Lindsay Gottlieb is returning to Cal. Joanne Boyle’s former lead assistant has been named her successor and will be introduced today at a press conference in Berkeley.

Gottlieb made a few minutes for Leftcoasthoops.com as she drove from the airport in San Francisco to Haas Pavilion.

Q: What’s the day been like for you so far?

A: I’m making phone calls in the car. I’ve been on the phone all morning with incoming recruits and current players. Today is going to be a total whirlwind.

Q: Are you surprised at how this all turned out?

A: I am really legitimately surprised. In this professional, you know things happen and they can happen quickly. When I took the job at Santa Barbara, I thought it was a place that I would be at for a long time. I was fortunate to get a job like that and you are in the present and you enjoy where you are. And that’s where my mindset was. Honestly, each year I’ve gotten a call or two. And I’ve been able to sincerely say ‘I’m flattered, and thanks but no thanks.”

Q: But Cal was a different situation?

A: Cal has always been a special place for me and I thought, maybe in the back of my mind, ‘Someday’. Joanne and I talked as soon as Virginia contacted her. And I wanted to be her friend and talk her through her decision, but I started thinking, ‘Wow, this could affect me.”

Q: How is the Cal program different than when you left?

A: When we arrived at Cal six years ago, the program had experienced a lot of losing seasons in a row and we were changing a culture. We had a group of veterans who had been there, and this group of precocious incoming freshmen who were used to winning. We came in setting a mentality and changing a culture. Now I feel like I’m walking into a program of national prominence that is at a moment in time…where hopefully we will springboard to something better. This is not about rebuilding. This is about taking this group and believing in them and me and each other.

Q: How familiar are you with the players in the program?

A: I certainly wasn’t studying my media guide on the way up. To some degree or another, I was involved with recruiting them, especially the current sophomores. I was involved in their recruitment and some of them, I tried to recruit to UCSB. But I don’t have a connection with them. I think that’s going to allow me to come in and bring a burst of energy. I think that’s going to be a good thing.

Q: Do you feel like you have to come in and stabilize the program?

A: Anytime there’s change or uncertainty, there’s a state of flux. But the one thing I’ve heard over and over, thanks to Sandy (Barbour) and Theresa (Kuehn), is what a good job they’ve done keeping everybody together and in the same direction. I think this is a group that is together and excited to move forward and I can come in and form relationships with them and make them believe in me.

I don’t think I have to stabilize anything. I feel more like I have to corral everybody, get everybody moving into the same direction. Priority No. 1 will be forming that bond and belief. This program should not have to take three steps back to move forward.

The Stanford senior tandem of Jeanette Pohlen and Kayla Pedersen talked to leftcoasthoops in the locker room about last night’s close win over North Carolina and what comes next.

Kayla Pedersen

Q: Did you feel relief after last night’s game?

A: Yeah, it was definitely a relief. We kind of feel like we dodged a bullet in some way. I mean, I always felt in control of the game, it was just a matter of what the score was going to be.

Q: On your last trip to Spokane, that regional semifinal game with Pittsburgh was kind of a slog as well, wasn’t it?

A: I didn’t really compare them, but at this stage, all the other No. 1 teams are having a hard time. They’ve all had close games. As you get later in the tournament, the separation between the teams is smaller and you have the darkhorses coming out and playing their best at the end of the season.

Q: After this, are you pretty confident in your team’s ability to win a close game?

A: Definitely. I think as long as we came out with a win, you have to take it and say that we willed that win. We really fought for it. That was the bottom line and that does give us some confidence that we can close out a close game.

Q: As a senior, how did you feel looking at the scoreboard last night. Were you wishing you guys had a more comfortable lead?

A: I never thought ‘Oh my gosh, this could be my last game, but after…I was like ‘Man, that was a little too close for comfort’. I would like to not experience that again. That didn’t go through my mind then.

Q: Don’t you guys need to shoot better tomorrow than you have been.

A: We do. I think that we’re saving them right now. That’s what we all keep saying to ourselves. We’re saving them.

Q: It’s going to be very loud. We’re you guys in the gym for the Gonzaga game?

A: Not for alot of it. Maybe two minutes. It will be fun. It was sold-out when we played them early in the year. We went to Tennessee, DePaul was crazy, Cal was really loud. We’re used to that and I think we kind of feed off of it too, people rooting against you makes you want it even more.

Jeanette Pohlen

Q: How are you feeling after last night? Relief?

A: Yes, but also just really excited. If the season ended last night, I think I would have been crushed. More than anything I was happy that we were going to get another chance, another game in. We want to go to the Final Four. It was a battle out there, it wasn’t pretty, that’s for sure. But like we’ve been saying, we found a way to win that game. People came out and made big plays and even in the last minute of the game, we made some defensive stops and make some big O-boards.

Q: Looking at last night’s stat sheet (Pohlen was 1 for 9 and 0-for-6 from beyond the arc), Tara’s always said you have amnesia, you need to have it now? Just move on?

A: That’s really all I can do, because if I dwell on it, that won’t be good for me or the team. Over all of this season, I’ve been shooting pretty well and I don’t think one game defines how I shoot. But I definitely want to come out and prove that I can shoot, not necessarily force it, but when I’m open, take it.

Q: There was a stretch (in the North Carolina game) where you didn’t shoot for a while? Were you looking to distribute the ball more?

A: In the second half we were really trying to go inside more and Nneka was really stepping up big. But yeah, the second half we were moving the ball alot more, and then hit whoever was posting up inside because it was usually a one-on-one. It wasn’t that I wasn’t looking for my shot, but other people were open.

St. Mary's Athletics photo

The Gaels have won seven of eight games, are a strong second in the West Coast Conference standings and face a defining weekend with Thursday night’s 6 p.m. game against Gonzaga and a Saturday game against Portland.

Q: How are things going at this point in the season?

A: We’ve got a couple of games coming up. This is an excellent opportunity for our team.

Q: Are these games against Gonzaga and Portland measuring stick games for your team?

A: We are going to find out where we are in late-January. We got to San Diego (last weekend) and we held them to 22 percent shooting and we did a little above average job of rebounding. But Gonzaga is a bit of a different team than San Diego.

Q: You’ve won seven of eight. Are you a much better team than you were just a few weeks ago?

A: Yes and no. I think we are better at some things.

Q: What kinds of things?

A: I thought we were doing a very good job with our team defense going into league play. And then we open up and do a terrible job against Loyola (Marymount) and we got beat. And then we won our next four, and we were doing a better job with team defense.

Q: What still concerns you?

A: I’m not 100 percent comfortable with where we are at with rebounding. We are way too inconsistent. I’m pretty pleased with where we are offensively and our ability to get good shots. We play four minutes a a time. Like any team, if we do not turn the ball over, and we can rebound, we’ve got a chance against anybody on our schedule. We’ve played a great schedule, but if we are getting our butts kicked on the boards or we are giving the ball away, we are giving people opportunities. When we can control that, we’re pretty darned good.

Q: What about that schedule?

A: Our team knows exactly where they stand. We talked about the schedule last year, I let them in on what I was going to do. It’s funny because we are two games off the pace of where we were last year. Last year, we played five BCS schools, if you want to call them that. This year we played seven and we are two games off the pace. We should have, not could have, but should have beaten Nebraska. We had them beat. And we had opportunities against UCLA. It didn’t end up a close game, but it was a two-possession game with six minutes to go.

Q: How is the health of your team?

A: Having Ashlee Smith out (with a season-ending ankle injury) is a killer for us. She just did so many things. Her and Lou(ella) Tomlinson had a tremendous amount of chemistry. She had an ability to run the floor and make teams run the floor with her and she would offensive rebound.

Q: How has the team adjusted?

A: It has hurt us, but Danielle and Courtney and Suzy Davis give us some different looks. Regardless, we think we’ve got some very good depth.

Q: What is the key to the game against Gonzaga?

A: It’s very simple. We cannot let them score in transition. We can’t give them a bunch of baskets in transition. We cannot allow them to get second and third opportunities with offensive rebounds. We have to contain them. If we can hold them to single-digit offensive rebounds we’ll have a chance.

Q: You don’t have to convey to your players the stakes in this game, I assume?

A: No. But if Courtney Vandersloot is in open space, we are up a creek without a paddle. If she’s in open space we are losing. If we don’t get block outs and we don’t keep them from running, we’re in trouble.

Arizona State point guard Dymond Simon is back on the floor with the Sun Devils after missing the 2009-2010 season. She is back for her senior season and to help return ASU to the NCAA Tournament. Simon talked with LCH on Monday on the verge of the start of the season.

Q: Where are you in your recovery process?

A: I was cleared fully last Monday. I’ve been doing everything with the team for a week and a half now and it’s pretty exciting. I’m feeling really good right now, getting used to being back, getting some chemistry with my teammates.

Q: What are the kind of things you need to “get used to”?

A: Being patient. Not rushing a lot of things, especially on offense, especially coming back from injuries like this. You’re in shock a little bit. The game is a lot faster than what I’ve been used to last year and a half. Those first couple of practices it goes fast, but thing are going well. But i haven’t lost a step. I’m just taking my time. I’m moving into things slowly, but my coaches and my teammates understand.

Q: How has the last year and half been for you?

A: I definitely had some ups and down. Last year didn’t go so well for our team. We are all taking it upon ourselves, we’ve worked hard over the summer, and we are determined to make this year very special. My knee hasn’t been perfect the entire year. But I’ve tried to be positive throughout this whole transition. It’s been a blessing in disguise. I’ve matured as a basketball player and a person and I think the extra year will prepare me for what’s ahead.

Q: What is the state of the team you’ve come back to?

A: It is definitely a young team. But a lot of these players have a year under their belts and I’m excited to be able to play with them and help them see what college basketball is all about. They are hungry and they have great work ethic on the court and I’m happy to be back out there.

Q: How difficult is it to come back into the mix after being gone for more than a year?

A: It’s no. I’m thankful for my coaches, who have been great about telling me to focus on one thing at a time. They’ve told me ‘Dont worry about past injuries. Focus on how well you are doing now’. It’s helped me to stay in the moment. I’m making myself more present.

Q: Have you tapped into any of the other players who have experienced multiple ACL injuries? What have they taught you?

A: I’ve definitely learned from this experience. I have known Jacki since high school and she’s definitely a person I look up to. She’s had more ACL problems than I have. She’s this amazing person. But from me, I’ve had so much help around me here, that I didn’t have to rely on other people. I have my coaches and my performance coach and they all have kept me in a positive state.

Q: What’s the thing most people don’t understand about being injured and the recovery?

A: It’s that people don’t feel what I feel. Especially, the doctors and the trainers. No matter how bad I went to get out there and start earlier than I should, they tell me that it’s not time. And I get so frustrated and so mad. There have been times when I thought that I just want to shut it down, that ‘Man, it’s not even worth it.’ But I’ve picked my spirits back up because I love the sport. People don’t understand all the transitions you make, from being injured to getting out of surgery, to going into rehab and maintaining your rehab. It’s alot.

Q: How close were to you “shutting it down” as you put it?

A: There was definitely a time (last May). But I made a conscious decision to keep moving forward. I was getting hit at so many different angles. My knee wasn’t where I wanted it to be, I was arguing with my trainers and docs and it got to me. I didn’t really want to play. The coaches saw that. I’m a gym rat and I’m used to being in there all the time and I wasn’t able to be in there. They were questioning me about what was wrong. It took me about four weeks to snap out of it. I was putting way too much pressure on myself and once I realized that, my knee started to come to.

At the time, I was still in rehab and I hadn’t been cleared and I was forcing the issue when I shouldn’t have. But honestly, I’m happy that it happened at that point and I’m much better now.

Q: How difficult was it from your vantage point to watch the team struggle last year?

A: It was the hardest year ever. I could definitely see it in Coach (Charli Turner Thorne’s) eyes. She was so frustrated and so disappointed and she couldn’t show it to the team. In my eyes, she’s one of the strongest people I know so, I’m proud of her for maintaining her composure. I was just sitting there and watching and I felt like ‘Wow, I feel so bad for her and for the team.’ And it sucked because I couldn’t do anything about it.

Q: What words would you use to describe the team as you get closer to the start of practice?

A: Hungry. These girls, they are amazing. They will do whatever it takes to win. We talk every day, that we don’t want this to go like last year. And as a captain, I won’t allow it. We are working every day, and it’s going to be a lot of fun.

Jennifer Azzi is finally with her team at USF. Her players are in class and she’s working with them eight hours a week, as mandated by NCAA rules.

USF coach Jennifer Azzi - USF photo/Shawn Calhoun

Coach Azzi took a little time out to talk with leftcoasthoops.com.

Q: What has it been like to finally get to work with your team?

A: I was so excited. The fastest time passes on the court. But it’s been really great. As coaches, we all wish we had a little more court time. It’s been fantastic.

Q: What is your first impression of your team?

A: I think they worked pretty hard over the summer. I”m impressed with what they’ve been doing. And I certainly appreciate their attitude more than anything. There have been no complaints. At least not to me. They are working hard and they are into it, and I think they are enjoying it.

Q: What is the tone of the team?

A: I think motivated and hopeful are two great ways to describe what’s happening. There’s a new, good energy here. One of the things I think (the players) respect, is that we’ve been there. We don’t play on the court with them, but we go on runs with them and they get a kick out of that. We are teaching them as well as coaching them. We’re pretty hands on when it comes to the conditioning stuff.

Q: Are you implementing your plan for the program, the style you want to play?

A: Everything we are doing has a plan, we are determining where we are going on the court. A lot of it is breaking down the skills. We are doing a lot of skill development, which obviously we didn’t have a chance to do before now. It’s definitely affected the way we are going to play.

Q: How much have you been able to assess the talent of your team?

A: We’re in the process of doing that now. It’s hard to do from minute one. Some people with struggle with conditioning, but you get them on the court and you can’t stop them. We need to see them play. I can only have four of them on the court at a time, so it’s still hard to get a complete look at them. We can’t watch them play pickup. But I can see that so-and-so needs to work on going to the left, and this player needs a better follow-through. I can break them down individually very well. But for the game-like stuff, it won’t be for a bit.

Q: How was your first summer as a head coach?

A: I know I’ve said this, but it’s not rocket science, it’s basketball. I think I learned a ton about operations, but a lot of stuff I already knew, or knew from other business applications I’ve been involved with. There are a lot of things I’ve been able to apply here. But as far as the intercollegiate setting, we are staying on top of academics and all the details with compliance and all the NCAA rules and updates. What really surprised me is how much things have changed and yet not changed. I think technology is the biggest factor. We are using different types of scouting and video services, and online and video editing. I think managing that is the key to us being successful.

Q: How is your staff settling in?

A: Great. Fantastic. Katy (Steding) is just awesome. Where she shines like crazy is on the court. On the court, she’s amazing, she’s such a good teacher. I think as good a player as she was, she’s a better teacher. And everybody’s doing a great job.

Q: You couldn’t get the Stanford game off the schedule?

A: No. But what’s cool though is that our team is really excited to play them. It’s going to be fun. We are going to get fans in the gym. I don’t want it to be about me and Katy. It’s about USF basketball. Let’s have fun with it.

Q: Can you sense some excitement about the program on campus?

A: I do. But the energy and enthusiasm here all depends on our players and how they go out and play. They need to go out with a lot of energy. This is going to be about that. I’m going to fade into the background. Fans here want to see them play hard just like when i go watch Stanford, I want to see them play hard. I think that’s what’s going to sustain this.

Q: What is the response from recruits so far?

A: It’s been great. It’s been really, really positive. Everyone we’ve called, we’ve said, ‘We’re sorry we’re late.’, The timing really tough, especially with Bay Area kids. But it what it is. We’ve had really good interest. How do you not want to come to USF. I would come here. We have a lot to offer. We have a great staff and we are very positive. I’ve asked a lot of recruits, what’s important to them and they all said being positive. We will do that and we know the game, so there’s definitely a lot to offer.

Cal coach Joanne Boyle no longer has an up-and-coming program, but she’s got a young one.

In addition to the five sophomores to played significant minutes as freshman last season, she’s adding a top-flight recruiting class that includes top-rated recruits Lindsay Sherbert and Afure Jermerigbe.

She took a little time Wednesday to talk with leftcoasthoops.com about the summer and what’s coming up as the season fast approaches.

Joanne Boyle/Don Anderson photo

Q: What has been the carryover from your team’s WNIT experience into the summer?

A: We’ve had all summer with (last year’s) freshman, just talking to them. They played so many games for us. They didn’t come here to count on winning the WNIT. But I think winning it stirred them up about what we are doing here.

Q: What kind of conversations did you have?

A: We’ve talked about leadership and what they were getting what they were not. Bringing the new freshman in, there’s a different mentality walking in the door. This is a good leadership group, I understand. We’ve already had all these experiences. The sophomores understand what it was like to have a bad loss, and a little taste of a championship. The thing I appreciate is that they are not satisfied with it. We let some things slip through our fingers last year and we had to watch the NCAA Tournament be played in our own gym. They are hungrier and a little disappointed we didn’t do more.

Q: This is such a young team now. Does this remind you of when you first arrived at Cal?

A: It is reminiscent for me. But we have a lot more depth now. Last time I had young kids, there weren’t that many of them. We have five in that sophomore class and if you add in four in the next class — and they are all going to play — we already have a group of nine young kids.

Q: How do you rate the work that’s been done by your team in the offseason?

A: Good. We can’t be with them, but our strength coach has come in and said that this is, by far, our best summer ever. Kids are dropping weight and they’re adding weight. Kids are beating their best times out on the track. Their body composition percentages are much better. It’s all of that?

Q: Can you ascertain any of the improvements your players are making to their games?

A: Mooch has come in, she’s a captain, and said that things are so much more competitive. We have so much depth, it’s going to make people compete. They all know the freshman can play. We have seven or eight guards and that is going to make for some really huge battles. DeNesha (Stallworth) is working a lot on her face-up game with Rama back. That will allow us to have a post combination with a high-low game. Obviously, I haven’t seen them, but I’ve heard their pick-up time has been really competitive.

Q: In general terms how are recruits responding to the program this summer?

A: It’s been good. Kids see everything. If you are going to be a program that’s going to talk negatively about other programs, that turns kids off. But I think success breeds success. Kids want to win and they aren’t afraid of good competition in the program. It’s one thing for a kid to say ‘There are four All-Americans in my spot, I’ll go someplace else’ but we don’t have that right now.

Q: How are you looking at your next recruiting class?

A: There are still some pieces of the puzzle to be had. Last year we signed seven, and then we signed four and we’ve got one scholarship left right now. We are going after the three or four kids we want. And if we don’t get them, we not going to just fill roster spots. We want kids who are going to contribute. We might take one backup kid, I don’t know. But the classes of ’12 and ’13 are just too good. You don’t want to walk into those classes with just two scholarships available with such great talent and depth.

Q: The incoming freshmen are in summer school, first impressions?

A: I’ve heard all three are doing great. Avigiel Cohen had ACL surgery in February and she’s ahead of schedule, but  she’s not ready yet. But the other three are going to contribute right away, all three will play.

Q: What is Rama N’Diaye’s status?

A: She’s doing well. She’s worked out all summer. She’s pretty much where she left off last year when she was practicing with us. Her knee seems to be good. She doesn’t have to sit out. More than likely we are going to treat her like Lexi last year. We are not going to step out of the box with her conditioning. She doesn’t need to be out on the track. We will keep her at a comfortable level, keep her healthy for the season.

Q: What do you like about your team right now?

A: I like our depth. I want to keep it that way. I’m liking the numbers, the versatility of our team. Our sophomores have one year on the floor, they are hungry and not jaded and they feel like they have something to prove. Our younger kids know they can compete. Rama’s back so we can push DeNesha out. I’m excited to work with them. I just want to keep our depth. That’s what you worry about.

Scott Rueck has been on the job less than a month, but he’s got a year’s worth of work in front of him, reviving a Beavers program that saw a mass player exodus and the firing of head coach LaVonda Wagner. He must hire a staff, rebuild his roster by fall and then, well, compete.

Scott Rueck - George Fox athletics photo

Rueck talked with leftcoasthoops.com on Tuesday morning, joking that he should “probably be talking somebody who is 6-foot-5 instead.”

Q; What have these first few weeks been like?

A: They been a little chaotic, exciting, and a little overhwleming because of where we are. At the same time, it’s been encouraging. I’ve talked to a lot of people and I’m working hard to build a staff. I’m looking for best people I can find and I’ve made a decision to be patient. This is an interesting place to be and it’s going to take a special group of people, so I’m really being diligent about how I’m doing that.

We’ve been contacting the players who are still here, welcoming incoming freshman, and pursuing student-atheltes that could join us this fall. It’s been 24 hours a day for almost three weeks.

Q: What is the state of your staff?

A: I have a coach joining us today that will be made official soon, I’m getting close with another coach and I have candidates for a third position after those two are in place.

Q: What is the status of your roster?

A: We have six players on campus that are official here, in the program. There is a seventh finishing up some coursework from junior college that is signed. Then we are going through the process with several others.

(The three returning players are senior forward El Sara Greer, junior guard Brittany Kennedy and  sophomore forward Angela Misa has returned to the team, Rueck said. In addition, there are three incoming freshman – Alicia Martin, Classye James and Alexis Bostick. The seventh player is Anna Marchbanks, who will join the program in the fall from Yakima Valley C.C. in Washington.)

Q: What are your plans for rebuilding your roster?

A: We are pursuing everybody we can, everybody that would be available to join us. We want to make smart decisions with the use of our scholarships. We have eight available scholarships now. Some of those decisions are going to be made once our staff is assembled. But we need to be cautious, make good decisions on character and ability. This process needs to be built in the correct way. We are not in panic mode, I will say that. We are being very aggressive about finding the right people as soon as possible. It’s a fluid process.

Q: How difficult a job will it be?

A: The challenge has been the timing. We had five days on the job before we hit the evaluation period, and a week where we are unable to communicate. We are in the dead period here now, for six days and then we’re on the road again for 10 more days. That’s the most challenging and frustrating part. We’ve  had to have some patience when haven’t wanted to.

Q: Have you been alone on the road recruiting so far?

A: It is just me. To be honest, my priority was building a staff, so that took up a lot of that time. But I’ve been out recruiting and meeting coaches. The No. 1 priority for me is to get great people on staff if we are going to build this thing. But that’s what I’m used to. Coming from Division III, you are always out alone on the road.

Q: What are you telling people about Oregon State women’s basketball?

A: That they are excited for the future. That they are confident we can get the job done here. That it’s one of the most unique situations they’ve ever seen. And that makes me more excited for the challenge. I’ve gotten a lot of encouragement, a lot of people telling me believe in what we are doing and what i’ve done and that we are going to get this done and we have to be patient.

Q: What are people telling you about Oregon State women’s basketball?

A: That this is a program that has had success in past. That it will be built the right way, with character. That we will have the same values in our program that we had at George Fox. I think it can be consistent at all levels. I don’t think levels even matter when it comes to that stuff. I don’t know when we will win, but that I’m confident that we will.

Q: What is your short-term hope for this program?

A: The same as it was last year at George Fox, that the group that I’m responsible for leading will reach its potential and have a positive experience.

Q: What is your long-term hope for the program?

A: To be successful, to fill this arena as much as we can. To be a program that the community and the region can be proud of. To be a unified group with one common goal, to be selfless and inspirational. To have the players say that this was the greatest experience, the best four years of their lives.

Former Arizona State standout Briann January is in one of the best situations for a young player in the WNBA. She has been the starting point guard for the Indiana Fever, the star-studded team that finished as a runner-up in the WNBA Finals last season.

Briann January/Indiana Fever photo

January is a perfect fit in Indiana with her quickness and love of playing good defense. She spent a four games out of the lineup this season already with a sprained MCL, but she is back “in the swing” of things.

Indiana is 9-6 and in fourth place in the tough Eastern Conference. January has played in 11 games with three starts. She is averaging 6.4 points and 2.1 assists per game.

She took a little time for leftcoasthoops.com this week and we appreciate it.

Q: How is your health?

A: My healthy is great. I had a little injury, but I’m out of the brace now, which is great. I’m getting back to getting to 100 percent. I’m feeling good right now.

Q:  How did you time out of the lineup impact your game?

A: Actually, it might have been blessing. It was a chance to sit back and study the game some more. In the thick of things when you are playing every day, there’s so much to think about, and having time out and being able to step back and really see the game, it was definitely a blessing. I came back hungrier than ever and understanding things a lot clearer. It has really helped me.

Q: Are you still playing catch up from your time off?

A: It’s always tough to adjust to the speed of the game again once you are out for a little while. My teammates are helping me. With my teammates’ help, I’ve gotten caught up fast. I’m in the swing of things right now.

Q: What is different for you in your second WNBA season than in the first?

A: Oh, so much. That rookie season, you think you know the game, you think you understand the game and try to be a student of the game. But everything still so brand-new, knowing what to expect, knowing what it’s going to be like to play in the league, knowing what I’m going to do, what it takes to win…

Having a year under my belt means so much.

Q: How do you describe your role on this team?

A: My role is to set the tempo on offense and defense, to pressure the ball, to be a catalyst and push the ball. I need to be an energy player, to bring energy and spark when I’m on the floor.

Q: There’s been a lot of talk about the impact of playing year-round on players, what is your take on that?

A: It’s crazy. I honestly don’t know how some of older players have done it for so long. Especially playing overseas, because it’s a lot different from playing in the league. It’s brutal man, you’re getting hit all over the place and there’s not much being called. That takes a huge toll on your body.

I am huge on taking care of my body. I  took some time off last season, coming off college and the NCAA Tournament, then (WNBA) training camp, and the WNBA season, to the playoffs and the Finals. I felt so worn down. I waited to go overseas until January and that really helped me. But that’s not always an option.

It’s hard, but it’s what we do, it’s our job. It’s tough because of opportunity to make what we make overseas.

There are pros and cons to it, but I take care of my body at all times. There are a lot of coaches in the league that understand. They understand that the older players might need some time off from practice. We all do what’s necessary.

Q: How was your overseas experience?

A: I played in Tarsus (Turkey). I got the chance to play against Tamika Catchings and Katie Douglas or Ebony Hoffman. It was like the Fever league over there.

I was in a place that was a pretty rural little city. There were two bordering cities, Adana and Mercin where they had malls and restaurants. A half-hour either direction and I could get to something I knew, which was great. I played with Betty Lennox and Chante Black.

Q: Did it change your game?

A: You are expected to be more aggressive. My coach wanted me to score more and really control the team. That helped me a lot. In the offseason, I was talking with (Fever coach) Lin Dunn, and one of things she wanted me to work on and study other point guards in the NBA was being that floor general. That was one thing that being overseas really allowed me to do. The coach really expected that of me and I had to step up and get it done for our team.

Q: What did you take from your experience in the Finals last year?

A: I couldn’t have asked for a better experience. I was so lucky just to be placed in that situation. For my first year in the league, to make it to Finals, it’s just a different level of basketball, the mental aspect of it, physical aspect of it, the intensity of it. There’s  so much I took from that. It was great, it helped me a ton.

Q: Has your WNBA career and your role exceeded your expectations?

A: I didn’t know what to expect. I’m definitely blessed to be in Indiana. I couldn’t ask for a better organization or a better team.  All of these girls are my friends now. We are so close and we don’t have none of the drama that can get in the way of team playing its best basketball.

The organization has our best interests in mind. They’ve put me in a position where they want me to succeed and they are doing everything they can to help me.

Ashley Walker/WNBA photo

Ashley Walker, the former Cal star, was the last player waived by the Seattle Storm before the start of the season. Walker, who was drafted by Seattle last season but struggled after breaking her foot, had a strong camp after spending her first overseas season in Israel. The fact that she was cut was a surprise to many.

Walker talked Thursday after what happened since and more.

Q: What is happening with you since you got waived from Seattle?

A: I’m actually getting a chance to enjoy the summer. I’m going to hang out with friends, work out on my own time, stay in shape and really enjoy the summer.

Q: Where are you right now?

A: Right now, I’m hanging out in Oklahoma. My agent is here, so I’m out here working out.

Q: You had a really good camp. Brian Agler said good things about your camp. How disappointed were you to be waived?:

A: Of course, I was really disappointed. My rookie year was so up and down after breaking my foot, which really didn’t help that situation. I had a great overseas season. It was my first time over and I really enjoyed it. But (in Seattle) things didn’t go my way. That happens. Maybe that really wasn’t a fit there. Hopefully, I’ll stay in Oklahoma and maybe something is here. If not, then next year.

Yeah, it was disappointing, but life goes on. It’s part of our careers. And I’ll keep working out and be ready.

Q: Do you feel like you did everything you could in camp to make the Storm roster, left it all on the table, so to speak?

A: I definitely went in with open eyes. I worked my butt off. Some of the things (coach Brian Agler) wanted me to improve on, he wanted me to come in lighter. He wanted me to shoot the ball better and I went overseas and did those things. It just didn’t work out. They are really a veteran team. I don’t think he’s really kept a draft pick in two years. It’s hard to find a spot on that team. Going from the ‘four’ to the ‘three’ was a big adjustment, but I was working hard at that. He went with a vet and that’s OK.

Q: Are you preparing your game to be a ’3′? Is that where you think you will ultimately fit?

A: I wouldn’t say I’m preparing to be a ’3′. I can play the ’4′. There are a lot of small forwards in the league. Amber Hold plays the ’4′ and she’s smaller than I am. I think it’s a matter of being able to play more than one position. That’s what it’s going to come down to. I need to play to my strengths and definitely prepare to be a multi-faceted player.

Q: Can you talk about your first season overseas?

A: I loved it. I had a great, great time. I had really good teammates and it was an amazing culture. I enjoyed making new friends and learning the language. Everyone there was a pro. The players are older and they’ve played a lot longer. The overseas game is rougher. You just kind of grow up as a basketball player there. I went in hurt and I had a chance to heal. But that experience taught me to be a pro and that’s why I came to came so ready.

Q: Devanei Hampton was with you in camp. Lexi was in Washington. How much opportunity did you all have to compare your experiences?

A: Dev stayed with me the majority of the time (in Seattle). I’ve talked to Lexi and she’s already left to go play in the ‘D’ league. She had a great time in Washington and I think she had a great camp.

Q: Did you go into camp with your hopes up or practical about how difficult it would be to make the roster?

A: I definitely went in knowing that I could potentially get cut. I went in knowing I had a great season in Israel. I was a little surprised that I got cut, but a lot of people were, I think. But it wasn’t like smack in the face. They were looking in a different direction.

I told Brian that I want to be one of the better players in the league and if it’s not here, then maybe it will be somewhere else. Everybody had seen my in college. When I got there, I was not a leading scorer or a leader and people know how that turned out. I think I am one of those players who develops over time. Maybe I need more time to develop, or a spot to call home.

Q: What are you doing in Oklahoma?

A: I’ve been here for a week or two. My agent is here because she has Marion Jones as one of her clients. I needed to talk to her, figure out what to try to do for the summer. And it’s easy because she’s right around the corner. I’ve found places to work out. I will go home this weekend and visit with my family for a while. My home is still Modesto. I’m looking to buy a house, but I haven’t found one that I liked yet.

Q: Do you still have hope that you will get back on a WNBA roster? Perhaps this season?

A: I’m talking to my agent, I will keep working out. My agent is telling me, ‘We’ll find something.’ I’m waiting for a call and if I get one, I get one. I will keep working hard and sew what happens. I definitely see myself finding a spot. Everybody changes rosters, people get hurt. You never know.

Didn’t quite get to 10 questions with Candice Wiggins on Wednesday while she was on the bus between shoot-around and the hotel with the Minnesota Lynx. The former Stanford star is getting a late start on her third WNBA season after having knee surgery to repair a meniscus tear on April 27.

Candice Wiggins/WNBA Photo

She is expected back in the next week or two, but no timetable has been given for her return.

In the meantime, the Minnesota team has gone through many changes and has designs on the playoffs. There’s a new head coach in Cheryl Reeve and a new starter in all-star guard Linsday Whalen.

Wiggins is sidelined along with guard Seimone Augustus, who had surgery last months on ovarian tumors and is not expected back until the first couple weeks of June.

Wiggins had a strong season overseas, leading Athanaikos to the Greek League title and was named the EuroCup Player of the Year.

Q: Can you talk about where you are in your rehab process?

A: I’m healing. Not really rehabbing. I’m in more of a transition phase, back on the court. I’m not cleared yet. There’s not really a set time (for a return). It’s going to be soon.

Q: Is there a specific date or gain you are aiming for?

A: No, not right now, it’s not forseeable right now.

Q: Were you hurting while you were playing in Europe?

A: I don’t think I’ve been playing 100 percent for a while. If you asked a lot of people who are playing in the WNBA or any professional sport, almost everyone could have something done (surgically). I had a decision to make. It was really starting to impact my play and I wanted to come back 100 percent again. With all the wear and tear I had, I needed to do something. It wasn’t like a had a huge thing. It wasn’t reconstructive or anything like that.

Q: When was the last time you had any kind of a break from basketball?

A: I can’t tell you that. There hasn’t been one, since the last surgery I had in 2008. But absolutely, I can’t really complain. It’s the life we chose and it kind of comes with  the territory.

Q: Were you hoping to put this procedure off until later?

A: It was kind of, like, necessary. It wasn’t something I was necessarily excited about. I was in denial about it for a long time. I didn’t want to do anything. I don’t really think I had an option. Originally, I wanted to wait until I had time. In my mind, I was thinking I’d wait until after the season before the overseas season. But I really couldn’t.

Q: What is your view of the Lynx this year with all the changes (new players, new coach)?

A: It’s exciting. It’s new and different, a different kind of pulse, a different year. It’s a different mood and obviously, I can’t be on the floor right now, but I think there’s been a little jolt of energy injected into the team and sometimes you need that, you need that change of pace.

Q: How was your season in Greece this year?

A: I feel like I graduated from college, from basketball school. It was such a good test for me. Every day we practiced twice a day. I was working on my decision-making, that was my biggest focus. I had a coach that really worked with me. It was a little frustrating at first. It was a lot of change.

Q: What kind of change?

A: My decision-making. We didn’t run the pick-and-roll at Stanford and the pick-and-roll is a big part of the professional game. I needed to adjust to being in the pick-and-roll all the time. I needed to understand how that works. I needed to work on being a leader on the team again. And we helped them make history in their country.

Q: How much different an experience did you have overseas compared to your first season last year?

A: Absolutely night and day. I feel like I have grown-up as a player, I really have. And I have a lot of confidence in that.”