Semeka Randall certainly has made a name for herself. In fact, she’s known by quite a few names. Silver Stars head coach Candi Harvey refers to her as “The Energizer.” She’s also known as “Meek,” “Boo” and “Hard to Handle Randall.”

Now in her third WNBA season, Semeka knows exactly what she wants to accomplish. “My goal is to be a leader everyday and play hard,” Randall said. “My kick is just to be the spark on this team, provide energy, hard work and intensity day in and day out.”

Semeka is acknowledged as one of the best defenders in the league, and she is proud of that. “Definitely,” she said. “I know it’s one of my strongest assets to the game of basketball, but I can score. It’s probably harder to guard me when I’m at the point, because you have to get involved. I’m also gonna look for my shots and keep the defense on the opponents. I try to do everything. I don’t sell myself short of any kind of goal.”

That’s the beauty of Semeka’s game, her versatility. Offensively, she can play point guard and shooting guard. Think she can’t score? You should have seen her drop a career-best 28 on Orlando when she was still with Seattle. Defensively, she can lock up anyone she’s guarding.

And that’s why she was so in demand at the trading deadline a season ago. Did it bother her to know she was on the trading block? “I didn’t even know my name was out there,” she admitted. “All I know is that I had a new, fresh start and I was going to make the best of that. Learn the system, learn the game of basketball from all aspects and just give to my team and be a team player.”

So Semeka left Seattle and she may have left a different person behind. “As far as with Seattle, as a player I don’t think I was producing the way I wanted to,” she admitted. “And I might have started pointing fingers, so I take full responsibility of my mistakes and I’ve learned from them. I’m a totally different person -- a different player -- than what I used to be. Hopefully I’ll grow from that and become the best player that I can possibly be in this league.”

A new team, a new outlook and a new start. It seemed Candi Harvey put more trust and more responsibility on her. “That’s always a plus if a coach believes in you,” Semeka said. “I trust in her and I know that things will work out.”

It’s not the first time Semeka was forced to adjust. Previously, it happened at the University of Tennessee under legendary head coach, Pat Summitt. “I learned from her. I grew up as an individual. I know I was a stubborn pain-in-the-you-know-what. We have the same personality. But I learned to adjust and understand exactly what she was trying to get into this thick skull of mine.”

While Semeka has grown up, so has this Silver Stars organization. Last season, it capped a 20-12 regular season with a march to the Western Conference Finals. Before meeting Los Angeles, they had to advance past Houston, and they did, winning the decisive Game 3 on the Comets’ home floor. That alone should have earned this team some respect. But did it? “Absolutely not,” Semeka said. “And why? I don’t know. But, do we have any control over that? Absolutely not. As long as we believe in ourselves and never sell ourselves short, we’ll be fine.”

Now that the team is in San Antonio, Semeka wants the fans to know the Silver Stars are more than just great players. “This is a team of good women, classy women and that’s the most important thing,” Semeka said. “You’re gonna know us on the basketball court, but how we are off the court will surprise a lot of people, how we conduct ourselves as mature women.”

Some parting shots with Semeka: (or stuff that didn’t make the article that I just couldn’t leave out)

Andrew Monaco: If I say UT, you don’t automatically think of Texas, do you?
Semeka Randall: Absolutely not. Lady Vols. The Volunteers will always be #1 … and I bleed orange.

AM: Favorite player growing up?
SR: Actually, Charles Barkley. I just liked his demeanor back then. He played hard, and he believed, in his mind, even though he was smaller, he got the job done. I liked that a lot about him. The powerful game he had reminds me of myself. I feel like I’m a bigger guard, as far as strength-wise, so I try to bully myself out there on the court a little bit.

AM: Anybody you like watching now?
SR: You know, I got a whole collection of players I would like to mark myself after, game wise, and I really don’t believe in just choosing one. I think everybody brings something different to the table but if you can put all those in your repertoire, you’ll be a heck of a player.

AM: What do you do after the game or on your own time?
SR: Chill, read books, watch TV. I think the couch gets to know me pretty well. We are on a first name basis.

AM: How are you liking San Antonio?
SR: I’m loving it. It’s a heck of a lot better than Utah. It doesn’t rain as much as Seattle so I’m enjoying myself.