CHICAGO, IL., April 25 -- There were no basketballs or hoops anywhere in sight, but the WNBA officially welcomed its newest class of rookies anyway this weekend. Just days after 38 women heard their names called at the 2004 WNBA Draft on April 17, they were invited to attend the 2004 WNBA Player Orientation held in Chicago on April 22-24.

The two-day event introduced the incoming rookies to many speakers and presentations to facilitate their transition from college to life as a professional basketball player. It took place at a hotel near Chicago’s O’Hare airport to accommodate the nearly 40 players flying in from all parts of the country, not to mention league representatives and other training staff.

The format of WNBA Player Orientation consisted of group-wide presentations as well as smaller group sessions. It probably reminded many of the players of being back in one of their university classrooms, but the purpose of these diverse and informative presentations was to offer a greater general understanding of how the WNBA works as well as to enable new teammates to get to know each other better.

In addition to the training sessions, there was also a lot of what you might expect to happen when a group of 35 college girls gets together: laughter, bonding, story-telling and general socializing. Despite early mornings, there was an optimistic buzz and jovial conversation about the large ballroom at all times. Most of the players did not require introductions to one another. After all, they have grown up playing with and against each other for most of their lives, in A.A.U, high school and college. They now embark on their professional careers together as well.

Taurasi and Beard with WNBA Player Programs Coordinator Monique Thompson. WNBAE/Getty Images

The event began Thursday evening with a welcome dinner and introductory words from WNBA President Val Ackerman and Vice President of Player Personnel, Renee Brown. Ackerman provided an overview of the league, its history and its bright future and conveyed that players are the key to the success of the WNBA. In doing so, she laid out many of the general points that the players would continue to hear throughout the course of the weekend.

Brown then cautioned the hopeful group that their transition to WNBA life would not be an easy one, but certainly a challenge that all were capable of conquering. She outlined several key points to the group of elite athletes about what it takes to be successful at this level: a competitive attitude, a willingness to learn, pride, being a selfless teammate, the ability to adjust and maintaining one's health and fitness.

Other topics discussed throughout the course of the weekend were covered professionalism, security, benefits, media training, public relations and community responsibilities. Several of the rookies actually participated in their first WNBA-sponsored community outreach event, a “Read to Achieve” literacy promotion at a middle school in Chicago, earlier in the day on Thursday

After meeting with several of the WNBA’s most important sponsors and marketing partners on Friday morning, the group then heard from several nutrition and fitness specialists, including Victoria Johnson. Johnson, who was one of the weekend’s most dynamic and engaging presenters, stressed the importance of nutrition and offered diet and behavioral tips for players to keep their bodies in optimal shape.

“When it’s late in the game and you are bent over with your hands on your knees, looking down the other end of the court that you’re about to start running back towards, you’ll be thinking ‘I probably should not have had that doughnut,’” Johnson warned. “And you’ll be right. You should not have had that doughnut.”

But the most lively sessions took place when the new players got to meet and interact with a panel of current and retired WNBA players. Because no one can comprehend or speak to the lifestyle demands of a WNBA player better, the two-way dialogue really began to open up. Retired players Coquese Washington and Carla McGhee first spoke with the group about WNBA life.

“Life in the WNBA will be a lot simpler if you listen to your coaches,” Washington said. “If you are coming in as a shooting guard and your coach says that they need a backup point guard, but you keep saying you are a point guard, you’re going to get cut.”

They were then joined by a panel of current players who are not too far removed from being rookies themselves, Indiana Fever forward Tamika Catchings, Minnesota Lynx forward Tamika Williams and Detroit Shock center Ruth Riley. A recurring question throughout the weekend was the rookies’ curiosity about their first training camp and just what they should expect.

“You have to go in and have confidence. You wouldn’t be drafted if you weren’t any good,” Catchings said. “If you in and challenge the veterans and play to the best of your ability, you will be successful. But bring your ‘A’ game everyday, because you are in the WNBA now and you are competing against the best.”

WNBA Player Panel: Tamika Catchings, Tamika Williams and Ruth Riley. WNBAE/Getty Images

The veterans also schooled their newest colleagues on the potential pitfalls they might face in the WNBA.

“This league is different because all of the things that were taken care of for you in college – pre-game meals, scheduling extra workouts, being places you need to be on time – no longer happen for you,” Williams told the incoming players. “You have to take care of your responsibilities on your own, and if you don’t you’re going to be left behind.”

The most immediate responsibility these new players now face comes on the court. From Chicago, the rookies traveled to their respective new cities to begin their preparations for the 2004 WNBA season. For some, training camp will be about competing for an active role in a team's rotation and getting used to the speed and physical play.

“It is going to be a lot more physical than you have ever known,” Riley said. “Plays that might have been fouls in college are not necessarily fouls in the WNBA. Especially for you rookies.”

For others, just making a roster is the ultimate goal. With teams permitted to invite up to 18 players to training camp yet only carry 11 on its opening day roster, there were likely several players in attendance at Player Orientation who will not make a WNBA team. Each will get a fair chance to prove she belongs in training camp. But all are putting college behind them and ready to face what lies ahead.

No matter what happens over the course of the preseason, it is unlikely, however, that the entire class of 2004 rookies will ever be fully assembled together again.