Thank you for your participation in the WNBA Breast Health Auction.
WNBA All-Stars Answer Your E-mails
After receiving more than 2,000 letters from WNBA fans around the world, several
of the WNBA All-Stars arrived in New York ready to answer your questions. See what the U.S. National Team players had
to say yesterday.
I remember watching you play at Harvard, and always thought that you
would be a great player at any level. So, congratulations! You have worked
very hard and deserve the career you having and will continue to have.
What advice can you give to any young person, that is from a small school,
or one that isn't considered a basketball school, in hopes of continuing
there career in this game? Thank you! You are the best.
-Rown (Warwick, R.I.)
"I would say that you have to continue to believe in yourself and
take advantage of any opportunities you might get professionally, whether
in the WNBA or overseas. I use a lot of my time to improve as a professional
overseas. Work hard and play wherever you can."
Since I'm from a small town in Montana I don't get many people to
come and look at my skills. How would the players recommend going about
contacting colleges?
-Tessa (Whitefish, MT)
"Well, I think you obviously start out by putting the tapes together.
But I think if there is anyway to go the extra mile from that, you'd be
better off. Nobody came out to see me playing in South Dakota when I was
in school, I had to travel to places. I would say you're gonna have to
hop in the car, get your parents to drive you, or have someone take you
where you can get to a major camp and get some exposure. I don't think
tapes can do it all. People can get a better assessment of you by seeing
you live."
I would first like to thank all players for having a tremendous impact
on women's basketball, and paving the way for young women, like myself,
and providing tremendous opportunties. My question is, which coach has
had the biggest influence on your life, and your game?
-Pam (Warrington, PA)
"Coach Cooper made me comfortable on the floor. I think I was hiding
my game a little bit, but he gave me the opportunity to be myself and
show what I can do."
I was just wondering if you had any superstitions before your games?
-Laura (Ft. Gibson, OK)
"Take a nap and have vanilla ice cream with a brownie."
Do professional players follow a strict diet in order to stay in tip-top
shape or do you eat whatever you feel like and just try to stay healthy?
Thanks and good luck!
-Haley (Elk Grove, CA)
"I try to stay to a diet and not eat too much fast food, but that
doesn't seem to work for me because we are always on the road. Sometimes
I have that little binge where I eat whatever I want, but at the same
time, I have a high metabolism, so I don't really gain weight."
I heard you can dunk. If this is true, I would like to see you dunk
it in the All-Star game
-Coco (New Orleans, LA)
"Yes, it's true. If I have an opportunity to do it, I will. It's
not like I am thinking about it or really want to do it. But if I am in
the moment, I will do it."
Nikki - you got a sick handle!!! where did you learn to dribble like
that? you would be a great street ball player. in fact you should do some
kind of camp or something to teach kids your moves!
-Sara (Connecticut)
"Aside God blessing me with this talent, I practice hard and spend
lots of nights working in the gym."
Hello Nikki Teasley, are you going to pull of some tight moves like
you did at All Star '03?
-Felicia (Mobile, AL)
"Of course I am!"
How does it feel to play against one player one day and the next you
have to support that same player in a game in which you both are on the
same team?
-Crystal (Roanoke Rapids, CA)
"It's not confusing. It is easy for us to switch and know that we
are all in here for the same purpose. Like Cheryl Ford, I go against her
one night and the next night she is my teammate. But we are really good
friends, so it's easy to switch. And it makes it easier that they are
all great players."
What is it like playing in the WNBA, and how is it different from
any other levels of play such as high school or college basketball? -Megan (Morris Plains, NJ)
"Everybody on every team in the WNBA is an All-Star, an incredible
player where in high school, you had one or two good players."
Good luck in NYC, Nat! Wish we could be there like 1999.
How about a double-double?
-Mom and Tom (Rolling Meadows, IL)
"I'll do my best. Love you mom, Love you Tom. Wish you were here."