Lindsay Wisdom-Hylton Checks In

LASparks.com caught up with forward Lindsay Wisdom-Hylton to find out how she spent her first offseason.

LASparks.com: What did you do this off-season?

Lindsay Wisdom-Hylton: I went to play in Athens, Greece on a team called Esperides. I went there from October to about the middle of December and played in a pretty competitive league. We had a decent team and only lost a couple of games while I was there. It was a lot of fun and a great experience. I really enjoyed sightseeing and getting to know the city and my teammates.

LASparks.com: Do you feel like you've become a better basketball player?

LWH: I do feel as though my ability as a forward has improved because they really played me on the inside. The focus was getting the ball to me a lot and it helped build confidence as far as being able to dominate down low and being more of a post presence which is something that I really wanted to work on in the offseason and be able to bring to the Sparks.

LASparks.com: Were you able to come back in time for the holidays?

LWH: Yes, I was able to spend time with my family which was great. That’s also when I actually found out everything with Purdue. I visited my alma mater and found out that they were a coach short so I approached them about joining the staff. I expressed interest in getting into coaching and it worked out. Now I'm able to train and work out while I work.

LASparks.com: Are you focusing on the post players? How’s it going?

LWH: Yes, I’m focusing on the post players, mainly. A lot of player development individually and then working with them in practice. I’m practicing against them in practice so I’m able to help them and they are able to help me out as well with my training. I'm also doing things in the office that regular coaches would do. I’m not recruiting. I’m not going out on the road or doing those things, but everything else. I’m at practice, working with them. Before and after practice, I’m training myself as far as lifting, conditioning and practicing every day.

LASparks.com: What are you learning as a coach that you can put to your game as a player?

LWH: As a coach you see things from a different perspective. I'm better at reading defense because I’m really focusing with the post on their defensive positioning and being able to read my defender better will help me and be a big advantage when I come back.

LASparks.com: When you are on the bench and something great happens, what kind of coach are you? Are you the kind of coach that will sit there and just kind of take it all in or are you the jump up and down coach?

LWH: Definitely the jump up and down coach. I’m up pretty frequently cheering and trying to motivate the team. We kind of have a short roster so we have to have some livelihood on the bench sometimes. I guess that’s just how I am.

LASparks.com: How have the players responded to having you back?

LWH: They respect me and they really listen to what I have to say. I thought coming in the challenge would be that they would just see me as an old teammate. They’ve been great as far as respecting me and really listening to what I have to say as a coach and giving them insight. I just try to be a helping hand and a person they can talk to.

LASparks.com: Are you excited about the upcoming season?

LWH: Very much so. I’m excited about seeing everyone again and our new coach. I’ve had the chance to talk to her and hear her insight on things and the team and what she wants to bring. It was good talking with her and I'm just really excited to come back.

LASparks.com: The offseason signing of Ticha Penicheiro and LaToya Pringle how do you feel about those?

LWH: I’m excited. Penicheiro is a veteran, she’s a great player. I’ve watched her many times so I’m excited to have her bring the ball up, pushing it, and run our team. I think she’s going to be a great addition. As far as Pringle, I actually played against her a couple times in college and she’s a great player too. We had kind of a little rivalry going on with NC and my school playing in the NCAA Tournament but she is great and I think she’s going to be a great addition.

LASparks.com: What are we going to do this year?

LWH: We are going to win the championship! I think personally I really want to be a good offensive and defensive threat. i want to come in and give good minutes and be a go to player. We obviously are going to have Candace and everybody coming back who are the core players, but I also want to make sure I provide good minutes coming off the bench and show that I can do some good things and bring energy and a spark off the bench.