August 16, 2024 • 23 mins
Khristina is joined by 3-time WNBA All-Star, 2022 WNBA Champion, and Olympic Bronze Medalist Dearica Hamby for an exclusive interview. They discuss why her medal is actually “Rose Gold” her Paris experience on the boat for the opening ceremonies, why she decided to join the new Unrivaled League, and the challenges of being a mother in the WNBA.
Plus they talk about the changes Dearica would like to see in the new WNBA CBA this fall, why she is “Mama D” to her teammates, and what she has learned about herself during her time in the W.
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Follow the show on Instagram @ICYMIwithKW and X @ICYMIwithKW and for more on Khristina follow her on Instagram @khristinawilliams
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CREDITS
Executive Producers:
Nikki Ettore
Jessie Katz
Tyler Klang
Jonathan Strickland
Supervising Producer:
Peter Coughter
Producer & Editor:
Tari Harrison
Host:
Khristina Williams
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:01):
In Case You Missed It with Christina Williams is an
iHeart women's sports production in partnership with Deep Blue Sports
and Entertainment. Welcome to a special edition of In Case
You miss It with Christina Williams.
Speaker 2 (00:17):
And I'm super excited for the guest.
Speaker 1 (00:19):
Today, we have deer Can Hanby joining us to talk
all things Paris Olympics. She won a bronze medal in
three x three, so we're gonna break it all down,
the difference in playing three x three versus five v five,
and then we also going to talk about unrivals. She's
the latest athlete to join the Unrivaled League, joining the
likes of Angel Reeves, Jewel Lloyd, Chelsea Gray, Brandon Stewart,
(00:42):
the Visa Collier. So they've added some more pieces in
dee Can Hamby. They've also added Caleb McBrien this week,
which I think is top. So just talk about what
it means to her and finally stay stateside and be
able to play basketball and the WNBA domestically, and just
the changes that she sees in the growth of women's sports.
And then of course it is the second half of
(01:02):
the w NBA season, so we're going to talk all
things La Sparks in what they need to do to
turn the corner the second half of the season. Can
they potentially make a playoff push? Here is going to
help me break that all down. And then we're going
to talk about being a mother and the WNBA and
the dual roles she has to navigate to be a
(01:24):
successful athlete but also to be a mom and the
balance between it all. But first before we get into that,
we got some breaking news here in the WNBA space.
The Indiana Fever are the next team to host w
NBA All Star and so next year, July nineteenth, at
Cambridge field House, the WNBA All Star Game will be
(01:45):
hosted by the Indiana Fever. We know how big Caitlin
Clark has made women's basketball from college and to the WNBA,
and so I'm excited to see just how the Indiana
Fever is able to host this event. This is the
first time that this team has been able to host
WNBA All Star and so I guess we're going to
(02:05):
the Midwest next. We had a couple of years out west,
and now we're going to the Midwest in Indiana for
the All Star Game. I think the craziest thing is
that within a couple hours of the league announcing the
next host city, that hotels have already sold out for
those states next year. Fans have you know, said up
and down in timeline that they're trying to book their
(02:27):
hotels and flights. So I think that if you're planning
to be in Indianapolis next year, do you need to
book everything right now before it's sold out?
Speaker 2 (02:35):
Well?
Speaker 1 (02:35):
Yeah, I'm excited to see some of the biggest stars
come out to Indianapolis. I'm super excited to maybe see
Alisha Gray. Will she defend her three point you know,
championship title? Will she participate in the skills Challenge? Again,
we don't know, but I'm excited to see how they,
you know, really roll out the red carpet. And in
terms of hosting now, I actually like Indianapolis. I spent
(02:58):
a lot of time there, so I'm excited to be
back there, maybe go to a couple of restaurants, just
see some old friends.
Speaker 2 (03:04):
But what are your thoughts?
Speaker 1 (03:05):
What do you guys think about Indianapolis being the next
host city for w NBA All Star. Let me know
at me on Twitter at Christina. I'm excited to hear
those takes. We're going to take a quick little break
and when we come back, dear can handy it's gonna
join us.
Speaker 3 (03:21):
This is in case you missed it with Christina Williams.
Speaker 1 (03:40):
Thank you so much for being here, dear, because it's
such a pleasure to have you on the show.
Speaker 4 (03:43):
Thank you for having me over long overdue.
Speaker 2 (03:46):
I know, Oh my god.
Speaker 1 (03:47):
So first and foremost, congratulations on winning an Olympic medal
for three x three. Can you just talk about, you know,
your emotions when you receive the news that you'd be
joining Team USA for three x three basketball.
Speaker 5 (04:00):
Yeah, I've touched on this quite a few times, but honestly,
it was just kind of a bittersweet moment.
Speaker 4 (04:04):
It was a goal of mine.
Speaker 5 (04:06):
It's not the way like being on the team that
I would have hoped for, you know, obviously came went
down and so I was an alternate, but still accomplishment.
I was in a good position prior to that, just
attending all the camps and having success in the sport.
So it's still an honor. It just took a while
for me to fully process it and accept it, so
to say.
Speaker 1 (04:24):
And you were someone who obviously played three x three
exhibition games with the team, and I love that you
were able to stay ready for that moment and being
able to execute it. So how was your experience playing
three x three? I know that is different from playing
five five basketball, So how were you able to adjust
to that different style of play.
Speaker 5 (04:44):
It's never you can never really quite get ready for
it until you do it. I mean, I'm probably in
the best shape of my life, and it's still going
to three x three is a different conditioning that you
have to be in. It's still a different like reaction
like that you have to have that's different five on five,
And there's just like little nuances that like make the
game different and your approach to it has to be different.
(05:07):
But yeah, I think my game honestly translates probably pretty
smoothly just the way I play in general. So it
wasn't too much of an adjustment. But like I said,
there's little things that you have to like turn your
brain on, uh to adjust to three on three. Like
the physicality is crazy, Like I'm sure everybody kind of
watched it. Yeah, you're not protected out there. It's like
rugby on the basketball court. So adjusting to that and
(05:29):
like having to learn how to you know, each game,
like play through that because they're not calling vowels.
Speaker 1 (05:34):
People talk about the physicality, especially like watching the Olympics,
you see the difference in international play versus the w NBA.
We know the road to bronze wasn't easy for this team.
What were some of those comment.
Speaker 5 (05:49):
It really looks like rose gold, and I love like
rose Gold. So I was like, oh, we're gonna call
it rose gold.
Speaker 2 (05:53):
I love it. So okay, the bronze rose Gold. As
the Erica just said, it wasn't easy.
Speaker 1 (05:59):
But what were some of those conversations, Like being down
three at the start of the pool play.
Speaker 4 (06:04):
Yeah, I mean it was definitely defeating.
Speaker 5 (06:06):
You know, gold is the standard for USA B and
you know we have the best basketball in the world.
Uh So there is a lot of pressure. Obviously the
previous team had won gold in Tokyo, and obviously different
circumstances like the roster, the like what went into their
I guess process to go into Tokyo. So there was
(06:27):
a lot of things that were a bit more like
challenging for us on our end. But yeah, like a
little bit defeating being down oh three, But I think
that honestly, took the pressure off. It was like at
that point we had nothing to lose, and it was
like everything was a bit more free.
Speaker 4 (06:40):
But Jen Risotti was so so good.
Speaker 5 (06:42):
She's a tremendous coach just about like keep us motivated
and to keep pouring in to us, and she never
really lost confidence, and so I think that was kind
of what helped us continue to push through being down.
Speaker 1 (06:54):
Oh three, What was going through your mind when that
clock went out during that Bronze medal or Roles Gold
as you said, rose Gold Metal game against Canada A relief.
Speaker 4 (07:05):
I'm just glad it was over.
Speaker 5 (07:06):
Honestly, those games are brutal, but it's like I'm leaving
here with something. So you know, obviously it's another challenging
aspect to go and know like you have to play
for Bronze versus you know, we just like lost the
game to take us to play for Gold, So you
have to have like a like short term memory, so
to say. And you I don't know if like you watched,
but like you could tell that kind of like the
(07:26):
start of that Bronze.
Speaker 4 (07:27):
Game, we were kind of like dang.
Speaker 5 (07:29):
But then, like I said, like about three or four
minutes un two we pushed through and yeah we won.
And I know my teammates sier Bertet and Haley have
had a lot of competitions with Canada, so that was
in gin.
Speaker 4 (07:41):
So I think that that win felt really good for them.
Speaker 1 (07:44):
What was the Olympic experience like outside of playing in competition,
the opening ceremony, just so many moments.
Speaker 2 (07:50):
How are you able to take that all in?
Speaker 5 (07:52):
I think it's one of those things kind of hindsight
where you're like, oh crap, like or oh shoot, like
I really did that, you know, Like being in the
airport and everybody like walking up to you. It's like,
you know, it's an honor so to say, but you
don't realize just how much like people on the outside
like appreciate like what you're doing to represent the country overall.
Speaker 4 (08:09):
Like being on the boat was insane.
Speaker 5 (08:11):
I'm kind of I'm not like upset, but the picture
of Lebron on the boat and like everybody, you know,
like on the boat, I'm in the background, like with
my head down because the rain was just like bleeding
the mas scare into my eyes so it was burning.
So yeah, so my mom was like send me the picture.
She was like, what are you doing and I look
(08:32):
like I'm crying, but I was. Yeah, I was trying
to wipe my eyes. So I had to untuck all
my stuff to like have something to wipe my face
with because the rain was just like it was so much,
but a blessing. There's just a lot of like busy work,
so to say, like a lot of media, a lot
of events, but overall thankful.
Speaker 4 (08:51):
It is good experience. My kids got to come, so
for me obviously that meant the most.
Speaker 1 (08:56):
So many great moments with you and your children, just
being able to see you reach the highest of heights
in your career. I mean you're WNBA champion, two times,
six Player of the Year, Olympic medalist. Now just so
many accomplishments. How does this bronze or roles gold as
you say, medal rank among your accomplishments and why is
it significant to you?
Speaker 5 (09:17):
I mean, it's definitely up there, if not top two.
So to even just be able to go to the
Olympics is not like a common like that just doesn't happen.
But like I said, it's one of those things are
in hindsight where like when I'm older, I'm gonna be like,
oh shoot, like I was really in the Olympics and
then to win bronze and to get a medal, obviously
(09:38):
that means your top and like what you're doing.
Speaker 4 (09:40):
So yeah, I'm thankful. I'm thankful.
Speaker 1 (09:42):
So this week it was announced that you would be
joining the Unrivaled Basketball League, and we know that it's
going to be a total thirty players. First and foremost,
congratulations on joining this league.
Speaker 2 (09:55):
But what drew you to the opportunity.
Speaker 4 (09:59):
Being in Miami?
Speaker 5 (10:00):
You know, it's a funny because Maya this is all
like a coincidence. Miya when she was like six years old,
it was like, can I go to your she calls it.
She used to call it Youurami because she thinks like
I'm saying, like myami. So she was like, can I
go to Youurami for my eighth birthday? And I was
like yeah, and sure enough, we're gonna be in Yourami
(10:20):
for her eighth birthday. But no, just the opportunity to
be home and to continue to play basketball and to
continue to get better and grow and without having to
do you know, the overseas work. So to say you're
the struggle to go over there and up and just leave.
So and it's a shorter season. Yeah, I'm excited about it.
What they're standing for, what they're doing, it's a great
opportunity and just looking forward to being a part of it.
Speaker 1 (10:42):
Haven't already gotten a taste of that three x three
format as an Olympian? How do you think your experience
was translated in this unrival league. I see it as
an advantage, were so because you have that experience.
Speaker 5 (10:53):
Yeah, I think my game in general is an advantage
for I'm interested though, because it's full core. If it's
just going to be more like not five on five,
but three on three, just full core, like five on
five but with three people, because with three on three
FEVA style, so to say, it's you know, get out
the net, dribble it out, clear the line, you're just
going up and down. So I think it will honestly
(11:16):
be more like five on five just for like open clear,
open space. So there's probably gonna be a lot of
one on one and you better be able to defend.
So it's gonna be cool though, I mean, like, I
think it's gonna be like exciting, fun, fun, fun fun.
Speaker 2 (11:31):
I can't wait to see you play big guark like
going up and down.
Speaker 4 (11:35):
Yeah, no, I'm going to coast to coast a lot.
Speaker 1 (11:36):
Probably I'm excited for that you talked about, you know,
the excitement that Amaya has when she gets to see
you perform at the highest level, when she gets to
see you win at the highest level. How do you
navigate the dual roles of being a professional athlete and
a mom? Like, what's been the most surprising or rewarding
part of this journey for you?
Speaker 5 (11:57):
Uh? The most rewarding is, you know, I had a
child at a young age, and me and my mom
are super close growing up and so to kind of
you know, see the same cycle, so to say, uh,
with between me and my child. And the best part
for me is that she like I have someone that
my child iss to go along the journey like the
fool dreams. She's been there literally every step of the way.
(12:18):
And for her to comprehend and to be like engaged
in like what's going on and to like know that
has been like the most rewarding part for me. And
legend know get a little bit of that, but you know,
she's very like in tune with like what's happening in
my life and in the world and like our basketball world,
so That's the coolest part for me, and the hardest
part is you know, like I had to drive her
(12:38):
to school on Monday, so that those kind of moments
like I obviously I wouldn't miss it for the world,
but I flew in just to literally take her to
school and to come back, and she wanted me to stay.
So I have those moments of like not necessarily mom guilt,
but just like a little bit of sadness, so that like,
you know, she's like she's leaving.
Speaker 1 (12:57):
So to say, I mean, she is the biggest bragging
rights too. She has the biggest brad Her mom is
an Olympia.
Speaker 5 (13:03):
Ah yeah, No, I dropped her and they were like
where is it?
Speaker 4 (13:06):
And I was like, oh, maybe next time. Maybe next time.
But I'm thankful obviously.
Speaker 5 (13:10):
Also with my job, I get to spend a lot
a lot of good time with her, which I appreciate.
Speaker 1 (13:14):
I would have to say that Amaya is a superstar
in her own right. Like I just saw videos of.
Speaker 2 (13:19):
Her on social media.
Speaker 1 (13:20):
She's grading the outfits in the tunnel, like yes, So
I know that there are some challenges that come to
being a mom in a w Can you tell me
about how you're able to overcome some of those challenges,
like you said, like sometimes it's just a matter of
scheduling or you know, just dealing with different things at
the same time.
Speaker 2 (13:38):
Like how are you able to overcome those things?
Speaker 4 (13:40):
My mom?
Speaker 5 (13:41):
Honestly, to have the support and the flexibility of my
mom to just be so involved, it makes everything like
a lot easier. I mean, she's my living nanny, so
to say she does everything for me, like handles my bills,
like you know, it handles my packing. So that's been
and the like the biggest blessing to me throughout this
(14:02):
whole process is that I have like my support system.
Speaker 4 (14:05):
It's amazing.
Speaker 1 (14:06):
I absolutely love that. There's nothing like that family support.
And now you're obviously in your second season in LA
What does it mean to have a supportive team and
environment and how is that How is being a part
of the Los Angeles Park kind of fostered a sense
of community and belonging for you? Because I know that
Kurt Millery talks about it so much, but like, what
does that mean for you?
Speaker 4 (14:26):
That's my god.
Speaker 5 (14:27):
I mean I think it's reflected in you know, the
season that I'm having just from top to bottom honestly,
and like there's a couple people actually that were like
previously in Las Vegas that came over also, So it
is like it's like like another big family from.
Speaker 4 (14:41):
Top to bottom.
Speaker 5 (14:42):
Everybody's in super supportive, from Eric from Reagan down to
Steph or Cleveland manager. And I always just feel the
love like every day that I come to work, and
it definitely definitely makes a difference in what I'm doing
right now.
Speaker 1 (14:54):
Listen, you're playing some of your best basketball this season.
So if that's that's the reason, I love it how
and that's support because Kurt, because we're seeing deer can
here be absolutely dominate this season. Yeah. So this November,
the w n b p A and its players have
the option to opt out of the current CBA and
renegotiate its terms. What changes would you like to see
(15:17):
implemented to better support mothers and families.
Speaker 5 (15:20):
You know, we've done a good job of each CBA
adding more benefits in that space, and I know the
next CBA they're going to do the same thing, because
that's just what this league is about, like being progressive.
But I think overall, in general, there needs to be
better protection for players that want to speak up for
the things that are happening to them behind closed doors.
(15:42):
You don't want a player to feel like that they're
going to feel like they're going to lose their job
if they want to go and report that X, Y,
and Z is happening. So I think that should probably
be a big focal point in the next.
Speaker 1 (15:53):
Seven Absolutely, absolutely, So we'll stay tuned to see what
happens in November with that situation. It turns up the
w PPA and its players, whether they decide to opt
that or not. I want to move on to obviously
the amazing season you're having, but the La Sparks. So
we're entering into the second half of the w NBA
(16:15):
season and you know, the Sparks are doing okay, but
this room for improvement. So what are the key areas
the Sparks need to focus on to turn their season
around and make a strong push the second half of
the season.
Speaker 4 (16:31):
Yeah, I think.
Speaker 5 (16:33):
I mean, we can't control health, you know, some things
are out of our control. But I think this team
has just been super gritty and we've shown that we
can battle with the best of them. You know, we've
we have good wins and then most of our games
and our losses Honestly, we're winning up until the third quarter,
so I think hopefully after the break, you know, there's
just there was growth in that area of like being
(16:54):
able to push through and just pull out games instead
of kind of folding so to say, or to like
like losing our leads. I think that need to be
a gooder growth for us, and if we can do that,
then you know, our record probably will look a lot different.
Speaker 1 (17:08):
As a veteran player who is taken on a prominent
role with the Sparks compared to your role on your
previous team, how have you learned and embraced your new
responsibilities as a leader.
Speaker 5 (17:18):
Yeah, I'm learning every day honestly, And like in the
past i've said, like going through this process and being
like the person that has to carry it all, I
have so much more respect for. I mean, obviously Asia
was the person I was around that I like watch
go through that and deal with it.
Speaker 4 (17:34):
So I'm thankful, you know, but it's what it comes with.
Speaker 5 (17:38):
I grow in pain, so to say, Like I don't
have it all figured out of how to be like
the best leader, Like I have my own way of leading,
but I think you have to navigate different ways to
do it and like learn different ways to connect to
different people or to figure out, Okay, my way of
leading isn't necessarily like it's not like resonating or coming through,
So how can I do it differently this way? So
(18:01):
finding a balance of that while also you know, taking
care of myself at the same time.
Speaker 1 (18:05):
I think that a testament to your leadership is just
how much young players love you so much.
Speaker 2 (18:11):
I've heard young players.
Speaker 4 (18:12):
That's not surprising because I have kids, So.
Speaker 1 (18:15):
We've heard younger players reference you as Mama d what's
this story behind the nickname?
Speaker 2 (18:20):
I was like the year okay, all of the year
because daughters in the league quote unquote.
Speaker 5 (18:24):
But well, I got to spend some time with the
new draft class in New York before the draft, So
I think just my nurturing spirit and like, you know,
my encouragement and loving like vibe, I guess just kind
of like reflects that the same way I'm with my kids,
I try to I'm with everybody else. So I don't
(18:45):
know if that's like I don't know if I got
to have better boundaries or whatnot, But I think.
Speaker 2 (18:51):
It's a great thing that they're buying you so much.
Speaker 5 (18:55):
Yeah, like I just try, like I just you know,
just focus on continue to be a good person and
to lee would love and light.
Speaker 4 (19:01):
And it's gotten me to where I am today.
Speaker 1 (19:03):
And I think that it shows to because some of
the rookies, you see them like, no.
Speaker 2 (19:06):
She's she's mine, she's fine, she's like eight recent like
all of them. I think that is super dope.
Speaker 4 (19:11):
No, we're arguing over although, Yeah.
Speaker 2 (19:15):
Yeah, I think that's super dope.
Speaker 1 (19:16):
What would you say is the one thing that you've
learned about yourself as a veteran player now versus Dearka
the rookie.
Speaker 4 (19:23):
I'd say, just how resilient I am?
Speaker 5 (19:24):
You know, like life really hits you at thirty? Thank
you having all figured out and light Like I grew
up very like from the South, just super kind of sheltered,
you know, and I saw like my lens through everything
was like rosy, you know, like everything was peachy. I
never really had super challenging things to overcome. Yeah, I
(19:46):
would say, just how resilient I am.
Speaker 1 (19:48):
What can we expect from the LA Sparks for the
rest of the season.
Speaker 5 (19:52):
I know our emphasis going into every day and every practice,
every game to just build We know that like we weren't,
so to say, expecting to come in and be a
top dog. But I think each game we're getting better,
each practice are getting better. You know, our young players
are learning more and it's starting to really translate.
Speaker 4 (20:13):
So I think we're going to continue to battle.
Speaker 5 (20:15):
I know we got some big games coming up, and
I think obviously there's gonna be a lot of excitement
because you especially when you have younger players.
Speaker 4 (20:23):
So I'm hoping to squeeze out a few wins.
Speaker 1 (20:26):
For a lot of players around the league. They've been
expressing the importance of teams investing into facilities and things
like that as the hype around women's sports continues to
grow and heighten. M what is your opinion, as someone
who's been in this league for ten years, how important
is that for the next ten or the next twenty
years for teams to invest in its players.
Speaker 5 (20:49):
I mean, like you said, you've seen it slowly but
surely just kind of build and like our older not old,
I don't to call them older players, but our players
are the past have kind of you know, set the
way and sacrifice what they did to get to where
we are now, and so we're paying it forward almost
But yeah, I think it's really important to invest and
it's not I mean, I know a lot of people
(21:09):
want it done by tomorrow, but like that's not the
reality of the situation. But people continue to invest, and
players continue to invest in, you know, their brands and
their play.
Speaker 4 (21:20):
So I think we're really turned the corner.
Speaker 5 (21:22):
And obviously there's things that need to be done on
the inside as well, but I think we're headed in
the right direction.
Speaker 1 (21:28):
Thank you so much to Yerkak for joining me this
week on In Case You missed It with Christina Williams.
It's such a pleasure to just chat with.
Speaker 2 (21:36):
You and catch up.
Speaker 4 (21:37):
Yes, always.
Speaker 2 (21:55):
Welcome back to In Case You missed It with Christina Williams.
Speaker 1 (21:58):
I just want to thank dear Handy What's Again for
coming and joining us this week on the show. I
loved hearing some of her insight of what to expect
this November when the Players Union and its players have
the opportunity to opt out of the current CBA and
renegotiate its terms. Interesting to see how the leak pivots
in terms of more opportunities and benefits for mothers and families.
(22:23):
I also loved that she's excited about you know unrivaled,
and that Amaya references as Jami. I've never heard of that,
but just I loved how de Erica has been resilient
and just the love that other players, especially younger ones,
have for Mama d So I hope that you enjoyed
(22:44):
the conversation with Deork and I this week, and if
you like this show, make sure you like, subscribe and
leave a little comment or review. This is in case
you miss it with Christina Williams. We'll see you back
here next week. In case you missed it with Christina
Williams is an iHeart women's sports production in partnership with
(23:05):
Deep Blue Sports and Entertainment. You can find us on
the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
In Case You Missed It with Christina Williams is an
iHeart women's sports production in partnership with Deep Blue Sports
and Entertainment. Welcome to a special edition of In Case
You miss It with Christina Williams.
Speaker 2 (00:17):
And I'm super excited for the guest.
Speaker 1 (00:19):
Today, we have deer Can Hanby joining us to talk
all things Paris Olympics. She won a bronze medal in
three x three, so we're gonna break it all down,
the difference in playing three x three versus five v five,
and then we also going to talk about unrivals. She's
the latest athlete to join the Unrivaled League, joining the
likes of Angel Reeves, Jewel Lloyd, Chelsea Gray, Brandon Stewart,
(00:42):
the Visa Collier. So they've added some more pieces in
dee Can Hamby. They've also added Caleb McBrien this week,
which I think is top. So just talk about what
it means to her and finally stay stateside and be
able to play basketball and the WNBA domestically, and just
the changes that she sees in the growth of women's sports.
And then of course it is the second half of
(01:02):
the w NBA season, so we're going to talk all
things La Sparks in what they need to do to
turn the corner the second half of the season. Can
they potentially make a playoff push? Here is going to
help me break that all down. And then we're going
to talk about being a mother and the WNBA and
the dual roles she has to navigate to be a
(01:24):
successful athlete but also to be a mom and the
balance between it all. But first before we get into that,
we got some breaking news here in the WNBA space.
The Indiana Fever are the next team to host w
NBA All Star and so next year, July nineteenth, at
Cambridge field House, the WNBA All Star Game will be
(01:45):
hosted by the Indiana Fever. We know how big Caitlin
Clark has made women's basketball from college and to the WNBA,
and so I'm excited to see just how the Indiana
Fever is able to host this event. This is the
first time that this team has been able to host
WNBA All Star and so I guess we're going to
(02:05):
the Midwest next. We had a couple of years out west,
and now we're going to the Midwest in Indiana for
the All Star Game. I think the craziest thing is
that within a couple hours of the league announcing the
next host city, that hotels have already sold out for
those states next year. Fans have you know, said up
and down in timeline that they're trying to book their
(02:27):
hotels and flights. So I think that if you're planning
to be in Indianapolis next year, do you need to
book everything right now before it's sold out?
Speaker 2 (02:35):
Well?
Speaker 1 (02:35):
Yeah, I'm excited to see some of the biggest stars
come out to Indianapolis. I'm super excited to maybe see
Alisha Gray. Will she defend her three point you know,
championship title? Will she participate in the skills Challenge? Again,
we don't know, but I'm excited to see how they,
you know, really roll out the red carpet. And in
terms of hosting now, I actually like Indianapolis. I spent
(02:58):
a lot of time there, so I'm excited to be
back there, maybe go to a couple of restaurants, just
see some old friends.
Speaker 2 (03:04):
But what are your thoughts?
Speaker 1 (03:05):
What do you guys think about Indianapolis being the next
host city for w NBA All Star. Let me know
at me on Twitter at Christina. I'm excited to hear
those takes. We're going to take a quick little break
and when we come back, dear can handy it's gonna
join us.
Speaker 3 (03:21):
This is in case you missed it with Christina Williams.
Speaker 1 (03:40):
Thank you so much for being here, dear, because it's
such a pleasure to have you on the show.
Speaker 4 (03:43):
Thank you for having me over long overdue.
Speaker 2 (03:46):
I know, Oh my god.
Speaker 1 (03:47):
So first and foremost, congratulations on winning an Olympic medal
for three x three. Can you just talk about, you know,
your emotions when you receive the news that you'd be
joining Team USA for three x three basketball.
Speaker 5 (04:00):
Yeah, I've touched on this quite a few times, but honestly,
it was just kind of a bittersweet moment.
Speaker 4 (04:04):
It was a goal of mine.
Speaker 5 (04:06):
It's not the way like being on the team that
I would have hoped for, you know, obviously came went
down and so I was an alternate, but still accomplishment.
I was in a good position prior to that, just
attending all the camps and having success in the sport.
So it's still an honor. It just took a while
for me to fully process it and accept it, so
to say.
Speaker 1 (04:24):
And you were someone who obviously played three x three
exhibition games with the team, and I love that you
were able to stay ready for that moment and being
able to execute it. So how was your experience playing
three x three? I know that is different from playing
five five basketball, So how were you able to adjust
to that different style of play.
Speaker 5 (04:44):
It's never you can never really quite get ready for
it until you do it. I mean, I'm probably in
the best shape of my life, and it's still going
to three x three is a different conditioning that you
have to be in. It's still a different like reaction
like that you have to have that's different five on five,
And there's just like little nuances that like make the
game different and your approach to it has to be different.
(05:07):
But yeah, I think my game honestly translates probably pretty
smoothly just the way I play in general. So it
wasn't too much of an adjustment. But like I said,
there's little things that you have to like turn your
brain on, uh to adjust to three on three. Like
the physicality is crazy, Like I'm sure everybody kind of
watched it. Yeah, you're not protected out there. It's like
rugby on the basketball court. So adjusting to that and
(05:29):
like having to learn how to you know, each game,
like play through that because they're not calling vowels.
Speaker 1 (05:34):
People talk about the physicality, especially like watching the Olympics,
you see the difference in international play versus the w NBA.
We know the road to bronze wasn't easy for this team.
What were some of those comment.
Speaker 5 (05:49):
It really looks like rose gold, and I love like
rose Gold. So I was like, oh, we're gonna call
it rose gold.
Speaker 2 (05:53):
I love it. So okay, the bronze rose Gold. As
the Erica just said, it wasn't easy.
Speaker 1 (05:59):
But what were some of those conversations, Like being down
three at the start of the pool play.
Speaker 4 (06:04):
Yeah, I mean it was definitely defeating.
Speaker 5 (06:06):
You know, gold is the standard for USA B and
you know we have the best basketball in the world.
Uh So there is a lot of pressure. Obviously the
previous team had won gold in Tokyo, and obviously different
circumstances like the roster, the like what went into their
I guess process to go into Tokyo. So there was
(06:27):
a lot of things that were a bit more like
challenging for us on our end. But yeah, like a
little bit defeating being down oh three, But I think
that honestly, took the pressure off. It was like at
that point we had nothing to lose, and it was
like everything was a bit more free.
Speaker 4 (06:40):
But Jen Risotti was so so good.
Speaker 5 (06:42):
She's a tremendous coach just about like keep us motivated
and to keep pouring in to us, and she never
really lost confidence, and so I think that was kind
of what helped us continue to push through being down.
Speaker 1 (06:54):
Oh three, What was going through your mind when that
clock went out during that Bronze medal or Roles Gold
as you said, rose Gold Metal game against Canada A relief.
Speaker 4 (07:05):
I'm just glad it was over.
Speaker 5 (07:06):
Honestly, those games are brutal, but it's like I'm leaving
here with something. So you know, obviously it's another challenging
aspect to go and know like you have to play
for Bronze versus you know, we just like lost the
game to take us to play for Gold, So you
have to have like a like short term memory, so
to say. And you I don't know if like you watched,
but like you could tell that kind of like the
(07:26):
start of that Bronze.
Speaker 4 (07:27):
Game, we were kind of like dang.
Speaker 5 (07:29):
But then, like I said, like about three or four
minutes un two we pushed through and yeah we won.
And I know my teammates sier Bertet and Haley have
had a lot of competitions with Canada, so that was
in gin.
Speaker 4 (07:41):
So I think that that win felt really good for them.
Speaker 1 (07:44):
What was the Olympic experience like outside of playing in competition,
the opening ceremony, just so many moments.
Speaker 2 (07:50):
How are you able to take that all in?
Speaker 5 (07:52):
I think it's one of those things kind of hindsight
where you're like, oh crap, like or oh shoot, like
I really did that, you know, Like being in the
airport and everybody like walking up to you. It's like,
you know, it's an honor so to say, but you
don't realize just how much like people on the outside
like appreciate like what you're doing to represent the country overall.
Speaker 4 (08:09):
Like being on the boat was insane.
Speaker 5 (08:11):
I'm kind of I'm not like upset, but the picture
of Lebron on the boat and like everybody, you know,
like on the boat, I'm in the background, like with
my head down because the rain was just like bleeding
the mas scare into my eyes so it was burning.
So yeah, so my mom was like send me the picture.
She was like, what are you doing and I look
(08:32):
like I'm crying, but I was. Yeah, I was trying
to wipe my eyes. So I had to untuck all
my stuff to like have something to wipe my face
with because the rain was just like it was so much,
but a blessing. There's just a lot of like busy work,
so to say, like a lot of media, a lot
of events, but overall thankful.
Speaker 4 (08:51):
It is good experience. My kids got to come, so
for me obviously that meant the most.
Speaker 1 (08:56):
So many great moments with you and your children, just
being able to see you reach the highest of heights
in your career. I mean you're WNBA champion, two times,
six Player of the Year, Olympic medalist. Now just so
many accomplishments. How does this bronze or roles gold as
you say, medal rank among your accomplishments and why is
it significant to you?
Speaker 5 (09:17):
I mean, it's definitely up there, if not top two.
So to even just be able to go to the
Olympics is not like a common like that just doesn't happen.
But like I said, it's one of those things are
in hindsight where like when I'm older, I'm gonna be like,
oh shoot, like I was really in the Olympics and
then to win bronze and to get a medal, obviously
(09:38):
that means your top and like what you're doing.
Speaker 4 (09:40):
So yeah, I'm thankful. I'm thankful.
Speaker 1 (09:42):
So this week it was announced that you would be
joining the Unrivaled Basketball League, and we know that it's
going to be a total thirty players. First and foremost,
congratulations on joining this league.
Speaker 2 (09:55):
But what drew you to the opportunity.
Speaker 4 (09:59):
Being in Miami?
Speaker 5 (10:00):
You know, it's a funny because Maya this is all
like a coincidence. Miya when she was like six years old,
it was like, can I go to your she calls it.
She used to call it Youurami because she thinks like
I'm saying, like myami. So she was like, can I
go to Youurami for my eighth birthday? And I was
like yeah, and sure enough, we're gonna be in Yourami
(10:20):
for her eighth birthday. But no, just the opportunity to
be home and to continue to play basketball and to
continue to get better and grow and without having to
do you know, the overseas work. So to say you're
the struggle to go over there and up and just leave.
So and it's a shorter season. Yeah, I'm excited about it.
What they're standing for, what they're doing, it's a great
opportunity and just looking forward to being a part of it.
Speaker 1 (10:42):
Haven't already gotten a taste of that three x three
format as an Olympian? How do you think your experience
was translated in this unrival league. I see it as
an advantage, were so because you have that experience.
Speaker 5 (10:53):
Yeah, I think my game in general is an advantage
for I'm interested though, because it's full core. If it's
just going to be more like not five on five,
but three on three, just full core, like five on
five but with three people, because with three on three
FEVA style, so to say, it's you know, get out
the net, dribble it out, clear the line, you're just
going up and down. So I think it will honestly
(11:16):
be more like five on five just for like open clear,
open space. So there's probably gonna be a lot of
one on one and you better be able to defend.
So it's gonna be cool though, I mean, like, I
think it's gonna be like exciting, fun, fun, fun fun.
Speaker 2 (11:31):
I can't wait to see you play big guark like
going up and down.
Speaker 4 (11:35):
Yeah, no, I'm going to coast to coast a lot.
Speaker 1 (11:36):
Probably I'm excited for that you talked about, you know,
the excitement that Amaya has when she gets to see
you perform at the highest level, when she gets to
see you win at the highest level. How do you
navigate the dual roles of being a professional athlete and
a mom? Like, what's been the most surprising or rewarding
part of this journey for you?
Speaker 5 (11:57):
Uh? The most rewarding is, you know, I had a
child at a young age, and me and my mom
are super close growing up and so to kind of
you know, see the same cycle, so to say, uh,
with between me and my child. And the best part
for me is that she like I have someone that
my child iss to go along the journey like the
fool dreams. She's been there literally every step of the way.
(12:18):
And for her to comprehend and to be like engaged
in like what's going on and to like know that
has been like the most rewarding part for me. And
legend know get a little bit of that, but you know,
she's very like in tune with like what's happening in
my life and in the world and like our basketball world,
so That's the coolest part for me, and the hardest
part is you know, like I had to drive her
(12:38):
to school on Monday, so that those kind of moments
like I obviously I wouldn't miss it for the world,
but I flew in just to literally take her to
school and to come back, and she wanted me to stay.
So I have those moments of like not necessarily mom guilt,
but just like a little bit of sadness, so that like,
you know, she's like she's leaving.
Speaker 1 (12:57):
So to say, I mean, she is the biggest bragging
rights too. She has the biggest brad Her mom is
an Olympia.
Speaker 5 (13:03):
Ah yeah, No, I dropped her and they were like
where is it?
Speaker 4 (13:06):
And I was like, oh, maybe next time. Maybe next time.
But I'm thankful obviously.
Speaker 5 (13:10):
Also with my job, I get to spend a lot
a lot of good time with her, which I appreciate.
Speaker 1 (13:14):
I would have to say that Amaya is a superstar
in her own right. Like I just saw videos of.
Speaker 2 (13:19):
Her on social media.
Speaker 1 (13:20):
She's grading the outfits in the tunnel, like yes, So
I know that there are some challenges that come to
being a mom in a w Can you tell me
about how you're able to overcome some of those challenges,
like you said, like sometimes it's just a matter of
scheduling or you know, just dealing with different things at
the same time.
Speaker 2 (13:38):
Like how are you able to overcome those things?
Speaker 4 (13:40):
My mom?
Speaker 5 (13:41):
Honestly, to have the support and the flexibility of my
mom to just be so involved, it makes everything like
a lot easier. I mean, she's my living nanny, so
to say she does everything for me, like handles my bills,
like you know, it handles my packing. So that's been
and the like the biggest blessing to me throughout this
(14:02):
whole process is that I have like my support system.
Speaker 4 (14:05):
It's amazing.
Speaker 1 (14:06):
I absolutely love that. There's nothing like that family support.
And now you're obviously in your second season in LA
What does it mean to have a supportive team and
environment and how is that How is being a part
of the Los Angeles Park kind of fostered a sense
of community and belonging for you? Because I know that
Kurt Millery talks about it so much, but like, what
does that mean for you?
Speaker 4 (14:26):
That's my god.
Speaker 5 (14:27):
I mean I think it's reflected in you know, the
season that I'm having just from top to bottom honestly,
and like there's a couple people actually that were like
previously in Las Vegas that came over also, So it
is like it's like like another big family from.
Speaker 4 (14:41):
Top to bottom.
Speaker 5 (14:42):
Everybody's in super supportive, from Eric from Reagan down to
Steph or Cleveland manager. And I always just feel the
love like every day that I come to work, and
it definitely definitely makes a difference in what I'm doing
right now.
Speaker 1 (14:54):
Listen, you're playing some of your best basketball this season.
So if that's that's the reason, I love it how
and that's support because Kurt, because we're seeing deer can
here be absolutely dominate this season. Yeah. So this November,
the w n b p A and its players have
the option to opt out of the current CBA and
renegotiate its terms. What changes would you like to see
(15:17):
implemented to better support mothers and families.
Speaker 5 (15:20):
You know, we've done a good job of each CBA
adding more benefits in that space, and I know the
next CBA they're going to do the same thing, because
that's just what this league is about, like being progressive.
But I think overall, in general, there needs to be
better protection for players that want to speak up for
the things that are happening to them behind closed doors.
(15:42):
You don't want a player to feel like that they're
going to feel like they're going to lose their job
if they want to go and report that X, Y,
and Z is happening. So I think that should probably
be a big focal point in the next.
Speaker 1 (15:53):
Seven Absolutely, absolutely, So we'll stay tuned to see what
happens in November with that situation. It turns up the
w PPA and its players, whether they decide to opt
that or not. I want to move on to obviously
the amazing season you're having, but the La Sparks. So
we're entering into the second half of the w NBA
(16:15):
season and you know, the Sparks are doing okay, but
this room for improvement. So what are the key areas
the Sparks need to focus on to turn their season
around and make a strong push the second half of
the season.
Speaker 4 (16:31):
Yeah, I think.
Speaker 5 (16:33):
I mean, we can't control health, you know, some things
are out of our control. But I think this team
has just been super gritty and we've shown that we
can battle with the best of them. You know, we've
we have good wins and then most of our games
and our losses Honestly, we're winning up until the third quarter,
so I think hopefully after the break, you know, there's
just there was growth in that area of like being
(16:54):
able to push through and just pull out games instead
of kind of folding so to say, or to like
like losing our leads. I think that need to be
a gooder growth for us, and if we can do that,
then you know, our record probably will look a lot different.
Speaker 1 (17:08):
As a veteran player who is taken on a prominent
role with the Sparks compared to your role on your
previous team, how have you learned and embraced your new
responsibilities as a leader.
Speaker 5 (17:18):
Yeah, I'm learning every day honestly, And like in the
past i've said, like going through this process and being
like the person that has to carry it all, I
have so much more respect for. I mean, obviously Asia
was the person I was around that I like watch
go through that and deal with it.
Speaker 4 (17:34):
So I'm thankful, you know, but it's what it comes with.
Speaker 5 (17:38):
I grow in pain, so to say, Like I don't
have it all figured out of how to be like
the best leader, Like I have my own way of leading,
but I think you have to navigate different ways to
do it and like learn different ways to connect to
different people or to figure out, Okay, my way of
leading isn't necessarily like it's not like resonating or coming through,
So how can I do it differently this way? So
(18:01):
finding a balance of that while also you know, taking
care of myself at the same time.
Speaker 1 (18:05):
I think that a testament to your leadership is just
how much young players love you so much.
Speaker 2 (18:11):
I've heard young players.
Speaker 4 (18:12):
That's not surprising because I have kids, So.
Speaker 1 (18:15):
We've heard younger players reference you as Mama d what's
this story behind the nickname?
Speaker 2 (18:20):
I was like the year okay, all of the year
because daughters in the league quote unquote.
Speaker 5 (18:24):
But well, I got to spend some time with the
new draft class in New York before the draft, So
I think just my nurturing spirit and like, you know,
my encouragement and loving like vibe, I guess just kind
of like reflects that the same way I'm with my kids,
I try to I'm with everybody else. So I don't
(18:45):
know if that's like I don't know if I got
to have better boundaries or whatnot, But I think.
Speaker 2 (18:51):
It's a great thing that they're buying you so much.
Speaker 5 (18:55):
Yeah, like I just try, like I just you know,
just focus on continue to be a good person and
to lee would love and light.
Speaker 4 (19:01):
And it's gotten me to where I am today.
Speaker 1 (19:03):
And I think that it shows to because some of
the rookies, you see them like, no.
Speaker 2 (19:06):
She's she's mine, she's fine, she's like eight recent like
all of them. I think that is super dope.
Speaker 4 (19:11):
No, we're arguing over although, Yeah.
Speaker 2 (19:15):
Yeah, I think that's super dope.
Speaker 1 (19:16):
What would you say is the one thing that you've
learned about yourself as a veteran player now versus Dearka
the rookie.
Speaker 4 (19:23):
I'd say, just how resilient I am?
Speaker 5 (19:24):
You know, like life really hits you at thirty? Thank
you having all figured out and light Like I grew
up very like from the South, just super kind of sheltered,
you know, and I saw like my lens through everything
was like rosy, you know, like everything was peachy. I
never really had super challenging things to overcome. Yeah, I
(19:46):
would say, just how resilient I am.
Speaker 1 (19:48):
What can we expect from the LA Sparks for the
rest of the season.
Speaker 5 (19:52):
I know our emphasis going into every day and every practice,
every game to just build We know that like we weren't,
so to say, expecting to come in and be a
top dog. But I think each game we're getting better,
each practice are getting better. You know, our young players
are learning more and it's starting to really translate.
Speaker 4 (20:13):
So I think we're going to continue to battle.
Speaker 5 (20:15):
I know we got some big games coming up, and
I think obviously there's gonna be a lot of excitement
because you especially when you have younger players.
Speaker 4 (20:23):
So I'm hoping to squeeze out a few wins.
Speaker 1 (20:26):
For a lot of players around the league. They've been
expressing the importance of teams investing into facilities and things
like that as the hype around women's sports continues to
grow and heighten. M what is your opinion, as someone
who's been in this league for ten years, how important
is that for the next ten or the next twenty
years for teams to invest in its players.
Speaker 5 (20:49):
I mean, like you said, you've seen it slowly but
surely just kind of build and like our older not old,
I don't to call them older players, but our players
are the past have kind of you know, set the
way and sacrifice what they did to get to where
we are now, and so we're paying it forward almost
But yeah, I think it's really important to invest and
it's not I mean, I know a lot of people
(21:09):
want it done by tomorrow, but like that's not the
reality of the situation. But people continue to invest, and
players continue to invest in, you know, their brands and
their play.
Speaker 4 (21:20):
So I think we're really turned the corner.
Speaker 5 (21:22):
And obviously there's things that need to be done on
the inside as well, but I think we're headed in
the right direction.
Speaker 1 (21:28):
Thank you so much to Yerkak for joining me this
week on In Case You missed It with Christina Williams.
It's such a pleasure to just chat with.
Speaker 2 (21:36):
You and catch up.
Speaker 4 (21:37):
Yes, always.
Speaker 2 (21:55):
Welcome back to In Case You missed It with Christina Williams.
Speaker 1 (21:58):
I just want to thank dear Handy What's Again for
coming and joining us this week on the show. I
loved hearing some of her insight of what to expect
this November when the Players Union and its players have
the opportunity to opt out of the current CBA and
renegotiate its terms. Interesting to see how the leak pivots
in terms of more opportunities and benefits for mothers and families.
(22:23):
I also loved that she's excited about you know unrivaled,
and that Amaya references as Jami. I've never heard of that,
but just I loved how de Erica has been resilient
and just the love that other players, especially younger ones,
have for Mama d So I hope that you enjoyed
(22:44):
the conversation with Deork and I this week, and if
you like this show, make sure you like, subscribe and
leave a little comment or review. This is in case
you miss it with Christina Williams. We'll see you back
here next week. In case you missed it with Christina
Williams is an iHeart women's sports production in partnership with
(23:05):
Deep Blue Sports and Entertainment. You can find us on
the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Host
Khristina Williams
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