**Reporter:** This is probably the first time you’ve had to miss a long period of time since you started college. How has that affected you mentally?
**Player:** Yeah, it’s definitely been a different experience. I’ve tried to stay positive – I’m disappointed, but I know the medical team is doing a great job of supporting my recovery every day.
I’ve still kept up my routine of coming to practice, shooting, and most importantly, trying to be a good teammate. I’ve tried to support my teammates from the bench, be a voice of encouragement and guidance for them – which is what I do on the field.
**Reporter:** Coach Steph said it’s a great opportunity for you to learn from the bench and from the coaching staff. What have you learned from that perspective?
**Player:** Yeah, when you’re playing you don’t always see the whole game. Being on the sidelines has helped me see things that sometimes the coaching staff or the players on the court don’t see right away. I try to be a bridge between the coaches and my teammates – during breaks, timeouts, or in between games. This is the first time I’ve had the opportunity to watch the game from the bench for so long, and I’ve realized that I can still learn a lot, just like when I watch the NBA or WNBA on TV – just by listening and observing.
**Reporter:** What’s the plan for your return?
**Player:** I’m being re-evaluated this weekend, so I’ll definitely miss the next game. After that, it’s going to depend on how I feel day by day and what the medical team thinks. I feel like I’ve improved a lot, but I’m not going to rush back – it’s not worth the risk. Hopefully after the next evaluation, we’ll have a clearer picture.
**Reporter:** Is there a chance you’ll be back on Tuesday?
**Player:** Maybe, but not sure. We don’t want to put a time frame on it because it depends on how I feel when I wake up each day. Maybe I’m ready, maybe I’m not.
**Reporter:** Are you a patient person?
**Player:** No! I’m not patient at all, and this has been a real challenge for me. The hardest thing is probably not being able to train – I love training. A lot of people don’t like training every day, but for me it’s fun. I love being on the pitch, competing and improving every day. Being out has forced me to be patient, which I never had before. But I think it’s helped me grow.
**Reporter:** Did the injury happen during the game or is it cumulative?
**Player:** It happened in the game against Liberty, quite early in the game. I can’t point to a specific moment because it could have happened during the game. During the game, adrenaline makes you blind to everything. After the game I felt sore, the MRI scan had some negative results – but the truth is undeniable.
**Reporter:** How would you rate the team during your absence?
**Player:** I think the team has shown great resilience. When a player like me is absent in a coordinating role, the whole team has to change a lot. Everyone has to step into new roles. Despite the difficulties, they have not given up. In the last game against Mystics, we played very well – especially in terms of organisation and speed of attack. Although the defence still needs improvement, I think the team has responded positively to the challenge. Steph also sets high standards in training, and the training sessions have been very good.
**Reporter:** What do you think of Ary after she came in and had only two days to prepare?
**Player:** Even before the first practice, I saw that she knew the system very well – she had obviously watched the tape. That shows her experience in the league. Ary is energetic, aggressive and strong. She used to guard me when I was at Sparks, so I know what she has. Ary brings a lot of fighting spirit – something we really need. She is a good coordinator on offense, and I was really impressed with what she brought to the table.
