I’ve simply introduced that I’m going again to the place it began and shall be taking part in for Indiana. Mentally, I’m good. I’m blissful. I’ve a tremendous household on each side, my spouse and my aspect of the household and I’m simply actually grateful that I’ve the chance to nonetheless play basketball as a result of lots of people don’t have the choice to play the sport that they love. I’m blissful that I’m capable of nonetheless play and nonetheless benefit from the sport that I like.
I used to be drafted by the Fever in 2014 because the No. 5 choose. Wanting again, I might inform my youthful self to only maintain working as a result of that’s what bought you right here. Don’t take no shortcuts. And I’m actually happy with you for being affected person and having an open thoughts. Technique to persist with, technique to maintain your self collectively when it got here to powerful conditions.
Again then, I bought to play with the legendary Tamika Catchings, and I nonetheless bear in mind what she’d inform me, at the same time as a rookie: “Do all the things game-like, as a result of while you do all the things game-like, it’s going to be straightforward within the sport.” I nonetheless carry that with me, and all the things that I do, I simply go exhausting. For those who half a– one thing, excuse my language, you’re going to try this within the sport. So, my mindset is don’t lower your self brief as a result of the following individual shall be ready to take your spot.
My time spent in Dallas was cool. It was one thing completely different for me as a result of I’m so used to taking part in in arenas, so coming to Dallas was fully completely different. Don’t get me improper, folks bought to start out the place they do, however taking part in in a school area, not even having your personal locker room, was fully completely different. My first season was fantastic and I’m grateful for all the things in Dallas.
Now, going into my twelfth season within the WNBA, I do know what I’m about. Throughout Free Company, I used to be on the lookout for a staff that will recognize me and what I convey to the desk and gained’t dim my mild. That’s the factor: I’ve to cope with that quite a bit. Despite the fact that I bust my butt day in and day trip, I nonetheless don’t get the popularity that I deserve. I really feel like, this time round, I needed a staff that can give me the popularity that I would like and, on prime of that, simply ensuring that I’m blissful. I wish to get up, like, Woo, I really feel good! Right this moment I’m going to work, I’m about to be with my teammates. I don’t wish to be dragging away from bed, looking for that vitality. Total, I actually simply wish to be blissful, have nice folks round me and teammates that wish to work and get higher.
When folks first meet me, we click on straight away. I’ve had folks inform me, Tash you’re cool, however on the basketball court docket, I believed you was an a-hole. It might sound that approach as a result of on the court docket, we’re in-between the traces. There’s a distinction. After I’m on that court docket, like, nah, we ain’t cool. We ain’t buddy buddy. You the enemy. You on the opposite aspect. However off the court docket I’m goofy, I’m myself. I’m a tough employee, too, and no matter I’ve happening off the court docket, I go away it there. I don’t convey it to work. After I instructed Kelsey Mitchell blissful birthday, she was like, “Thanks a lot. You’re a considered one of a sort on this League. That’s the explanation why you and I are cool.” I actually appreciated that as a result of I by no means actually hear different gamers say something about me. That actually touched my coronary heart.
Proper now, I simply wish to get higher every single day and add one thing new to my sport every single day. Be extra constant on simply capturing the ball higher as a result of this previous season, I didn’t actually shoot the three ball that a lot. I wish to maintain elevating my sport one of the simplest ways I can so my profession can last more, but in addition simply being current within the second and having enjoyable. I don’t know after I’m going to hold it up, so I wish to simply take each second and take it daily. Don’t rush nothing. I’m simply going with the stream. I don’t actually have any objectives set for myself this 12 months apart from the staff although. My focus is profitable a championship and getting my fourth ring. That’d be beautiful.
To try this takes dedication and exhausting work. You’ll be able to’t take days off in the event you’re attempting to be on the mountain. That’s one factor that I didn’t do after I gained these three championships: I didn’t take days off. I didn’t care what number of minutes I performed, if I performed 5 minutes, I’m going exhausting in these 5 minutes. These three championships didn’t come straightforward in any respect, we battled accidents left and proper, like when Lindsay Whalen was taking part in with a damaged hand. After we gained in 2018, Sue Fowl broke her nostril. It was a freak accident.
I simply wish to simply maintain working exhausting, do the issues that I might do after I bought these championships and convey it to the following staff. I take a look at my rings and I’m like, I would like one other one. I used to be exhibiting them to my son, I’m like, that is what it takes if you wish to get considered one of these. It takes exhausting work.
I’ve been counting down the times to announce the place I’m going subsequent. To Fever followers: I’m excited.
