FIBA Women's World Cup 2003: Players Answer E-Mail

Here's what Ruth Riley, Kara Lawson, Marie Ferdinand and more had to say in response to your questions as they gathered in New York to prepare for the FIBA World Cup 2003 in Samara, Russia.

Ruth, how old were you when you first started playing basketball? Your biggest Irish fan! -- Caitlin (Granger, Ind.)

Ruth Riley: �Hello to my biggest Irish fan. I started playing basketball around fourth grade.�





Hey ruth. I really admire you and think you are so awesome. My question is how is it playing with nikki teasley after your team just beat them in the playoffs? Thanks so much and good luck!!! -- Maria (Blaine, Minn.)

Ruth Riley: �I think on this level, we�re professionals and we handle it accordingly. This is an opportunity to represent the WNBA and so I�m sure both of us are excited about the experience we�re about to have.�




How do you feel about representing the wnba in this international event?
-- Will (Orlando, Fla.)

Coretta Brown: �Representing the WNBA is definitely an honor. I was definitely pleased when I found out I had been invited and I accepted without second guessing.�




My question is for kara lawson: I think that you really had an awesome rookie season this year. How do you like playing in the wnba and how is it different from the collage basketball? -- Bridget (Manchester, Conn.)

Kara Lawson: �I enjoy playing in the pros because it was a goal of mine in high school and college to play at the highest level. I had a lot of fun this season. As far as the difference from college to pro, the speed of the game is a lot faster and the players are a lot quicker so it�s tougher to get your shot off or defend, or if you�re making a pass, it has to get there quicker. All the little things have to be done at a different speed.�


Who do you think will win the womens NCAA championship this year?
-- Nicole (Camden, Tenn.)

Kara Lawson: �I don�t know. It�s tough. I have to go with Tennessee because that�s where I went. I haven�t looked too much at the college teams yet, but I�d have to go with them.�





This is for K.B.: Every time i get a chance to talk with you after a game at the garden i say " you're the future." I'm so proud of you. Go make new york proud. My question: How do feel about being the only Liberty to make the team and is it hard for you to prepare after the ankle injury.
-- Lisa (Staten Island, N.Y.)

K.B. Sharp: �I feel very honored to be chosen for this team because it�s the chance of a lifetime and I get to meet nine other WNBA players that I�ve played against but don�t know personally. And it wasn�t too hard to get back into it after I twisted my ankle, but you don�t have much time to sit out, so I missed four games and then I was back.�



What other sports do you enjoy? -- Teresa (Grafton, N.Y.)

K.B. Sharp: �I used to play soccer in high school and that�s one of my favorite sports. I also like running cross country.�





What is it like to play with players that you play against during the season and how do you feel playing for the wnba international team?
-- Theresa (Astoria, N.Y.)

Marie Ferdinand: �It�s great. Any time you have a chance to get to know the players outside the court, it�s great. So I�m going to enjoy it ... It�s good. It�s going to be a great experience and I�m looking forward to it.�




When you are tired in the games, how do you push yourself to go the extra mile?
-- Stacey (Greenwood, S.C.)

Marie Ferdinand: �I think of those two-a-days in the early part of the season, in training camp, and all those sprints I did, so thoughts like that go through my mind and it gives me that extra push that I need to get through.�




Hi Nikki, I would just like to say that you are my favorite player and I like to watch you play. I'm a big fan of the LA Sparks. What are some of the goals you have to do the best in the women�s world cup and to do better in the wnba next year? Thanks! You're a great player. -- Tiffany (Chicago, Ill.)

Nikki Teasley: �Thank you. Obviously my goal for myself and our team is to win this, represent the WNBA and country well. My goal for myself and the Sparks is to come back strong and try to win the championship.�




What's the part you enjoy most about being on this selected team? -- Keyona (Effingham, S.C.)

Nikki Teasley: �Meeting and being around a lot of different people. Enjoying seeing different things.�





What are the things that ya'll are looking forward to most about the trip to Russia and why? How do ya'll feel the team will come together being that ya'll never really played together? -- Mony (Pembroke, Ga.)

Cheryl Ford: �Just going and playing. Just getting back on the court and being able to play again. We�ve got three days, so I think we�ll be fine. We�re all young and we all know each other, so I think we�ll be fine.�




What's it like playing for Michael Cooper now? Do you sometimes feel like giving him a hard time? Thanks ;) -- Lior (Israel)

Cheryl Ford: �That was then, this is now. He�s going to be our head coach for a week and a half. I�m not going to give him a hard time. It�s just games to me, and we won, and now I�m just going to go out and do what he asks me to do.�




how does it feel to be picked for the FIBA tournament? -- Froggy (Lancaster, Calif.)

LaToya Thomas: �It feels great. I feel fortunate to be one of the top 10 players, and I�m just blessed to playing with these nice young ladies.�





Is the preparation any different than for a WNBA game? -- Barry (Phoenix, Ariz.)

LaToya Thomas: �We�re just starting, so I don�t know what the preparation will be like, but we�ve got our first practice today. I know most of the players on the team, but this is my first time playing with everybody.�




Adrian, how will the international competition allow you to improve your mid-range game for the 2004 WNBA season? -- Barry (Phoenix, Ariz.)

Adrian Williams: �I played overseas for about two and a half years in the past, and my understanding is that it�s the WNBA that improves your mid-range game. Internationally, it�s either a shot or a layup. It�s not really a place where you�re going to improve your mid-range game because of the quickness.�



Are you guys excited to be heading overseas and are you willing to eat any food out of the ordinary? Thanks so much, and best of luck to you guys!
-- Maeja (Seattle, Wash.)

Adrian Williams: �I�m very excited to be going overseas with this team and to see what we can do. As far as eating, I�m very picky about what I eat. I don�t want to appear rude, but I just can�t put anything in my body.�