“I’ve been watching players at games and talking to several college coaches. We watch tape and then see them play in person.”
Q: When do you start getting prepared for the draft?
“Usually right at the start of the college season."
Q: Considering you won the Championship and have everyone back, are there specific areas or weaknesses are you looking to bolster with your picks?
“We’d like to fill a straight five and a three/four position…Our guards are pretty set.”
Q: With two late first round picks, are you targeting a specific player, a position, or will you take the best available players?
“We’ll be looking for the best athlete available.”
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Detroit has two picks in the first round, numbers 11 and 13 overall. Lisa Blumenfeld WNBAE/Getty Images |
“This year’s draft will be deeper (than previous ones) as far as finding impact players by about four spots…There should be more than 6-8 role players available as well.”
Q: Does foreign scouting consume a lot of your time in the offseason?
“No. Shock assistant coach Korie Hlede plays overseas and watches.”
Q: What kinds of traits do you look for in players?
“Characteristics Shock coaches look for when scouting: We look for athletic basketball players, not athletes that need to be taught to play basketball. Can they play two different positions? They have to go from a college four to a (pro) three or three to a two or a five to a four – or even a five to a three, if that’s possible depending on how big their college was.”
Q: How important is the NCAA Tournament in helping you make last minute decisions?
“It shows how a player may be able to elevate a game in the playoffs.”
Q: What prospects do you feel can or will make an immediate impact in the League this season?
“Diana Taurasi, Vanessa Hayden and Nicole Powell.”
Q: With free agency as an option now (along with the limitations of a salary cap), are you more likely to fill needs through the Draft, free agency, or trades?
“The draft.”