Diana Taurasi's ho-hum college career included three straight NCAA titles as a member of the University of Connecticut's women's basketball team and back-to-back Naismith National Player of the Year (2003-04) awards. Saturday, Taurasi will become the No. 1 overall selection in WNBA Draft 2004 and a member of the Phoenix Mercury. Taurasi recently spoke with WNBA News from Denver, where she is trying out for the USA basketball team that will compete in this summer's Olympics.
 |
|
Connecticut guard Diana Taurasi is set to become the top pick in the 2004 Draft. Elsa/Getty Images |
"Going into the Draft, I’m just going to enjoy it, not count on anything. Hopefully, something good is going to happen. Whether I go one, five or in the second round, I really don’t care. I’m just excited for the opportunity to play in the league."
Q: Phoenix has said it will select you first overall.
"That’s just an honor. All the hard work is finally paying off a little bit."
Q: Are you familiar with the Mercury organization?
"I know they are looking for a new coach and have some pretty good candidates. I know they got Penny Taylor from the expansion draft, so I think they are putting together a good group of people to hopefully get back on the winning track."
Q: What are your expectations for your rookie season?
"As a rookie, I’m going to have to learn and at the same time, hopefully, give a little bit of what I have. I’m just going to try to go in with a lot of energy and try to make this team get back on the map."
Q: Have you thought about what the transition is going to like going from the college to the WNBA game?
"It’s a totally different game, different teammates. It’s a totally different situation. There’s going to be an adjustment period. I’ve always been pretty good at relating to new people, and I think that’s what helps you out the most when you are on a new team. I’m not worried about that part. And the basketball part will take care of itself."
Q: At what point did you realize that playing in the WNBA was an attainable goal?
"After you see so many of your college teammates go and be so successful, I knew if I worked hard I could make it."
Q: You won three straight NCAA titles. How difficult will it be coming into a rebuilding situation?
"That’s always something that’s hard to adjust to, but if you keep positive and keep working hard this will turn positive and go your way."
Q: What's it like playing on the USA Basketball team?
"Just being on the same team with players like Lisa Leslie, Tina Thompson, Sheryl Swoopes, these great players I grew up watching, and now to get an opportunity to play with them... that's satisfying on its own. And whether I make the team or not, it's been a great a experience."