Natalie Novosel Q&A

This week we will be posting Q+As with some of the nation's top prospects so they can introduce themselves to WNBA fans.

Natalie Novosel is one of the best pure shooters in the draft. Along with fellow prospect Deveraux Peters, Novosel helped lead Notre Dame to two straight National Championship games. Last season, Novosel averaged 15.2 points, 4.1 rebounds and shot 41 percent from 3-point range. She is also efficient from the free-throw line, shooting 83 percent from the charity stripe.

Check out Natalie's prospect profile.

One of your teammates, Devereaux Peters, is also expected to be a coveted draft prospect. Can you talk about what it�s like to play with someone of her talents?
Devereaux is one of the most passionate, athletic, and team players I have ever played with. She will do whatever necessary to win, and she raises the play of everyone around her. At this next level, everyone is a great player, they�ve reached the pinnacle. I am honored to play with the best players in the world, and can�t wait to jump right in, learn from them and be a contributor.

How much does losing in consecutive National Championships motivate you?
I am a winner; I won championships in middle school, AAU, and state.It killed me to not win one at the collegiate level, the one I have dreamt about as young as I can remember. I felt like it slipped through our fingers the first year, and we got a second chance when many people don�t, and we still didn�t capitalize. It motivates me more than anything to continue working and improving my game so that I can contribute and play for a team that has the possibility for me to become a World Champion.

Novosel
Mike Bennett/Lighthouse Imaging
How do you expect to adapt to playing in a league where you will likely find less open shots and less open lanes to the basket?
I am a crafty player with a scorer�s mentality, and can use that ability to find ways to score when adapting to new defenses. I will have to take advantage of those few open opportunities that I do get and become a more efficient scorer.

What strengths, qualities or skills will be able to bring to a WNBA team?
I am the hardest worker, a smart player, and relentless on either end of the court. I have versatility and craftiness on the offensive end, so if a defender is stepping off of me I can shoot the outside shot or if those aren�t falling, I can drive and take the contact to finish at the rim or get to the free throw line. As a defender, if offensively I am struggling, I will find a way to make up for it on the defensive end and make a contribution that way.

What do you expect to be some of the biggest challenges or adjustments at the next level?
I think one of the biggest challenges is transitioning from the team concept at the collegiate level to the WNBA being a business�people are not necessarily going to wait for you to get something right, you must help yourself, so you must take your chances and make the best use of them when you have them!

What specific skills do you need to work on in order to succeed at this level?
I need to become a more consistent ball handler, being able to be comfortable with it under pressure; staying square and finishing when driving to get contact so that I can score and be successful if a foul is not called; and lateral quickness as a defender!

When were you introduced to the game of basketball?
I was introduced where many kids begin their careers, in the backyard playing ball with my dad, and often times my siblings at a young age.

When did you know you wanted to be a professional basketball player? And, given that dream, when did you realize that you had a legitimate shot of doing so?
I always thought that it was a dream, and never a reality. It was when my college coaches sat Devereaux, Skylar, and me down and we had an �agent� meeting at the beginning of my senior year, and I remember wondering to myself, �Why am I even here, I�m not going to the league?��and near the end of the meeting, they told me that there was a mock draft and that I was predicted as the 18th pick in the 2012 draft to San Antonio. It really hit me.

What do you think it will feel like when your name first gets called and who will you share the moment with?
I will be sharing the moment with my mom and dad, and right outside of the studio, my twin brother and my sister, and my two best friends. I am looking forward to that moment more than anything. It will be in that moment where all the hard work and long hours in the gym paid off and every second of it was worth it. I�ll smile proudly and be forever gracious.

Once you get settled in a new team, do you have any first-year goals in mind?
I am just prepared to do whatever the team needs me to do so that I can contribute in the best way. Now that I am done with my college career, I realized that I personally don�t think that I have reached my potential as a player, thus I am excited to learn and improve and do what it takes to play and be successful for the team and franchise.

Are there any current WNBA players that you model your game after?
I don�t think I could pinpoint one player that I have modeled my game after.

What WNBA players are you most looking forward to playing against or meeting?
To be honest, I am not sure! I am really new to this, not even thinking I had the opportunity to play in the WNBA, but I am excited to learn and meet new people. If I had to name someone, I have enjoyed watching Becky Hammond play over the past few years.

What is your best on-court moment?
The best moments are those moments that make me remember why I play the game, what all the hard work is for, and why I love it so much. One memorable moment, not necessarily an experience, was the moment after I hit a buzzer-beater to win over Duke in the Bahamas. The moment was right after, when I was running and every one joined in the celebration, it was truly surreal. The best part was watching everyone�s different reactions on film the next day.

Tell your new fans something that most people do not know about you?
I have a twin brother! He�s 6�5�, my best friend, and the best thing that�s ever happened to me. He�s going to be President someday!

How would you describe yourself?
I come off sometimes with a cold, shy exterior, but anyone that knows me well will describe me as a warm, genuine, easy-going, silly around those who reeeeeally know me, and often gullible person.

What�s your favorite movie? What type of music do you listen to? Any particular artists that you listen to prior to a game?
My favorite movies are Pretty Woman and Gladiator. I listen to anything country, oldies, hip-hop, not necessarily rap, but some of it is tolerable.

Do you use social media? If so, what platform? And, would you like to share your information with your new fans?
I have a Facebook that I primarily use to stay in touch with my family and friends, and occasionally, fans.