We sat down with recent Hall of Fame inductee Jen Gillom to discuss her achievement, the state of the WNBA and the players today, her relationship with her sister and her coaching dream.

AS: First off, congratulations on your inductance into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame.
JG: Thank you, it came as quite a shock.

AS: Do you think of the award being a culmination of your career?
JG: Oh yeah. Dating back to my high school and college honors and now my WNBA, overseas and coaching honors; I know all of these events have helped me get to where I am today. And I know it's not just on the court. Off the court as well has helped me get to where I am today. It's all about being in the community and becoming a role model. I think that plays an important role in success.

AS: What was the WNBA like when you first started playing and how has it grown?
JG: Oh my gosh. I think the game has definitely gotten a lot faster, which has made it more exciting for fans. People like to see the run-and-gun and the three-point shooting. When we were playing, it was pretty much old school because we liked to get the ball into the post and execute the offense from there. Now, it's like street ball. People like to see that now. That's how I think the game has changed. In addition you now have girls dunking, which adds even more excitement. I think the game has improved in a lot of ways.

AS: Is it just the game that's changed or the players too?
JG: I think they've changed as well. They're mentality has changed. I don't think the played think as structurally as they did back in the day. Players just play the game for the excitement now and to please the fans. When I played, we played to win. It wasn't so much about pleasing the fans as it was about winning. Now it's more of a show.

AS: Is it tough to coach that style, knowing the style you played?
JG: No. I mean it is tough because you have a different mentality. I'm not saying they don't want to win. I think deep down inside the players of today want to win too. But it's tough sometimes to teach certain things to the players when they know the fans want something else. It gets a little frustrating at times but when it comes down to it, I do think they want to win.

AS: What aspects of your game have you took from your playing career and tried to instill in some of the younger and older players on this Lynx squad?
JG: Dreams do come true. Hard work and really trying to apply yourself to the game pays off. I can use Nicky Anosike has an example. She comes in hungry and she wants it. She knows she's working with an Olympian and Hall of Famer (not to toot my own horn) who's been there done that. She respects me. She applied everything that I teach her to her game. Now she sees that it's working for her. That to me is very rewarding to see the player believe in what you are teaching her. It's fun to pass the torch on to her and know that she can keep it going.

AS: What advice do you have for young girls today who dream of playing in the WNBA or oversees? What kinds of mental and physical things do they need to persevere though?
JG: It takes a lot of hard work and dedication. I say this a lot because a lot of the young players say they want to be great but they don't apply themselves. They don't want to put in the hours you have to in order be the best. They don't want to get out and play the street ball like you need to in order to learn the smartness of the game. Too much structure can be detrimental for the player. Overall, just believe in yourself. I think a lot of players today lack confidence. Whatever you do, you have to believe in yourselves.

AS: Who influenced you the most to get to where you are today?
JG: My influence is different. I've watched a lot of great players play the game. I love Michael Jordan. Julius Erving was one of my favorite because I loved his actions both on and off the court. He was the type of player and role model I wanted to be. The person who probably pushed me the most was my sister because I grew up in her footsteps as Peggy's little sister. I didn't want to be called Peggy's little sister anymore; I wanted to be my own person. I worked hard to do that. It took me till I played in the WNBA to get out from underneath her shadow. That to me is an accomplishment in itself.

AS: She finished ahead of you on the all-time scoring list, but now you're in the Hall of Fame before her. Did you call and brag?
JG: Actually she called me and I was really shocked. I was like 'wow'; I finally did something that she has not done. It's a great accomplishment for me.

AS: It sounds like you two have a great relationship, were you able to push her as much as she pushed you?
JG: Oh yeah. I really believe that we were both so competitive in everything we did. I think I pushed her just as much as she pushed me. I have to give my sister some credit. Even through all of the competitiveness, she is a very loving sister. I wouldn't trade her for the World. She taught me a lot about this game, which I value a lot.

AS: Is there one particular point in your career where you can look back at now and say 'wow, what a dream I was living'?
JG: Man, I think the first time I could say that I was living out a dream was when I played on the Olympic team. When I played on that Olympic team, it was like 'oh my god, this is incredible'. That's when I knew I was one of the best players in the World. Also, playing before my family and friends was very exciting. Everyone wanted to play in the NBA because there was no WNBA when I was growing up. When I played in the WNBA I felt it was a dream come true for me. I'm sure these girls are feeling the same way. When you get to the WNBA, you are nationally known. Playing in the WNBA was when I knew I was really living out my dream.

AS: Have you offered Seimone any advice about going to compete in the Olympics?
JG: Not yet. I'm waiting. The closer it gets, maybe I'll talk to her. I've told her how proud I am of her. To really enjoy the experience and lead her team to a gold medal.

AS: When you first started playing the WNBA, did you ever envision the league where it is today? Did you think it would last into its 12th year?
JG: I really believed in it. I said it from day one, I didn't believe in the ABL. I didn't think it had enough credibility to endure any complications. With the NBA name behind it, I knew this league would stand. I knew the players who were the pioneers of the league would make it last. Now that I see the players of today continue to grow and get better, yes, I see this league 20 years from now.

AS: Now that you're in the hall of fame, what's next?
JG: The only think I can do now is boost up my coaching career. I really would like to be a head coach in this league one day and to win a championship.

AS: Thanks for your time coach.
JG: No problem.