definitely a balance that you need to strike, 355 00:16:48,600 --> 00:16:50,080 Speaker 1: but to hear that your coach was great with that 356 00:16:50,480 --> 00:16:51,880 Speaker 1: figuring out what works best for you. 357 00:16:51,920 --> 00:16:52,920 Speaker 2: I think it's really special. 358 00:16:53,360 --> 00:16:56,280 Speaker 1: What was your draft process like, did you know you 359 00:16:56,280 --> 00:16:57,840 Speaker 1: were going to be the number one pick? Did you 360 00:16:57,880 --> 00:17:00,440 Speaker 1: have any nerves around the draft or what was that like? 361 00:17:00,880 --> 00:17:05,639 Speaker 2: Oh, nervous all around. I imagined going first, but you know, 362 00:17:06,359 --> 00:17:09,480 Speaker 2: with our class, anybody could be first, any but I 363 00:17:09,520 --> 00:17:12,480 Speaker 2: could be one. Anything could happen, definitely, Like the day 364 00:17:12,560 --> 00:17:16,400 Speaker 2: of we have that little go to the Empire, said 365 00:17:16,440 --> 00:17:17,800 Speaker 2: building dah dah. 366 00:17:18,320 --> 00:17:19,879 Speaker 3: But like after that, like when I was getting my 367 00:17:19,880 --> 00:17:21,840 Speaker 3: makeup and stuff done, and it was like everything was 368 00:17:21,880 --> 00:17:24,440 Speaker 3: started dawn on me, like no matter where I went, 369 00:17:24,880 --> 00:17:26,560 Speaker 3: my dreams were about to come true. And like I 370 00:17:26,600 --> 00:17:29,840 Speaker 3: was about to be playing professional as a job, and 371 00:17:29,920 --> 00:17:31,680 Speaker 3: you know, this is about to be my life. 372 00:17:32,359 --> 00:17:34,280 Speaker 2: But I was nervous. 373 00:17:34,480 --> 00:17:37,560 Speaker 3: And you know, my mom had talked to me a 374 00:17:37,600 --> 00:17:39,840 Speaker 3: little bit before and she was telling me, you know, 375 00:17:40,680 --> 00:17:42,359 Speaker 3: like who she had talked to, Like she had talked 376 00:17:42,359 --> 00:17:46,520 Speaker 3: to coach Dunn. They'd already had a relationship before she 377 00:17:46,720 --> 00:17:49,159 Speaker 3: was back at Indye through Kentucky, but she was tell 378 00:17:49,240 --> 00:17:51,080 Speaker 3: me like she was talking to her, and then you know, 379 00:17:51,240 --> 00:17:53,679 Speaker 3: my agent came in and was talking to me, but 380 00:17:53,800 --> 00:17:55,800 Speaker 3: like I had no clue, Like I didn't know if 381 00:17:55,840 --> 00:17:57,040 Speaker 3: I was going to still be one. 382 00:17:57,200 --> 00:17:58,840 Speaker 2: I could drop the two, to drop the three. 383 00:17:59,320 --> 00:18:01,120 Speaker 3: But it was as soon as I hear my name, 384 00:18:01,280 --> 00:18:04,040 Speaker 3: like I didn't want to cry because my makeup is 385 00:18:04,040 --> 00:18:08,200 Speaker 3: looking good. It was like everything just hit me at once, 386 00:18:08,320 --> 00:18:11,120 Speaker 3: and it was like all the emotions you could feel 387 00:18:11,359 --> 00:18:13,360 Speaker 3: I felt in a matter of like ten seconds. 388 00:18:13,720 --> 00:18:17,040 Speaker 1: Yeah, and it whirls by because you're up on the stage. 389 00:18:17,080 --> 00:18:19,560 Speaker 1: You go see Holly. It's just like, oh, you're done. 390 00:18:19,720 --> 00:18:20,440 Speaker 1: It's crazy. 391 00:18:21,680 --> 00:18:23,960 Speaker 3: So I was talking to my mom about it because 392 00:18:23,960 --> 00:18:25,920 Speaker 3: she was like, do you know, like what happened to 393 00:18:25,960 --> 00:18:28,359 Speaker 3: the jersey that you get? It's like you go up there, 394 00:18:28,400 --> 00:18:30,679 Speaker 3: you hold the jery, take the picture, blahlah blah. And 395 00:18:30,720 --> 00:18:34,680 Speaker 3: I was like, I don't even remember nothing. You know, 396 00:18:34,800 --> 00:18:36,280 Speaker 3: if I gave it back, I don't know if she 397 00:18:36,320 --> 00:18:38,639 Speaker 3: gave it to me. I don't know what happened. I 398 00:18:38,680 --> 00:18:41,040 Speaker 3: was just up there just saying words. I don't even 399 00:18:41,080 --> 00:18:41,760 Speaker 3: know what I say. 400 00:18:42,160 --> 00:18:44,359 Speaker 1: No, literally, like you would ask me what was that. 401 00:18:44,520 --> 00:18:47,320 Speaker 1: I was like, I think I've blacked out, Like you 402 00:18:47,359 --> 00:18:50,760 Speaker 1: hear your name and then everything else is really a blur. 403 00:18:50,920 --> 00:18:55,280 Speaker 1: I remember hugging my mom, and I don't remember anything 404 00:18:55,320 --> 00:18:58,200 Speaker 1: on stage. I don't remember, you know, did I high 405 00:18:58,200 --> 00:19:00,560 Speaker 1: five Kathy? Did I give her a hug? I fall? 406 00:19:00,920 --> 00:19:02,520 Speaker 1: Did I just keep on walking? 407 00:19:02,600 --> 00:19:02,679 Speaker 2: Like? 408 00:19:02,760 --> 00:19:03,600 Speaker 1: Did I look cute? 409 00:19:03,640 --> 00:19:04,200 Speaker 2: Who knows? 410 00:19:04,359 --> 00:19:07,960 Speaker 1: Was I hounchback? But I really I really blacked out. 411 00:19:07,960 --> 00:19:10,359 Speaker 1: It's really like a crazy experience, and I don't think 412 00:19:10,400 --> 00:19:11,280 Speaker 1: there's anything like it. 413 00:19:11,640 --> 00:19:13,639 Speaker 2: Yeah, I remember, like when I finished with Ali, I 414 00:19:13,680 --> 00:19:15,160 Speaker 2: was like, I have no clue what I just did. 415 00:19:15,560 --> 00:19:18,840 Speaker 1: Yeah? What did I say? Didn't sound good? Nah? 416 00:19:18,880 --> 00:19:22,560 Speaker 3: I hope everybody was enjoying it because I just started 417 00:19:22,600 --> 00:19:24,480 Speaker 3: saying stuff and just kept coming out. 418 00:19:24,640 --> 00:19:27,320 Speaker 1: Hopefully I was charming. I was just word vomitating whatever 419 00:19:27,760 --> 00:19:31,840 Speaker 1: whatever came to my mind. But now the draft is 420 00:19:31,880 --> 00:19:34,840 Speaker 1: something crazy, and then you're behind those doors for like 421 00:19:35,440 --> 00:19:38,520 Speaker 1: hours doing a media tell. 422 00:19:38,400 --> 00:19:40,560 Speaker 2: Me about it, and I had the nerve to have 423 00:19:40,640 --> 00:19:41,360 Speaker 2: my heels. 424 00:19:41,560 --> 00:19:43,159 Speaker 1: Oh my god, who did I think I was? 425 00:19:43,600 --> 00:19:46,560 Speaker 3: I came back to a phone on seven percent and 426 00:19:46,760 --> 00:19:48,359 Speaker 3: feet that I couldn't feel. 427 00:19:48,960 --> 00:19:49,160 Speaker 2: Nah. 428 00:19:49,320 --> 00:19:52,520 Speaker 1: Literally, I just whoever my person was that walked me 429 00:19:52,560 --> 00:19:55,560 Speaker 1: around was an angel because they could tell I was dying. 430 00:19:56,000 --> 00:19:58,159 Speaker 1: But they're like trying to help you and be like 431 00:19:58,200 --> 00:19:58,840 Speaker 1: do you need water? 432 00:19:58,960 --> 00:19:59,080 Speaker 3: This? 433 00:19:59,119 --> 00:19:59,399 Speaker 2: And that? 434 00:19:59,600 --> 00:20:01,560 Speaker 1: I need a go to bed, like let me go. 435 00:20:01,600 --> 00:20:04,119 Speaker 2: Home between can we take a break in? You know 436 00:20:04,160 --> 00:20:05,400 Speaker 2: who's next? Who's the next pick? 437 00:20:05,840 --> 00:20:09,040 Speaker 3: Let me see and like okay, you gotta go here, 438 00:20:09,119 --> 00:20:12,800 Speaker 3: like come on, we're almost Yeah. They definitely deserve a 439 00:20:12,920 --> 00:20:13,840 Speaker 3: raised after that night. 440 00:20:14,000 --> 00:20:16,000 Speaker 1: They do, they do? I know, I put mine through 441 00:20:16,040 --> 00:20:20,639 Speaker 1: the wringer. I was just emotions everywhere, just horrible. But 442 00:20:21,080 --> 00:20:23,439 Speaker 1: your rookie year was really one for the books. And 443 00:20:24,040 --> 00:20:26,760 Speaker 1: I would ask what the biggest adjustment was from college 444 00:20:26,800 --> 00:20:29,800 Speaker 1: to the pro life? But was there much of an adjustment? Ryan? 445 00:20:30,000 --> 00:20:33,439 Speaker 1: You were rookie of the month every month you were rolling, 446 00:20:33,840 --> 00:20:37,520 Speaker 1: Like how was there like how did your mindset change? 447 00:20:37,680 --> 00:20:40,520 Speaker 1: Or how did you prep to be a pro because 448 00:20:40,520 --> 00:20:42,480 Speaker 1: it seemed like that adjustment was seamless. 449 00:20:42,720 --> 00:20:45,119 Speaker 3: I'd say the biggest adjustment definitely was like the pace 450 00:20:45,160 --> 00:20:47,040 Speaker 3: of the game. You know, I feel like everybody comes 451 00:20:47,080 --> 00:20:49,320 Speaker 3: in and says the pace because it is fast paced, 452 00:20:49,359 --> 00:20:52,200 Speaker 3: and when you play for somebody like Tea now it's 453 00:20:52,440 --> 00:20:56,480 Speaker 3: pace times two facetimes a million on everything you do. 454 00:20:56,880 --> 00:20:59,320 Speaker 3: But just coming in and then you know them like 455 00:20:59,400 --> 00:21:02,800 Speaker 3: telling me like other teams mindset is probably gonna be like, Okay, 456 00:21:02,840 --> 00:21:05,280 Speaker 3: well this is number one draft pick. I don't care 457 00:21:05,359 --> 00:21:07,320 Speaker 3: like I'm gonna bully you, I'm gonna do this, I'm 458 00:21:07,320 --> 00:21:10,000 Speaker 3: gonna do that. And so just being able to get 459 00:21:10,000 --> 00:21:13,680 Speaker 3: comfortable with being uncomfortable for the first couple of games 460 00:21:13,960 --> 00:21:16,600 Speaker 3: because just seeing our teams would play, seeing like different 461 00:21:16,640 --> 00:21:19,280 Speaker 3: looks every night, and like that's something different. 462 00:21:19,080 --> 00:21:21,440 Speaker 2: Because like, I just got here. Why are y'all switching up. 463 00:21:21,400 --> 00:21:23,880 Speaker 1: All these looks. I've just arrived. 464 00:21:25,080 --> 00:21:27,480 Speaker 3: I guess only my third day out here, and y'all 465 00:21:27,480 --> 00:21:30,440 Speaker 3: they're trapping me already. Like yeah, So I feel like 466 00:21:30,520 --> 00:21:33,280 Speaker 3: that also helped me because now they've done it so early. 467 00:21:33,720 --> 00:21:36,320 Speaker 2: Now I can expect a little bit of what's to come. 468 00:21:36,680 --> 00:21:39,760 Speaker 1: You're right, Like even now, you'd be like, yep, they're 469 00:21:39,760 --> 00:21:41,919 Speaker 1: gonna they're doing this, they're doing that. We're trying to 470 00:21:41,920 --> 00:21:44,080 Speaker 1: figure out how to help you, and it's like they 471 00:21:44,160 --> 00:21:47,760 Speaker 1: do someone different. They're like, okay, staggers, this is one 472 00:21:47,800 --> 00:21:50,560 Speaker 1: thing on balls handoffs, and I just be watching and 473 00:21:50,600 --> 00:21:53,480 Speaker 1: I'm like, wow, look at her. Go go Ryan, do 474 00:21:53,520 --> 00:21:55,960 Speaker 1: you need Can I help you in anyway? You know? 475 00:21:56,600 --> 00:22:00,560 Speaker 1: And you mentioned coach t what was your first impression 476 00:22:00,560 --> 00:22:02,400 Speaker 1: of her when you first got into training camp. 477 00:22:02,680 --> 00:22:05,119 Speaker 3: I knew I had to mentally prepare before the first 478 00:22:05,520 --> 00:22:08,720 Speaker 3: practice of training camp ever, because you know, we had 479 00:22:08,760 --> 00:22:11,120 Speaker 3: this welcome to the a moment me and nights Sore. 480 00:22:11,119 --> 00:22:13,399 Speaker 2: We like went around and you know, she came to eat. 481 00:22:13,240 --> 00:22:15,800 Speaker 3: With us, and we was like asking her, like, so, yeah, 482 00:22:15,840 --> 00:22:17,679 Speaker 3: it was this first two a day going to like 483 00:22:18,400 --> 00:22:20,720 Speaker 3: and she said, the first practice is going to be 484 00:22:20,760 --> 00:22:25,560 Speaker 3: all defense and keeping keep in mind I haven't touched 485 00:22:25,560 --> 00:22:28,679 Speaker 3: the ball since the end of the season. Yeah, So 486 00:22:28,760 --> 00:22:32,359 Speaker 3: that first practice, I was dying and we was just 487 00:22:32,480 --> 00:22:34,119 Speaker 3: running up and down all types of. 488 00:22:34,080 --> 00:22:35,399 Speaker 2: Transition defense drills. 489 00:22:35,520 --> 00:22:37,439 Speaker 3: Yeah, And I was like, Okay, let me get my 490 00:22:37,560 --> 00:22:39,639 Speaker 3: mind right because this is what it's going to be like. 491 00:22:40,000 --> 00:22:43,320 Speaker 1: Nah literally literally like you were in Italy during our 492 00:22:43,320 --> 00:22:46,359 Speaker 1: first few days of training camp. But I was like, wow, 493 00:22:46,520 --> 00:22:50,520 Speaker 1: this this is gonna be my life for the foreseeable future. 494 00:22:51,040 --> 00:22:54,439 Speaker 1: And we did this lab drill and I was like wow, 495 00:22:54,640 --> 00:22:56,800 Speaker 1: like there's like she can clearly see that we're dying 496 00:22:57,359 --> 00:23:00,240 Speaker 1: and we are. It was like your SpongeBob lover. It 497 00:23:00,280 --> 00:23:08,360 Speaker 1: was like he's like water. I just look at her 498 00:23:08,400 --> 00:23:12,240 Speaker 1: and she's like Nope, not good enough. Restart it does. 499 00:23:12,080 --> 00:23:15,080 Speaker 2: Not care to start over, start over. Nobody cares to 500 00:23:15,080 --> 00:23:15,520 Speaker 2: start over. 501 00:23:15,840 --> 00:23:18,639 Speaker 1: Literally nobody cares. And she's talking about oop, sleep nights, 502 00:23:18,760 --> 00:23:22,800 Speaker 1: oop this like she has so many quotes and I'm 503 00:23:22,840 --> 00:23:25,440 Speaker 1: just like, oh my god, I'm so tired. 504 00:23:25,800 --> 00:23:28,760 Speaker 3: Yeah, we definitely had the hardest training camp and we'll 505 00:23:28,800 --> 00:23:30,720 Speaker 3: continue to have the hardest training camp. 506 00:23:30,920 --> 00:23:34,240 Speaker 1: Yeah, because she's not one to drop off, Like even 507 00:23:34,280 --> 00:23:37,399 Speaker 1: this year, she's like, y'all feel my energy match it. 508 00:23:38,040 --> 00:23:43,240 Speaker 3: I'm like, that's a lot of energy's We'll try. We're 509 00:23:43,280 --> 00:23:45,680 Speaker 3: still trying. Yeah, I'm trying my best. 510 00:23:46,000 --> 00:23:48,760 Speaker 1: But I think Tea is really one of a kind. 511 00:23:49,160 --> 00:23:51,400 Speaker 1: I think she gets us going. We feed off it, 512 00:23:51,440 --> 00:23:58,240 Speaker 1: which is I think really special. When last year did 513 00:23:58,240 --> 00:24:00,600 Speaker 1: you feel like I'm catching my rhythm? Did it take 514 00:24:00,600 --> 00:24:02,120 Speaker 1: a few games? Was it kind of like your first 515 00:24:02,119 --> 00:24:04,600 Speaker 1: game you're like, oh, I'm the best bucket around, like 516 00:24:04,640 --> 00:24:07,440 Speaker 1: I'm going crazy, or were you like, okay, like take 517 00:24:07,520 --> 00:24:09,560 Speaker 1: you games, find your feet and you're like, I belong 518 00:24:09,640 --> 00:24:10,360 Speaker 1: in this league. 519 00:24:10,520 --> 00:24:12,080 Speaker 2: It only took a few games. 520 00:24:12,720 --> 00:24:15,560 Speaker 3: I've think I'm in the record books for half fast 521 00:24:15,600 --> 00:24:18,280 Speaker 3: to one hundred points every many games. 522 00:24:18,560 --> 00:24:19,840 Speaker 2: Talk to them in. 523 00:24:19,840 --> 00:24:21,440 Speaker 1: The record books for yet another thing. 524 00:24:22,880 --> 00:24:24,960 Speaker 3: But it was like at that moment and then like 525 00:24:25,000 --> 00:24:29,200 Speaker 3: I knew teams were like solely focusing on me. It's like, okay, 526 00:24:29,359 --> 00:24:31,600 Speaker 3: they already are aware that I'm going to be a 527 00:24:31,600 --> 00:24:39,119 Speaker 3: problem and she still is, so something okay. 528 00:24:39,720 --> 00:24:42,119 Speaker 1: And then was there a point, maybe even in that 529 00:24:42,200 --> 00:24:44,560 Speaker 1: early stretch, but you were like, all right, like I'm 530 00:24:44,600 --> 00:24:46,600 Speaker 1: the best rookie out, I'm getting Ricky of the Year 531 00:24:46,720 --> 00:24:48,840 Speaker 1: or was that not even on your mind. 532 00:24:49,040 --> 00:24:50,879 Speaker 3: I went in with the goal of being a recular 533 00:24:50,880 --> 00:24:52,880 Speaker 3: the year, but it's not what I was focusing on 534 00:24:53,640 --> 00:24:54,520 Speaker 3: while I was playing. 535 00:24:55,040 --> 00:24:56,040 Speaker 2: I was more so. 536 00:24:56,080 --> 00:25:00,680 Speaker 3: Worried about team success because usually you don't really get 537 00:25:00,760 --> 00:25:04,359 Speaker 3: much if your team's not doing well, and so I 538 00:25:04,440 --> 00:25:06,760 Speaker 3: want all of my teammates to be successful, and it 539 00:25:06,880 --> 00:25:10,640 Speaker 3: just makes a game more fun. You're a lot happier 540 00:25:10,800 --> 00:25:14,680 Speaker 3: when everyone is successful and everyone's celebrating as facts. 541 00:25:14,400 --> 00:25:16,560 Speaker 1: That's really how it be. It's a lot more fun 542 00:25:16,600 --> 00:25:18,800 Speaker 1: to be in a locker room that's winning compared to 543 00:25:18,840 --> 00:25:21,720 Speaker 1: one when you're not. It's not as fun, honestly, and 544 00:25:21,760 --> 00:25:24,840 Speaker 1: I feel like that's a shared experience across the world. 545 00:25:25,520 --> 00:25:28,120 Speaker 1: So you played overseas for your first year, First of all, 546 00:25:28,160 --> 00:25:30,960 Speaker 1: how was that? Second of all, what do you think 547 00:25:31,359 --> 00:25:34,639 Speaker 1: that helped with moving into now your second season in 548 00:25:34,640 --> 00:25:35,119 Speaker 1: the league. 549 00:25:35,280 --> 00:25:37,879 Speaker 2: Well, I played in Italy and so the country was 550 00:25:38,000 --> 00:25:38,680 Speaker 2: very nice. 551 00:25:39,200 --> 00:25:43,280 Speaker 3: I definitely like go back to visit, very peaceful, very clean, 552 00:25:43,840 --> 00:25:45,720 Speaker 3: like it's most clean, looks clean. 553 00:25:46,440 --> 00:25:49,080 Speaker 2: But it just helped me with the physicality. 554 00:25:49,200 --> 00:25:51,760 Speaker 3: So teams this year are definitely a lot more physical, 555 00:25:52,440 --> 00:25:56,280 Speaker 3: but overseas like the help up people into hack literally 556 00:25:56,359 --> 00:25:58,920 Speaker 3: for fun, yeah, and like just come and make it hard. 557 00:25:59,000 --> 00:26:01,920 Speaker 3: And so I feel like playing over there and playing 558 00:26:01,960 --> 00:26:05,960 Speaker 3: against that without getting the cause has really like helped 559 00:26:05,960 --> 00:26:11,199 Speaker 3: me to be more poised in the league and you know, 560 00:26:11,320 --> 00:26:14,120 Speaker 3: expecting that to happen and you know, not trying to 561 00:26:14,359 --> 00:26:16,760 Speaker 3: focus on oh I'm not getting any calls, but okay, 562 00:26:16,800 --> 00:26:19,080 Speaker 3: well I'm going to keep going. So You're just gonna 563 00:26:19,080 --> 00:26:21,040 Speaker 3: have to keep playing like this and I'm going to 564 00:26:21,080 --> 00:26:22,040 Speaker 3: put the pressure on the rest. 565 00:26:22,280 --> 00:26:24,240 Speaker 1: I mean, watching some of your games, it definitely looked 566 00:26:24,320 --> 00:26:26,520 Speaker 1: very physical. And then them girls are strong. 567 00:26:27,680 --> 00:26:28,600 Speaker 2: They are strong. 568 00:26:28,720 --> 00:26:32,639 Speaker 3: The one time I told my turn, I was like, 569 00:26:32,920 --> 00:26:36,760 Speaker 3: I'm only doing apps today just for straightcore. 570 00:26:36,880 --> 00:26:40,960 Speaker 1: I'm good. I'm not trying to just come back shredded. Okay, Ryan, 571 00:26:41,359 --> 00:26:44,720 Speaker 1: do you remember the first time that we met. Yeah, okay, 572 00:26:44,800 --> 00:26:47,200 Speaker 1: I need your first impressions. I'll give you mine first. 573 00:26:47,680 --> 00:26:49,200 Speaker 1: I did not expect you to be as nice as 574 00:26:49,200 --> 00:26:50,800 Speaker 1: you are. I thought you're going to be really mean. 575 00:26:53,600 --> 00:26:54,960 Speaker 2: This is what I was talking about. 576 00:26:55,960 --> 00:26:58,200 Speaker 1: I thought you were going to be really mean. And 577 00:26:58,440 --> 00:27:01,080 Speaker 1: I was definitely probably like I don't know, like you said, 578 00:27:01,080 --> 00:27:03,040 Speaker 1: like the high school kids, they probably did not expect 579 00:27:03,040 --> 00:27:04,600 Speaker 1: that from you. You were just out there hooping, doing 580 00:27:04,640 --> 00:27:07,080 Speaker 1: your thing with a straight face, and I was all nervous. 581 00:27:07,240 --> 00:27:09,119 Speaker 1: And then I met you and then you're like just 582 00:27:09,119 --> 00:27:11,679 Speaker 1: giving me a hug and the nicest person and cracking 583 00:27:11,680 --> 00:27:15,280 Speaker 1: these jokes. So that that was my memory of my 584 00:27:15,320 --> 00:27:17,880 Speaker 1: first time meeting you. Besides being like, oh wow, she's 585 00:27:17,920 --> 00:27:18,720 Speaker 1: really good. 586 00:27:18,600 --> 00:27:22,240 Speaker 3: I would say seeing you say you're out this, she's 587 00:27:22,440 --> 00:27:28,040 Speaker 3: really giddy. She's really she's just here for the vibes, 588 00:27:30,960 --> 00:27:32,040 Speaker 3: especially at USA. 589 00:27:32,640 --> 00:27:35,119 Speaker 1: Especially at USA, it was. 590 00:27:35,160 --> 00:27:39,000 Speaker 3: Like oh wow, yeah, yeah, she's not here for no 591 00:27:39,080 --> 00:27:42,560 Speaker 3: type of business, just here for the people. 592 00:27:43,280 --> 00:27:47,879 Speaker 1: I think especially it was especially that year specifically thinking 593 00:27:48,000 --> 00:27:51,359 Speaker 1: like the America team, everybody was there for the vibes. 594 00:27:51,440 --> 00:27:52,240 Speaker 1: It was COVID year. 595 00:27:53,040 --> 00:27:56,480 Speaker 3: Oh my gosh, everybody was just there to be there. 596 00:27:57,160 --> 00:27:58,919 Speaker 1: Nobod knew what's going on. We get locked out the 597 00:27:58,920 --> 00:28:03,720 Speaker 1: hotel up there with Jen Rizzotti. Just quite a time. 598 00:28:04,119 --> 00:28:04,879 Speaker 2: Definitely a time. 599 00:28:05,320 --> 00:28:07,080 Speaker 1: So we got to give a shout out to our girl, 600 00:28:07,160 --> 00:28:09,840 Speaker 1: coach t for getting Coach of the Months. She's definitely 601 00:28:09,880 --> 00:28:13,520 Speaker 1: a player's coach. Talk about her coaching style, what she's 602 00:28:13,520 --> 00:28:16,600 Speaker 1: done for the program organization here, and what she's done 603 00:28:16,600 --> 00:28:17,399 Speaker 1: for you as a coach. 604 00:28:17,760 --> 00:28:20,840 Speaker 3: She's just been there. Away from coaching first, she's definitely 605 00:28:20,840 --> 00:28:23,919 Speaker 3: a player's coaching. So she's you know, know what to 606 00:28:24,000 --> 00:28:28,480 Speaker 3: do to be successful. She's been successful, but she's also 607 00:28:28,800 --> 00:28:31,000 Speaker 3: like very caring as a person. She wants to see 608 00:28:31,080 --> 00:28:34,000 Speaker 3: us succeed as people in life. And so I just 609 00:28:34,040 --> 00:28:37,159 Speaker 3: say that for her to you know, be that caring 610 00:28:37,320 --> 00:28:39,840 Speaker 3: at the head, it just you know, relaxes us a 611 00:28:39,880 --> 00:28:42,520 Speaker 3: little bit more because you know, she's not just always 612 00:28:42,560 --> 00:28:45,240 Speaker 3: pressure pressure, pressure on you know basketball. You know, she 613 00:28:45,640 --> 00:28:48,560 Speaker 3: hasn't talked about playoffs at all. It is all internal, 614 00:28:48,800 --> 00:28:51,160 Speaker 3: but she's definitely led the way and you know, helped 615 00:28:51,360 --> 00:28:54,400 Speaker 3: keep me accountable and all the success I'm getting that 616 00:28:54,440 --> 00:28:57,440 Speaker 3: I truly can you know, attest it to her and 617 00:28:57,480 --> 00:28:58,280 Speaker 3: what she's done for me. 618 00:28:58,600 --> 00:29:02,600 Speaker 1: Yeah, I completely agree. Like she's there for you as 619 00:29:02,720 --> 00:29:06,000 Speaker 1: a person first, and like she's never gonna switch up. 620 00:29:06,000 --> 00:29:08,520 Speaker 1: If you play like crap, you played great, she gonna 621 00:29:08,520 --> 00:29:10,440 Speaker 1: show up the next day and be the exact same. 622 00:29:11,040 --> 00:29:13,440 Speaker 1: That's one thing I really appreciated about her being here 623 00:29:13,480 --> 00:29:16,440 Speaker 1: because Rickie year, there's ups and downs with every year, 624 00:29:16,520 --> 00:29:21,440 Speaker 1: but she's always stayed very consistent. This year, you've definitely 625 00:29:21,440 --> 00:29:24,640 Speaker 1: been one of the centerpieces doing your things, scoring seventeen 626 00:29:24,640 --> 00:29:28,200 Speaker 1: points a game. Do you feel like as a team 627 00:29:28,440 --> 00:29:31,280 Speaker 1: we found our flow? Are we still kind of getting there? 628 00:29:31,360 --> 00:29:33,200 Speaker 1: I know we kind of have ups and downs, but 629 00:29:33,720 --> 00:29:36,240 Speaker 1: what do you think our cohesiveness is like and just 630 00:29:36,320 --> 00:29:37,480 Speaker 1: kind of our team identity. 631 00:29:38,000 --> 00:29:40,880 Speaker 2: I would say we've definitely found a flow. And it's 632 00:29:40,920 --> 00:29:45,560 Speaker 2: helpful having leash another guard that can score yeah, however 633 00:29:45,640 --> 00:29:48,400 Speaker 2: many points she wants, and then having a heavy post 634 00:29:48,440 --> 00:29:53,120 Speaker 2: presence in CP yeah, because now I can get those 635 00:29:53,200 --> 00:29:55,600 Speaker 2: looks that I get and they can go off, so 636 00:29:55,680 --> 00:29:58,800 Speaker 2: teams can't only focus on me, and you know, when 637 00:29:59,360 --> 00:30:01,800 Speaker 2: you come in you have eight points or a nia 638 00:30:02,120 --> 00:30:05,080 Speaker 2: goes in and she's aggressive. It just works for everybody 639 00:30:05,120 --> 00:30:07,640 Speaker 2: because now it's like who do you guard? How do 640 00:30:07,640 --> 00:30:09,640 Speaker 2: you guard us? Everybody can do something. 641 00:30:09,880 --> 00:30:12,959 Speaker 1: Yeah, it takes some of the not much pressure off 642 00:30:13,000 --> 00:30:14,880 Speaker 1: a little bit. But just like you don't have to 643 00:30:14,880 --> 00:30:16,920 Speaker 1: work as hard to get your shots right, you still 644 00:30:16,920 --> 00:30:20,480 Speaker 1: gotta work hard because team's gonna like all these different things, 645 00:30:20,520 --> 00:30:23,000 Speaker 1: but like you know, it's they have to space the 646 00:30:23,040 --> 00:30:26,520 Speaker 1: floor more, picking up leash, picking up cp NIA whoever 647 00:30:26,640 --> 00:30:29,600 Speaker 1: is out there really so I think it definitely just adds. 648 00:30:29,600 --> 00:30:32,200 Speaker 1: And then you know, bringing all these different pieces, like 649 00:30:32,360 --> 00:30:35,960 Speaker 1: you bring in somebody like ad and it's just hoop it, 650 00:30:36,040 --> 00:30:37,680 Speaker 1: get it straight to a bucket. 651 00:30:37,360 --> 00:30:40,640 Speaker 4: Like bucket literally like a gonna get in the game 652 00:30:40,680 --> 00:30:44,000 Speaker 4: and they just go, oh bob bucket, oh bucket, Like 653 00:30:44,120 --> 00:30:45,120 Speaker 4: it's it's crazy. 654 00:30:45,120 --> 00:30:46,960 Speaker 1: What are you supposed to do with that? And so 655 00:30:47,520 --> 00:30:49,800 Speaker 1: this year you've had a great year. How would you 656 00:30:49,880 --> 00:30:53,200 Speaker 1: describe your game in general? But also just kind of 657 00:30:53,240 --> 00:30:54,800 Speaker 1: like the mindset that you've had this season. 658 00:30:55,080 --> 00:30:56,800 Speaker 2: I would definitely say more aggressive. 659 00:30:57,560 --> 00:30:59,880 Speaker 3: You know, last year I would let the game come 660 00:30:59,840 --> 00:31:02,520 Speaker 3: to me and like see how I'm feeling and see 661 00:31:02,560 --> 00:31:04,520 Speaker 3: like if my shots are going to go in this 662 00:31:04,600 --> 00:31:07,120 Speaker 3: game or whatnot. But this year, like I go out 663 00:31:07,160 --> 00:31:10,600 Speaker 3: and I put the pressure on immediately, and you know, 664 00:31:10,680 --> 00:31:13,040 Speaker 3: try to get easy looks from the jump so that 665 00:31:13,560 --> 00:31:17,680 Speaker 3: when the game's running down, those tufflix I'm already comfortable, 666 00:31:17,760 --> 00:31:19,720 Speaker 3: so now they're not as tough as the defense is 667 00:31:19,720 --> 00:31:22,880 Speaker 3: making them more. I have all the attention. Now I 668 00:31:22,880 --> 00:31:25,080 Speaker 3: can get lisha easy look. Now I can get CP 669 00:31:25,200 --> 00:31:25,680 Speaker 3: on the post. 670 00:31:25,960 --> 00:31:27,680 Speaker 1: I think, you know, coming out from the jump being 671 00:31:27,720 --> 00:31:30,400 Speaker 1: aggressive it opens things up for yourself, but everybody on 672 00:31:30,480 --> 00:31:32,680 Speaker 1: our team right then, all of a sudden, there's one 673 00:31:32,720 --> 00:31:35,280 Speaker 1: more is to nia. Okay, de Rob can do this, 674 00:31:35,400 --> 00:31:37,480 Speaker 1: CP can do this. Like there's just so many different 675 00:31:37,520 --> 00:31:40,400 Speaker 1: ways that it affects not only you, because now the 676 00:31:40,400 --> 00:31:42,280 Speaker 1: defense is on their heels and they're like, okay, somebody 677 00:31:42,280 --> 00:31:43,640 Speaker 1: else Garter like I don't want to do with this. 678 00:31:44,120 --> 00:31:46,200 Speaker 1: But then it's also just like I don't know, as 679 00:31:46,240 --> 00:31:49,080 Speaker 1: a team, it opens up things. Yeah, you know, the 680 00:31:49,120 --> 00:31:53,600 Speaker 1: coverage of women's sports, specifically basketball is growing. Fans are 681 00:31:53,600 --> 00:31:56,400 Speaker 1: becoming more and more invested in our game. What are 682 00:31:56,400 --> 00:31:59,400 Speaker 1: some of the ways that you've seen coverage get better 683 00:31:59,760 --> 00:32:02,240 Speaker 1: over the years that you've been playing. 684 00:32:02,160 --> 00:32:07,720 Speaker 3: Like more games on national TV. So like ABCESPN, I 685 00:32:07,720 --> 00:32:10,240 Speaker 3: always look at the graphics and it's like, oh, we're 686 00:32:10,280 --> 00:32:13,760 Speaker 3: up to nine million views and like that's huge, Like 687 00:32:13,840 --> 00:32:18,040 Speaker 3: that's been growing. So that's what However, many from last 688 00:32:18,080 --> 00:32:20,920 Speaker 3: year and that's only in one year, that's only in 689 00:32:21,560 --> 00:32:24,840 Speaker 3: a few new players in every league. I feel like 690 00:32:25,280 --> 00:32:29,160 Speaker 3: that's definitely a start in with the players that we 691 00:32:29,240 --> 00:32:32,200 Speaker 3: have and their impact on the game, not only in 692 00:32:32,240 --> 00:32:35,920 Speaker 3: the game but in life. Like take Angelies. You see 693 00:32:35,960 --> 00:32:39,960 Speaker 3: her everywhere everywhere, and you know people may hate it, 694 00:32:40,040 --> 00:32:44,080 Speaker 3: but it's only got to put more attentions, Like now 695 00:32:44,160 --> 00:32:46,360 Speaker 3: you have to see what she's going to do because 696 00:32:46,480 --> 00:32:48,600 Speaker 3: people are like, oh, she hasn't been in gym, blah blah. 697 00:32:48,640 --> 00:32:51,360 Speaker 2: Okay, well now you're going to watch exact to see 698 00:32:51,400 --> 00:32:53,600 Speaker 2: if she was in the gym where if she wasn't. 699 00:32:53,920 --> 00:32:56,440 Speaker 2: And I feel like as she continues to get better, 700 00:32:56,440 --> 00:32:58,800 Speaker 2: as she continues to grow, she's going to keep being 701 00:32:58,840 --> 00:33:01,840 Speaker 2: the face of you know, women's basketball. And I love 702 00:33:01,920 --> 00:33:04,480 Speaker 2: that for us because now she's gonna bring all these 703 00:33:04,520 --> 00:33:06,960 Speaker 2: people that have her back, all these people that hate her, 704 00:33:07,400 --> 00:33:08,960 Speaker 2: and they're going to continue to watch. 705 00:33:09,480 --> 00:33:11,120 Speaker 1: Yeah, no matter you love her, you hate her, you're 706 00:33:11,120 --> 00:33:14,280 Speaker 1: gonna watch that game. You're gonna watch, You're gonna watch 707 00:33:14,280 --> 00:33:16,920 Speaker 1: and all that's gonna do is raise viewership. And I 708 00:33:16,960 --> 00:33:19,640 Speaker 1: think it's been on the rise like crazy, and I 709 00:33:19,640 --> 00:33:22,880 Speaker 1: feel like there's more media coverage. But you see when 710 00:33:22,880 --> 00:33:26,400 Speaker 1: they finally do put our games on national television, Wow, 711 00:33:26,560 --> 00:33:29,880 Speaker 1: more people watch, They're interested. And I feel like women's 712 00:33:29,920 --> 00:33:32,480 Speaker 1: basketball haters they be up in the TikTok com and 713 00:33:32,520 --> 00:33:34,920 Speaker 1: talking about, oh, well you did this in the game, so. 714 00:33:34,960 --> 00:33:39,240 Speaker 3: You watched, so you saw so because that was in 715 00:33:39,280 --> 00:33:42,720 Speaker 3: the third quarter and halfway through exactly yeah. 716 00:33:42,640 --> 00:33:44,920 Speaker 1: Yeah, yeah. So now it's like, oh, so you are 717 00:33:44,960 --> 00:33:47,160 Speaker 1: a support of women's basketball because you're out here watching 718 00:33:47,160 --> 00:33:49,880 Speaker 1: the games. So I think just in terms of like 719 00:33:50,080 --> 00:33:54,360 Speaker 1: coveraging things, just the continuing of social media pages, people 720 00:33:54,480 --> 00:33:58,960 Speaker 1: like Ari Chambers doing amazing things, growing her platform, talking 721 00:33:59,000 --> 00:34:03,520 Speaker 1: about shout out Out, like her platform growing because of 722 00:34:03,560 --> 00:34:05,680 Speaker 1: who she is and all that. But I was just 723 00:34:05,720 --> 00:34:08,839 Speaker 1: like talking about women's basketball. Now people love her and 724 00:34:08,880 --> 00:34:11,600 Speaker 1: what is she saying, watch women's basketball, so they're going 725 00:34:11,640 --> 00:34:13,600 Speaker 1: to go do it. So I think like all these 726 00:34:13,600 --> 00:34:17,560 Speaker 1: different people who are influencers, who are you know, we're 727 00:34:17,600 --> 00:34:19,040 Speaker 1: athletes and now they're influencers. 728 00:34:19,200 --> 00:34:20,080 Speaker 2: They continue to. 729 00:34:20,040 --> 00:34:21,839 Speaker 1: Grow the game and people kind of hate on like 730 00:34:22,320 --> 00:34:24,680 Speaker 1: influencers who are athletes like, Oh, you're not real athletes. 731 00:34:24,920 --> 00:34:26,800 Speaker 1: You're still watching their games. 732 00:34:28,719 --> 00:34:30,719 Speaker 2: Not only are you watching my game, you're listening to 733 00:34:30,760 --> 00:34:31,160 Speaker 2: what I'm like. 734 00:34:31,719 --> 00:34:34,720 Speaker 1: You know, something that's been talked about a lot recently 735 00:34:34,800 --> 00:34:37,319 Speaker 1: is the expansion of the league. Some are for it, 736 00:34:37,520 --> 00:34:41,560 Speaker 1: some are saying not right now. I know Kelsey Plumb 737 00:34:41,640 --> 00:34:43,920 Speaker 1: had a very good outlook just in terms of like 738 00:34:43,960 --> 00:34:46,680 Speaker 1: where we're at right now? Are we even capable of 739 00:34:46,719 --> 00:34:49,319 Speaker 1: having an expansion right now with the way things still 740 00:34:49,360 --> 00:34:52,440 Speaker 1: are with travel and all that stuff. So where do 741 00:34:52,480 --> 00:34:54,720 Speaker 1: you stand on the expansion level? 742 00:34:55,000 --> 00:34:58,279 Speaker 3: I always say expansion is definitely needed, but we do 743 00:34:58,360 --> 00:35:01,760 Speaker 3: have a lot to focus on right now. Yeah, so like, yes, 744 00:35:02,000 --> 00:35:04,400 Speaker 3: we need better trouble, Yes, we need to fix a 745 00:35:04,440 --> 00:35:06,799 Speaker 3: whole lot of things. And so I feel like we 746 00:35:06,840 --> 00:35:11,600 Speaker 3: can't really do the expansion if, first of all, do 747 00:35:11,640 --> 00:35:12,759 Speaker 3: we have enough money for it. 748 00:35:12,800 --> 00:35:14,760 Speaker 1: You don't want to stretch it out if we're already 749 00:35:14,760 --> 00:35:16,640 Speaker 1: needing some things right now, Like you want to make 750 00:35:16,640 --> 00:35:19,560 Speaker 1: sure that foundation is set so when new teams come 751 00:35:19,560 --> 00:35:21,800 Speaker 1: into the league, it's like there's nothing to worry about, 752 00:35:21,880 --> 00:35:24,280 Speaker 1: right They can already hop on that new charter schedule, 753 00:35:24,360 --> 00:35:26,680 Speaker 1: they can already have this and that, And it's also 754 00:35:26,719 --> 00:35:28,600 Speaker 1: like there's one hundred and forty four spots right now, 755 00:35:28,600 --> 00:35:30,959 Speaker 1: which is crazy. When I saw that on our. 756 00:35:30,920 --> 00:35:33,480 Speaker 4: Jacket, I was like, wow, I really am one of 757 00:35:33,560 --> 00:35:36,759 Speaker 4: one forty four. Oh my god, one hundred and forty 758 00:35:36,800 --> 00:35:40,200 Speaker 4: four jobs, and like they're not even all taken up 759 00:35:40,280 --> 00:35:43,080 Speaker 4: right now, and it's just because of the players that 760 00:35:43,120 --> 00:35:44,520 Speaker 4: are there, their contracts is and that. 761 00:35:44,600 --> 00:35:47,000 Speaker 1: So I definitely agree in terms of, like, you know, 762 00:35:47,040 --> 00:35:50,480 Speaker 1: we do need that, but maybe in time. Usually most 763 00:35:50,480 --> 00:35:54,200 Speaker 1: players go overseas. But the league that Stewie and Fee 764 00:35:54,480 --> 00:35:57,160 Speaker 1: are starting, what do you think about them creating that 765 00:35:57,239 --> 00:36:00,680 Speaker 1: option for players to stay here? What do you think 766 00:36:00,680 --> 00:36:02,759 Speaker 1: about them starting up a league like that? 767 00:36:03,080 --> 00:36:07,520 Speaker 3: I like it that'll also help build the growth for 768 00:36:07,640 --> 00:36:10,880 Speaker 3: the league because now we have more opportunities for the 769 00:36:10,880 --> 00:36:14,640 Speaker 3: fans to see us play. Yeah, because like maybe they'll 770 00:36:14,640 --> 00:36:17,640 Speaker 3: get tired of watching college basketball now they can watch 771 00:36:17,680 --> 00:36:20,840 Speaker 3: their favorites and another time that's not the summer. 772 00:36:20,920 --> 00:36:23,080 Speaker 1: I agree. I think it's a really cool opportunity, especially 773 00:36:23,080 --> 00:36:25,160 Speaker 1: for people who don't want play overseas, people who want 774 00:36:25,160 --> 00:36:27,360 Speaker 1: to stay here. But I didn't even think at that point, 775 00:36:27,400 --> 00:36:29,319 Speaker 1: like you're watching the college season now you can turn 776 00:36:29,400 --> 00:36:31,960 Speaker 1: and watch your favorite pros, see how they're doing, what 777 00:36:31,960 --> 00:36:34,160 Speaker 1: they're doing the off season, how they're developing. So I 778 00:36:34,200 --> 00:36:37,840 Speaker 1: think it's a really cool idea. But something really special 779 00:36:37,840 --> 00:36:41,239 Speaker 1: about you. Your Slam cover came out recently. You look 780 00:36:41,280 --> 00:36:45,719 Speaker 1: amazing and every single picture super iconic. But you know, 781 00:36:45,800 --> 00:36:48,520 Speaker 1: what was that like? Getting to have your own cover? 782 00:36:48,800 --> 00:36:51,120 Speaker 1: Did you like how it came out? How was that? 783 00:36:51,400 --> 00:36:52,160 Speaker 2: It was great? 784 00:36:52,560 --> 00:36:54,960 Speaker 3: I loved it and I loved just being able to 785 00:36:55,000 --> 00:36:57,960 Speaker 3: have that time and you know, reflect but also paying 786 00:36:57,960 --> 00:37:01,680 Speaker 3: a tribute to Terrence and you know, redoing his Slam 787 00:37:01,719 --> 00:37:04,520 Speaker 3: cover in one of the pictures. But you know, it's 788 00:37:04,560 --> 00:37:07,920 Speaker 3: a truly an honor. And I hope everybody gets a 789 00:37:08,000 --> 00:37:10,400 Speaker 3: chance to be on something big like that, whether it's Slam, 790 00:37:10,440 --> 00:37:12,760 Speaker 3: whether it's you know, whatever the case may be, whatever 791 00:37:12,800 --> 00:37:15,799 Speaker 3: your thing is. I hope that everybody can, you know, 792 00:37:15,840 --> 00:37:17,520 Speaker 3: have something like that happened in their life. 793 00:37:17,719 --> 00:37:19,680 Speaker 1: And I mean, you've done a lot of amazing things 794 00:37:19,719 --> 00:37:23,560 Speaker 1: like signing with Jordan Brand after getting drafted. So about that, 795 00:37:23,719 --> 00:37:25,839 Speaker 1: I got to hear you have a lot of shoe game, right, 796 00:37:26,000 --> 00:37:27,960 Speaker 1: we all know this. I see you in slides on 797 00:37:28,000 --> 00:37:31,279 Speaker 1: a daily basis. However, when you pop out you have 798 00:37:31,400 --> 00:37:33,120 Speaker 1: some gigs, maybe on the road. I'd be like, hey, 799 00:37:33,120 --> 00:37:33,720 Speaker 1: now who. 800 00:37:33,600 --> 00:37:38,440 Speaker 3: Is this d It's not the same one exactly. 801 00:37:38,480 --> 00:37:40,799 Speaker 1: We got something new. So what would you say? Are 802 00:37:40,840 --> 00:37:43,160 Speaker 1: your your top Jordan's that you have? 803 00:37:43,360 --> 00:37:43,640 Speaker 2: Also? 804 00:37:43,800 --> 00:37:46,080 Speaker 1: Have you met Jordan? Double question there for you. 805 00:37:46,440 --> 00:37:50,000 Speaker 3: So I didn't meet Jordan, but it was in the 806 00:37:50,080 --> 00:37:53,359 Speaker 3: Jordan Brand games in high school. So I haven't met 807 00:37:53,440 --> 00:37:57,080 Speaker 3: him anytime recently. Okay, okay, because some of the shoes 808 00:37:57,080 --> 00:37:59,000 Speaker 3: in my closet, like I don't even remember what they 809 00:37:59,000 --> 00:38:02,960 Speaker 3: look like, Like that's how many I like, I have 810 00:38:03,000 --> 00:38:05,040 Speaker 3: a friend in town and you know, they were going 811 00:38:05,040 --> 00:38:06,959 Speaker 3: through them and it was like, like, you have these 812 00:38:06,960 --> 00:38:08,719 Speaker 3: and you haven't worn them. I was like, I haven't 813 00:38:08,719 --> 00:38:11,240 Speaker 3: got to remember they was in there and I couldn't 814 00:38:11,239 --> 00:38:14,080 Speaker 3: even tell you when I got those. But I definitely say, 815 00:38:14,120 --> 00:38:17,239 Speaker 3: like any color way of ones is definitely up there 816 00:38:17,280 --> 00:38:20,520 Speaker 3: because they're just so retro and they can go with anything, 817 00:38:20,560 --> 00:38:21,799 Speaker 3: pull any look together. 818 00:38:22,000 --> 00:38:24,799 Speaker 1: But a little bit off fastball for a moment. You're 819 00:38:24,920 --> 00:38:28,800 Speaker 1: part of the Divine nine? What made you pledge? 820 00:38:29,080 --> 00:38:31,600 Speaker 3: I wanted to be a part of something bigger than 821 00:38:31,600 --> 00:38:36,400 Speaker 3: myself that wasn't basketball, and I wanted to do that, 822 00:38:36,520 --> 00:38:39,520 Speaker 3: but also wanting to join a sisterhood that was being 823 00:38:39,640 --> 00:38:43,359 Speaker 3: on like community and like helping others. Not saying that 824 00:38:43,360 --> 00:38:47,759 Speaker 3: the other orgs don't, but I feel like Zetas is 825 00:38:47,800 --> 00:38:49,640 Speaker 3: more in touch with it. 826 00:38:49,840 --> 00:38:52,640 Speaker 1: I know a lot of people talk about the sisterhood 827 00:38:52,800 --> 00:38:55,200 Speaker 1: that comes from being a part of a sorority, not 828 00:38:55,239 --> 00:38:57,319 Speaker 1: only while you're on campus, but I mean I see 829 00:38:57,360 --> 00:38:59,720 Speaker 1: all the Zetas that comes to games now. They're literally 830 00:39:00,280 --> 00:39:02,800 Speaker 1: every time we play. Does that if it's here in Atlanta, 831 00:39:03,040 --> 00:39:06,880 Speaker 1: I think it's Chicago had a lot I specifically remember 832 00:39:06,880 --> 00:39:09,640 Speaker 1: seeing them. But what is that like kind of having 833 00:39:09,640 --> 00:39:12,440 Speaker 1: this extra family on the road here just kind of 834 00:39:12,440 --> 00:39:14,160 Speaker 1: wherever you go, you know you have that connection. 835 00:39:14,640 --> 00:39:17,040 Speaker 3: It's just great because, like you said, everywhere I go, 836 00:39:17,600 --> 00:39:19,279 Speaker 3: there's going to be somewhere that I can you know, 837 00:39:19,400 --> 00:39:22,759 Speaker 3: hit up or if I need anything. There's connections everywhere, 838 00:39:23,200 --> 00:39:26,759 Speaker 3: even with Zetas that aren't like my line sisters. I 839 00:39:26,800 --> 00:39:29,680 Speaker 3: was just talking to some of my sisters at Kentucky 840 00:39:29,960 --> 00:39:32,799 Speaker 3: the other day and like catching up and trying to 841 00:39:32,800 --> 00:39:35,080 Speaker 3: get them to come to a game. But that's just 842 00:39:35,120 --> 00:39:37,560 Speaker 3: a bond that you always have. You've gone through things 843 00:39:37,560 --> 00:39:40,320 Speaker 3: with them, just as you've gone through things with teammates. 844 00:39:40,360 --> 00:39:43,040 Speaker 3: So that's definitely a bond that you know can never 845 00:39:43,080 --> 00:39:43,600 Speaker 3: be broken. 846 00:39:44,040 --> 00:39:45,640 Speaker 1: Okay, So we're going to move into our last little 847 00:39:45,680 --> 00:39:48,560 Speaker 1: segment here. It's called the vibe check. It is rapid 848 00:39:48,600 --> 00:39:52,000 Speaker 1: fire questions as quickly as you can. For some people, 849 00:39:52,120 --> 00:39:54,640 Speaker 1: that's not fast at all. It's a lot of MS. 850 00:39:54,680 --> 00:39:58,080 Speaker 1: It's oh, that's a good question, Hayley. So I'm gonna 851 00:39:58,120 --> 00:40:01,280 Speaker 1: give you some grace here, but I want rapid fire. Okay, Okay, 852 00:40:01,520 --> 00:40:04,200 Speaker 1: this first question is definitely biased. So remember that as 853 00:40:04,239 --> 00:40:08,000 Speaker 1: I ask you who was best dressed at the draft? 854 00:40:08,800 --> 00:40:08,960 Speaker 2: Hey? 855 00:40:09,040 --> 00:40:12,440 Speaker 1: You doing? Thank you? Okay, best dressed in the league. 856 00:40:15,480 --> 00:40:19,360 Speaker 2: I don't know, this is what I'm talking about. Come on, okay, 857 00:40:19,680 --> 00:40:22,759 Speaker 2: I'm just gonna say me underrated me? 858 00:40:23,120 --> 00:40:26,680 Speaker 1: Oh wow? Tell them? Okay, what's the drill you never 859 00:40:26,719 --> 00:40:27,319 Speaker 1: want to see on. 860 00:40:27,280 --> 00:40:30,880 Speaker 3: The practice planned the Olympic d Oh yeah, I actually 861 00:40:30,920 --> 00:40:31,839 Speaker 3: really dislike that. 862 00:40:32,040 --> 00:40:35,480 Speaker 1: Yeah? The shooting one, the full court one, Yeah, that's awful. 863 00:40:35,840 --> 00:40:36,440 Speaker 2: That's awful. 864 00:40:36,640 --> 00:40:38,520 Speaker 1: Okay. Game winning shot or game winning. 865 00:40:38,239 --> 00:40:39,719 Speaker 2: Block, game winning shot? Yeah? 866 00:40:39,760 --> 00:40:41,800 Speaker 1: I knew your answer, and you need to think about it. Okay, 867 00:40:41,920 --> 00:40:48,920 Speaker 1: and one or three pointer? Both okay, okay, fine, toughest 868 00:40:48,920 --> 00:40:52,120 Speaker 1: place to play in the w Washington okay, okay, what's 869 00:40:52,160 --> 00:40:57,960 Speaker 1: your go to trash talk line r PG version? I 870 00:40:58,000 --> 00:41:05,080 Speaker 1: don't talk dresh okay, for sure. Who's the biggest trash 871 00:41:05,080 --> 00:41:08,239 Speaker 1: talker in the league. Nobody really says anything to me. Yeah, 872 00:41:08,440 --> 00:41:09,719 Speaker 1: but like you've heard it on the court. 873 00:41:10,000 --> 00:41:14,080 Speaker 3: I don't know because in our games, especially, like nobody 874 00:41:14,160 --> 00:41:15,560 Speaker 3: really says anything to us. 875 00:41:15,760 --> 00:41:18,680 Speaker 2: I feel like we all look so like like dry. 876 00:41:18,600 --> 00:41:24,879 Speaker 1: Me okay, hardest player to guard, great one, okay, great one. 877 00:41:26,320 --> 00:41:29,640 Speaker 1: Best handles in the league. Yeah. I was gonna say 878 00:41:29,680 --> 00:41:36,040 Speaker 1: the same thing, handles passer, like what okay? What is this? 879 00:41:36,080 --> 00:41:36,200 Speaker 2: One? 880 00:41:36,239 --> 00:41:39,320 Speaker 1: Could get a little controversial, biggest flopper. 881 00:41:40,360 --> 00:41:43,640 Speaker 2: So beginning him, I was gonna say, we. 882 00:41:43,640 --> 00:41:47,560 Speaker 1: Could say no comment, but okay, what's your biggest basketball 883 00:41:47,560 --> 00:41:49,360 Speaker 1: egg reps? 884 00:41:49,400 --> 00:41:50,760 Speaker 2: Don only call it one way? 885 00:41:51,000 --> 00:41:56,960 Speaker 1: Oh oh, that's a good one that it's close to home. Okay, 886 00:41:57,760 --> 00:41:58,600 Speaker 1: who's your goat? 887 00:41:58,960 --> 00:41:59,840 Speaker 2: Uh? 888 00:42:00,280 --> 00:42:03,719 Speaker 3: I think I'm gonna go with Candace okay, okay, And 889 00:42:03,880 --> 00:42:04,920 Speaker 3: I'm gonna give you reasoning. 890 00:42:05,239 --> 00:42:09,200 Speaker 2: Oh yeah. So I used to just be like like just. 891 00:42:09,200 --> 00:42:12,320 Speaker 3: Say somebody like sure or I would strange to Tamika, 892 00:42:12,480 --> 00:42:15,080 Speaker 3: But you know now that I'm like going back in 893 00:42:15,160 --> 00:42:18,560 Speaker 3: and people like breaking records and I see since Candas 894 00:42:18,560 --> 00:42:21,799 Speaker 3: Parker or the only one again Candas Parker, Cannas Parker. 895 00:42:21,920 --> 00:42:25,560 Speaker 2: This, Yeah, it makes me realize, like, Okay, you got me. 896 00:42:25,719 --> 00:42:28,239 Speaker 1: Yeah, she did that thing to be like Rookie of 897 00:42:28,280 --> 00:42:30,920 Speaker 1: the Year MVP in the same year. Come on, what 898 00:42:31,640 --> 00:42:34,400 Speaker 1: you got me? I'm coming for all of your records. 899 00:42:35,440 --> 00:42:38,880 Speaker 1: Literally since Candas Parker. It's like, Okay, we get it. 900 00:42:38,960 --> 00:42:41,400 Speaker 2: It's like, okay, we get it. You're the greatest. 901 00:42:41,560 --> 00:42:45,520 Speaker 1: Oh my gosh. Okay, last question, what's your best impersonation 902 00:42:45,600 --> 00:42:47,719 Speaker 1: of coach T I know we did some earlier, but 903 00:42:47,840 --> 00:42:49,320 Speaker 1: what's what's your best one? 904 00:42:49,960 --> 00:42:52,160 Speaker 3: Do you feel my energy right now? I needed to 905 00:42:52,160 --> 00:42:55,399 Speaker 3: feel my energy right now. Nobody cares. They're not gonna 906 00:42:55,440 --> 00:42:56,759 Speaker 3: lay down just because you always tired. 907 00:42:56,800 --> 00:42:57,920 Speaker 1: And that's a really good one. I feel like we 908 00:42:57,960 --> 00:43:00,480 Speaker 1: heard that today. We probably hear that one day. 909 00:43:01,760 --> 00:43:03,200 Speaker 2: That one's coming on the daily. 910 00:43:04,320 --> 00:43:06,160 Speaker 1: She's gonna hear this and bring it up one hundred percent. 911 00:43:06,320 --> 00:43:08,040 Speaker 1: Be Oh, Haley, Ryan, y'all had something to say. 912 00:43:08,600 --> 00:43:10,360 Speaker 2: Hayley, Ry, y'all feel my energy today? 913 00:43:10,760 --> 00:43:18,040 Speaker 1: Sure do t every day? Ryan, This has been such 914 00:43:18,040 --> 00:43:20,879 Speaker 1: a pleasure having you on. Thank you so much, and 915 00:43:21,239 --> 00:43:24,280 Speaker 1: thank you everybody for listening. We'll be back next week 916 00:43:24,360 --> 00:43:26,640 Speaker 1: with another episode of Sometimes I Hope. This has been 917 00:43:26,640 --> 00:43:27,279 Speaker 1: a pleasure ry. 918 00:43:27,480 --> 00:43:28,840 Speaker 2: Thank you so much. It was great. 919 00:43:35,680 --> 00:43:38,360 Speaker 1: Hey everyone, thanks so much for listening to Sometimes I Hope. 920 00:43:38,440 --> 00:43:41,400 Speaker 1: Please don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review wherever you 921 00:43:41,440 --> 00:43:44,120 Speaker 1: get your podcasts. Be sure to follow me on Instagram 922 00:43:44,120 --> 00:43:47,000 Speaker 1: at Haley dot Jones. That's no I and Hailey and 923 00:43:47,120 --> 00:43:49,719 Speaker 1: three s's and Jones to get all the Sometimes I 924 00:43:49,760 --> 00:43:52,160 Speaker 1: Hoop content. You can also watch the episodes on the 925 00:43:52,200 --> 00:44:01,440 Speaker 1: player's tribune YouTube pitch. Thanks again for all your support 926 00:44:02,160 --> 00:44:06,880 Speaker 3: The player's tribute dot com