I’ve simply introduced that I’m going again to the place it began and can be taking part in for Indiana. Mentally, I’m good. I’m blissful. I’ve an incredible household on either 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 blissful that I’m in a position to nonetheless play and nonetheless benefit from the sport that I really like.
I used to be drafted by the Fever in 2014 because the No. 5 choose. Trying again, I’d inform my youthful self to simply hold 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. Solution to stick with, technique to maintain your self collectively when it got here to robust conditions.
Again then, I bought to play with the legendary Tamika Catchings, and I nonetheless bear in mind what she’d inform me, whilst a rookie: “Do all the pieces game-like, as a result of while you do all the pieces game-like, it’s going to be straightforward within the sport.” I nonetheless carry that with me, and all the pieces that I do, I simply go exhausting. For those who half a– one thing, excuse my language, you’re going to do this within the sport. So, my mindset is don’t lower your self quick as a result of the following individual can 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 utterly completely different. Don’t get me unsuitable, individuals bought to start out the place they do, however taking part in in a school enviornment, not even having your individual locker room, was utterly completely different. My first season was high-quality and I’m grateful for all the pieces 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 searching for a group that will recognize me and what I deliver to the desk and gained’t dim my mild. That’s the factor: I’ve to cope with that rather a lot. Although I bust my butt day in and time out, I nonetheless don’t get the popularity that I deserve. I really feel like, this time round, I needed a group that may give me the popularity that I would like and, on high of that, simply ensuring that I’m blissful. I wish to get up, like, Woo, I really feel good! At this time 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. General, I actually simply wish to be blissful, 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 courtroom, I believed you was an a-hole. It might sound that manner as a result of on the courtroom, we’re in-between the traces. There’s a distinction. Once I’m on that courtroom, like, nah, we ain’t cool. We ain’t buddy buddy. You the enemy. You on the opposite facet. However off the courtroom I’m goofy, I’m myself. I’m a tough employee, too, and no matter I’ve occurring off the courtroom, I depart it there. I don’t deliver it to work. Once I informed Kelsey Mitchell blissful birthday, she was like, “Thanks a lot. You’re a one in every of a form 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 taking pictures the ball higher as a result of this previous season, I didn’t actually shoot the three ball that a lot. I wish to hold elevating my sport the easiest way 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 day-to-day. Don’t rush nothing. I’m simply going with the move. I don’t actually have any targets set for myself this 12 months moreover the group although. My focus is profitable a championship and getting my fourth ring. That’d be pretty.
To do this takes dedication and exhausting work. You possibly can’t take days off when you’re making an attempt 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. Once we gained in 2018, Sue Hen broke her nostril. It was a freak accident.
I simply wish to simply hold working exhausting, do the issues that I’d do after I bought these championships and convey it to the following group. 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 one in every 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.
