I’ve simply introduced that I’m going again to the place it began and will probably be taking part in for Indiana. Mentally, I’m good. I’m pleased. 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 pleased 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 decide. Wanting again, I’d inform my youthful self to simply maintain working as a result of that’s what obtained 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 keep on with, technique to maintain your self collectively when it got here to robust conditions.
Again then, I obtained 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 simple within the sport.” I nonetheless carry that with me, and all the things that I do, I simply go laborious. When you half a– one thing, excuse my language, you’re going to try this within the sport. So, my mindset is don’t minimize your self quick as a result of the subsequent particular person will probably be ready to take your spot.
My time spent in Dallas was cool. It was one thing totally different for me as a result of I’m so used to taking part in in arenas, so coming to Dallas was fully totally different. Don’t get me improper, individuals obtained to begin the place they do, however taking part in in a university area, not even having your individual locker room, was fully totally different. My first season was nice 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 in search of a crew that will recognize me and what I carry to the desk and gained’t dim my gentle. That’s the factor: I’ve to cope with that lots. Regardless 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 crew that can give me the popularity that I want and, on prime of that, simply ensuring that I’m pleased. I wish to get up, like, Woo, I really feel good! At present 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 power. General, I actually simply wish to be pleased, have nice individuals round me and teammates that wish to work and get higher.
When individuals first meet me, we click on instantly. I’ve had individuals inform me, Tash you’re cool, however on the basketball courtroom, I believed you was an a-hole. It may appear that means as a result of on the courtroom, we’re in-between the traces. There’s a distinction. After 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 happening off the courtroom, I depart it there. I don’t carry it to work. After I informed Kelsey Mitchell pleased birthday, she was like, “Thanks a lot. You’re a one in every 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 basically 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 once 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 circulate. I don’t actually have any objectives set for myself this 12 months apart from the crew although. My focus is profitable a championship and getting my fourth ring. That’d be beautiful.
To do this takes dedication and laborious work. You possibly can’t take days off when you’re attempting to be on the mountain. That’s one factor that I didn’t do once 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 laborious in these 5 minutes. These three championships didn’t come simple 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 Chicken broke her nostril. It was a freak accident.
I simply wish to simply maintain working laborious, do the issues that I’d do once I obtained these championships and convey it to the subsequent crew. I have a look at my rings and I’m like, I want 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 laborious work.
I’ve been counting down the times to announce the place I’m going subsequent. To Fever followers: I’m excited.