Rookie Q&As: Key and Medders

April 22, 2007
Rookie draft picks Lyndsey Medders and Ashley Key have different routes to the WNBA. Key was born and raised on the East Coast, Medders is from L.A. Medders anticipated her name being called on draft day, Key did not. Key is a highly-regarded defender, Medders is a pass-first point guard who can score.

Regardless of labels or backgrounds, both have begun their WNBA careers together, with Sunday morning their first practice as teammates with the Indiana Fever. Both spent time answering questions for FeverBasketball.com.

Lyndsey Medders - Iowa State
FeverBasketball.com: What were your first thoughts when you heard you had been drafted by the Fever?
Lyndsey Medders: “I was very excited to be selected by Indiana because it was one of the teams I've always enjoyed watching in the league, and I've heard great things about the Fever.”
FB: Where were you for the draft, and who was with you?
LM: “I was in the Iowa State women's basketball offices surrounded by my coaches, teammates, and my mom and little brother, Brett (13), who flew in to watch the draft with me.”
FB: Entering the draft, did you have any idea when you might hear your name called?
LM: “I heard many different rumors, but I had no real idea on where I would land.”
FB: For the Indiana fans, describe to us your style of play.
LM: “I am a pass-first point guard who likes getting other people involved. I try to fill whatever role the team needs to help win ball games.”
FB: Analyze your own game, like you were an opposing coach. What is the best aspect of your game?
LM: “My ability to find open teammates by using my basketball IQ.”
FB: You were pretty much a four-year starter at Iowa State - at what point in your career did you begin to realize that you had a chance to play professionally?
LM: “During the middle of my junior year. It was the first time that I thought I had a legitimate chance to play at the next level.”
FB: Did you ever think of playing in the WNBA before you attended college?
LM: “Yes, ever since I began attending Sparks games during the first season (1997), it has always been a dream of mine to play in the WNBA.”
FB: Can you identify any favorite players in the WNBA? And why?
LM: “Anyone wearing a Fever jersey!!”
FB: When was the last time that you attended a WNBA game?
LM: “When I went home last summer, I attended a Sparks game.”
FB: You wore No. 14 in college and it's even a part of your email address. What is the significance of your jersey number?
LM: “My first high school basketball coach, Brian Taylor, played in the NBA and wore the #14 when he played. My middle school number was #24, and I had to select another number when I got to high school, so he suggested I wear his number. I have had it ever since!”
FB: You grew up in Southern California. How did you arrive at Iowa State?
LM: “I was very impressed with Coach Fennelly, the fan support (9,000 per game!), and the Iowa State team during the recruiting process. Iowa State had everything I was looking for in a program, a school, and a community.”
FB: You have a younger sister that has played at Hofstra. Does she have any aspirations of playing in the WNBA, also?
LM: “My sister transferred from Hofstra this year and no longer plays basketball. She will attend Pepperdine University and finish her school there.”
FB: Describe yourself off the court. What are two of your favorite things to do on an off-day - besides sleep!
LM: “I like to shoot baskets and watch sports.”
FB: What is something funny that your teammates would say about you?
LM: “My teammates would say I am goofy and always try to make people laugh.”
FB: Thanks, Lyndsey, and good luck in training camp!
Ashley Key - NC State
FeverBasketball.com: What were your first thoughts when you heard you had been drafted by the Fever?
Ashley Key: "Was that my name they just called? Can't be!"
FB: Where were you for the draft, and who was with you?
AK: "In our locker room watching to see where my teammate Gillian Goring was going to get drafted to. I was with about 5 of my teammates."
FB: Entering the draft, did you have any idea when you might hear your name called?
AK: "I really didn't think I was going to get drafted, I was hoping someone would give me an opportunity to play for them."
FB: For the Indiana fans, describe to us your style of play.
AK: "I’m a quick and aggressive defensive player, I like to get in people's faces and frustrate them offensively. Offensively I tend to be a passer first finding the open person but I am not afraid to take the shot or the ball to the hole. I like to get up and down the court and I'm not afraid to play against anyone."
FB: Analyze your own game, like you were an opposing coach. What is the best aspect of your game?
AK: "A quiet assassin you can't play off of me to help because I can knock down 3's but you can't be too close because I can drive and pull up. And know that on defense I will be everywhere."
FB: You were on the ACC All-Defense Team while at NC State in each of your last three years. When did you begin to realize you had a chance to play professionally?
AK: "When Coach [Kay] Yow starting putting me on the best player on the opposing team, game in and game out, with confidence that I would be able to do my job."
FB: One of the other members of the ACC All-Defense Team this year was your new rookie teammate, Alison Bales. You've gone head-to-head with her at least twice a year for four seasons - besides being a tall shot-blocker, how would you describe her game?
AK: "She is everywhere in the paint on offense and on defense!!! When you think you have your man beat she is so good at help defense that she changes your shot. She is able to knock down 15-footers consistently as well as gather passes that may not be directly to her. She has a soft touch around the basket to complement her post moves."
FB: Did you ever think of playing in the WNBA before you attended college?
AK: "It was a dream of mine coming out of high school, to be able to play professionally with the best players in the country."
FB: Can you identify any favorite players in the WNBA? And why?
AK: "Sue Bird, because she is such a pure shooter and passer. Tarausi, because she is a smart basketball player and knows how to use what she has. Tweety [Deanna] Nolan, because she is so quick with the ball and can be so unpredictable at times."
FB: When was the last time that you attended a WNBA game?
AK: "About 2 years ago when the Mystics came to Charlotte to play the Sting."
FB: Describe yourself off the court. What are two of your favorite things to do on an off-day - besides sleep!
AK: "I'm a laid back person who can sit on the couch all day. But I guess my two fav things to do, besides sleep, would be watch television, and surf the web or play games on my PSP."
FB: What is something funny that your teammates would say about you?
AK: "That I have multiple styles of dress - skater like, preppy, urban, or the fact that I own multiple pairs of skater shoes and want a skateboard."
FB: Thanks, Ashley, and good luck in training camp!