I’ve simply introduced that I’m going again to the place it began and shall be enjoying for Indiana. Mentally, I’m good. I’m completely happy. I’ve an incredible household on each side, my spouse and my facet 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 completely happy that I’m in a position to 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 decide. Trying again, I’d inform my youthful self to simply maintain working as a result of that’s what acquired you right here. Don’t take no shortcuts. And I’m actually happy with you for being affected person and having an open thoughts. Option to stick with, method to maintain your self collectively when it got here to powerful conditions.
Again then, I acquired to play with the legendary Tamika Catchings, and I nonetheless keep in mind what she’d inform me, whilst a rookie: “Do every little thing game-like, as a result of if you do every little thing game-like, it’s going to be straightforward within the sport.” I nonetheless carry that with me, and every little thing that I do, I simply go arduous. In case you half a– one thing, excuse my language, you’re going to do this within the sport. So, my mindset is don’t reduce your self brief as a result of the subsequent 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 enjoying in arenas, so coming to Dallas was utterly completely different. Don’t get me unsuitable, individuals acquired to start out the place they do, however enjoying in a university area, not even having your personal locker room, was utterly completely different. My first season was advantageous and I’m grateful for every little thing 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 in search of a workforce that might admire me and what I carry to the desk and received’t dim my mild. That’s the factor: I’ve to take care of that quite a bit. Though 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 wished a workforce that may give me the popularity that I would like and, on high of that, simply ensuring that I’m completely happy. I wish to get up, like, Woo, I really feel good! Immediately I’m going to work, I’m about to be with my teammates. I don’t wish to be dragging off the bed, looking for that power. Total, I actually simply wish to be completely happy, have nice individuals round me and teammates that wish to work and get higher.
When individuals first meet me, we click on straight away. I’ve had individuals inform me, Tash you’re cool, however on the basketball court docket, I assumed you was an a-hole. It might sound that manner as a result of on the court docket, we’re in-between the strains. There’s a distinction. Once I’m on that court docket, like, nah, we ain’t cool. We ain’t buddy buddy. You the enemy. You on the opposite facet. However off the court docket I’m goofy, I’m myself. I’m a tough employee, too, and no matter I’ve occurring off the court docket, I depart it there. I don’t carry it to work. Once I instructed Kelsey Mitchell completely happy birthday, she was like, “Thanks a lot. You’re a considered one of a sort on this League. That’s the rationale 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 daily and add one thing new to my sport daily. 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 additionally 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 movement. I don’t actually have any targets set for myself this yr moreover the workforce although. My focus is profitable a championship and getting my fourth ring. That’d be beautiful.
To try this takes dedication and arduous work. You may’t take days off in case you’re making an attempt to be on the mountain. That’s one factor that I didn’t do after I received 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 arduous 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 enjoying with a damaged hand. Once we received in 2018, Sue Fowl broke her nostril. It was a freak accident.
I simply wish to simply maintain working arduous, do the issues that I’d do after I acquired these championships and produce it to the subsequent workforce. I take a look at my rings and I’m like, I would like one other one. I used to be displaying them to my son, I’m like, that is what it takes if you wish to get considered one of these. It takes arduous work.
I’ve been counting down the times to announce the place I’m going subsequent. To Fever followers: I’m excited.
