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As part of WNBA.com's Lunch Break weekday chat series, Williams stopped by on Wednesday, August 21. See what she had to say about the Fab Four, her plans for the offseason and more.
Sarah-Indiana: What do you think will be the matchup for the championship? And which team do you think will win?
Tamika Williams: (Phew!) I think it's gonna be Washington and L.A. And L.A. will win it all.
Lori-(CT): Hey Tamika, I was just wondering who will be playing in the UCONN all-star game next month? And congratulations on a great season!
Tamika Williams: Yes, I'll be playing in Rita Williams All-Star game. I think it's Sept. 21.
christina, nj: Hey Tamika...I watched you through college and you were great. But how does it feel now to be in the WNBA and to be playing against your UCONN teammates ( Bird, Cash, Jones )?
Tamika Williams: It feels funny. But we're such competitors that when you get on the court, you become enemies. With Swin, we'll goof around. With Sue, we'll talk, but when the game's on, we don't talk at all. And Ashja knocked me out! (laughs)
Amy (Carrollton): You had a great first year!! What do you think that it will take for Minnesota to be a true playoff contender? How do you feel about UConn's chances of a possible repeat this year?
Tamika Williams: As far as Minnesota goes, I htink we'll have to get a steady coaching crew in. And the core of players coming back have to be committed to winning.
Kelly, DC: Hey Tamika! You are the greatest. What is the first thing that went through your mind when you heard you were going to Minnesota? Did you know anyone there? Also what are you planning on doing in the offseason?
Tamika Williams: It was a great feeling. To go that high in the draft and to go to Minnesota where Katie Smith was there. She was a hero of mine growing up. And Svet was already there, so I felt like I was ahead of the other rookies with Minnesota.
Amanda(illinois): Tamika, first of all congrats on your national title and a great rookie season!! How hard has it been for you, Sue, Ashja and Swin to adjust to the WNBA and to not being together all the time? Do you still talk a lot to each other?
Tamika Williams: We talk all the time. Last night, Sue, Swin and I all talked on the phone. It's been really hard not being together. Playing in the WNBA was tough at first, but I think we all had pretty good rookie seasons.
Melinda (MDogg)... Newington, CT: Hey!!!! How are you??? How's your shoulder...is it 100% OK now??? Thanks!
Tamika Williams: No. But the WNBA season is best for my shoulder. It only gave me problems twice during the season, and I didn't miss any games or practices because of it.
Sara: Alright, the question that everyone is dying to know the answer to. Who's funnier, you or Sue Bird? Oh, and by the way, you rock Tamika!
Tamika Williams: Me, of course!!
pe21seattle: I remember watching your sister on Totally Hoops. I she still playing ball? If so, does she hope to follow in your footsteps and go to UConn?
Tamika Williams: She still plays. She tore her ACL last year. I don't know if she wants to go to UConn, though. She might want to stay closer to home.
grove city, oh: Who have you looked more toward for advise in improving your game? Who is the jokester on the team?
Tamika Williams: Shanele Stires is the biggest jokester on my team. And she's also the one I look up to the most. She helps me on my game. She beats me up in practice every day. She's a 30-year-old veteran.
Kat (Seattle): A lot of people have been commenting on how the rookies this year have been making quite a statement and causing the veterans in the league to be branded as "old school." How did veterans on both your team and throughout the entire WNBA react to this towards you? They obviously have to maintain their reputations but at the same time make you feel welcome. What has your experience been like?
Tamika Williams: All of the veterans that I've been in contact with have been nice to me. From Tina Thompson, Sheryl Swoopes, Natalie Williams. They've all been very nice to me and the rest of us. I've had just good experiences with the vets.
Emily (Aurora,IL): Hey Tamika!! How is it going to feel next year when you help coach Ohio State against UConn? Thanks!!
Tamika Williams: Are they playing each other? (Laughs.) Hopefully they don't play each other. But I'll coach the team I'm with. I'll always bleed blue and white. (With a little red.)
Mini : HEY! Congrats on a great season and a great introduction to the TV broadcasting world =)...so how come Lynn Pride wear her pants SO low? It's a good thing there is no wind on the court because it would blow and take her shorts away! OK well I'm sure you'll enjoy answerin this one lol. I'll ttyl...e-mail me so we can talk bye! *mwah**nina*
Tamika Williams: Lynn Pride is probably 20-30 pounds less than I do, and she wears bigger shorts than me. She likes her stuff big, that's why they always fall down.
Kate (Storrs, CT): Hi Tamika -- We miss you here at UConn! Any advice for this year's UConn women's team?
Tamika Williams: Get ready 'cause Coach is gonna be on them...so hard that they won't believe it. But it'll be worth it. (I feel sorry for those girls! [Laughs.]) For those young kids, they're gonna get it.
Lynne: Tamika, do you have a hero that you look up to?
Tamika Williams: I have a few. Jamel Elliott has had the biggest influence on me. We still talk almost every day. I still try to con her out of her national championship ring. And she's just a great friend.
patrizzel: What was the greatest accomplishment of your rookie season?
Tamika Williams: I think just making it through the season and staying positive considering all the losses that we had. That was tough.
Nadine(ND): Hey Tamika! Who do you think had the best rookie season out of the UConn four? thanks
Tamika Williams: I would have to say Sue Bird. Coming in, being picked No. 1. Having high-high expectations and lots of pressure. She performed like a veteran.
Tanner (Sydney): Hi Tamika, you are so articulate, and funny, do you plan on pursuing a career as a commentator after you're done?
Tamika Williams: Well I talked to Robin Roberts last night after the game and she made the move from ESPN to the big leagues just for me. So ESPN should be calling any day now. (Laughs.)
Beth (Dublin, OH): If you could go one-on-one with any NBA player who would it be? Also what WNBA player would you like to go one-on-one with? Is there a team that you like playing against the most?
Tamika Williams: NBA player: Chris Webber. Because I would have fun playing against him and looking at him at the same time. WNBA player: Probably Jennifer Gillom. Although she would school me, I'd learn from her the most.
D 3 rox Ct: What do you do when you're not playing basketball?
Tamika Williams: Shop 'til I drop. And talk on the phone every once in a while. (The Mall of America has been my second home.)
Marianne (dayton, oh): What was the funniest thing that ever happened during a game while you were at UConn?
Tamika Williams: My freshman year we were playing against UCLA at UCLA and Asjha was in foul trouble, Sue was in foul trouble. Swin was in foul trouble. And Tamika had to play the whole game. They called that the UCLA run. If someone says "UCLA" that means get me out of there. Or shoot at the other basket, like Swin did.
Jeff(St. Paul): Hey Tamika! Who is your favorite NBA Player, and your favorite NBA team besides the Timberwolves. Good luck next year, I hope to see ya in the playoffs!!!!
Tamika Williams: I would have to say Chris Webber. Again. Because we got to see them play this year, Mike Bibby, Webber and Mateen Cleeves were all such nice guys.
T.Russ(winc. VA): Tamika, what advice would you give to young teenagers trying to make it to the WNBA, and what is your inspiration to keep playing ball??
Tamika Williams: To the younger kids, just follow your heart and play hard. For me, I think it's just the love of the game, the drive to compete every day and overall I think it makes me a better person. Learning the concept of "team."
Erica (Oyster Bay): I just wanted to know what has been your most memorable moment in your whole basketball career?
Tamika Williams: Sharing four blissful years with Sue Bird, Swin Cash and Asjha Jones. And Geno, G-Man.
Tamika Williams: Thanks for all the support. I really appreciate it. I miss all the loyals in Connecticut. And I hope to make you smile for many years to come. Thanks a bunch.
