1 00:00:00,360 --> 00:00:02,840 Speaker 1: You came in. You averaged twenty four points your freshman year, 2 00:00:02,880 --> 00:00:05,760 Speaker 1: which is like who does that? And then you have 3 00:00:06,120 --> 00:00:09,600 Speaker 1: an Elite eight Final four. You have these amazing experiences, 4 00:00:09,920 --> 00:00:12,600 Speaker 1: and then COVID hit your junior year, which when you 5 00:00:12,680 --> 00:00:15,440 Speaker 1: end up graduating. I know, and I know there's a 6 00:00:15,480 --> 00:00:17,520 Speaker 1: lot of talk about what you guys would have done 7 00:00:17,520 --> 00:00:22,079 Speaker 1: that year. So what happened? Do you guys think you 8 00:00:22,120 --> 00:00:23,160 Speaker 1: would have won the Natty? 9 00:00:23,480 --> 00:00:23,720 Speaker 2: Yes? 10 00:00:24,200 --> 00:00:25,720 Speaker 1: See, I knew that was going to be your answer. 11 00:00:26,040 --> 00:00:28,720 Speaker 2: Yes, yes, absolutely, Gosh. 12 00:00:28,560 --> 00:00:30,240 Speaker 1: I mean I had to play you guys what three 13 00:00:30,240 --> 00:00:32,519 Speaker 1: times that year? It was like how do you scout 14 00:00:32,560 --> 00:00:33,080 Speaker 1: these people? 15 00:00:33,360 --> 00:00:34,240 Speaker 2: It was horrible? 16 00:00:34,560 --> 00:00:36,879 Speaker 3: It was actually know it was a lot, but I 17 00:00:36,920 --> 00:00:39,159 Speaker 3: mean you you guys were really the ones that we 18 00:00:39,159 --> 00:00:41,360 Speaker 3: were also really trying to prepare for. 19 00:00:41,560 --> 00:00:43,559 Speaker 2: So it was always a battle with Stford. 20 00:00:43,800 --> 00:00:48,200 Speaker 1: Always please you guys went by like thirty or something if. 21 00:00:48,080 --> 00:00:54,480 Speaker 4: We were on a mission. Welcome back to sometimes. I 22 00:00:54,520 --> 00:00:57,520 Speaker 4: hope today we've got another bucket on the pod. Two 23 00:00:57,560 --> 00:01:00,840 Speaker 4: time All Star, PAC twelve Legend, number two pick in 24 00:01:00,880 --> 00:01:04,240 Speaker 4: the twenty twenty draft, and ap Most Improved Player none 25 00:01:04,319 --> 00:01:05,240 Speaker 4: other than Tattoo. 26 00:01:05,319 --> 00:01:07,039 Speaker 1: Sadly thank you for popping on the pod. 27 00:01:07,120 --> 00:01:07,880 Speaker 2: Thanks for having me. 28 00:01:08,160 --> 00:01:11,199 Speaker 1: Oh my gosh, of course. Well we'll just jump into 29 00:01:11,280 --> 00:01:14,080 Speaker 1: the landscape right now. Playoffs are here, and you guys 30 00:01:14,080 --> 00:01:17,399 Speaker 1: clinched your spot by taking the w against Indiana, where 31 00:01:17,400 --> 00:01:20,440 Speaker 1: you had a career high of forty points and seven threes, 32 00:01:20,600 --> 00:01:22,960 Speaker 1: which is the first person to ever do that playing 33 00:01:23,000 --> 00:01:26,200 Speaker 1: less than thirty minutes. So just what was that game like, 34 00:01:26,319 --> 00:01:28,200 Speaker 1: being able to clinch the playoffs have the biggest game 35 00:01:28,240 --> 00:01:28,720 Speaker 1: of your career. 36 00:01:29,440 --> 00:01:30,920 Speaker 2: I feel like I was just in my zone. It 37 00:01:30,959 --> 00:01:33,000 Speaker 2: was a game that we really wanted to win, and 38 00:01:33,040 --> 00:01:36,919 Speaker 2: we just went into like super energetically, and the shots 39 00:01:36,920 --> 00:01:39,120 Speaker 2: were falling for me and my team was feeding me, 40 00:01:39,200 --> 00:01:41,280 Speaker 2: and I feel like it was just a game that 41 00:01:41,400 --> 00:01:44,080 Speaker 2: really clicked. So after I don't know, I feel like 42 00:01:44,080 --> 00:01:46,679 Speaker 2: after the third quarter, I looked up and they're saying, oh, 43 00:01:46,760 --> 00:01:48,960 Speaker 2: you need you need to go for forty. I said, what, 44 00:01:50,320 --> 00:01:53,120 Speaker 2: you're thirty up there? I'm like, okay, let's do this 45 00:01:53,920 --> 00:01:55,160 Speaker 2: all right, then let's do it. 46 00:01:55,280 --> 00:01:58,400 Speaker 1: I mean clicking, it's clicking. You gotta feed the hot hand, 47 00:01:58,600 --> 00:02:01,440 Speaker 1: you know what. And you you know, it's not really 48 00:02:01,440 --> 00:02:04,600 Speaker 1: a secret. You've been having this amazing season, averaging eighty 49 00:02:04,640 --> 00:02:07,040 Speaker 1: and a half points a game. What's been clicking for 50 00:02:07,120 --> 00:02:09,600 Speaker 1: you this year compared to previous seasons. 51 00:02:09,960 --> 00:02:13,399 Speaker 2: I think it was really everything coming together. The experience 52 00:02:13,680 --> 00:02:16,880 Speaker 2: actually being on the court and playing in my first 53 00:02:16,919 --> 00:02:20,680 Speaker 2: real healthy season. Then comes also the euphoria of actually 54 00:02:20,760 --> 00:02:23,120 Speaker 2: being able to play and feeling free and knowing what 55 00:02:23,200 --> 00:02:25,880 Speaker 2: to expect from the game. So I think it really 56 00:02:26,080 --> 00:02:28,800 Speaker 2: came all together and I felt finally good on the 57 00:02:28,800 --> 00:02:31,320 Speaker 2: court and I knew that, hey, like I belonged here, 58 00:02:31,440 --> 00:02:33,840 Speaker 2: so let me just play the game of basketball that 59 00:02:33,919 --> 00:02:34,280 Speaker 2: I do. 60 00:02:35,320 --> 00:02:37,600 Speaker 1: Yeah, I mean you can see you can feel that 61 00:02:37,760 --> 00:02:39,800 Speaker 1: energy for me watching you play, and I got to 62 00:02:39,800 --> 00:02:41,799 Speaker 1: watch you play at Oregon and then obviously overseas and 63 00:02:41,800 --> 00:02:44,280 Speaker 1: all these different things. But you're playing with that freedom 64 00:02:44,280 --> 00:02:46,120 Speaker 1: and it seems like that's where you're playing best, just 65 00:02:46,160 --> 00:02:48,880 Speaker 1: being able to be yourself, be the Unicorn, do everything 66 00:02:48,880 --> 00:02:52,200 Speaker 1: that you do out there on So, I mean, headed 67 00:02:52,240 --> 00:02:54,880 Speaker 1: into I think this will be your third playoffs, you've 68 00:02:54,919 --> 00:02:57,799 Speaker 1: been in it prior. What do you feel like you're 69 00:02:57,840 --> 00:03:02,040 Speaker 1: taking into this year natured experienced almost vet in the league, 70 00:03:02,320 --> 00:03:03,680 Speaker 1: having that underneath your belt. 71 00:03:03,880 --> 00:03:07,520 Speaker 2: I think it was just expected. I expected it to 72 00:03:07,560 --> 00:03:09,680 Speaker 2: be in the playoffs, and I was like, okay, and 73 00:03:09,720 --> 00:03:11,680 Speaker 2: now I'm here and I'm like, okay, now I feel 74 00:03:11,720 --> 00:03:15,400 Speaker 2: like the show begins. Previously, it was such a hard 75 00:03:15,520 --> 00:03:18,720 Speaker 2: fight team and make it like we were you know, 76 00:03:18,720 --> 00:03:20,200 Speaker 2: we were the youngest team in the Elite, so we 77 00:03:20,200 --> 00:03:23,680 Speaker 2: were just like scratching and we always made the playoffs 78 00:03:23,800 --> 00:03:26,160 Speaker 2: then in the end, but it was like really really 79 00:03:26,160 --> 00:03:28,680 Speaker 2: hard to get there, and then we were just okay, 80 00:03:28,760 --> 00:03:31,080 Speaker 2: now we're in the playoffs and let's see what's going 81 00:03:31,160 --> 00:03:33,000 Speaker 2: to happen. Now I know what's going to happen. Everyone 82 00:03:33,080 --> 00:03:37,160 Speaker 2: is just gonna turn up and U top it off 83 00:03:37,160 --> 00:03:39,280 Speaker 2: a nuch. But I was just impressed by how much 84 00:03:39,280 --> 00:03:43,880 Speaker 2: the veteran players increase their intensity. The speed was a 85 00:03:44,080 --> 00:03:47,200 Speaker 2: lot faster, and it was just you could tell, okay, 86 00:03:47,200 --> 00:03:49,600 Speaker 2: playoffs like this is where it gets really serious for 87 00:03:49,680 --> 00:03:51,920 Speaker 2: the older players. And it kind of hit me out 88 00:03:51,960 --> 00:03:54,760 Speaker 2: of nowhere at first. But now I know what to expect. 89 00:03:55,040 --> 00:03:57,400 Speaker 1: Yeah, I mean almost to that veteran status nowadays. 90 00:03:57,480 --> 00:03:59,600 Speaker 2: So yeah, I'm expected to. 91 00:03:59,560 --> 00:04:02,000 Speaker 1: Make the player this year. And you guys really capitalized 92 00:04:02,000 --> 00:04:04,920 Speaker 1: on that young talent that you had kind of becoming older, 93 00:04:05,000 --> 00:04:07,960 Speaker 1: more seasoned, more mature, and so it's going to be 94 00:04:08,000 --> 00:04:10,000 Speaker 1: an exciting playoffs run. I know I'll see you guys soon. 95 00:04:10,240 --> 00:04:13,280 Speaker 1: But looking at the greater landscape, who do you feel 96 00:04:13,280 --> 00:04:16,160 Speaker 1: like is a sleeper team heading into this playoff season? 97 00:04:16,520 --> 00:04:19,840 Speaker 2: I will give it to Many. I think they can 98 00:04:19,920 --> 00:04:23,080 Speaker 2: really shake some things up, and maybe Washington as well, 99 00:04:23,520 --> 00:04:26,840 Speaker 2: because they're finally healthy, and you know, you never know 100 00:04:27,320 --> 00:04:29,640 Speaker 2: what a fully healthy team, So I think those who 101 00:04:29,640 --> 00:04:33,320 Speaker 2: could shake some things up. But definitely Many, I completely agree. 102 00:04:33,400 --> 00:04:35,520 Speaker 1: I feel like Many had a really slow start, but 103 00:04:35,560 --> 00:04:38,800 Speaker 1: once things started clicking for them, they were completely and then, 104 00:04:39,240 --> 00:04:42,520 Speaker 1: like you said, Washington, they've been dealing with injuries all 105 00:04:42,600 --> 00:04:44,480 Speaker 1: year long, and then when you look at that roster 106 00:04:44,600 --> 00:04:47,960 Speaker 1: at full health, it's like, there's so good weapons. 107 00:04:47,440 --> 00:04:48,320 Speaker 2: They're so good. 108 00:04:48,800 --> 00:04:51,040 Speaker 1: So it's going to be really exciting to watch both 109 00:04:51,040 --> 00:04:53,480 Speaker 1: of those series. But I feel like as we head 110 00:04:53,800 --> 00:04:56,680 Speaker 1: into this point in time, it's also kind of award time, 111 00:04:57,160 --> 00:04:59,120 Speaker 1: and a big thing that people are talking about right 112 00:04:59,120 --> 00:04:59,760 Speaker 1: now is the MVP. 113 00:05:00,560 --> 00:05:05,360 Speaker 2: So don't ask you that I got So who's your 114 00:05:05,400 --> 00:05:09,719 Speaker 2: prediction for MVP? It's so hard, you know, And I 115 00:05:09,760 --> 00:05:13,680 Speaker 2: have a funny, unique perspective on it because I'm like, obviously, 116 00:05:13,800 --> 00:05:18,039 Speaker 2: Asia is a bucket. She is unstoppable, Stewie is to 117 00:05:18,160 --> 00:05:21,040 Speaker 2: me legit, the best player out here right now, like 118 00:05:21,200 --> 00:05:25,080 Speaker 2: she's so good. Yeah, Elisa Thomas is just dropping triple 119 00:05:25,200 --> 00:05:28,800 Speaker 2: doubles though, and the talk is not enough around that. 120 00:05:29,640 --> 00:05:32,800 Speaker 2: And mind you, you know, with Jones being out, I 121 00:05:32,800 --> 00:05:35,560 Speaker 2: feel like she is just so valuable because she is 122 00:05:35,600 --> 00:05:39,159 Speaker 2: still in third place. And I mean she's in third 123 00:05:39,200 --> 00:05:41,039 Speaker 2: place in the w NBA and the other teams have 124 00:05:41,080 --> 00:05:44,839 Speaker 2: super teams around them, so obviously the MVP conversation now 125 00:05:44,839 --> 00:05:48,480 Speaker 2: we can, you know, go to the definition of and 126 00:05:48,720 --> 00:05:52,640 Speaker 2: how you really make that up. I don't think Connecticut 127 00:05:52,640 --> 00:05:55,760 Speaker 2: would be anywhere near where they are right now without 128 00:05:55,760 --> 00:05:59,360 Speaker 2: Delasa Thomas and New York and Vegas. You could argue, 129 00:05:59,400 --> 00:06:02,559 Speaker 2: you could argue they're super teams. So yeah, but Kudo 130 00:06:02,640 --> 00:06:05,360 Speaker 2: said everyone, but I might give it to Alissa. I 131 00:06:05,440 --> 00:06:08,640 Speaker 2: might give it to Alyssa just because the triple doubles. 132 00:06:08,640 --> 00:06:11,240 Speaker 2: It is just not normal. It's just truly not normal. 133 00:06:11,480 --> 00:06:13,760 Speaker 1: No, I mean, I agree with you, honestly. I think 134 00:06:14,080 --> 00:06:16,240 Speaker 1: Asia and Stewe, like you said, all the Kudahs in 135 00:06:16,279 --> 00:06:19,919 Speaker 1: the world, they're both amazing. They're both unstoppable buckets. But 136 00:06:20,040 --> 00:06:23,239 Speaker 1: like for Alyssa Thomas to be doing what she's doing 137 00:06:23,279 --> 00:06:26,720 Speaker 1: from a forward kind of now makeshift center with Jones 138 00:06:26,720 --> 00:06:29,360 Speaker 1: out still Actually, yeah, Like I feel like every time 139 00:06:29,360 --> 00:06:32,320 Speaker 1: I open up Twitter, Instagram, it's like Alyssa Tomas triple double, Alissa, 140 00:06:34,400 --> 00:06:35,440 Speaker 1: how is this happening? 141 00:06:35,960 --> 00:06:37,839 Speaker 2: Yeah, And I think it's just amazing. 142 00:06:37,920 --> 00:06:39,520 Speaker 1: Like you said, I feel like it's not out in 143 00:06:39,600 --> 00:06:43,039 Speaker 1: the media enough of just how incredible of a sept 144 00:06:43,240 --> 00:06:43,839 Speaker 1: she's having. 145 00:06:44,279 --> 00:06:46,240 Speaker 2: Yeah, it's hard to do it all. It's hard to 146 00:06:46,279 --> 00:06:48,760 Speaker 2: do it all. And still, I mean it's not like 147 00:06:48,800 --> 00:06:51,080 Speaker 2: she's in sixth place, you know, she's in third place. 148 00:06:51,360 --> 00:06:53,440 Speaker 2: So I'm with you. 149 00:06:53,440 --> 00:06:54,960 Speaker 1: Kind of on the flip side of that. We're talking 150 00:06:55,000 --> 00:06:57,640 Speaker 1: about MVPs but not really an award. 151 00:06:57,839 --> 00:06:59,160 Speaker 2: But who would you say. 152 00:06:59,080 --> 00:07:02,000 Speaker 1: Was the most under rated w player right now or 153 00:07:02,040 --> 00:07:04,560 Speaker 1: really just this whole season, somebody who didn't get enough 154 00:07:04,640 --> 00:07:06,240 Speaker 1: shine for all the things they were doing. 155 00:07:06,839 --> 00:07:11,040 Speaker 2: You know, I really really like Diamond Miller. She's you know, 156 00:07:11,240 --> 00:07:14,600 Speaker 2: super young, new in the league and what she's been doing. 157 00:07:15,040 --> 00:07:18,280 Speaker 2: Like Minnesota is there because of her as well, And 158 00:07:18,400 --> 00:07:20,560 Speaker 2: she's a really interesting player to me because she plays 159 00:07:20,560 --> 00:07:23,800 Speaker 2: so hard and like smart, like she moves smart on 160 00:07:23,800 --> 00:07:25,080 Speaker 2: the court. And I feel like there will be a 161 00:07:25,120 --> 00:07:27,800 Speaker 2: lot more to come from her. So I think she's 162 00:07:28,120 --> 00:07:29,920 Speaker 2: she just fell under the radar a little bit, but 163 00:07:29,960 --> 00:07:32,000 Speaker 2: what she's been doing is really truly impressive. 164 00:07:32,160 --> 00:07:34,120 Speaker 1: No, I totally agree. I mean we're in the same 165 00:07:34,200 --> 00:07:36,600 Speaker 1: Rikay class, and I think that she's had an amazing season, 166 00:07:36,920 --> 00:07:39,000 Speaker 1: Like the feast is amazing and so you really got 167 00:07:39,000 --> 00:07:42,840 Speaker 1: to focus this scout. But one of those key pieces 168 00:07:42,840 --> 00:07:46,400 Speaker 1: around her really making hard to guard Minnesota. She's a 169 00:07:46,520 --> 00:07:49,720 Speaker 1: Minnesan defense. She's so long, Like there's just all so. 170 00:07:49,800 --> 00:07:51,360 Speaker 2: Long, great hands, so long. 171 00:07:51,600 --> 00:07:54,040 Speaker 1: Yeah, it's just a lot that adds to her game. 172 00:07:54,680 --> 00:07:56,800 Speaker 1: It's really cool getting to see all these other rookies 173 00:07:56,880 --> 00:07:57,880 Speaker 1: just shine this year. 174 00:07:59,160 --> 00:08:03,280 Speaker 2: Yeah, you're mean, your class is just great. It's been 175 00:08:03,320 --> 00:08:05,320 Speaker 2: fun to watch also because I feel like I've been 176 00:08:05,360 --> 00:08:08,000 Speaker 2: so close to my rookie years and how I was 177 00:08:08,040 --> 00:08:11,160 Speaker 2: thinking and just seeing new people coming from college into 178 00:08:11,200 --> 00:08:14,760 Speaker 2: the league and excelling truly, like you all are doing great, 179 00:08:14,840 --> 00:08:16,239 Speaker 2: and it's just really cool to say. 180 00:08:16,440 --> 00:08:18,880 Speaker 1: The growth is there, The growth is there in the 181 00:08:18,920 --> 00:08:22,440 Speaker 1: adjustment from college to the WNBA is wild. Just the 182 00:08:22,520 --> 00:08:25,160 Speaker 1: quickness and just all of a sudden, you're here, You're 183 00:08:25,200 --> 00:08:25,760 Speaker 1: a pro. 184 00:08:26,280 --> 00:08:28,360 Speaker 2: And really everything that comes with it too. I think 185 00:08:28,400 --> 00:08:29,280 Speaker 2: that was a lot for me. 186 00:08:29,640 --> 00:08:31,920 Speaker 1: Yeah, well we'll take it back a little bit just 187 00:08:31,960 --> 00:08:34,559 Speaker 1: into how you got into basketball. So I mean you 188 00:08:34,640 --> 00:08:36,360 Speaker 1: lived in Gambia as a baby and then you moved 189 00:08:36,360 --> 00:08:39,800 Speaker 1: to Berlin, So how did the ball get into your hands? 190 00:08:39,880 --> 00:08:42,480 Speaker 1: What was that adjustment like for you moving just kind 191 00:08:42,520 --> 00:08:45,000 Speaker 1: of how was basketball a consistent thing in your life 192 00:08:45,120 --> 00:08:45,959 Speaker 1: or how did that work? 193 00:08:46,880 --> 00:08:50,520 Speaker 2: So, yeah, we traveled around a lot, and once we 194 00:08:50,520 --> 00:08:53,120 Speaker 2: were in Berlin, I was about nine years old and 195 00:08:53,200 --> 00:08:54,920 Speaker 2: I was just on a playground and I'm tall, so 196 00:08:55,040 --> 00:08:57,880 Speaker 2: like I'm with my siblings and my first coach she 197 00:08:58,000 --> 00:09:00,800 Speaker 2: saw us and was just like it was right next 198 00:09:00,840 --> 00:09:03,040 Speaker 2: to the school, and he talked to our mom if 199 00:09:03,160 --> 00:09:05,120 Speaker 2: we wouldn't want to come to a girls' basketball day. 200 00:09:05,760 --> 00:09:07,960 Speaker 2: And I didn't know any type of basketball, but I 201 00:09:08,040 --> 00:09:10,720 Speaker 2: was just there and had so much fun, and you know, 202 00:09:10,840 --> 00:09:13,200 Speaker 2: learned how to dribble for the first time. And I 203 00:09:13,200 --> 00:09:15,960 Speaker 2: think since then I really never really let go from 204 00:09:16,040 --> 00:09:19,040 Speaker 2: the game and I just started to started to love it. 205 00:09:19,200 --> 00:09:19,880 Speaker 2: That's amazing. 206 00:09:20,000 --> 00:09:22,120 Speaker 1: It's crazy how just one person can introduce you to 207 00:09:22,160 --> 00:09:23,760 Speaker 1: something and then all of a sudden, here you are 208 00:09:24,280 --> 00:09:28,440 Speaker 1: WNBA have this. Yeah, that one person mm hmm. And 209 00:09:28,559 --> 00:09:30,520 Speaker 1: I mean, you know, you to your first camp and 210 00:09:30,559 --> 00:09:33,040 Speaker 1: then you're the only girl on your first youth team. 211 00:09:33,080 --> 00:09:35,880 Speaker 1: So what was that experience like being the only girl 212 00:09:35,920 --> 00:09:38,319 Speaker 1: on a youth team. I feel like young boys are 213 00:09:38,559 --> 00:09:41,360 Speaker 1: very like, yeah, thought of the girl, all. 214 00:09:41,280 --> 00:09:44,000 Speaker 2: This different stuff, So what was that experience like? Just 215 00:09:44,160 --> 00:09:46,439 Speaker 2: like that at first, you know, I didn't get any balls. 216 00:09:46,640 --> 00:09:50,280 Speaker 2: I was just running up and down and shooting sometimes 217 00:09:50,480 --> 00:09:52,640 Speaker 2: when you would get it. But I think at some 218 00:09:52,679 --> 00:09:55,480 Speaker 2: point I was just so comfortable and I was getting better. 219 00:09:55,559 --> 00:09:57,640 Speaker 2: And then I mean the guys on the team were great, 220 00:09:57,800 --> 00:10:00,960 Speaker 2: Like I truly loved my first basket ball team. I 221 00:10:01,000 --> 00:10:03,079 Speaker 2: don't know. Then it just became to the point where 222 00:10:03,080 --> 00:10:04,680 Speaker 2: I was the best player on the team and we 223 00:10:04,720 --> 00:10:07,280 Speaker 2: would just hoop and it was the most normal thing. 224 00:10:07,320 --> 00:10:09,400 Speaker 2: But I always had to be in a different dressing 225 00:10:09,480 --> 00:10:11,719 Speaker 2: room like that was annoying. Then you know, I was 226 00:10:11,760 --> 00:10:14,640 Speaker 2: the only girl in the team. Sometimes you know you're 227 00:10:14,679 --> 00:10:16,400 Speaker 2: the only girl, you want to be around other girls. 228 00:10:16,400 --> 00:10:18,920 Speaker 2: So when I was like thirteen fourteen, I switched to 229 00:10:19,200 --> 00:10:22,080 Speaker 2: my FROs girls team. And it's different in Germany because 230 00:10:22,120 --> 00:10:23,480 Speaker 2: we don't have sports in school. 231 00:10:23,559 --> 00:10:27,240 Speaker 1: So growing up with basketball, did you have the expectation 232 00:10:27,480 --> 00:10:30,800 Speaker 1: to play pro when you're represent Germany, or was the 233 00:10:30,800 --> 00:10:32,920 Speaker 1: goal to play the States or just kind of what 234 00:10:32,960 --> 00:10:35,160 Speaker 1: were your aspirations growing up with basketball? 235 00:10:35,520 --> 00:10:37,199 Speaker 2: At first, I just wanted to have fun and win 236 00:10:37,280 --> 00:10:40,520 Speaker 2: all the games. So the further I got, and then 237 00:10:40,679 --> 00:10:43,000 Speaker 2: it was being a German champion. You know, when you're 238 00:10:43,000 --> 00:10:46,120 Speaker 2: like under fourteen, you get drafted to the national team. 239 00:10:46,280 --> 00:10:48,839 Speaker 2: And through the national team, I found out, you know 240 00:10:48,880 --> 00:10:51,280 Speaker 2: who the good players are in Germany and where they 241 00:10:51,400 --> 00:10:55,040 Speaker 2: go after there a while, and some would go in 242 00:10:55,160 --> 00:10:57,400 Speaker 2: like the first division. I only had a second division 243 00:10:57,440 --> 00:11:00,680 Speaker 2: team in Berlin, so I moved from Berlin to Germany 244 00:11:00,720 --> 00:11:02,600 Speaker 2: to play it like in the first division when I 245 00:11:02,640 --> 00:11:07,000 Speaker 2: was seventeen in Firebrook, and then I already knew I 246 00:11:07,040 --> 00:11:10,480 Speaker 2: wanted to go to college because I wanted to graduate 247 00:11:10,520 --> 00:11:13,920 Speaker 2: from college and do sports. And that's not really it's 248 00:11:13,920 --> 00:11:17,120 Speaker 2: not really easy like that in Germany because we don't 249 00:11:17,120 --> 00:11:19,760 Speaker 2: have the same setup, like we don't have an academic 250 00:11:19,840 --> 00:11:23,920 Speaker 2: center and that works with the sports team, and yeah, 251 00:11:23,960 --> 00:11:26,079 Speaker 2: we just don't have that same setup. And so I've 252 00:11:26,080 --> 00:11:29,280 Speaker 2: been really fortunate to go to Oregon and had great 253 00:11:29,400 --> 00:11:32,080 Speaker 2: three years and it was just great. So I think 254 00:11:32,120 --> 00:11:34,680 Speaker 2: when I was younger, I just wanted that experience of 255 00:11:34,679 --> 00:11:37,080 Speaker 2: being able to study and do sports. And then at 256 00:11:37,120 --> 00:11:38,800 Speaker 2: some point I realized, oh my god, I could go 257 00:11:38,840 --> 00:11:42,800 Speaker 2: to the league. So that was obviously a dream. But 258 00:11:42,920 --> 00:11:45,200 Speaker 2: I feel like it came sooner than I thought it would, 259 00:11:45,240 --> 00:11:48,280 Speaker 2: just because I completed so many steps in between that 260 00:11:48,320 --> 00:11:51,360 Speaker 2: it seems so long, but it came. Really, it came 261 00:11:51,400 --> 00:11:52,560 Speaker 2: really fast. Yeah. 262 00:11:52,679 --> 00:11:54,880 Speaker 1: I mean you mentioned your time at Orgon, which was 263 00:11:55,240 --> 00:11:59,000 Speaker 1: an historic career really, and I mean I took a 264 00:11:59,080 --> 00:12:01,360 Speaker 1: visit there. You're my whole all these different days, Like 265 00:12:01,920 --> 00:12:03,080 Speaker 1: I love that, by the way. 266 00:12:04,200 --> 00:12:05,679 Speaker 2: I mean, Organ just has this. 267 00:12:05,760 --> 00:12:08,559 Speaker 1: Like amazing culture to support their athletes, Like they have 268 00:12:08,679 --> 00:12:12,760 Speaker 1: that whole new glass building just for a jake, Like 269 00:12:12,880 --> 00:12:15,960 Speaker 1: it's insane. And so it seems like, you know, did 270 00:12:15,960 --> 00:12:18,839 Speaker 1: you find the best of both worlds that Organ and 271 00:12:18,880 --> 00:12:21,600 Speaker 1: what you're looking for? Because you graduated three which is 272 00:12:21,840 --> 00:12:25,160 Speaker 1: also very academically impressive, So thank you. What were your 273 00:12:25,240 --> 00:12:26,240 Speaker 1: years like at Organ? 274 00:12:26,840 --> 00:12:29,680 Speaker 2: I would say, busy, busy, busy. I wanted to soak 275 00:12:29,720 --> 00:12:33,000 Speaker 2: in everything. So for me, the language was a freshman year, 276 00:12:33,040 --> 00:12:35,400 Speaker 2: the language was a thing because I had to learn 277 00:12:35,720 --> 00:12:38,600 Speaker 2: academic English, and you know, writing papers. So it was 278 00:12:38,679 --> 00:12:42,040 Speaker 2: just really tiring and a lot and I'm overachiever, so 279 00:12:42,120 --> 00:12:44,920 Speaker 2: I was already in these three hundred foreigner level international 280 00:12:45,000 --> 00:12:52,160 Speaker 2: law classes. Was humbled, was humbled, you know, But then 281 00:12:52,240 --> 00:12:53,960 Speaker 2: throughout the time I was just able to take a 282 00:12:53,960 --> 00:12:56,520 Speaker 2: lot of credits because I finally the language just clicked. 283 00:12:56,520 --> 00:13:00,000 Speaker 2: It was easier for me. So I really prioritized school 284 00:13:00,400 --> 00:13:02,760 Speaker 2: and wanted to be able to graduate in three years. 285 00:13:02,800 --> 00:13:04,560 Speaker 2: I kind of wanted to just work ahead of that. 286 00:13:05,280 --> 00:13:09,000 Speaker 2: The days are just busy. Tutoring. Oregon itself was a dream, 287 00:13:09,040 --> 00:13:10,920 Speaker 2: Like you walk to class and the trees are just 288 00:13:11,000 --> 00:13:14,000 Speaker 2: towering over you the air. It's amazing, and Irena is 289 00:13:14,080 --> 00:13:16,600 Speaker 2: one of a kind. So I had a great team. 290 00:13:17,040 --> 00:13:19,080 Speaker 2: I wouldn't do anything different, Like I had a great 291 00:13:19,120 --> 00:13:22,200 Speaker 2: college experience in the games are self explanatory. 292 00:13:22,480 --> 00:13:24,880 Speaker 1: Yeah, I mean, you came in, you averaged twenty four 293 00:13:24,880 --> 00:13:27,280 Speaker 1: points your freshman year, which is like who does that? 294 00:13:27,920 --> 00:13:31,160 Speaker 1: And then you have an Elite eight Final four. You 295 00:13:31,160 --> 00:13:35,400 Speaker 1: have these amazing experiences, and then COVID hit your junior year, 296 00:13:35,400 --> 00:13:38,240 Speaker 1: which when you end up graduating. I know, and I 297 00:13:38,280 --> 00:13:40,120 Speaker 1: know there's a lot of talk about what you guys 298 00:13:40,200 --> 00:13:41,200 Speaker 1: would have done that year. 299 00:13:41,320 --> 00:13:42,840 Speaker 2: So happened. 300 00:13:44,280 --> 00:13:46,440 Speaker 1: Do you guys think you would have won the Natty? 301 00:13:46,760 --> 00:13:46,960 Speaker 2: Yes? 302 00:13:47,679 --> 00:13:49,600 Speaker 1: Yes, see I knew that was going to be your answer. 303 00:13:49,920 --> 00:13:54,400 Speaker 2: Yes, yes, absolutely Ty and I yeah, gosh. 304 00:13:54,160 --> 00:13:55,880 Speaker 1: I mean I had to play you guys what three 305 00:13:55,880 --> 00:13:58,160 Speaker 1: times that year? It was like, how do you scout 306 00:13:58,200 --> 00:13:59,840 Speaker 1: these people? It was horrible? 307 00:14:00,720 --> 00:14:02,679 Speaker 3: Yeah, I know it was a lot, but I mean 308 00:14:02,800 --> 00:14:04,920 Speaker 3: you you guys were really the ones that we were 309 00:14:04,960 --> 00:14:06,960 Speaker 3: also really trying to prepare for. 310 00:14:07,200 --> 00:14:09,200 Speaker 2: So it was always a battle with Stepford. 311 00:14:09,440 --> 00:14:12,280 Speaker 1: Always please you guys went by like thirty or something. 312 00:14:13,840 --> 00:14:16,200 Speaker 2: If we were on a mission, we want a mission. 313 00:14:16,559 --> 00:14:18,440 Speaker 1: But I mean, you just talk about the talent that 314 00:14:18,520 --> 00:14:21,160 Speaker 1: was on that team, you Ruthie, Sabrina. Then you have 315 00:14:21,280 --> 00:14:24,720 Speaker 1: somebody like Minon come in and just be a complete spark. 316 00:14:25,080 --> 00:14:27,880 Speaker 1: What was it like to have so much talent and 317 00:14:27,960 --> 00:14:30,240 Speaker 1: so much just be able to grow from one another 318 00:14:30,320 --> 00:14:32,200 Speaker 1: all those different things? What was that you'ar like with 319 00:14:32,280 --> 00:14:33,240 Speaker 1: that talented team? 320 00:14:33,520 --> 00:14:35,560 Speaker 2: It was so much fun And I think we had 321 00:14:35,600 --> 00:14:39,600 Speaker 2: the most competitive practices ever. We would kill each other 322 00:14:39,600 --> 00:14:44,440 Speaker 2: in practice because we're all just so competitive, and we 323 00:14:44,480 --> 00:14:47,280 Speaker 2: would hang out in the apartments all together, you know afterwards, 324 00:14:47,280 --> 00:14:50,440 Speaker 2: like we were so tightly met through that competitiveness, and 325 00:14:50,480 --> 00:14:52,360 Speaker 2: we were all on the same page of what we 326 00:14:52,400 --> 00:14:54,880 Speaker 2: wanted to achieve. So it was just great. I feel 327 00:14:54,880 --> 00:14:58,040 Speaker 2: like whatever happened, good or bad, we stuck through it together. 328 00:14:58,600 --> 00:15:00,120 Speaker 2: And then the worst thing in the world happen and 329 00:15:00,120 --> 00:15:02,840 Speaker 2: then COVID hit, So I guess we stuck really through that. 330 00:15:03,120 --> 00:15:05,880 Speaker 2: But it was just a great journey really truly. The 331 00:15:05,920 --> 00:15:09,160 Speaker 2: practices were something that I just remember because we were 332 00:15:09,200 --> 00:15:11,480 Speaker 2: so competitive and knew what we want. 333 00:15:12,040 --> 00:15:14,880 Speaker 1: Yeah, and you talked about COVID hitting. It changed the 334 00:15:14,880 --> 00:15:18,320 Speaker 1: trajectory of everything. So you ended up graduating in three years? 335 00:15:18,360 --> 00:15:21,240 Speaker 1: Did you plan to graduate in three or did COVID 336 00:15:21,360 --> 00:15:22,920 Speaker 1: kind of change the plan? 337 00:15:23,400 --> 00:15:26,200 Speaker 2: I wanted to graduate in three, but I also didn't 338 00:15:26,240 --> 00:15:29,320 Speaker 2: know if I wanted to go back to pursue law school. 339 00:15:30,160 --> 00:15:33,640 Speaker 2: I wanted to, but I would have had to graduate 340 00:15:33,680 --> 00:15:36,120 Speaker 2: within seven years in instead of Oregon, and it was 341 00:15:36,240 --> 00:15:38,840 Speaker 2: just there were a lot of limitations that where I 342 00:15:38,920 --> 00:15:40,360 Speaker 2: knew I'm not going to be able to do that. 343 00:15:40,720 --> 00:15:42,560 Speaker 2: So I kind of knew, okay, if I don't go 344 00:15:42,680 --> 00:15:46,160 Speaker 2: back to school a thing, but not really and COVID 345 00:15:46,280 --> 00:15:49,720 Speaker 2: was so uncertain still in college, so I just knew, okay, 346 00:15:49,840 --> 00:15:51,840 Speaker 2: this is maybe the year for me to just go 347 00:15:52,360 --> 00:15:54,640 Speaker 2: and leave you know, college behind me. But I really 348 00:15:54,680 --> 00:15:56,720 Speaker 2: wanted to play with my sister Yara, So that was 349 00:15:56,760 --> 00:15:59,680 Speaker 2: a big factor why that was really the biggest spector 350 00:15:59,720 --> 00:16:03,560 Speaker 2: also why I was so hesitant to make that decision. 351 00:16:03,640 --> 00:16:05,160 Speaker 2: But I think it was the right one. 352 00:16:05,480 --> 00:16:07,080 Speaker 1: Yeah, I mean it ended up being the right one. 353 00:16:07,160 --> 00:16:09,960 Speaker 1: But your sister ly are and your brother, you guys 354 00:16:09,960 --> 00:16:14,120 Speaker 1: are all these basketball superstars, some of a super family basically. 355 00:16:14,560 --> 00:16:17,120 Speaker 1: So now when your comes it comes to organ the 356 00:16:17,160 --> 00:16:20,560 Speaker 1: next year. How exciting was that to have your sister 357 00:16:20,720 --> 00:16:22,720 Speaker 1: be not where you are, but at least you guys 358 00:16:22,720 --> 00:16:24,640 Speaker 1: are now like close enough to be able to go 359 00:16:24,680 --> 00:16:26,920 Speaker 1: to her game, she comes to yours. All these different things, 360 00:16:27,320 --> 00:16:29,960 Speaker 1: and so how special. It's just that bond that you 361 00:16:30,000 --> 00:16:31,760 Speaker 1: and your have and now getting to play against each 362 00:16:31,800 --> 00:16:32,680 Speaker 1: other in the league. 363 00:16:32,440 --> 00:16:34,600 Speaker 2: But it's so special. After games we can just check 364 00:16:34,600 --> 00:16:37,720 Speaker 2: in on each other. It's different because you experience it together, 365 00:16:37,920 --> 00:16:41,440 Speaker 2: so that gap is not there anymore. But the best 366 00:16:41,440 --> 00:16:43,440 Speaker 2: thing to me is obviously being able to speak German, 367 00:16:43,760 --> 00:16:46,080 Speaker 2: and I think you just speak different with your sister 368 00:16:46,680 --> 00:16:49,200 Speaker 2: and you know your brother, and it's just something that 369 00:16:49,280 --> 00:16:51,280 Speaker 2: connects us the most. So I feel like I can 370 00:16:51,400 --> 00:16:53,840 Speaker 2: just have a break from actually not being at home 371 00:16:54,200 --> 00:16:56,080 Speaker 2: and I have a piece of home with me now 372 00:16:56,120 --> 00:16:58,000 Speaker 2: at all times, and it feels so much closer. 373 00:16:58,280 --> 00:17:00,320 Speaker 1: No, I mean that is so special. Yeah, of all, 374 00:17:00,320 --> 00:17:03,520 Speaker 1: the sailing relationship is something that is very hard to 375 00:17:03,560 --> 00:17:05,040 Speaker 1: be like mimicked. 376 00:17:04,680 --> 00:17:07,040 Speaker 2: By anything else. It's really special. 377 00:17:07,560 --> 00:17:09,520 Speaker 1: And then on top of that, you know, you get 378 00:17:09,560 --> 00:17:11,760 Speaker 1: to speak your native tongue and all these different things. 379 00:17:11,760 --> 00:17:13,679 Speaker 1: So I mean it's really cool to have her and 380 00:17:13,720 --> 00:17:17,240 Speaker 1: talk to her and still compete. But after games, sister 381 00:17:17,320 --> 00:17:23,960 Speaker 1: to check in. Okay, So moving into your draft, the 382 00:17:24,040 --> 00:17:27,000 Speaker 1: second overall pick in the twenty twenty draft COVID year 383 00:17:27,080 --> 00:17:30,280 Speaker 1: with the virtual but still the fire fit. Yeah, two 384 00:17:30,280 --> 00:17:33,639 Speaker 1: fits to honor your roots with the German sweatshirt, the 385 00:17:33,680 --> 00:17:36,960 Speaker 1: ganbi and inspired suit. So what was your draft experience like? 386 00:17:37,080 --> 00:17:39,760 Speaker 1: And talk me through the outfit and how that came about. 387 00:17:40,240 --> 00:17:44,320 Speaker 2: It was such a unique experience. So the draft was 388 00:17:44,359 --> 00:17:48,240 Speaker 2: really special because I was selling Eugene. The world was 389 00:17:48,280 --> 00:17:51,000 Speaker 2: shut down, so we had to keep it, you know, 390 00:17:51,040 --> 00:17:53,520 Speaker 2: with a closed grew and I was able to do 391 00:17:53,560 --> 00:17:56,679 Speaker 2: it in a gym and have my coach there and 392 00:17:56,880 --> 00:18:00,639 Speaker 2: my brother and my sister. It was just a whole setup. 393 00:18:00,680 --> 00:18:04,560 Speaker 2: We draped up some African fabriacs in the background and 394 00:18:05,080 --> 00:18:07,320 Speaker 2: made it home. I have my whole family on zoom 395 00:18:07,359 --> 00:18:09,520 Speaker 2: with me. I have a huge family. I have like 396 00:18:09,560 --> 00:18:12,280 Speaker 2: six siblings, so they were you know, we're all scattered 397 00:18:12,320 --> 00:18:15,000 Speaker 2: throughout the world and my whole family, so that was 398 00:18:15,040 --> 00:18:17,479 Speaker 2: a nice way of coming together. It was the beginning 399 00:18:17,480 --> 00:18:20,160 Speaker 2: of COVID, so we were all still figuring that part out. 400 00:18:20,560 --> 00:18:22,159 Speaker 2: It was sad that I wasn't in New York for 401 00:18:22,240 --> 00:18:24,679 Speaker 2: like a big draft, but I really kind of enjoyed 402 00:18:24,680 --> 00:18:27,600 Speaker 2: also the experience of being at home, doing the interviews 403 00:18:27,640 --> 00:18:30,920 Speaker 2: at home and kind of having that whole whole program 404 00:18:31,000 --> 00:18:33,680 Speaker 2: set up for such a special day. I guess it's 405 00:18:33,680 --> 00:18:36,760 Speaker 2: been dawn on me how big that really was until 406 00:18:36,800 --> 00:18:39,080 Speaker 2: I actually played in the league. I feel like I 407 00:18:39,160 --> 00:18:42,840 Speaker 2: never had that regular draft experience where you feel like 408 00:18:42,880 --> 00:18:45,000 Speaker 2: your name is being called up, like everything was still 409 00:18:45,160 --> 00:18:48,560 Speaker 2: so weird. So a unique experience, I would say, no, 410 00:18:48,760 --> 00:18:49,160 Speaker 2: for sure. 411 00:18:49,280 --> 00:18:51,400 Speaker 1: I mean it's very different. We had ours in New York, 412 00:18:51,440 --> 00:18:54,120 Speaker 1: and you feel the name called it for you is different. 413 00:18:54,560 --> 00:18:56,520 Speaker 1: But I mean getting to have your brother and sister 414 00:18:56,600 --> 00:19:00,080 Speaker 1: there and I'm sure the family insanely large, zoom everybody 415 00:19:00,240 --> 00:19:03,080 Speaker 1: different times. I bet that's the whole thing to get together. 416 00:19:03,200 --> 00:19:06,280 Speaker 2: Okay, I bet, But I mean. 417 00:19:06,240 --> 00:19:09,160 Speaker 1: It's still such a special experience, and it's, like you said, 418 00:19:09,160 --> 00:19:11,320 Speaker 1: like when it happens, it's like, Okay, well this was 419 00:19:11,320 --> 00:19:13,400 Speaker 1: the path, this is what I planned. But like, once 420 00:19:13,440 --> 00:19:15,080 Speaker 1: you get a training camp and you put on the 421 00:19:15,160 --> 00:19:18,399 Speaker 1: uniform and stuff, it's the real deal. So you know, 422 00:19:18,480 --> 00:19:22,320 Speaker 1: what was that adjustment like for you moving to Eugene, 423 00:19:22,520 --> 00:19:24,960 Speaker 1: coming to Dallas, and then getting to your first training camp. 424 00:19:25,000 --> 00:19:25,560 Speaker 1: How did that go? 425 00:19:26,240 --> 00:19:29,840 Speaker 2: It was a lot. It was such a such an 426 00:19:29,840 --> 00:19:32,800 Speaker 2: increase of level of play that I really had to 427 00:19:32,800 --> 00:19:36,879 Speaker 2: get adjusted to that. But I was also doing well, 428 00:19:36,920 --> 00:19:38,840 Speaker 2: and I think I just had a great team to 429 00:19:38,880 --> 00:19:41,119 Speaker 2: be around. We had a lot of fun. I had 430 00:19:41,160 --> 00:19:44,320 Speaker 2: great roommates, and the bubble was just a cool experience 431 00:19:44,320 --> 00:19:46,960 Speaker 2: because you had so many games and all you did 432 00:19:47,080 --> 00:19:51,040 Speaker 2: was play basketball and you know, stay on the premises. 433 00:19:51,160 --> 00:19:53,960 Speaker 2: But it was really just like an overload of basketball. 434 00:19:54,240 --> 00:19:56,679 Speaker 2: So I don't even remember a lot of things until 435 00:19:56,760 --> 00:19:59,840 Speaker 2: I went outside the bubble and I just felt so awkward. 436 00:20:00,080 --> 00:20:01,879 Speaker 2: I realized, Okay, well, I just played a whole w 437 00:20:02,080 --> 00:20:04,720 Speaker 2: NBA season. But it was definitely tasking. 438 00:20:05,320 --> 00:20:07,920 Speaker 1: Yeah, I mean that bubble seemed insane, like. 439 00:20:07,840 --> 00:20:11,000 Speaker 2: You're all one little premises doing one. 440 00:20:11,240 --> 00:20:14,040 Speaker 1: I'm sure there's barely any practice, just playing games, which 441 00:20:14,080 --> 00:20:17,640 Speaker 1: is the best. You know, you talked about the level 442 00:20:17,680 --> 00:20:20,400 Speaker 1: of play being increased you need to leave. So what 443 00:20:20,520 --> 00:20:24,359 Speaker 1: was the biggest adjustment that you had to make for 444 00:20:24,480 --> 00:20:27,199 Speaker 1: you being who you are your style of play, Well, 445 00:20:27,200 --> 00:20:29,040 Speaker 1: not really change your style play, but just had to 446 00:20:29,119 --> 00:20:31,720 Speaker 1: adjust from college to the pro lifestyle. 447 00:20:31,760 --> 00:20:34,960 Speaker 2: Really, I also switched positions kind of. I was more 448 00:20:35,000 --> 00:20:37,639 Speaker 2: on the fourth spot than I was a three, and 449 00:20:38,440 --> 00:20:40,360 Speaker 2: I was in a lot of pick and rolls, So 450 00:20:40,640 --> 00:20:42,960 Speaker 2: I think the physicality of that was a lot for me. 451 00:20:43,520 --> 00:20:49,520 Speaker 2: And defending people like Stuie, people like Asia Know, people 452 00:20:49,600 --> 00:20:52,440 Speaker 2: like Lessa, like all these people are on the fourth 453 00:20:52,480 --> 00:20:55,320 Speaker 2: spot and it was really you know, Kenni's Parker was 454 00:20:55,359 --> 00:20:58,840 Speaker 2: there too, So it was every day I felt like 455 00:20:58,880 --> 00:21:01,399 Speaker 2: I was going against the super star. But the second 456 00:21:01,440 --> 00:21:04,520 Speaker 2: time I faced them, I kind of took the things 457 00:21:04,520 --> 00:21:07,000 Speaker 2: from the first game with me, and I think that's 458 00:21:07,040 --> 00:21:09,600 Speaker 2: how I continue to learn throughout the season. I learned 459 00:21:09,640 --> 00:21:12,280 Speaker 2: so much throughout the three years just by just watching 460 00:21:12,320 --> 00:21:14,320 Speaker 2: the game. And I think you can learn actually a 461 00:21:14,320 --> 00:21:17,159 Speaker 2: lot of good basketball from like the WNBA because we 462 00:21:17,600 --> 00:21:20,120 Speaker 2: have such great play schemes and we play at such 463 00:21:20,119 --> 00:21:22,920 Speaker 2: a great pace and have to finess a lot of things. 464 00:21:22,960 --> 00:21:25,639 Speaker 2: And I learned so much by just playing and watching 465 00:21:25,720 --> 00:21:26,720 Speaker 2: the league for three years. 466 00:21:27,000 --> 00:21:28,960 Speaker 1: No, I mean you're completely right, Like looking at some 467 00:21:28,960 --> 00:21:31,480 Speaker 1: of these scattery reports and it's like, okay, you're the 468 00:21:31,560 --> 00:21:36,160 Speaker 1: Guardana Tarasi, You're guarding Yeah, all right, So the first 469 00:21:36,240 --> 00:21:38,359 Speaker 1: go round You're like, what am I supposed to do 470 00:21:38,560 --> 00:21:41,160 Speaker 1: to slow down these people? Because you're not gonna stop them, 471 00:21:41,200 --> 00:21:44,760 Speaker 1: but like slow it down, make them Yeah, but I 472 00:21:44,800 --> 00:21:47,040 Speaker 1: mean you can get a tough shot. Oh yeah, make 473 00:21:47,080 --> 00:21:50,399 Speaker 1: everything tough. But it's just like learning the game, watching field, 474 00:21:50,440 --> 00:21:53,840 Speaker 1: becoming a student. You can learn so much from players, 475 00:21:53,920 --> 00:21:55,800 Speaker 1: Like you know, they score on you. You're like, okay, 476 00:21:55,800 --> 00:21:57,280 Speaker 1: well now let me watch it. Let me take something 477 00:21:57,280 --> 00:22:01,480 Speaker 1: from their game. So you talked about guarding Stewie Asia 478 00:22:01,600 --> 00:22:04,040 Speaker 1: Candice all your rookie year, was there a moment in 479 00:22:04,080 --> 00:22:06,800 Speaker 1: time where you had like, you know, that rookie embarrassment. 480 00:22:06,920 --> 00:22:09,600 Speaker 1: We were like, all right, this is your welcome to 481 00:22:09,600 --> 00:22:13,879 Speaker 1: the league, Like now I'm here, this is what I. 482 00:22:12,800 --> 00:22:15,680 Speaker 2: We lost by, Like, we had this one game against 483 00:22:15,720 --> 00:22:19,400 Speaker 2: Connecticut and I really take it personal to this day. 484 00:22:19,960 --> 00:22:22,399 Speaker 2: They were I think it was the first quarter and 485 00:22:22,400 --> 00:22:25,720 Speaker 2: they were like up twenty to two. It was so humiliating, 486 00:22:25,840 --> 00:22:27,879 Speaker 2: Like it's just it just doesn't have to happen like that. 487 00:22:29,160 --> 00:22:32,760 Speaker 2: So that was something where I was like, Okay, I'm 488 00:22:32,800 --> 00:22:35,240 Speaker 2: a rookie. These people are in the finals at the 489 00:22:35,320 --> 00:22:38,080 Speaker 2: end of the year. Let me just relax and learn 490 00:22:38,119 --> 00:22:40,240 Speaker 2: from them, and next game. I'm not this is not 491 00:22:40,280 --> 00:22:41,639 Speaker 2: going to happen again. I knew that. 492 00:22:42,280 --> 00:22:44,159 Speaker 1: So I mean, on the flip side of that, learning 493 00:22:44,320 --> 00:22:47,440 Speaker 1: from those rookie mistakes, rooky experiences, you know, adjusted to 494 00:22:47,480 --> 00:22:50,320 Speaker 1: the league. When did you have that game or just 495 00:22:50,400 --> 00:22:53,040 Speaker 1: kind of those moments we were like okay, like I 496 00:22:53,080 --> 00:22:55,080 Speaker 1: could play with these people. I belong in this league. 497 00:22:55,160 --> 00:22:56,760 Speaker 1: Like I can do X y Z to show why 498 00:22:56,760 --> 00:22:57,520 Speaker 1: I'm here as well. 499 00:22:57,640 --> 00:22:59,760 Speaker 2: I think the first big game that I had, I 500 00:22:59,760 --> 00:23:03,320 Speaker 2: had like a double double of like fifteen and seventeen, 501 00:23:03,560 --> 00:23:06,760 Speaker 2: and I remember that game being so like I just 502 00:23:06,800 --> 00:23:10,639 Speaker 2: felt really dominant and the numbers showed it, and I'm like, okay, 503 00:23:10,800 --> 00:23:12,479 Speaker 2: this is I can do this. I can do this. 504 00:23:12,600 --> 00:23:14,840 Speaker 2: It was more like a comfort thing. But like, my 505 00:23:15,040 --> 00:23:18,440 Speaker 2: three pointers were just not falling in my first year. 506 00:23:18,520 --> 00:23:20,919 Speaker 2: It was horrible. I thought the world is going on, 507 00:23:21,200 --> 00:23:26,119 Speaker 2: like I can't shoot. But just exactly just finding the 508 00:23:26,160 --> 00:23:28,800 Speaker 2: confidence within the work you put in, really truly, that 509 00:23:28,920 --> 00:23:31,040 Speaker 2: is that. So I always relied on Hey, I was 510 00:23:31,040 --> 00:23:33,840 Speaker 2: shooting extra so I there's nothing else I can do. 511 00:23:34,040 --> 00:23:36,800 Speaker 2: I will keep shooting. At some point it's bound toful. 512 00:23:37,000 --> 00:23:39,959 Speaker 2: It's it's yeah, it will go in. Yeah, please. 513 00:23:40,640 --> 00:23:42,600 Speaker 1: So you know, you have this great rookie year and 514 00:23:42,600 --> 00:23:45,840 Speaker 1: then after you do you play in Turkey. So was 515 00:23:45,920 --> 00:23:49,000 Speaker 1: overseas something that you were excited to kind of go 516 00:23:49,119 --> 00:23:51,400 Speaker 1: back to, to go back to Europe all these different 517 00:23:51,480 --> 00:23:54,040 Speaker 1: things after the WNBA season? Was that always the plan? 518 00:23:54,200 --> 00:23:56,920 Speaker 1: Because nowadays not everybody wants to go overseas? 519 00:23:57,400 --> 00:23:58,960 Speaker 2: So you know what was that. 520 00:23:59,160 --> 00:24:00,240 Speaker 1: Overseas rookie easy? 521 00:24:00,359 --> 00:24:03,280 Speaker 2: Like for you? I loved it. It was still within 522 00:24:03,400 --> 00:24:06,880 Speaker 2: these COVID times, so obviously, like the it was kind 523 00:24:06,880 --> 00:24:10,439 Speaker 2: of low in the city. But playing overseas to me 524 00:24:10,600 --> 00:24:12,800 Speaker 2: was great because I was able to just play and 525 00:24:12,960 --> 00:24:16,359 Speaker 2: actually play, you know, European style of basketball, which is 526 00:24:16,359 --> 00:24:18,640 Speaker 2: also a little bit different. I was able to learn 527 00:24:18,680 --> 00:24:21,800 Speaker 2: from other people like that's like Keya Vaughn or like 528 00:24:21,880 --> 00:24:25,159 Speaker 2: Jasmine Thomas were on my team and Kia Stokes, so 529 00:24:25,280 --> 00:24:28,040 Speaker 2: I had great people around me where I felt like, Okay, 530 00:24:28,080 --> 00:24:30,960 Speaker 2: I could continue to learn in the off season and 531 00:24:31,119 --> 00:24:34,760 Speaker 2: put in the work and also make money like I financially. 532 00:24:34,920 --> 00:24:37,639 Speaker 2: That was so amazing to me, and I was like, Okay, 533 00:24:37,640 --> 00:24:39,239 Speaker 2: of course I don't want to just sit and not 534 00:24:39,400 --> 00:24:42,680 Speaker 2: you know, make money. But I'm also someone that wants 535 00:24:42,720 --> 00:24:44,760 Speaker 2: to play, and I knew I don't want to set 536 00:24:44,800 --> 00:24:48,440 Speaker 2: out all year. I want to compete, So that competition 537 00:24:48,560 --> 00:24:51,080 Speaker 2: level aspect was something. Okay, I want to win a 538 00:24:51,160 --> 00:24:54,119 Speaker 2: year league championship. I wanted that because I feel like 539 00:24:54,200 --> 00:24:56,520 Speaker 2: it takes a bock on a world map. You know, 540 00:24:57,720 --> 00:24:58,359 Speaker 2: that was the goal. 541 00:24:58,520 --> 00:25:00,560 Speaker 1: Well, ye know, that's really cool. You talk about, you know, 542 00:25:00,600 --> 00:25:03,080 Speaker 1: the different opportunities playing overseas, but a lot of people 543 00:25:03,119 --> 00:25:06,040 Speaker 1: talk about plague overseas. Like you mentioned there's a different 544 00:25:06,080 --> 00:25:10,480 Speaker 1: style of play overseas here. So what things did you 545 00:25:10,560 --> 00:25:13,000 Speaker 1: really take that had a big impact on your game? 546 00:25:13,680 --> 00:25:17,760 Speaker 2: Yeah? Yeah, So I would say I learned a lot 547 00:25:17,840 --> 00:25:22,480 Speaker 2: like spacing and play calling overseas. I really learned why 548 00:25:22,560 --> 00:25:25,720 Speaker 2: I played a play, and I think in our practice 549 00:25:25,760 --> 00:25:27,440 Speaker 2: is like in the WNBA, we don't have a lot 550 00:25:27,440 --> 00:25:29,919 Speaker 2: of time. Yeah, we have a training camp of like 551 00:25:30,280 --> 00:25:33,680 Speaker 2: two weeks and then you just continue, you just play, 552 00:25:33,880 --> 00:25:36,560 Speaker 2: so you either learn by yourself and you soak everything in. 553 00:25:37,200 --> 00:25:39,720 Speaker 2: But I think overseas, when you were able to just 554 00:25:39,800 --> 00:25:42,000 Speaker 2: kind of play and free yourself from that pressure to 555 00:25:42,080 --> 00:25:46,080 Speaker 2: perform right away the first years, you actually learn why 556 00:25:46,160 --> 00:25:48,640 Speaker 2: you do certain things, and that is something I took 557 00:25:48,640 --> 00:25:50,480 Speaker 2: with me and I do think in Europe, like the 558 00:25:50,520 --> 00:25:53,440 Speaker 2: play calling is also different. We use different type of systems, 559 00:25:53,680 --> 00:25:56,919 Speaker 2: so just knowing different schemes and how you set a 560 00:25:56,960 --> 00:25:59,800 Speaker 2: screen and then open up if you do different type 561 00:25:59,800 --> 00:26:03,000 Speaker 2: of teams, you learn different type of windows and openings 562 00:26:03,000 --> 00:26:05,359 Speaker 2: within you know, the game. So I think that was 563 00:26:05,400 --> 00:26:08,040 Speaker 2: always interesting to me and just learning the game. That 564 00:26:08,160 --> 00:26:11,760 Speaker 2: was something that I got from from being overseas in 565 00:26:11,760 --> 00:26:13,280 Speaker 2: addition to the w I. 566 00:26:13,240 --> 00:26:15,119 Speaker 1: Mean, you're completely right, we have a two week training 567 00:26:15,119 --> 00:26:17,280 Speaker 1: camp and then all of a sudden it's go time. Yeah, 568 00:26:17,640 --> 00:26:21,560 Speaker 1: obviously the same, but I mean to have that experience 569 00:26:21,600 --> 00:26:24,000 Speaker 1: to really get to learn and grow, not just you know, 570 00:26:24,480 --> 00:26:27,120 Speaker 1: skill wise, but seeing the game from a different point 571 00:26:27,119 --> 00:26:31,080 Speaker 1: of view. Understanding different plays dividends now. 572 00:26:30,760 --> 00:26:33,159 Speaker 2: To what you're doing, which is amazing. But I mean 573 00:26:33,200 --> 00:26:34,119 Speaker 2: you talked about. 574 00:26:33,920 --> 00:26:37,359 Speaker 1: Three times Turkish League champ all these different things that 575 00:26:37,480 --> 00:26:39,240 Speaker 1: you know, checking off all those different things off the 576 00:26:39,240 --> 00:26:41,199 Speaker 1: bucket list. What else is on the bucket list for you? 577 00:26:41,840 --> 00:26:48,160 Speaker 2: Wanna be a championship? Yep, yep, for sure? For sure? 578 00:26:48,400 --> 00:26:50,879 Speaker 2: Then I mean I would love to be in the Olympics. 579 00:26:51,000 --> 00:26:53,240 Speaker 2: I think that is something that now is a goal 580 00:26:53,280 --> 00:26:57,680 Speaker 2: of mine. And with Germany competing in a qualifying tournament 581 00:26:57,680 --> 00:26:59,920 Speaker 2: in February, I think we can really shake some things 582 00:27:00,160 --> 00:27:02,679 Speaker 2: up and qualify for the Olympics. So that is a 583 00:27:02,680 --> 00:27:05,719 Speaker 2: big goal of mine, especially for the year looking forward 584 00:27:06,119 --> 00:27:08,399 Speaker 2: and the dream come true. Yeah, that is definitely on 585 00:27:08,440 --> 00:27:10,399 Speaker 2: the list. And then so many more things, but you know, 586 00:27:10,440 --> 00:27:12,360 Speaker 2: I can't all my secrets. 587 00:27:13,440 --> 00:27:18,439 Speaker 1: Understandable, Okay, So yeah, have this amazing year overseas. You 588 00:27:18,480 --> 00:27:20,480 Speaker 1: come back your second year and you got selected to 589 00:27:20,520 --> 00:27:22,840 Speaker 1: your first All Star Game, which is amazing to do 590 00:27:23,040 --> 00:27:25,520 Speaker 1: in such an early part of your career. So a 591 00:27:25,520 --> 00:27:28,120 Speaker 1: lot of people say great things about you and your game, 592 00:27:28,240 --> 00:27:31,320 Speaker 1: calling you the Unicorn, all these different things, But what's 593 00:27:31,400 --> 00:27:35,439 Speaker 1: been the most meaningful compliment that you've gotten about somebody 594 00:27:35,480 --> 00:27:36,760 Speaker 1: talking about you and your game. 595 00:27:38,200 --> 00:27:44,080 Speaker 2: And it just flows. That's a good one. Like it's smooth, yeah, smooth. Yeah. Yeah, 596 00:27:44,320 --> 00:27:48,600 Speaker 2: Like the other day someone smooth and I'm like, yeah, 597 00:27:48,680 --> 00:27:51,119 Speaker 2: like it just it just flows. It just fits. I 598 00:27:51,119 --> 00:27:55,480 Speaker 2: don't know, I love that fits. 599 00:27:56,359 --> 00:27:58,639 Speaker 1: I mean, I think that's that's totally true. It's like, 600 00:27:58,840 --> 00:28:01,120 Speaker 1: you know, when you watch the body like you play, 601 00:28:01,200 --> 00:28:03,280 Speaker 1: it looks like it comes easy, and obviously it's not. 602 00:28:03,359 --> 00:28:05,720 Speaker 1: You're working very hard. But when you watch some people play, 603 00:28:05,760 --> 00:28:08,400 Speaker 1: it's like, wow, that looks hard like they are working 604 00:28:08,600 --> 00:28:11,600 Speaker 1: like all, but you know you can get different things 605 00:28:11,600 --> 00:28:12,840 Speaker 1: from their game. When you play. 606 00:28:12,880 --> 00:28:13,800 Speaker 2: It's food. 607 00:28:14,080 --> 00:28:15,280 Speaker 1: It flows, it's. 608 00:28:15,080 --> 00:28:19,159 Speaker 2: Easy, right, I thank you. I like that. You know 609 00:28:19,240 --> 00:28:19,720 Speaker 2: you love that. 610 00:28:20,000 --> 00:28:22,679 Speaker 1: And a wards on't out. But everybody's saying that you 611 00:28:22,840 --> 00:28:26,240 Speaker 1: are locked in for Most Improved. So do you feel 612 00:28:26,280 --> 00:28:28,960 Speaker 1: like this year has been different for you? And what's 613 00:28:29,119 --> 00:28:31,200 Speaker 1: allowed that to happen? For sure? 614 00:28:31,400 --> 00:28:36,000 Speaker 2: I think I would say the difference is consistency. Consistency 615 00:28:36,240 --> 00:28:38,680 Speaker 2: taking one game at a time has really helped me 616 00:28:38,760 --> 00:28:41,720 Speaker 2: not to get ahead of myself in any type of way, 617 00:28:41,800 --> 00:28:44,280 Speaker 2: and I really just focus, Okay, this game, this is 618 00:28:44,280 --> 00:28:46,720 Speaker 2: what I have to do and also seeing the individuality 619 00:28:46,760 --> 00:28:50,360 Speaker 2: of games and not clustering them all together. What I 620 00:28:50,400 --> 00:28:52,800 Speaker 2: do against you know, you guys is different what I 621 00:28:52,840 --> 00:28:55,680 Speaker 2: can do against La. Honestly, I know what I want 622 00:28:55,720 --> 00:28:57,440 Speaker 2: to do, but I also know what people will take 623 00:28:57,480 --> 00:29:02,120 Speaker 2: away from me. So that consistent and see and preparedness 624 00:29:02,200 --> 00:29:04,720 Speaker 2: is something that was just different. So I feel like 625 00:29:04,760 --> 00:29:06,400 Speaker 2: that set me up for a good season. 626 00:29:07,120 --> 00:29:09,280 Speaker 1: Yeah, And I mean, we had Natasha on the show 627 00:29:09,320 --> 00:29:11,160 Speaker 1: and she talked just so highly of you. 628 00:29:11,560 --> 00:29:14,600 Speaker 2: Yeah, I love her. In everree que is talk. 629 00:29:14,520 --> 00:29:17,400 Speaker 1: About your potentially being limitless and coach calls you brilliant, 630 00:29:17,400 --> 00:29:20,080 Speaker 1: all these different things. But how has it been having 631 00:29:20,200 --> 00:29:23,000 Speaker 1: Natasha's leadership on the team this year? How has that 632 00:29:23,120 --> 00:29:25,880 Speaker 1: impacted the team? But also you individually? 633 00:29:26,240 --> 00:29:30,200 Speaker 2: It's impacted us greatly. She She's so calm and she 634 00:29:30,320 --> 00:29:33,720 Speaker 2: just knows so much, and you can always tell she's 635 00:29:33,800 --> 00:29:37,040 Speaker 2: listening a lot, and then she gives her feedback, and 636 00:29:37,720 --> 00:29:40,400 Speaker 2: you know, when she speaks, you just listen. Because she's 637 00:29:40,440 --> 00:29:42,840 Speaker 2: a three time champion. You know, she knows so much 638 00:29:42,880 --> 00:29:45,280 Speaker 2: and she kind of always hits it right on the nil. 639 00:29:45,680 --> 00:29:49,320 Speaker 2: So she's been a great audition off the court and 640 00:29:49,400 --> 00:29:51,400 Speaker 2: on the court. I mean, she's putting down numbers that 641 00:29:51,920 --> 00:29:54,240 Speaker 2: are just great, and she shows why she's an All Star. 642 00:29:54,360 --> 00:29:56,880 Speaker 2: She shows where she's a champion. The best thing that 643 00:29:56,960 --> 00:29:59,760 Speaker 2: I just have from her is just having a resource 644 00:29:59,800 --> 00:30:03,080 Speaker 2: to ask questions. Because she's played all over the world. 645 00:30:03,280 --> 00:30:06,960 Speaker 2: She knows what's what's important, for example, in contract negotiations, 646 00:30:07,040 --> 00:30:10,160 Speaker 2: you know, like using that as a using a person 647 00:30:10,240 --> 00:30:12,520 Speaker 2: like her as a resource is something that I would 648 00:30:12,560 --> 00:30:14,840 Speaker 2: advise younger players so much. You know, talk to your 649 00:30:15,440 --> 00:30:18,560 Speaker 2: older players and ask them, ask them about things that 650 00:30:18,600 --> 00:30:21,040 Speaker 2: are important, what you need to pay attention to, what 651 00:30:21,520 --> 00:30:23,960 Speaker 2: advice they would give you for your first year compared 652 00:30:23,960 --> 00:30:26,680 Speaker 2: to your fifth or sixth year. So she's been great 653 00:30:26,720 --> 00:30:29,000 Speaker 2: for that, and I really appreciate how open and honest 654 00:30:29,040 --> 00:30:30,040 Speaker 2: she she always is. 655 00:30:30,400 --> 00:30:32,360 Speaker 1: Yeah, I mean, it's so special to have such a 656 00:30:32,440 --> 00:30:35,160 Speaker 1: veteran presence like that on a team. Just the diffinens. 657 00:30:35,240 --> 00:30:37,920 Speaker 1: And I've talked to different rookies around the league and 658 00:30:38,000 --> 00:30:40,240 Speaker 1: just the different that experiences that you have. It really 659 00:30:40,240 --> 00:30:43,440 Speaker 1: makes to you do have somebody like Natasha for you 660 00:30:43,560 --> 00:30:46,280 Speaker 1: having for me, having somebody like Danielle Robinson, that has 661 00:30:46,320 --> 00:30:49,719 Speaker 1: been amazing exactly. And then I Kia is like on 662 00:30:49,800 --> 00:30:51,560 Speaker 1: staff here now, so getting to ask her all these 663 00:30:51,600 --> 00:30:55,440 Speaker 1: different questions. It's amazing just talking about your time in Dallas. 664 00:30:55,480 --> 00:30:58,120 Speaker 1: You've had I want to say, coach Treble is your 665 00:30:58,160 --> 00:31:01,960 Speaker 1: third head coach in four season talent. So how do 666 00:31:02,000 --> 00:31:05,280 Speaker 1: you see the franchise change throughout your time there? 667 00:31:05,760 --> 00:31:09,080 Speaker 2: So much? And I think I've really grown up in 668 00:31:09,800 --> 00:31:13,120 Speaker 2: Dallas has also grown up because now they're like, we're 669 00:31:13,160 --> 00:31:15,440 Speaker 2: at such a different level than when we were when 670 00:31:15,480 --> 00:31:18,680 Speaker 2: I got drafted here. You know, they take care of us. 671 00:31:18,800 --> 00:31:21,520 Speaker 2: It's so nice, like College Park Center, we sell it out. 672 00:31:21,600 --> 00:31:24,520 Speaker 2: Their environment is just great. We have a really great 673 00:31:24,560 --> 00:31:27,800 Speaker 2: family environment and I think it reflects itself now to 674 00:31:27,920 --> 00:31:30,880 Speaker 2: in the locker room. I think the groundstones for a 675 00:31:30,920 --> 00:31:33,880 Speaker 2: great culture have been built now and now we cannot 676 00:31:34,000 --> 00:31:37,680 Speaker 2: add up to so many more things because it's such 677 00:31:37,680 --> 00:31:42,880 Speaker 2: a great city. We have amazing fans. Like we're just 678 00:31:42,920 --> 00:31:46,680 Speaker 2: here hooping and things could like they couldn't be better. 679 00:31:46,800 --> 00:31:48,440 Speaker 1: Just out here hoopid just do the thing. 680 00:31:48,800 --> 00:31:51,040 Speaker 2: Yeah, Like it's really fun, Like we have a good 681 00:31:51,080 --> 00:31:53,720 Speaker 2: squad going, and I think it just reflects itself by 682 00:31:54,400 --> 00:31:57,920 Speaker 2: what we gave us feedback. You know, how a team 683 00:31:57,960 --> 00:32:01,120 Speaker 2: decides also run within the next depends a lot on 684 00:32:01,160 --> 00:32:03,240 Speaker 2: the players and if they listen to the players. And 685 00:32:03,280 --> 00:32:05,840 Speaker 2: I think there was a lot of a lot of 686 00:32:05,880 --> 00:32:09,000 Speaker 2: working together and so becoming you know where we are now. 687 00:32:09,720 --> 00:32:11,840 Speaker 1: Yeah, And I mean that young group that you talked 688 00:32:11,840 --> 00:32:13,640 Speaker 1: about that you kind of came in with and had 689 00:32:13,680 --> 00:32:16,040 Speaker 1: the opportunity to grow with. What are those other key 690 00:32:16,080 --> 00:32:18,640 Speaker 1: pieces outside of you is a rekae And so just 691 00:32:18,680 --> 00:32:20,840 Speaker 1: talk a little bit about the chemistry that the two 692 00:32:20,840 --> 00:32:22,880 Speaker 1: of you have on the court, because it seems seamless 693 00:32:23,240 --> 00:32:25,400 Speaker 1: and a RecA game. There's so much to our game, 694 00:32:25,520 --> 00:32:28,280 Speaker 1: Like we talked about having the best handled, creating shots, 695 00:32:28,320 --> 00:32:30,600 Speaker 1: all these differmation things. To talk a little bit about 696 00:32:30,800 --> 00:32:33,040 Speaker 1: the chemistry that the two of you have really created 697 00:32:33,080 --> 00:32:36,000 Speaker 1: in Dallas to now kind of the quarterstone of the organization. 698 00:32:36,320 --> 00:32:39,480 Speaker 2: Yeah, it's so powerful and it just works like I 699 00:32:39,480 --> 00:32:43,360 Speaker 2: think we're both so competitive too and really want to win, 700 00:32:43,520 --> 00:32:45,960 Speaker 2: and it just kind of fits. It just fits out 701 00:32:46,000 --> 00:32:47,680 Speaker 2: on the court. You have to pay a lot of 702 00:32:47,720 --> 00:32:50,880 Speaker 2: attention on a rique. Obviously I benefit from that and 703 00:32:50,960 --> 00:32:53,800 Speaker 2: the other way around. So I think over the years 704 00:32:53,800 --> 00:32:56,480 Speaker 2: we figured out, Okay, if the defense moves even a 705 00:32:56,480 --> 00:32:58,440 Speaker 2: little bit to one person, other person will get the 706 00:32:58,480 --> 00:33:01,360 Speaker 2: ball and gets the shot. To see that developed because 707 00:33:01,400 --> 00:33:02,959 Speaker 2: you know, in the beginning, obviously we have to get 708 00:33:03,080 --> 00:33:05,400 Speaker 2: used to each other, and now I think we've just 709 00:33:05,440 --> 00:33:07,920 Speaker 2: played so many years together that it just fits. There's 710 00:33:07,960 --> 00:33:10,920 Speaker 2: so much experience that comes with it. And again having 711 00:33:10,960 --> 00:33:12,680 Speaker 2: the same goal just always helps. 712 00:33:13,000 --> 00:33:16,200 Speaker 1: It makes everything easy. When you're to put that verse, 713 00:33:16,400 --> 00:33:19,240 Speaker 1: everything's easy. Your sister and you are who we talked 714 00:33:19,240 --> 00:33:21,680 Speaker 1: about previously place for the Liberty also play the organ. 715 00:33:22,160 --> 00:33:24,560 Speaker 1: So we talked a little bit about your relationship. But 716 00:33:25,160 --> 00:33:27,240 Speaker 1: what has it been like as an older sister watch 717 00:33:27,280 --> 00:33:29,800 Speaker 1: your younger sister go through her journey and get to 718 00:33:29,800 --> 00:33:31,760 Speaker 1: be her support system as she goes through it. 719 00:33:32,480 --> 00:33:35,000 Speaker 2: I'm so proud and I'm so proud that she's going 720 00:33:35,000 --> 00:33:38,480 Speaker 2: her own way and that she's doing so many things 721 00:33:38,520 --> 00:33:42,160 Speaker 2: on like such a successful level. The injuries that she 722 00:33:42,200 --> 00:33:44,800 Speaker 2: had to overcome, she handled it with so much poise 723 00:33:44,880 --> 00:33:48,320 Speaker 2: and grace that it doesn't seem like she had to 724 00:33:48,360 --> 00:33:50,320 Speaker 2: go through so much. And when she moves, when you 725 00:33:50,360 --> 00:33:52,680 Speaker 2: see her on the court, it just looks like, yeah, 726 00:33:52,760 --> 00:33:54,440 Speaker 2: this is this is why she's here and this is 727 00:33:54,480 --> 00:33:57,360 Speaker 2: why she belongs because she's just so good. So me 728 00:33:57,440 --> 00:34:00,760 Speaker 2: as the older sister. I'm just proud to watch. It's 729 00:34:00,760 --> 00:34:03,720 Speaker 2: so cool to see her journey start now and I 730 00:34:03,800 --> 00:34:06,240 Speaker 2: already know you know, in five years hopefully we'll be 731 00:34:06,240 --> 00:34:08,600 Speaker 2: at all start together. Yeah. 732 00:34:08,600 --> 00:34:10,760 Speaker 1: I mean you really never know that she had the injuries. 733 00:34:10,800 --> 00:34:14,400 Speaker 1: Like she moves so smooth, she doesn't. It looks so great, 734 00:34:14,920 --> 00:34:17,360 Speaker 1: which is really excited to see. You know, you talked 735 00:34:17,480 --> 00:34:20,399 Speaker 1: a little bit about the league. You know, there's been 736 00:34:20,400 --> 00:34:22,279 Speaker 1: a lot of stuff going on in terms of the 737 00:34:22,360 --> 00:34:25,680 Speaker 1: chartered flights and the different changes with that, and then 738 00:34:25,719 --> 00:34:28,920 Speaker 1: obviously a lot of things with fans this season, and 739 00:34:29,080 --> 00:34:33,080 Speaker 1: people don't really expect us to call things out when 740 00:34:33,120 --> 00:34:33,920 Speaker 1: there are problems. 741 00:34:34,000 --> 00:34:35,160 Speaker 2: I feel like there's a difference. 742 00:34:35,400 --> 00:34:37,839 Speaker 1: You can be grateful for where you are us being 743 00:34:37,880 --> 00:34:40,839 Speaker 1: a WNBA, but also there's still needs to grow right 744 00:34:41,080 --> 00:34:44,319 Speaker 1: and you have to done that. So what's led you? 745 00:34:44,320 --> 00:34:46,560 Speaker 1: You've definitely been someone to be outspoken, which is so 746 00:34:46,880 --> 00:34:49,240 Speaker 1: inspiring to see. You know, it really allows other people 747 00:34:49,280 --> 00:34:52,640 Speaker 1: to speak up. So what led you to you know, 748 00:34:52,920 --> 00:34:55,840 Speaker 1: be comfortable and be proud and honest about these different 749 00:34:55,840 --> 00:34:57,160 Speaker 1: things that you have to say to better or the 750 00:34:57,239 --> 00:34:57,880 Speaker 1: league that we're in. 751 00:34:58,360 --> 00:35:01,040 Speaker 2: I say, I've had great peace, people who paved the way, 752 00:35:01,280 --> 00:35:06,200 Speaker 2: you know, who've made it possible that I can speak 753 00:35:06,200 --> 00:35:09,319 Speaker 2: so freely and that I am able to demand more. Yeah, 754 00:35:09,360 --> 00:35:12,200 Speaker 2: I was in the newer CBA, so other people, you know, 755 00:35:12,239 --> 00:35:14,080 Speaker 2: they were saying, okay, yeah, we had to share rooms 756 00:35:14,080 --> 00:35:16,839 Speaker 2: and hotels. Now, of course, you're happy that you get 757 00:35:16,880 --> 00:35:18,960 Speaker 2: a hotel room paid for, and you're happy that you 758 00:35:19,000 --> 00:35:21,919 Speaker 2: spend time with your teammate, but you deserve our own room. 759 00:35:21,960 --> 00:35:24,160 Speaker 2: And I'm in that CBA where I have my own room, 760 00:35:24,160 --> 00:35:26,400 Speaker 2: and I love it. I love that privacy. I love 761 00:35:26,400 --> 00:35:28,839 Speaker 2: the extra time that I have by myself because we're 762 00:35:28,880 --> 00:35:32,759 Speaker 2: constantly around twenty people all this minimum all the time. 763 00:35:33,080 --> 00:35:36,840 Speaker 2: You know, you enjoy your alone time sometimes. So little 764 00:35:36,880 --> 00:35:39,120 Speaker 2: things like that are just some things that we were 765 00:35:39,160 --> 00:35:42,040 Speaker 2: able to demand because other people demanded something else. And 766 00:35:42,120 --> 00:35:44,440 Speaker 2: it goes all the way to charters, you know, like 767 00:35:44,480 --> 00:35:47,600 Speaker 2: the league response. If we are vocal, they will not 768 00:35:47,640 --> 00:35:50,799 Speaker 2: respond that we don't demand for things that we think 769 00:35:50,920 --> 00:35:54,000 Speaker 2: need to be changed, right, and there's always a player 770 00:35:54,120 --> 00:35:58,880 Speaker 2: interest and a business side of interest. But finding that equilibrium, 771 00:35:59,120 --> 00:36:02,200 Speaker 2: we'll make the just grow even faster because we're able 772 00:36:02,239 --> 00:36:05,440 Speaker 2: to perform, you know, we're able to feel comfortable and 773 00:36:05,680 --> 00:36:09,440 Speaker 2: healthy and feel like we get what we deserve as players, 774 00:36:09,680 --> 00:36:13,520 Speaker 2: But the w also profits because we perform, we put 775 00:36:13,560 --> 00:36:16,680 Speaker 2: on the highlights. We're the ones. We're the ones performing 776 00:36:16,719 --> 00:36:19,960 Speaker 2: and working hard and playing the game that inspires so many. 777 00:36:20,040 --> 00:36:22,600 Speaker 2: So I think we deserve to be on a spot 778 00:36:22,640 --> 00:36:24,960 Speaker 2: where we ask for things. I mean, you're completely right. 779 00:36:25,080 --> 00:36:29,200 Speaker 1: And now with your position on the WV Social Justice Council, 780 00:36:29,680 --> 00:36:31,640 Speaker 1: what do you feel like you being on that council 781 00:36:31,840 --> 00:36:33,920 Speaker 1: having this voice, you know, kind of speaking up for 782 00:36:33,920 --> 00:36:35,920 Speaker 1: the league and all the different women inside of it. 783 00:36:36,320 --> 00:36:39,000 Speaker 2: How has that experience been getting to kind of have. 784 00:36:39,280 --> 00:36:42,279 Speaker 1: Your voice really be heard right, Like you're in those rooms, 785 00:36:42,320 --> 00:36:43,480 Speaker 1: you're saying these different things. 786 00:36:43,800 --> 00:36:45,040 Speaker 2: What has that experience been like? 787 00:36:45,120 --> 00:36:47,719 Speaker 1: Getting to be on that council and really focus on 788 00:36:47,719 --> 00:36:49,160 Speaker 1: the things that you want to bring to the front. 789 00:36:49,520 --> 00:36:53,480 Speaker 2: It feels empowering, It feels validating, Like it just feels 790 00:36:53,520 --> 00:36:56,600 Speaker 2: like finally things are happening that are just so important. 791 00:36:57,239 --> 00:36:59,360 Speaker 2: Obviously you always have to do your research, and I 792 00:36:59,400 --> 00:37:02,400 Speaker 2: think that Codd Waife and all the things that happen 793 00:37:02,480 --> 00:37:05,640 Speaker 2: around social justice and the like, I feel like a 794 00:37:05,680 --> 00:37:08,560 Speaker 2: mirror was finally held in front of everyone's face and 795 00:37:08,719 --> 00:37:10,680 Speaker 2: was like, Okay, who do you want to be? And 796 00:37:10,719 --> 00:37:12,000 Speaker 2: I feel like I just didn't want to be a 797 00:37:12,040 --> 00:37:15,400 Speaker 2: person that was just quiet and keep things to myself 798 00:37:15,480 --> 00:37:18,439 Speaker 2: and see things happening. You know, I don't have a child, 799 00:37:18,440 --> 00:37:20,920 Speaker 2: but I care about childcare. I'm a woman, and I 800 00:37:20,960 --> 00:37:23,080 Speaker 2: care about you as a woman having a nanny so 801 00:37:23,160 --> 00:37:25,480 Speaker 2: you can fulfill the things that you need to do 802 00:37:26,360 --> 00:37:29,480 Speaker 2: or dream of. It's just actually being genuinely interested in 803 00:37:29,520 --> 00:37:31,719 Speaker 2: the well being of other people where I know that 804 00:37:31,760 --> 00:37:34,160 Speaker 2: they deserve that, and I feel like that's just me 805 00:37:34,280 --> 00:37:37,120 Speaker 2: being in person. And then obviously when I know things, 806 00:37:37,120 --> 00:37:38,799 Speaker 2: I feel like I can talk about it, and I'm 807 00:37:38,840 --> 00:37:41,160 Speaker 2: always I'm the first friend to be, you know, in 808 00:37:41,200 --> 00:37:44,880 Speaker 2: political discussions with their friends. Respectfully, I think it's always 809 00:37:44,880 --> 00:37:48,880 Speaker 2: great to have open conversation and to actually listen. And 810 00:37:48,960 --> 00:37:51,680 Speaker 2: the listening part is something that we all lack a 811 00:37:51,680 --> 00:37:54,320 Speaker 2: little bit as a society because I feel like we 812 00:37:54,360 --> 00:37:56,600 Speaker 2: would have a lot better dialogue if we would actually 813 00:37:56,640 --> 00:37:58,439 Speaker 2: care and listen to what the other person said. 814 00:37:58,680 --> 00:38:01,480 Speaker 1: I mean, you're hit on the mark, and you do 815 00:38:01,560 --> 00:38:04,279 Speaker 1: that as one of our representatives. I think just for 816 00:38:04,320 --> 00:38:06,360 Speaker 1: all the things that you've said, just getting to know 817 00:38:06,400 --> 00:38:07,960 Speaker 1: you a little bit here and there, and hearing all 818 00:38:07,960 --> 00:38:10,400 Speaker 1: the different opinions about you, I only hear good. 819 00:38:10,200 --> 00:38:11,759 Speaker 2: Things about how you're compassionate. 820 00:38:12,080 --> 00:38:15,040 Speaker 1: You listen first, and so I think it's really important 821 00:38:15,040 --> 00:38:17,959 Speaker 1: for us as players to have somebody like counsel who 822 00:38:18,160 --> 00:38:20,640 Speaker 1: you're not just pushing your own agenda, right, You're listening 823 00:38:20,680 --> 00:38:22,560 Speaker 1: to everybody in the league, all these from women you 824 00:38:22,560 --> 00:38:25,600 Speaker 1: are surrounding by taking us account, finding the best way 825 00:38:25,640 --> 00:38:27,880 Speaker 1: to then push that forward for the betterment of the league. 826 00:38:28,239 --> 00:38:31,560 Speaker 1: And you do it in other ways, working with Jordan Brand, 827 00:38:31,680 --> 00:38:33,960 Speaker 1: opening a court for girls in Berlin, doing all these 828 00:38:33,960 --> 00:38:37,480 Speaker 1: different things, having a partnership with Nisef Like it justs 829 00:38:37,560 --> 00:38:39,560 Speaker 1: who you are as a person, which I think is 830 00:38:39,600 --> 00:38:43,960 Speaker 1: really special. So kudos to you for all those. We'll 831 00:38:43,960 --> 00:38:47,560 Speaker 1: head into our last portion here, which is rapid fire questions. 832 00:38:47,680 --> 00:38:48,839 Speaker 2: You had different. 833 00:38:48,560 --> 00:38:53,200 Speaker 1: Guests doing with those, so it's called it's called our vibepic, 834 00:38:53,400 --> 00:38:56,279 Speaker 1: and I believe that it's You're gonna do great. You know, 835 00:38:56,440 --> 00:38:58,839 Speaker 1: We've had a lot of different guests to do different things, so. 836 00:38:58,800 --> 00:39:00,840 Speaker 2: I believe in you. Okay, Okay, thank you. 837 00:39:01,440 --> 00:39:05,520 Speaker 1: Okay, So, starting with this year's draft, who was dressed 838 00:39:05,520 --> 00:39:07,640 Speaker 1: at this year's draft best dressed. 839 00:39:08,239 --> 00:39:13,120 Speaker 2: Mm hmm oh oh oh, who. 840 00:39:13,000 --> 00:39:15,640 Speaker 1: Are already slacking all the rapids fire? 841 00:39:15,800 --> 00:39:17,680 Speaker 2: You know, I mean it's kind of it's kind of 842 00:39:17,920 --> 00:39:20,680 Speaker 2: because Dephanie Henderson, but she was she rookie this year 843 00:39:20,760 --> 00:39:24,600 Speaker 2: or that was last year, but her yeah, yeah, yeah, 844 00:39:25,000 --> 00:39:27,360 Speaker 2: she kind of popped in this year. Yeah, who was 845 00:39:27,400 --> 00:39:29,080 Speaker 2: one of the rookies that was dressing. It showed me 846 00:39:29,120 --> 00:39:32,439 Speaker 2: some names. You could say, Haley, I could really say 847 00:39:32,440 --> 00:39:35,120 Speaker 2: you because you do yeah, you do dress. You do dress, 848 00:39:35,200 --> 00:39:37,120 Speaker 2: and I do follow you. So I feel like, yeah, 849 00:39:37,200 --> 00:39:39,560 Speaker 2: I like your Afflets appreciate you, see your girl, see 850 00:39:39,560 --> 00:39:41,200 Speaker 2: your girl, appreciate it. 851 00:39:41,320 --> 00:39:43,400 Speaker 1: Okay, so a lot of people have said you for 852 00:39:43,440 --> 00:39:45,640 Speaker 1: this question, but who's best dressed in the league? 853 00:39:46,120 --> 00:39:48,319 Speaker 2: You know what, I'm giving it to Diamond because the 854 00:39:48,360 --> 00:39:50,800 Speaker 2: way she she didn't play too much in the league, 855 00:39:50,800 --> 00:39:53,200 Speaker 2: but I'm giving it to Diamond. Every time she steps 856 00:39:53,200 --> 00:39:56,000 Speaker 2: in the locker room, I'm like, wow, that's a bit 857 00:39:56,640 --> 00:39:57,799 Speaker 2: and then me and then me. 858 00:39:58,640 --> 00:40:01,920 Speaker 1: Okay, okay, I love that of the teammate support. Okay, 859 00:40:01,960 --> 00:40:04,239 Speaker 1: So what's a drill that you never want to see 860 00:40:04,239 --> 00:40:05,120 Speaker 1: on your practice plan? 861 00:40:06,880 --> 00:40:09,480 Speaker 2: You know, a drive when Kobe ran like to the 862 00:40:09,520 --> 00:40:11,879 Speaker 2: half court and then defend it all the way back 863 00:40:12,480 --> 00:40:15,000 Speaker 2: ran to the half court. Yeah, like eight times. I 864 00:40:15,080 --> 00:40:17,320 Speaker 2: just don't want to see that. Oh that sounds awful. 865 00:40:17,480 --> 00:40:22,279 Speaker 1: Yeah yeah, yeah, it's good game wedding shot or game 866 00:40:22,280 --> 00:40:27,600 Speaker 1: winning block, game shot shot. But it's a great feeling. Okay, 867 00:40:28,400 --> 00:40:32,880 Speaker 1: and water three pointer? And on what is the toughest 868 00:40:32,880 --> 00:40:36,560 Speaker 1: place to play the w mm hmm Connecticut? 869 00:40:36,840 --> 00:40:40,719 Speaker 2: Oh yeah, it's that casino. Casino, it's a party. 870 00:40:41,040 --> 00:40:43,040 Speaker 1: What's your go to trash talk line? 871 00:40:43,840 --> 00:40:48,120 Speaker 2: Mm hmmm, it wasn't even like that. 872 00:40:51,920 --> 00:40:56,480 Speaker 1: Okay, that's passive aggressive, you know, it's something called but 873 00:40:56,560 --> 00:40:57,400 Speaker 1: like you still feel me? 874 00:40:57,880 --> 00:41:00,200 Speaker 2: Yeah? Like, all right, who's the. 875 00:41:00,160 --> 00:41:01,600 Speaker 1: Biggest trash talker in the league? 876 00:41:01,840 --> 00:41:04,600 Speaker 2: Do we want to start something? We want to start 877 00:41:04,800 --> 00:41:07,839 Speaker 2: We want Diana, Diana, but in a funny way. 878 00:41:08,239 --> 00:41:14,640 Speaker 1: Okay, yeah, I'm with you, with you, Yeah, okay, the 879 00:41:14,719 --> 00:41:17,720 Speaker 1: hardest player you've had to guard, I would say Asia. 880 00:41:18,200 --> 00:41:22,879 Speaker 1: He's not the best handles que. We've got a lot 881 00:41:22,880 --> 00:41:25,920 Speaker 1: of arique, a lot of yea, who's the biggest flopper 882 00:41:25,920 --> 00:41:28,840 Speaker 1: of the league? Another question to start things? But but 883 00:41:28,600 --> 00:41:34,799 Speaker 1: we've got a good few answers here. But okay, okay, 884 00:41:35,000 --> 00:41:36,680 Speaker 1: what's your biggest basketball a. 885 00:41:37,600 --> 00:41:40,920 Speaker 2: Slopping the worst. It's just what do you why? And 886 00:41:40,960 --> 00:41:43,160 Speaker 2: I think you should really get They should start finding 887 00:41:43,160 --> 00:41:44,000 Speaker 2: people for slopping. 888 00:41:44,440 --> 00:41:45,160 Speaker 1: Yeah. 889 00:41:46,320 --> 00:41:48,600 Speaker 2: Yeah, it's just a lot. 890 00:41:48,680 --> 00:41:52,120 Speaker 1: It's just a lot and country that you haven't played 891 00:41:52,160 --> 00:41:52,960 Speaker 1: in but want to. 892 00:41:53,719 --> 00:41:57,239 Speaker 2: I would love to play and you know I would 893 00:41:57,320 --> 00:42:01,520 Speaker 2: love to play in Nigeria one day. Okay, Yeah, I 894 00:42:01,520 --> 00:42:05,040 Speaker 2: think that would be really cool. Virgeria Senega. Senega is 895 00:42:05,040 --> 00:42:08,640 Speaker 2: closer to home. Okay, So either of you two love that? Okay. 896 00:42:08,640 --> 00:42:10,200 Speaker 1: I know you guys have a lot of different jersey 897 00:42:10,280 --> 00:42:13,319 Speaker 1: ways at Orchid, all different colors. So what was the 898 00:42:13,320 --> 00:42:15,520 Speaker 1: best jersey colorway at Orgon? 899 00:42:17,000 --> 00:42:21,520 Speaker 2: We had this black jersey our last year with puddles 900 00:42:21,560 --> 00:42:24,400 Speaker 2: on the side of our side. Oh wow. It was 901 00:42:24,440 --> 00:42:26,920 Speaker 2: big on our chest and it was so fire like. 902 00:42:26,960 --> 00:42:30,759 Speaker 2: It kind of reminded me Jamaica Jamaica Duck. 903 00:42:31,239 --> 00:42:33,680 Speaker 1: Okay that that was the best jersey. 904 00:42:33,960 --> 00:42:36,000 Speaker 2: Jamaica and Eugene love it. 905 00:42:36,600 --> 00:42:43,560 Speaker 1: Yeah, your mom, then who's your goat maya more and 906 00:42:43,600 --> 00:42:46,040 Speaker 1: then best impersonation of coach Tramplin. 907 00:42:46,480 --> 00:42:48,320 Speaker 2: Oh man, this is so good. I just want to 908 00:42:48,320 --> 00:42:49,200 Speaker 2: give her a chest mom. 909 00:42:50,680 --> 00:42:53,200 Speaker 1: Oh my god, that's what Natasha said. She said she's 910 00:42:53,239 --> 00:42:56,040 Speaker 1: always down the chest bumb somebody always. 911 00:42:55,640 --> 00:42:59,319 Speaker 2: And she got some power. I love that. 912 00:42:59,400 --> 00:43:01,640 Speaker 1: Yes, this has been so amazing. 913 00:43:01,760 --> 00:43:02,720 Speaker 2: Have you on with Tattoo. 914 00:43:02,719 --> 00:43:03,959 Speaker 1: It's always wonderful to chat. 915 00:43:04,200 --> 00:43:07,160 Speaker 2: Thank you. It's always great to see you too. It's 916 00:43:07,160 --> 00:43:09,319 Speaker 2: so funny when we were both just something and we're 917 00:43:09,360 --> 00:43:12,239 Speaker 2: just both on the side. Your hand looks so cute. 918 00:43:12,280 --> 00:43:15,480 Speaker 2: How are your hair looks great? I was having me 919 00:43:15,520 --> 00:43:17,840 Speaker 2: in so pressed too, and I was thinking about you. 920 00:43:18,000 --> 00:43:19,400 Speaker 2: Oh my gosh, love it. 921 00:43:20,120 --> 00:43:23,280 Speaker 1: This has been amazing and thank you everybody for listening. 922 00:43:23,440 --> 00:43:26,640 Speaker 1: Will be next week with another episode of Sometimes I Hoop. 923 00:43:26,719 --> 00:43:29,120 Speaker 1: Catch Me and Sattoo battle it it out. 924 00:43:29,920 --> 00:43:32,680 Speaker 2: Play on wrong one. 925 00:43:34,440 --> 00:43:37,000 Speaker 5: Hey everyone, thanks so much for listening to Sometimes I Hoop. 926 00:43:37,239 --> 00:43:40,160 Speaker 5: Please don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review wherever you 927 00:43:40,200 --> 00:43:42,880 Speaker 5: get your podcasts. Be sure to follow me on Instagram 928 00:43:42,920 --> 00:43:45,759 Speaker 5: at Haley dot Jones. That's no I and Hailey and 929 00:43:45,920 --> 00:43:48,400 Speaker 5: three s's and Jones to get all the Sometimes I 930 00:43:48,440 --> 00:43:51,120 Speaker 5: Hoop content. You can also watch the episodes on the 931 00:43:51,120 --> 00:43:54,280 Speaker 5: Players Tribune YouTube page. Thanks again for all your support. 932 00:43:58,280 --> 00:44:05,120 Speaker 1: The Players Tribute dot com