Fever Q&A With Katie Douglas, Part I
February 22, 2008
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The newest member of the Fever organization, Katie Douglas is returning to her hometown. Douglas grew up the youngest of four siblings which helped shape her into the competitor she is today.
FeverBasketball.com: Tell us in general about your last 48 hours.
Katie Douglas: “It’s been a whirlwind, but a good one. It’s been an exciting time in my career and something I’ve wanted for a long time. I’m extremely excited to be a part of the Fever organization. I look forward to being a mainstay here, but also winning the Eastern Conference and hopefully contending for a WNBA Championship.”
FB: What was the highest emotional point of the past 48 hours?
KD: “I’d have to say the press conference because it all became real then. Just to see the people that came out and to see my family there was great. It’s been something I’ve dreamed about and wanted for awhile, but I just didn’t know how real it could become. It finally sunk in yesterday at the press conference just sitting there behind the desk with Kelly [Krauskopf] and Coach Dunn.”
FB: Did you have any idea what to expect when you came here this week?
KD: “No, I really didn’t. I’ve been on the visiting side for so long and I’ve been outside Indiana for seven years of my professional career. I really didn’t know what to expect when I got here. Thus far, I’ve been greeted with open arms and I feel at home.”
FB: What did you do last night after the press conference?
KD: “I went and visited some friends at a small gathering. I got to see some friends from high school and then I met my family for dinner. It was delicious for what will be my last U.S. supper for a long time. It was a nice bit of a celebratory dinner, and they’re ecstatic about me being home. They want to see me play, but they also want to see me win a championship. It’s not just about me being home, but about taking the next step in my career.”
FB: How did you learn of the deal?
KD: “I was actually on the road playing in Europe. Vasilis [my husband] told me that he had great news and I knew what great news probably meant. I got home after Vasilis had talked to Chris [Sienko, Connecticut's GM]. He had thought from the conversation with Chris that it was pretty much a done deal. I wanted to hear from Indiana first, and then Kelly [Krauskopf] called me a day later. It was killing me for that day because I wanted to hear from the other side, so when I heard from Kelly it was great.”
FB: What did your family say when you told them you had been traded to Indiana?
KD: “They were screaming and I don’t think they really believed me. I’ve had many discussions with my family throughout the years, but lately it’s been a little more direct. They said some indirect things in the past, but lately it’s been direct that they would really like to see come home and that it’s what would be best for me. So when I told them, they were over the moon. They really can’t believe it because every time I come into town it’s chaotic. I’m in so many different places trying to see everybody and do so many things, but now my family realizes I’ll be here all summer and we get to spend time together.”
FB: When did you tell them?
KD: “I really didn’t tell them too much leading up to the deal. I didn’t want them to get wrapped up in the possibility of me being traded. I told them at Christmas that I was trying to do some things to get home, but I didn’t want them to get their hopes up because this is a business. They didn’t ask any questions which is rare for them, but I think my being in Spain helped. I told them recently things were starting to heat up, but the climate changed day to day. I really didn’t want to be too direct because I didn’t want to have their heart get set on me being in Indiana and then have me stay in Connecticut. I told them when it was final that both teams and both players had agreed.”
FB: Which Fever players do you know the best?
KD: “I know [Tamika] Catchings. I played with her last offseason when USA Basketball went to Rome. I’ve known her for years and years just because we’re the same age so we’ve competed against each other many times. Last summer was the first time we were actually teammates and it was a great experience.”
FB: Describe Ebony Hoffman’s personality in your words.
KD: “Jubilant (laughing). She’s full of personality. There’s not a conversation that we have where one of us isn't dying from laughter. She’s always upbeat, outgoing, and borderline bubbly. She’s a great person and it’s hard to find anything bad to say about her. She’s a lot of fun to be around and I had so much fun with her last season in Lithuania. I’m so glad she was there with me and that I got to know her.”
FB: I know you helped pick out her wedding dress. Were you there for Ron’s proposal?
KD: “Well…He was in Lithuania, and after a game I went home to my apartment. Ebony and a few other girls stayed in a building across town. He had proposed outside in the snow so they called me and were telling me to come out, but I didn’t feel like going out since we had just lost. They kept saying, ‘K-T, K-T please come.’ I couldn’t figure out what was going on and I was so tired. We had an early practice in the morning and they wouldn’t tell me what was happening over the phone so I didn’t get to go out with them that night. If they would’ve told me what was going on I would’ve went, but they told me the next day. I was really excited for her and somehow I became her J-Lo [Jennifer Lopez in The Wedding Planner] of the wedding while we were in Lithuania. It was a lot of fun helping her.”
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After attending Perry Meridian High School, Douglas graduated from Purdue University and was then drafted in the first round of the WNBA Draft by the Orlando Miracle in 2001.
The Fever recently acquired Douglas in a trade with the Connecticut Sun. Douglas is currently playing professionally in Spain, but before she returned to Europe, FeverBasketball.com’s Josh Taylor had a chance to ask her a few questions as part of a two part Q&A outlining her recent emotions and playing career.
Part II will appear Sunday, February 24.
FeverBasketball.com: Tell us in general about your last 48 hours.
Katie Douglas: “It’s been a whirlwind, but a good one. It’s been an exciting time in my career and something I’ve wanted for a long time. I’m extremely excited to be a part of the Fever organization. I look forward to being a mainstay here, but also winning the Eastern Conference and hopefully contending for a WNBA Championship.”
FB: What was the highest emotional point of the past 48 hours?
KD: “I’d have to say the press conference because it all became real then. Just to see the people that came out and to see my family there was great. It’s been something I’ve dreamed about and wanted for awhile, but I just didn’t know how real it could become. It finally sunk in yesterday at the press conference just sitting there behind the desk with Kelly [Krauskopf] and Coach Dunn.”
FB: Did you have any idea what to expect when you came here this week?
KD: “No, I really didn’t. I’ve been on the visiting side for so long and I’ve been outside Indiana for seven years of my professional career. I really didn’t know what to expect when I got here. Thus far, I’ve been greeted with open arms and I feel at home.”
FB: What did you do last night after the press conference?
KD: “I went and visited some friends at a small gathering. I got to see some friends from high school and then I met my family for dinner. It was delicious for what will be my last U.S. supper for a long time. It was a nice bit of a celebratory dinner, and they’re ecstatic about me being home. They want to see me play, but they also want to see me win a championship. It’s not just about me being home, but about taking the next step in my career.”
FB: How did you learn of the deal?
KD: “I was actually on the road playing in Europe. Vasilis [my husband] told me that he had great news and I knew what great news probably meant. I got home after Vasilis had talked to Chris [Sienko, Connecticut's GM]. He had thought from the conversation with Chris that it was pretty much a done deal. I wanted to hear from Indiana first, and then Kelly [Krauskopf] called me a day later. It was killing me for that day because I wanted to hear from the other side, so when I heard from Kelly it was great.”
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KD: “They were screaming and I don’t think they really believed me. I’ve had many discussions with my family throughout the years, but lately it’s been a little more direct. They said some indirect things in the past, but lately it’s been direct that they would really like to see come home and that it’s what would be best for me. So when I told them, they were over the moon. They really can’t believe it because every time I come into town it’s chaotic. I’m in so many different places trying to see everybody and do so many things, but now my family realizes I’ll be here all summer and we get to spend time together.”
FB: When did you tell them?
KD: “I really didn’t tell them too much leading up to the deal. I didn’t want them to get wrapped up in the possibility of me being traded. I told them at Christmas that I was trying to do some things to get home, but I didn’t want them to get their hopes up because this is a business. They didn’t ask any questions which is rare for them, but I think my being in Spain helped. I told them recently things were starting to heat up, but the climate changed day to day. I really didn’t want to be too direct because I didn’t want to have their heart get set on me being in Indiana and then have me stay in Connecticut. I told them when it was final that both teams and both players had agreed.”
FB: Which Fever players do you know the best?
KD: “I know [Tamika] Catchings. I played with her last offseason when USA Basketball went to Rome. I’ve known her for years and years just because we’re the same age so we’ve competed against each other many times. Last summer was the first time we were actually teammates and it was a great experience.”
“I know Ebony Hoffman the best. I played with her the entire winter in Lithuania last year. It was a tremendous experience to have Ebony as a teammate. She’s my girl and it was difficult that we thought we might play together [in Indiana] last summer, but things didn’t work out."
FB: Describe Ebony Hoffman’s personality in your words.
KD: “Jubilant (laughing). She’s full of personality. There’s not a conversation that we have where one of us isn't dying from laughter. She’s always upbeat, outgoing, and borderline bubbly. She’s a great person and it’s hard to find anything bad to say about her. She’s a lot of fun to be around and I had so much fun with her last season in Lithuania. I’m so glad she was there with me and that I got to know her.”
FB: I know you helped pick out her wedding dress. Were you there for Ron’s proposal?
KD: “Well…He was in Lithuania, and after a game I went home to my apartment. Ebony and a few other girls stayed in a building across town. He had proposed outside in the snow so they called me and were telling me to come out, but I didn’t feel like going out since we had just lost. They kept saying, ‘K-T, K-T please come.’ I couldn’t figure out what was going on and I was so tired. We had an early practice in the morning and they wouldn’t tell me what was happening over the phone so I didn’t get to go out with them that night. If they would’ve told me what was going on I would’ve went, but they told me the next day. I was really excited for her and somehow I became her J-Lo [Jennifer Lopez in The Wedding Planner] of the wedding while we were in Lithuania. It was a lot of fun helping her.”
