Back on April 4th, the San Antonio Silver Stars made Virginia Tech center Nare Diawara the 30th overall selection in the WNBA Draft. Not bad for someone who started playing basketball at the age of 15. A native of Bamako, Mali, the 6-6 Diawara has been a quick study, as evidenced by her steady rise at VaTech where she averaged over 12 points and 10 rebounds and nearly two blocks per game during her senior season. She hopes to continue improving with San Antonio, which opened training camp this past weekend. WNBA.com's Mark Bodenrader chatted with Diawara to check in on her progress and find out more about the San Antonio rookie.

Nare Diawara Jennifer Pottheiser/NBAE/Getty Images

Q: How is training camp going so far?
DIAWARA: "It’s going really well."

Q: How are you holding up against the level of competition?
DIAWARA: "I think I’m doing all right. I just try to do whatever my coach and teammates ask me to do. So I think I’m doing pretty good."

Q: What was your reaction after being drafted?
DIAWARA: "I was excited because it was my dream. I've always wanted to come to the United States and be able to play in the WNBA."

Q: You attended the draft in Cleveland. What was that like?
DIAWARA: "It was good. It was exciting to be there, to see the people who get drafted and to be there and meet with the rest of people who got drafted. So it was really a good experience for me."

Q: You played your high school ball in Connecticut (Cheshire Academy). Was part of you hoping to get drafted by the Sun?
DIAWARA: "For me, it doesn’t really matter what team I go to. I just wanted to get drafted and make a team. That was my goal. It didn’t matter to me what team I would play for."

Q: You are originally from Mali. How long have you been living in the United States?
DIAWARA: "I’ve been living in the United States for seven years."

Q: Is basketball big over in Mali?
DIAWARA: "Soccer is No. 1. Basketball is second. In my family, my brother and my sister both play basketball. So that was just something I wanted to do. That was my first goal."

Q: So you’ve always wanted to play in the WNBA?
DIAWARA: "I've always wanted to play pro ball. Always."

Q: I’m told your brother plays professionally in Syria. Is that correct?
DIAWARA: "Yes. And my little sister plays in France."

Q: How has it been adjusting to life in the U.S.?
DIAWARA: "It’s been good because I’m getting to achieve my dream. I’m getting my education. I’m able to get drafted and to come here and play in San Antonio. I think it’s going really well. Whatever I hope for I’m getting it."

Q: I heard recently that you are learning how to drive. How's that going?
DIAWARA: "I tend to get stuck in a room because after practice I have nothing to do, so I just wanted to get my driver’s license to be able to see the city and to do something by myself. That way I don’t have to depend on anybody."

Q: That makes sense too because San Antonio is really spread out.
DIAWARA: "Yeah, and in school I was living with my teammates, but now I’m living by myself, so I have to call people to give me a ride. I just wanted to be on my own and do whatever I have to do."

Q: What strengths do you think you bring to the Silver Stars?
DIAWARA: "I can play defense, rebound and block shots."

Q: What do you need to work on?
DIAWARA: "I need to get better on defense and get more rebounds. And I have to work on my offense."

Q: Who are you excited to play with on San Antonio?
DIAWARA: "I’m excited to play with Shanna Crossley. I think she’s a really good player. And Sophia Young too."

Q: Who are you looking forward to play against?
DIAWARA: "I’m really looking forward to playing against Lisa Leslie, but she’s not playing this year. But I really want to play against her."

Q: Your numbers improved drastically during your time in college. Do you see that trend continuing in the WNBA?
DIAWARA: "Definitely."

Q: What’s your goal for this season?
DIAWARA: "My goal is to make the team. That’s the first thing. I just want to make the team and help them, whatever they need me to do. Play defense. Rebound. That’s my goal, to help the team do well this season."