Since checking in last January, so much has happened. I finished a great season off in Girona, where I received MVP of the Spanish League and on top of that, one of my biggest dreams came true.
I knew my season last year in Girona was special, but little did I know, it would ultimately lead to me getting the opportunity to fulfill my dream of playing in the WNBA. January 2022 I received a call from Coach James Wade showing interest in my playing abillities for the Chicago Sky and also asking if I had any desire to play in the WNBA. Of course I said yes. However with the length of my overseas season in Spain and the fact that I hadn’t ever played in the WNBA before, I wasn’t sure how the opportunity would pan out because I would not be able to make training camp. I don’t know if there was ever a player who had not played in the WNBA before, to make a team without going to training camp. Nonetheless, Coach James stayed in contact and even came to a couple of my games in Spain. I had been to two training camps over the previous 10 years and no coach or team had ever showed that much interest. So I began to think- ok this opportunity might be a real. And it was.
My season in Spain ended May 5, 2022 and I was in Chicago May 7, 2022. I was able to join the team for two practices and then it was my first WNBA game day. There were so many emotions running through me. I was excited, happy, grateful and maybe a little bit nervous but I knew I was ready. And I knew I wanted to prove Coach James right, that I did belong in the WNBA. On top of all of that, Coach James told me I would be starting for my first game! STARTING?!! Just days before I didn’t know if I’d be on the team, now I was about to start my very first game. Life comes at you fast!
The game went amazing. We played the New York Liberty, won by 33 points and I ended the game with 14 points and 4 rebounds. I’ll definitely remember that game for the rest of my life. Here are a few pictures from that day:
Fast forward through the summer. I maintained a solid role in the team rotation and our team went on to earn the best record of 26-10, in franchise history. Additionally, I snagged All-Rookie First Team honors. I couldn’t ask for a better rookie season.
After 10 years of continuing to get better, studying the game, and maintaining faith, my dream of playing in the WNBA came true, and in a way that was better than I could ever imagine. If I could go back and change the path that it took to get there, I wouldn’t change a thing.
Here are more pictures of my time this summer in Chicago!
Overseas: Uncut 