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Let Hoops 101, and Tammy, provide you with some answers below!
Hello Tammy!! How is your offseason going so far? I hope it's going GREAT! So how do you like it over in Korea? Is it a bit or more different -- things like food or language -- compared to the U.S.? What are some fun things you do while off the court in Korea? Well, GOOD LUCK and hope to see you in the 2002 season.
Madison, Houston, TX
Sutton-Brown: Well, Madison, I am doing great. Thanks for asking. When I am not on the court in Korea I find time to venture out to Seoul, where there is an American Army base located. Actually, when I am on the base, I forget sometimes that I am actually in Korea.
What is the best advice you can give to someone who wants to go overseas to play basketball?
Stacey, Greenwood, S.C.
Sutton-Brown: My best advice for someone who wants to go play overseas is to prepere yourself for everything. What I mean is that depending on where you go, you have to realize that every country/culture is different. For instance, when I got to Korea it hit me that this culture eats a lot of seafood, and being that I do not like seafood at all, it took me some time to get over the fact that daily meals were not going to be the highlight of my day. But overall, I think that it is a great way to stay in shape and make a little bit of money doing it.
How can someone deal with being nervous when playing basketball?
Amy, Amston, CT
Sutton-Brown: I think that different people deal with nervousness differently. Personally when I get nervous I try to listen to some R&B and by singing along to the lyrics, this gets me relaxed and focused. All I can tell you is to know within yourself that you are good and that the practices you have done leading up to the game have prepared you.
Tamara Kim Sutton-Brown,
First let me say the Stones miss you very much and are extremely proud of you. I have not been able to communicate with your parents this winter but I know they are proud of you too. Keep up the great work and always strideforward, never sideways or backwards ... smile.
What would you say has been your greatest challenge and greatest reward playing in Korea?
The Stones Family, Somerset, N.J.
Sutton-Brown: Hey, I'll see you soon. But to respond to you question, I think my greatest challenge has nothing to do with basketball, I think it was just knowing that I can make it on my own in life. Going to Korea for four months on my own and being back knowing that I could do it again, if I so choose, is a great accomplishment of mine.
Hi Tammy. I lived in Seoul, Korea for 13 months (U.S. Army vet) and found the culture to be awakening for me. The style of play in basketball was also different. What have you learned from the Korean culture and how do you think playing in Asia has uplifted your game? By the way, I followed your career at Rutgers and in the WNBA, and was really impressed with your vast improvement in the later part of the pro season. Keep up the work and you're going to be awesome!
Andrea, Lawton, OK
Sutton-Brown: Andrea, hi. I learned a lot from playing in Korea. First, like you said, it is a totally different culture as far as, not only food and language, but also transportation and living environment. I found that in order for you to get to a place that would normally take 30 minutes you would have to leave one hour and 15 minutes in advance because you never new what the traffic would be like. You think New York is bad, try getting around in Korea. To answer the other part of your question, I believe that not only did Korea keep me in shape during the offseason, but it also gave me great competition. There were a number of WNBA players over there -- Tari Phillips, Rhonda Mapp and Tangela Smith, just to name a few.
I love basketball and hope to be in the WNBA one day. I made the freshmen team at school, but I still need a lot of work. What do you suggest I should work on the most? I'm good with shooting and dribbling and the problem is that I don't really know how to get open to the ball. What should I do?
Tasha, Ashburn, VA
Sutton-Brown: First of all, I do not know what position you play. For example, are you a guard or a forward? Depending on your position, you need to focus on different drills. I say you can never work on dribbling and shooting skills too much. Ask your coach to work with you on getting open -- he or she should know about V-cuts, L-cuts, and many more.
Hey Tammy! What differences do you find playing in Korea from other places you've been/venues you've played in? Why did you choose Korea over other countries? And have you tried kimchee yet (and do you like it?) :) Best regards, and though I'm a staunch Liberty fan, I can't help but cheer for you wherever you play. GO RUTGERS!
Alison, Union, NJ
Sutton-Brown: Hi, Alison. The difference with Korea is that every game we played took place at 2 p.m., both on weekends and weekdays, which was good because you had the rest of the day to do whatever. The bad part about this was that there were not many people showing up to games during the week. The other thing is that one gym could be hot and the next gym you played in could be freezing, but you got used to it. And, no, I did not have any kimchee, but it is extremly popular in Korea.
Hey Tammy. You were an awesome rookie. What are your expectations for your second year? What do you think the Sting will need to win it all this year? Best of luck overseas and when you get back!
Brittany, North Carolina
Sutton-Brown: Hey Brittany. I think that this year will be different from last because everybody now knows about Charlotte, so we all need to bring our A game every night because instead of hunting everyone (like we did last year), this year we will be the hunted and teams will bring their A game when playing us. I remember coach Stringer telling us all the time at Rutgers that the higher you get the harder it gets, but I know my teammates, and we will be ready to take on the challenge come June 1 when we start our season off playing L.A.
I have heard from a Korean fan that the Korean style of basketball is very different from the style played either in the U.S. or in Europe. As a center, is it a particularly big change? Have you added any new aspects to your game for the upcoming WNBA season? By the way, the Korean fan was very complimentary about you and some of the other WNBA players in Korea. I think you have made new fans!
Sooz, Daytona Beach, FL
Sutton-Brown: I believe that the biggest difference for me was the illegal defense rule that they have over in Korea. I think because of the illegal defense rule ... as a centre, it forced me to play one-on-one, which helped me with my game down low. Or if the double team came, I was forced to kick the ball out, working on passing.
Tammy, I have heard that living conditions for women playing overseas are not as one may expect (i.e. running water, crowded living quarters, fair treatment, etc). How are your living conditions in Korea? Are they what you expected?
Dab, Asheville, NC
Sutton-Brown: Actually I was very impressed with the living conditions they had us in. We had water, lounges, T.V., computers -- all really that one needs, so I am not complaining.
First of all, I would like to say congratulations on such a great rookie season. I was wondering if you knew what Tasha Pointer is currently doing? Thanks.
Marissa, New Jersey
Sutton-Brown: Thanks, Marissa. The last I heard Tasha was in grad school back at Rutgers.
Are there any specific skills you are trying to work on before the WNBA season?
Kim, Sacramento, CA
Sutton-Brown: I believe that there is always room for improvement. Each season I play I try to grow as a person and in turn as a player. I think that specifically I am working on extending my shooting range.
Do you think the practice is very important at age 12?
Elsa, Frejus, Cote d'azur, France
Sutton-Brown: Extremely important. I believe the old saying that practice makes perfect.
