Playing with Team USA Compared to the Monarchs
Playing for Team USA is like playing with an all-star team. Every player on the team is one of the top players on their team in the WNBA, so it's a big difference. For most players your role in the WNBA is different than your role on Team USA. For me personally, I have to do different things for each team. But I also have to do some of the same things – bringing energy, being vocal and playing hard. There are a lot of things that you have to bring everyday to both teams in practice, and the responsibility to compete and make your teammates better.

The Evolution of Her Game
My role has changed a lot from Tennessee to the WNBA. I was a point guard coming out of college and that’s the only position I had ever played. Coming into the WNBA, I did play the point, but I mostly played shooting guard. So once I made it to the WNBA I had to learn a new position and trying to learn a new position at the highest level of competition was hard to do. I’ve had to balance between both spots during my WNBA career, but now I have adapted my game and I am mainly a shooting guard.

Facing the Volunteers with Team USA (USA won 83-72)
It was a lot of fun to have the opportunity to play in the same arena that I played college ball. It was a lot of fun to interact with the current players. I also saw a lot of familiar faces from the administration, coaches and trainers. They all helped me make it to the professional level. One of the reasons I wanted to go to Tennessee was having the opportunity to play under Coach Pat Summitt who is one of the best college coaches and is the winningest coach in NCAA history. When you're a Volunteer you play with the best collegiate players everyday in practice. Playing there was instrumental in my growth as a player. Having the chance to compete against the best everyday was a major reason I was able to make it to the professional level.

Candace Parker Didn't Accidentally Pass to Her Team USA Mates
She knew she was wearing a Volunteer uniform that day. But it was kind of funny because she has familiarity with our team and our plays. But we also have a good familiarity with her game, her tendencies and what she likes to do. So it was an even trade-off knowing each other’s secrets.

Her Constant Companion - The 75 Ounce Water Jug
We travel so much as professional athletes. I would say that our extensive travel is one of the areas that fans don’t understand. We really have to travel a lot and it affects your body, your energy level and your ability to perform. So I carry around the water jug as a way to take care of myself. When you’re traveling a lot and playing, you get dehydrated easily and also have to deal with jet-lag. The water helps combat that. A lot of times you jump off the plane and go straight to practice. You start getting dry mouth and headaches if you haven’t had enough to drink. I always have water with me. I always have some kind of snack as well. You never know with travel, where you can find something to eat. So for the past couple of years I've made sure to always have water and snacks along to combat the ill-effects of constant travel.

Wedding update
I don't have a lot to update everyone on with my wedding. I have a lot of people helping me with the wedding in Sacramento -- so a Thank You to them! This December is going to be a big one for me in terms of planning and getting stuff done. December will be my first time home for an extended period in six months, so I’m banking on trying to get a lot of stuff done. There are so many details, everything from food to flowers. It’s the little details that you never think of, that take more planning. We have started the process in every area, but we're constantly trying to keep things moving forward. Now we have to start working on the details of how we want the ceremony and the reception to be. So that is what I have planned after we finish this Collegiate Tour.

Thanks again for keeping up with me this off-season. I'll check in with you again next week!