WNBA Draft 2017 presented by State Farm April 13, 2017 KELSEY PLUM, SAN ANTONIO
STARS (Round 1, Pick 1)
Q: What was going through your mind when you heard your name called? PLUM: My
sister was next to me. I just kind of touched her and took a deep breath. It’s
an unreal feeling. I’ve been dreaming about it for so long. I’m just very
grateful.
Q: How do you feel about going to San Antonio? PLUM: I’m really excited. Coach
Vickie [Johnson] has a great plan from what I hear. I’ve played with Moriah
[Jefferson] before. She’s a phenomenal player. I’m a big fan of Kayla McBride.
I’ve watched throughout her entire collegiate career and in the pros. I’m just
grateful for the opportunity. I’m going to make the most of it.
Q: Has this night been everything you dreamt it to be? PLUM:It has. I think it
will continue to sink in as the night goes on. I think it really sunk in when I
was holding the San Antonio jersey and hugging Lisa [Borders]. It is pretty
special.
Q: What has the journey been like from the Pac-12? PLUM: It’s been a head spin.
The last couple of weeks have been kind of crazy because of all the travel I’ve
been doing. It’s a great problem to have. I’m extremely grateful. The Pac-12 has
been so good to me. So, thank you, Pac- 12. The University of Washington has
prepared me for this moment. I’m excited.
Q: What part of your game have you been working on to prepare for the WNBA?
PLUM: My physicality. I’ve been in the weight room lately working on my
strength. Defensively, I know that’s something that’s going to be tested of me
early. I’m going to go in with the mindset to be ready to compete.
Q:Looking at your game, do you feel you can play off the ball? PLUM: I feel like
I can play on the ball and off the ball. I can do whatever Coach Vickie needs to
me to do. That’s my mentality going into this situation. I’m excited. It’s going
to be a little out of my comfort zone, but I think that’s where you grow the
most.
ALAINA COATES, CHICAGO SKY (Round 1, Pick 2)
Q:
With everything you’ve been through, what are your emotions tonight? Coates:
I’m just really excited. I think I’m still coming off the national championship
high. I didn’t get to do anything except watch a TV screen, but I was still part
of the team. I’m really excited about that and happy that happened. For me to go
number two especially with my situation, I’m really excited about that as well.
Q:What does it mean to go to Chicago? Coates: It means a lot. I feel like they
saw the potential in me and liked the résumé that I built throughout my career
at South Carolina. It really spoke for itself for them to still pick me as a No.
2.
Q: Are you worried about the physicality at the WNBA level? Coates: I actually
welcome it. As a big person, I don’t know if it’s because I always went against
my dad in the driveway, but I actually enjoy the physicality. It means something
to me that if you’re playing in the post, you can still get your shot off and if
you’re playing in the post and you prevent your person from scoring. It’s
something I’m looking forward to. I know I’m probably going to get beat up as a
rookie, but I’m looking forward to it.
Q: What does it mean to you that the Sky picked you? Coates:It means a lot. It’s
just a lot of motivation for me when I do come back. [I want to] come out and
show them the reasons why they still picked me despite my situation.
Q: How will you prepare differently for the WNBA? Coates: I’m definitely going
to have to start with my mental psyche. It’s completely different from college.
I just know that whenever I hit my walls of being tired, I’m going to have to
get over that wall. [I have to] continue to push myself. They [Chicago Sky] saw
potential in me and picked me even though I can’t immediately make an impact.
I’m just going to keep that mindset of they picked me for a reason and show them
their decision was justified.
ALLISHA GRAY, DALLAS WINGS (Round 1, Pick 4)
Q:
What does it mean to be the fourth pick in the WNBA Draft? GRAY: It was great.
I was predicting around the first round, but I was unsure. I’m glad the Dallas
Wings have confidence in me and chose me. I’m excited to join the organization.
Q: Does it make you not regret the decision that you came out early? GRAY: Yes.
I’m glad I made the choice. Timing was everything. I’m glad I came out this
year. Q: How have you been preparing for the WNBA? GRAY: Improving my ball
handling. From a mental aspect, I’m been working on my decision making because
in the WNBA, you’re playing against a lot of experienced players. So, it’s
definitely decision making for me.
Q: What has the past month been like for you? GRAY:It’s definitely been hectic.
Winning a national championship and deciding if I wanted declare for the WNBA
Draft or not – I’m glad I chose to come to the draft. I’m glad I made the
decisions that I made.
Q: What has Coach Staley told you about the WNBA? GRAY: It’s definitely a
different ball game. A different level. You have to be ready to go in and be
ready to work hard. Q: How do you feel about Dallas? GRAY: I’m very excited. I
won a national championship in Dallas so there’s great memories there. I’m glad
to be back.
NIA COFFEY, SAN ANTONIO (Round 1, Pick 5)
Q:
What do you think you and Kelsey Plum can bring to San Antonio? COFFEY:
Clearly, Kelsey can score so that’s awesome. I feel like I can play both inside
and outside. Whatever coach needs me to do, I can do. I’m excited to get there.
Q: What was going through your mind while you were waiting for your name to get
called? COFFEY: I was getting really nervous so I had my best friend talking
about my puppy at home… When it happened, I was overcome with so much happiness
and excitement. It was truly exciting.
Q:Did you envision this moment when you were young? COFFEY: Not at all. It
actually became my dream after my Freshman year in college. I started to see my
ability and what I was capable of doing. I wanted to do that on a professional
level. So, it kind of just happened this way. I couldn’t even dream of this
moment because I didn’t even know what it would be like.
Q: How did your four years at Northwestern prepare you? COFFEY: I was put in a
very interesting role. I have the ability to do everything. So, I had a taste of
being on the wing, being on the block, guarding wings, guarding post players – I
was able to feel every position out because I had the freedom to do so.
Q:What responsibility does this draft class have to grow the game? COFFEY: We
have to show young girls and people the excitement and potential of this league.
It’s such an amazing thing and we want everyone to know that. For all the young
girls out there, it is possible. There is a professional place for you to play.
Just keep working and you can get here.
SHATORI WALKER-KIMBROUGH, WASHINGTON MYSTICS (Round 1, Pick 6)
Q:
What are your goals for your future in the WNBA? WALKER-KIMBROUGH: To just help
my team in any way, shape or form. I want to go in there, ask Coach Thibault
what they need me to do and go out there and do it.
Q: Talk about this first round and how strong it’s been. WALKER-KIMBROUGH: Our
class offers really great players. I know everyone in this class has been
dreaming of this moment. Being here to witnessing not only my fellow teammate
Brionna Jones but all the girls in this class, we’re all achieving our goals.
Q: How does it feel to be able to stay in the Maryland area? WALKER-KIMBROUGH:
Maryland fans are the greatest fans in the country. They support you through
thick and thin. I’m so excited to be just down the street from them. Coach B
[Brenda Frese] has helped me prepare for this moment not only as a person but as
a leader. Our player development coaches have helped me get to this moment. I
just put my head down and worked ever since I stepped on campus. It’s good to
see my hard work finally pay off.
Q:Are you excited to play to with Mystics? WALKER-KIMBROUGH: Absolutely. Not
only to get to play against those veterans in a game, but I get to play against
them in practice. I know they’re going to help me be the best Shatori I can be.
Along with Coach Thibault, I feel like he’s a phenomenal coach. He used to come
to our practices. I remember seeing him as a Freshman not knowing who he is. Now
calling him coach, it seems surreal.
Q: How are preparing for the WNBA? WALKER-KIMBROUGH: Getting stronger. Put some
pounds on to be able to take that bump offensively, but also be able to give
that bump defensively as well.
Brionna Jones, Connecticut Sun (Round 1, Pick 8)
Q: What are you looking forward to? Jones: I’m looking forward to change my luck
in Connecticut, just excited to play with them. Play with Alyssa Thomas again. I
met Chiney [Ogwumike] when I was here. I’m really excited to play and run with
her.
Q: What does it mean for you and Shatori Walker-Kimbrough to share this moment
and the program as a whole? Jones: Playing for Coach [Brenda] Friese. She’s a
great coach, she makes her players better. And I think that shows how much
Shatori and me improved during our freshman year. I’m really happy for Shatori
and can’t wait to see what life turns out for her.
Q: On the depth of this year’s draft: Jones: There is so much talent here. We
have three national championship winners and also have All-Americans. It’s
amazing, the talent that was here. I know going into whatever team they go to
everyone’s going to play hard and going to be amazing.
Q: Looking forward to the whistle being more lenient in the WNBA? Jones:
Definitely. I enjoy physical play. Being able to play physically and not get
ticky-tack fouls will be a sigh of relief.
KAELA DAVIS, DALLAS WINGS (Round 1, Pick 10)
Q:
Being a pro runs in the family, what does it mean to you to be a pro now?
DAVIS:It means everything. To have a legacy going on, it means a lot to me to
carry the Davis name and extend it a little bit.
Q: Were you nervous? DAVIS: Yes. Obviously, it was a big decision to leave South
Carolina. I think it’s nerves with everything because it’s an unknown situation.
You don’t know what’s going to happen. It’s a little nerve-wracking, but I’m
excited.
Q: How big of a night was this for South Carolina? DAVIS:We are so excited to be
able to represent the University of South Carolina. For us, it’s definitely
about representing South Carolina, but we want to grow the game. We got to
experience the first national championship at South Carolina. We expanded the
game a little bit and that’s what we’re going to focus on doing.
Q: How does it feel to have three first round picks for South Carolina? DAVIS:
It’s amazing. I don’t know many people that get to have this opportunity and
share it with their teammates. For us, it means a lot. It means a lot to Coach
Staley. We just hope that we can not only represent South Carolina well, but
also women’s basketball as a whole.
Q: How has Coach Staley prepared for the WNBA? DAVIS: Her big thing is always
playing at the next level. That’s something she’s always been preparing myself
and teammates since we got to South Carolina. She always starts thing off if you
want to get here, you need to do A, B and C. Luckily, we had someone who has
been here and was successful here. She’s tried to instill that in us as much as
possible. I’m super thankful to have been under her for the two years I was.
SYDNEY WIESE, LOS ANGELES SPARKS (Round 1, Pick 11)
Q:
From All-State in Phoenix, to the Final Four, to a record-setting career at
Oregon State and now down to Los Angeles to play with the defending champions.
What has this meant you?
WIESE: It has been such a blessing. I’ve been surrounded by incredible people,
starting back home in Arizona. My family has been my rock for me. They really
set the foundation of what it means to work hard and go after your dreams. Then,
there I am at Oregon State. Once again, surrounded by an incredible support
system. The fan support was unreal. Coach [Scott] Rueck has been like a father
to me. Then my teammates become like sisters. It’s like one big family up there.
Then, I get sent off into the adult team world down here. It feels good to be
stuck on the West Coast again and I’m looking forward to the opportunity.
Q: What do you expect the transition will be like to the WNBA? WIESE: It’s
competitive. This is the best women’s basketball league in the world, so there
is no free lunch here. You’re going to have to earn a spot, and it’s a business
now. It’s going to be super competitive, very talented players all across the
board. I’m so excited to improve as an individual and see what I can bring to a
new team in the LA Sparks.
ALEXIS JONES, MINNESOTA LYNX (Round 1, Pick 12)
Q:
What’s iot like to learn under some veteran guards like Minnesota has? JONES:
It’s going to be a great experience for me. They have some great players – Maya
Moore, Seimone Augustus. I’m just really excited to be playing with them. I’ve
been playing with them my whole entire life and to finally be on the court
playing with them is going to be really, really exciting. Q: What are some
skillsets you can bring to the team and what are some of the things you want to
work on? JONES: I’m going to work on my defensive side and just keep doing what
I’ve been doing in the gym, working on my shot, working on my picks and rolls,
and working on my quickness ability and just trying to be that player for the
Minnesota Lynx. Wherever they need me on the court, I’m going to help out.
Hopefully we can win another championship with them.
Q:Is that exciting? That you’re going to a championship organization? JONES:
They have a lot of veteran players. I’m just blessed to play with those players
who win championships and have been winning a lot of championships in the WNBA.
Erica McCall, Stanford (Round 2, Pick 5) Q: Talk about this journey. You went
from Bakersfield to Stanford and now Indiana. What’s this journey meant to you?
McCall: It’s been a journey full of ups and downs. It’s been amazing to see God
grace us with a lot of amazing things. And now he’s gracing me with being on the
Indiana Fever, so I’m super excited and blessed and I’m just excited for the
next journey.
Q: On playing at Stanford and what it means to come from such a storied and
successful franchise: McCall: It’s been amazing. There were unbelievable
experiences that I had at Stanford. Being able to play with a coach that has
1,000 wins is pretty darn cool. There are so many things I’ll take with me on
and off the court as well as my teammates such as Chiney [Ogwumike] and Nneka
[Ogwumike]. They gave me a lot of tips I can take to the WNBA so I’m excited.
Q: What part of your game will translate to the next level? McCall: I think my
rebounding and my ability to knock down that 15-foot shot. They’ll just attack
the basket. I think that’s the best ability that I have. I’m pretty consistent
with those, so I think if I do that well it will be cool.
