Sabrina Ionescu | Ep 124 | ALL THE SMOKE Full Episode | SHOWTIME Basketball

still looked it up your school, school, your nest school. Yeah, went out there. Stop sucking up on it, damn it. That's why I didn't want to because I wasn't sure. I was like, let me just tell half her tel the world what it really is so we can we can get off to a good stars. I'm just gonna call your brain. That's fine, all right? Cool? So bar are you girl? Want to Creek to be exact, shout out the bay. Um, tell us about your upbringing. I

know you're really close knit family. Talk to us about what life and one of Creek was like, Yeah, born and raised, Um, love the bay. You know, the Warriors always went to the games. Um. But you know, I grew up with two brothers immigrant family. They all immigrated here, so it was a grind like growing up. Um you know, um Romania immigranted from Mania. Yeah, I came from Europe and UM drop us off at the park half the time. We'd play for ten hours a day and then go

to school and UM, yeah, so it's been great. Um, I love the Bay. I always go back and UM, yeah, you're a twin. I got twins. I got identical thirteen year old boys, but you're a you have a twin brother. What's that dynamic like? Because I remember the twins like having their own little language when they were little. They couldn't even speak yet, but we'd have them on the baby monitors and they'd be going back and forth laughing like, yeah, what the hell are they talking about? Did you guys

have any kind of special twins stuff? Absolutely? Um, I mean he said that was his first word. My first word was his name. His first word was my name. But honestly, it's a whole different world. Like people really don't get how close twins actually are, and we do absolutely everything together. I probably wouldn't be where I am today if it wasn't for him, because we got in fist fights, we punched each other, beat each other's asses

on the court, like, did absolutely everything. So he's really pushed me to become, um, you know what I am today and honestly still does it. How did you find a game basketball? Like at what age? I know you said they dropped you off, but when did you fall in love with the game. I was probably in like third or four fourth grade and I was between tennis and basketball and tennis you need a partner, and my brothers would just like want to hoop. So I ended

up being like, all right, I can't. I'm not hitting against you know, the wall to myself. So I got bored and I was like, all right, I'll go hoop then too. So from that age, like third fourth grade, the men were there at lunchtime and I was like, all right, I want to play too, then let's go. And so ever since then, I fell in love with the game and I haven't been able to put the ball down. You know you had it? Are you better than your brother or when did you pass them? Absolutely?

When did you? I know he wanted admit it, But when did you pass your brother in hoping in high school? It took me a little while know how mad i'd be if my secret could ever say she could whoop my ass in basketball. He's still mad. And I played pro and he's still mad. I have to admit. At one point my older sister was one of the top players in Texas and she had to put it on. She beat me a couple of times for a year.

That ship stopped quick. So he uses his strength like when we used to play, and like I beat him and then he'd be like all right, and then he just backed me down, backed me down getting to the keys, like now what you're gonna do? I'm like, wro that's not even fair straight up, let's just play. Yes, I'm gonna one way. Who did you idolize? Growing up? Um idolized? Is idolized Steph for sure being from the Bay and yeah, growing up and him coming in, I was just that

young rookie. And you remember that people were a little do we like him or not on the team because it was because he didn't believe in stuff. I didn't believe in the organization as the whole well, it was the Monte Ellis like, do we keep Monte orlie Go? And I was the last old head there. I can't be here with a bunch of babies. I can't go out with none of them. We definitely couldn't do that. Stuff was a baby. He was what like, But I admitted I had no idea he was gonna be who

he yesterday. I admitted that. But he knew why someone not tell them why I was leaving. He was like, yeah, your career, you want to go somewhere, But yeah, I regret that. Yeah, Steph Becky Hammond, Yeah, we'll talk about her. I loved um watching her at the point guard position. Kobe with the Lakers for sure. I mean that was our Michael Jordan's Yeah, so um him Steve Nash at the point guard position. I watched so much like NBA growing up with brothers, so that was really like who

I watched, idolized and even now like Diana Tarrossi. And it's crazy because we're playing in the league together and it's like I remember being young and watching her and I'm like, yeah, she's about twenty years older than I am. Right, who would you say you're patting your game after? I would say I really try and take a little bit everybody. Everybody. That's yeah, it's like I try and take like ever since I was young. It's like, oh, I like the

way step shoots. All right, I'm gonna shot from really far. But then it's like, but I really like how Steve Nash comes off the pick and roll. So I watched that and then I would just take little things of of players that I liked and was like, all right, I'm gonna watch film on Luca donshek how he's able to pull back. And it's just like finding all the players that I like and trying to put them on one. You know, it's funny you say that because we just have Roy Jones on the show Boxer. He said he

took something from all the grades listed, like twelve grades. Yeah, it took one thing from all of them in But it's what you could do with other sports too, Like I really like watch other sports and it's like, oh, that footworks different, and that's that could be used on the court, or like even tennis, like how quick they are latterly and able to push off. Like I like watching other sports too because I think it could give you an advantage. What do you remember was about high school?

A hundred and nineteen and nine. Yeah, I didn't lose much school record points put in the basket. I guess you can see. I guess you could shoot a little bit. She said, how was high school? It was great? Um? The hard part was I never lost. So when I got to college it was like a rude awakening. I lost seven I think in my first year in in college, and I was like, I can't lose. Yeah, I almost transferred. I was like, this is awful, and it was like seven. Um,

but high school was was the best. Just like eight hours of school and then it's like all right, I'm gonna go hoop now, and then you have a game and it's like, oh, I had forty four last night, and then you go to the next game the next day. It was just it was fun and like youthful. And then as you keep going like more pressured, harder games, like injuries. It just yeah, but high school was fun. Me and you both one of McDonald's What me and you both wanted to McDonald's MVP. But she actually got

the trophy? I know, but what happening? What happened? So I had no I didn't actually get the trophy. I had the best stats I missed. I was a leading score everything by far, and Kobe said he thought, I said you didn't win it and gone stuff with the two guard. I was in three guard. I bought out. Everybody knew it. He said I want m VP because he thought I wanted because I had the best game. So in my mind, I want question me and you both want the m v P. The McDonald's game. How

did that feel? I know how it felt for me? Crazy um Honestly, I went in super under the radar. I was the only player that hadn't committed to a college. All the other players were like Yukon UM, Stanford, Tennessee, the big dogs, and I was the only one that was that was uncommitted. And so I just remember, like before the game when the media comes in, like I had zero interviews, not one person came up to interview me. And I was like, all right, like this is going

to motivate me. So I showed up to the game, I came off the bench and then I was like all right, I'm gonna just shoot. And I hit like seven threes and then one m v P and I was like, all right, this is the start of interview. Tell you. I mean I think she had the if fact that she could have went out of high school. Yeah, I think just the how everybody was talking about and how your name was ringing, you know, going into college, everybody she could be one of the ones for the

first woman to go straight out of high school. That would have been dope. That had been cool. Yeah. There's so many rules though. I think you have to be one any years from high school and you have to be twenty one or graduate from the contest like football. That's how they do football, right, Yeah, that's crazy. Um. But in the process, the number one point guard the two thousand sixteen class. You just said you were a late commit. How did Oregon win you over? I just

didn't want to be like everyone else. Everyone was committing to all these schools that were known for winning, and I was like, I kind of want to go do something that no one's done at a school that has the potential to be up there in Oregon. I mean, with the funding from Niagive, Oregan is so dope. People who haven't in the Eugene I went to u c l A. When we went to Oregon, we had a blast every time. Girls. It was popping cool little bars and it's such a yes. It's like having Phil Knight

come to your game. Tinker Hatfield walk in like it's dope. They're like, oh, what shoose you guys wanted there? He's over there like designing Jordan's Yeah, like it's cool. So when I went there for my official I was like, this could feel like home. Like football games, everything's about the student athletes. They're like everything is about sports. So I was like, all right, I want to do something that hasn't been done. I love the coaching staff, and um,

it turned out to be, you know, great experience. It's hard to not be a sneaker head being a yeah, I'm looking at the one of the kind of hard. It's kind of hard too many you're considered the goat out there in Oregon. But what was your college experience like with you know, fandom and and just moving along just in your regular day. Obviously you did what you did on the court, but what was life like off the court for you? It it was gradual, So I

think that helps. Like, you know, the US year, people would ask me to take pictures of the team, thinking I was the manager, and then it was like, oh wait, that's who that is. And then it was like, you know, year two, year three, it's like we get to two final fours and then you know it's we're beat Team USA and ore, you know, the best team and like arguably college sports my senior year and so it was

a gradual kind of climb. But I think the cool thing to see was like we averaged two thousand fans my first year and my last year we averaged like eleven thousand, and so be able to see like the little girls and the boys that would show up to games, and it's just like, this is really what it's about. You know. It's like about inspiring these kids to want to play and be better. And so that was just a humbling experience and hopefully I can continue to do

that in the pros as well. Absolutely, the triple douvil, you've made it look easy somehow, you and Russell Westbrook having neck for that. But do you remember your first one in college? You had? Damn it's for real, right, And I got with on a couple of them. My coach wanted to take me out with nine. Come on, you got to know better. That's what I'm saying. I went talk to him for a week, but we'd be up by like seventy and he was like the whole

team to make sure you get that one. Everyone's boxing out, and then I'm yeah, probably high school. I know I had a quadruple double in high school. I had some steals in there, but like our stats were never up in high school, like all the little billboards was was points, So I half the time had no idea. I was just yeah, I was just trying to play and if I was the wing, and I was like, rebounding is the easiest way to get the ball, so I would just go out there and rebound. Yeah, you missed the

n I L phase. How big do you think that could have been? Um while you were in college. I'm hurt. I'm real hurt. It's it's cool to see these kids making money now it's hard, like you you don't have time for a job, You don't have time for a lot of things, and it's like if your parents aren't sending you money and helping you out, it's like it's not easy all the time, like getting through day to day right, Like they have flights. They want to come out and see you want to fly home for the holidays,

like that stipend isn't that big? No, So it would have been it would have been definitely um a plus. But I think at the end it was kind of a good thing because it wasn't a distraction for me. It was just like grind who take care of school, graduate and let everything else come one the times. Well,

that's the one thing I think about. I think it's a double edged sword to your point right there, because obviously, like you said, if you not making ends meet, that money is great, But then you gotta think, we're seventeen eighteen with a couple hundred thousand dollars. That's gonna obviously derail a lot of kids at that time because you can't tell them ship to begin with. So let me get a couple hundred thousand and seventeen eighteen with no

kind of money management anything. That's dangerous and that society they don't talk about yeah at all. And it's like then you start posting and doing all these media deals and this like well did you watch film forget? Did you here? Yeah? Did you go in the gym? Because I used to I would have had no time like I had practice. I'd work on the morning, go to school. I practiced in the evening, and like, I wouldn't have

had time to do anything else. Just grab your relationship with coach Kenny Grays then instant smile coming right here. You know those coaches that you just have like a love hate relationship. Yeah, yeah, that's one of them. Yeah,

that's one of them. He would He knew the buttons to push to get me piste off, and um yeah, I'm really really thankful for like him seeing the value and you know, bringing me to Oregon and knowing the potential I had, and um yeah, I mean if it wasn't for him, who knows what my career would have turned out. So but yeah, he's the best. He knew what buttons to push, and you know what he had to do to kind of get me motivated and going. But he's definitely one of the best coaches that I've had.

What's the best advice he's giving. I think it would be focusing on the fundamentals. He's so old school. He doesn't like the whole like between legs, behind the back, no look pat like all these you know, turnovers, just make the simple play. And he was so kind of old school like John Wooden ish in that way. He always had quotes of you know John Wooden up on the board and he was just a simple, a simple

person and just demanded excellence in the simple tasks. You said you had unfinished business at Oregon and went back your saying year like that decision, knowing that she was bigger than life at that point, and decided to go back. What brought that decision up? When the brand was right there, you go to the bank and get whatever you want out of it right there here. It was hard and I decided within like five to ten minutes of like

the deadline, like the night before. So your last minute person to sounds like very yeah, just wait to the end. And then I get something tells me the right decision. If I do it too early, I have too much time to think. So I feel with packing and I hate it, Like I packed my best the morning right right to the moment. I packed that ship early. It's a problem. I just you know, I was like, Okay, how would I feel going? How would I feel staying?

And it was like I didn't feel right telling my team like yeah, I'm leaving right you only like I only had four years in college and we had lost. We should have you know, if we had won a national championship, I think it would have been my last year. That makes sense. Yeah, but having lost in the final four, it was like, nah, I still want to go and prove, you know that I have some things that I have to take care of, and sadly it got cut short.

But people don't understand that college bond, though in sports is special. I mean that's some Obviously, high school is dope, same thing. I had a blast in high school at that college bond with the people that you'll have in the in your corner for the rest of your life, you know, especially if, like you said, have unfinished this. I got something to go finish. So yeah, COVID cut the season short. That was the only ship that was

stopping us from winning a national championship too. Yeah, but yeah, you know, you're right, like once you go pro, you understand like college is like the yes, and then you go to the Pro and it's like every man for themselves. Everyone wants to contract, everyone has to you know, perform, and so it's a different beast in itself. So I'm really happy I stayed and was able to enjoy like one more Yearly April seventeenth, two thousand twenty, the number

one overall picked to the New York Liberty Um. What do you remember the most about from that moment and how excited was the chat party? Yeah, but it was in the middle of COVID, so there was like seven people there because it would have looked bad on TV. It was cool. It was just like I couldn't I couldn't really hear her say my name. The connection was

so bad. But like my family kind of started hitting me, and then I was like, oh, ship, I think that was me that they called because I wasn't gonna Yeah, I wasn't gonna expect it. Everyone's like, oh, you know you're going one, and I'm like, you hear it. Until you hear it and sign the little paper, you know, it's not it's not the same. So uh, it was

pretty cool. It was like I worked for this my whole life and had always, you know, talked about it in third fourth grade like oh, I want to play in the w n B A, and so it was like pretty surreal once I got drafted, like oh yeah, I got here, and now there's so much more work to do. But I can tell my little self like you did it number one. You just do it right. So your first season is in the wubble? What was

that like? Yeah, I was going up. I didn't want to see none of the other players, so I would go up straight to the room. Didn't hang out, Den Bond grab the food is in the cafeteria and the hotel where everyone was there hanging out, and it's like, no, I play these people tomorrow, Like I'm not hanging out with you? Ye do so? Or from my hotel room, I could look down into the pool and everyone was like hanging out at the pool and I'm like, y'all

stay out there and get some Burton. Yeah, got it? Chip? How do you feel about that? I want I want her to come over to New York. I'm working on the off season plans here. Um yeah, I mean so happy for her. Um, she deserves it. She was on a really good team and she was able to learn from a lot of those vets and um yeah, I mean hopefully you could see her in a Liberty jersey. I'm pitching the fastest player in the w n b A only six games into your professional career. Triple double

twelve and ten. How is it so easy? It's really not. But that was pretty cool because a lot of people had told me that I wouldn't be in high school. I told me I wouldn't be able to do in college, and college they told me I won't be able to do it in the pros. And so obviously I only had one last season, which was not Okay, I'll be having a lot more next season. But um, kind of coming back from injury and figuring out like, oh yeah, I can still do I can still play my game

and do what I have to do. UM at the professional level was it was nice to see bad ankle sprain grade three keeps you out the remainder of the season. You're finally here on the big stage, having a good season, an injury cuts that season short. What's the mental process like for you? I'm still going through it a year and a half, two years later, Um, still rehabbing And that was my first like injury, and yeah, so it

took a lot. Like physically, I think that's the easiest part, like figuring out like you're gonna work and you're gonna rehab, that part is not the issue. I think mentally, like I came back too soon and what was eager to play last year in my first season, and then it was like, well, you're playing at and it's like I think it was it's a whole process is of like just be patient, work hard, get really healthy, and then your game will do what your game has to do.

So yeah, it was unfortunate, but I think seeing bigger picture, it's like I'd rather, you know, endure that in year one than in year nineteen because my body's at one is going to react, you know, yeah, I mean, but it's it's to me that's dope to hear you say that the big picture because as a as a young athlete, we normally don't see that like damn, I gotta get back out there, like I can play, I'll be all right. But to understand that it's a marathon not a sprint

at a young age, that's it's it's important, boy. And I think the big one was the pressure to like everyone, yeah New York And it was like it was in my third game in the season and it was like it was so anticipated, like this season and then be

like yeah, I'm out. And then all of last year it was like I was playing on like a wooden leg and it and it hurt, and then it's like then you see the people switch like, oh, she's not really good, she's not and then it's like, Okay, this is really like I just have to focus on me. I have to get right and then everything else will take care of itself. I mean, you locked in first game back. So with the mamba jersey on game winner Barclays, what's going on, I just had to set the tone.

Let me know, let it be. No, I know y'all probably got first game back game winner. Yeah. I honestly jumped about it the night before. I really did. Yeah, I really did. That's no bullshit, Like I really was like, I'm gonna hit a game winner if it gets to that point tomorrow. And so right when coach was drawn up to play, like I was just smiling. I was like, oh, yeah,

here it is. And so it was cool. It was like my family was there, was able to watch me for the first time since college because of the bubble season, and so it was it was rewarding to be able to have done that at home in front of a crowd for the first time and kind of just like a pat on the back for like what I had endured the Dimanda j you walking in there? Oh yeah, I put it on and I like to don't forget represent at all times. What was your thoughts on your

first taste of the playoffs. It was really it was intense and I love it. I love the whole whole different level and regnization. Yeah, it was. It's like you're not resting, you know, ever you're playing forty if you have to. There's no you know, you don't have tomorrow to be like, oh, I'll play better today. It's it's like, you know, now they changed it though. Now there's it's a three game series for for all the teams instead

of a one and done. Um that first round yeah, yeah, so the last teams get a three series, which is cool. But I like the pressure of like, this is it, Yeah, this is it one and done and every possession counts. Yeah, every possession, every basket, every turnover. Like it felt like March madness, which was fun because I hadn't felt that since my junior year. So I was like, oh, this is exciting, another level of the game. How are you

getting ready for the new season? Um, I just deadlifted two pounds yesterday, so I probably pulled both hands trains hurt. I'm pulling a handstrain thinking about it. I don't know

if it's the back, I don't know what. Um. Yeah, I'm trying to get bulletproof for that, but um really, the main part of it is physically like getting really strong, feeling comfortable, confident, and then hooping as well, getting like being able to work on the things that I wasn't able to last offseason when I was just able to rehab. So I'm excited. I I feel like it's going to

be a good one. Where do you feel like you're at healthwise, I'm I'd say, yeah, so I have three more months to the last is like conditioning and then like being able to shoot and work out when I'm really tired, like the end of the game stuff. So other than that though, shot feels really good. And yeah, it's like riding a bike for you give us a give us an average day, average day in l A. You say you're training in the off seat and somewhere does it start? Win? Does it in? Usually nine am

is like court time. So I go like nine to nine thirty as of now, just because I have three months to kind of build up, and then I go to PT rehab for two and a half hour. Let me on a little bit. Let let's break it down for all the youngsters who are watching. So, what kind of stuff are you working on on the court. So now it's more repetition, so it's more like spot shots off the move, um touches around the basket. So the

duration is shorter, but it's more intense and harder. Game speed, game speed, to just build up the endurance to be able to go like a two hour session is like simulated game. So that's where I'm at now for the next probably three weeks, and then we'll go into the next phase. Um so doing that, and then I go two and a half hours of strength PT rehab, which is like lifting, massage and band work, core arms, tedious ship. You gotta do stuff you don't like like you love it. Yeah,

all the little things rolling out, the worst everything. So usually two and a half hours of that, and then I'll either have another PT session or I'll go back home and do like ride the bike or do some kind of like cardio with less impact, and then hot tub, cold tub norma tech watch the NBA games that are on TV. It's a pro do was just add a joint to it. That's a pro day. Yeah, we're gonna talk about our brother Kobe now, um, you know we we we love hearing stories about him on this on

this show. Obviously he meant some mean to both of us, and and you had a very special bond with him. Um, talk to us about when you first met him, what that was like? Yeah that was who? When was that? Um? Three years ago? I would say three years ago. He and Gig and some of her teammates came to my game. We played at USC So we played here and our coaches were like, oh, there's going to be a surprise. Um, we didn't know what. Like, I hadn't had a relationship

with him before that. We just like followed each other on Instagram. And so I'm like all right, and I'm out there shooting with like, you know, an hour and a half before the game starts, not a lot of people out there. And then they walk in and I was like, is this the surprise? Because there's nothing else tops this, so this has to be the surprise. And he can't, Like he watched the whole game, came to

talk to our team after in the locker, room. That's when we like exchange numbers, talked, and then ever since then it was like workout. You know, I helped coach you know, GI's team with him. So ever since then, it was like we just clicked and became really good friends. He put you through workouts, details and saying yes. But it was not as much shooting as you think. It's almost little to no shooting. Well, he worked my twins out. Of my twins for their birthday, we took a surprise

out Orange County. He worked him out very little shooting, you know. It was it was like fundamental. It was literally like you had a ball and it was like alright, pivot off your toe for like ten minutes, let it get tired, and like back like back pivot for pivots, side pivot, like all these pivots. I'm like, are we gonna shoot? It wasn't about that. It was all a little It was the little things, and it was cool because like all gis teammates were doing we're doing them

and we're doing them really well. And I was like, this is this is when he practiced that team. Not to cut you off. He practiced that team. I think he told me, like because That's how we were. Obviously we were close, but and then we'd always see each other because I was coaching twins, he's coaching ge I'm like, you know, how often do you know do you guys practice like six days a week? You know? I got these girls run They're trying with their eyes closed. I'm like,

what the funk coke? Like? You kid me? Like? And he was not playing it in no, he was not playing. And it was long practices. It was like two and a half hours, like, and they showed up, happy, excited everything day they left it. I love that best advice he gave you. Real sharpness comes without effort, Real sharpness comes with that effort. Yeah. Yeah, And he told me

that we were like walking out of the gym. He had a little bag on his back with the balls that he carried and was just like and just told me that and then like walked away. I was like, leave you with that, okay, but Jim, Yeah, And then the whole time I was like, Okay, this is what he stands for, like put in the work, and then when you're out there, it's like, oh it looks so easy. It comes so after it's like, yeah, because you put

the work in the scenes. Yeah, where were you at when you heard the news We're about to play Oregon State. Yeah in the locker room. Uh, probably like literally thirty minutes to tip off. Yeah, in the locker room. Um. And it was like do I play? Do I not play? Because I like I don't even remember that day. And I was like, no, I'm I didn't warm up, but I was like, I'm gonna play. And we met. We had not beaten Oregon State at Oregon State, so it

was like a huge game for US ESPN game. Um. And I don't remember the game, but we won, so that was good. I think I did decent, But I was not there somewhere else. Yeah, I was not there to you spoke with the memorial service, Um, what was that like? It was like I was nervous, I was emotional, Like it was it was awesome to see how many people were there that were touched and had some story about him, like all the like half the whole NBA

was there. To be able to see all like friends and family and everyone that really came together was it was really cool. But I mean it was hard and to the fact that I had a game special that day as well, there were two very special things obviously, Yeah, and so you know, going up there, I was like, oh my gosh, like the youngest player, your person to come up here. I was like nervous, emotional, and it was just like I have to just do I have to just speak, and it's like, don't worry about everyone

else that's here. It's like you're just talking to them. And that's what my agent told me. And I was like, so I like that and that. I think that helped a lot and kind of calm down a lot of my fears. Michael Jordan's speech, I thought it was something that was needed. I wasn't expecting it. Um, you know, obviously Kobe was our Jordan's, but we saw Jordan two and to see that kind of compassion and love and the kind of relationship you have with code, how did

that strike you? Yeah? I was interested to see how his speech was going to go. And I heard that he was going to be up there because yet it was that kind of like little brother mentorship. And it's hard when and you guys know, when you're playing against these players, it's like you idolize them. Then it's also

like I want to kick your ass. So it's hard, but it was just this level of like respect between the two and for him to be able to go up there and he cried and you know the meme of that, he said it was going to be a meme and just you know, to be able to you know, see how how much it hurt him, but how much he meant to him was. You know, we all feel it now when we watch all these players that are doing his moves and stuff like, that's really what he was to all of us and to your guys kids

and you know all of that. To see to see m J though, that's what it's different. That really touched me, Bro, you know what I mean, because you know how we all feel about him, but to see m J. Everybody wondered the relationship, but to see him actually show his real feelings and how he felt about Cold, I think everybody needed to hear that, you know what I mean.

Everybody in the world needs to like a little brother shit like you knowing Kobe, you know what I mean, Like you don't picture but only like only Mike could say some ship like that, you know what I mean. And so just to have that in true Mamba fashion, as you mentioned, you spoke at the memorial, then went back and became the first not just woman but n C double a player to have two thousand points, a thousand assists, and a thousand rebounds that night. What was

that twenty four hour span? Like that's crazy? Well, I literally spoke, got on plane. Yes, okay, that's how treat. That was the only way I get back to the game. Donor ed Milidus, I'm still friends with him. He let u, He let me hop on, hop on the plane, get there, speak, um literally fly. I didn't even like warm up, none of that fly fly back um. And I think it

hit me like later on. It didn't hit me like right when I was speaking, but like before the game and stuff like I threw up the entire like three hours leading up to the game and for like the week after, like I probably had lost like ten pounds. So I think it was like I didn't warm up, I didn't stretch. I had just put my jersey on and was like, yeah, I'm just gonna go play, and so um, A lot of people were talking like are

you gonna get ten rebounds? Are you gonna because I think I needed nine, And I was like it's gonna happen on this day because it's it's supposed to have and to be like it was, you know, it was meant to be, and so to be able to do that on like to and that ended up being my twenty six and last and the addition of the two, it was just it was like you couldn't write it any better. Yeah, that's a beautiful thing. You've developed a solid friendship with Vanessa and the girls right now. Can

you speak to that a little bit? I mean, I see, you know, to see smiles on their face at all is amazing. But you know we see you in pictures every once in a while and you hanging out with the girls now, So how's that? Yeah, it's amazing. I mean, you know, I was so close to Cob and g and I didn't want, you know that to get in the way of like me not being there for Natalia and for the little ones and for Vanessa, and so

I love the relationship and friendship we have. You know, we talk all the time, and um, just being able to be there and be there for them, They're there for me, um, laugh with them, cry whatever it is. You know. Um, it's just so important and what she's doing for her kids, is you know, hats off And I don't think really a superwoman's superpowers and I don't think she also, you know, gets a lot of credit for for that because she is one amazing human being.

Let's shoutout Vanessa. Um building a brand. You found a way to do that. Um, we see you when Stay Farm commercials the CP how that situation come about? Yeah, that was really cool. It was my first one. Actually, I think it was like one of my first aired commercials too, So, um, I was a little nervous, but it was cool. It was like my first time having to shoot on a commercial and like make a shot. And is that more pressure than a big game to you a little bit? Yeah, because do I have to

like make it? And they're like, well no, we could like you know, make it go in And I was like no, like yeah, I can't break this. Um. So yeah it was. It was awesome. And to still be able to see it like playing and people reaching out. Stars are crazy. Yeah, they're on every single commercial. It wasn't one of those commercials. Shooting with Chris another guy, well, y'all crying laughing the whole time. Yeah, he's funny. He's funny.

But we were able to work out after like we had like an eight hour shoot day and then he was going to the gym and so we had to talk before. I was like, I'd love to work out. So we ended up working out like two hours after that finished at like eleven PM, and I was like, this is dope. Yeah. I mean, he's one of the great greats of all time. You know, he a neighbor of mine and our kids are good friends. So he flies to twins out to Phoenix to see But Chris

is a dope dude. I know, you guys have developed a friendship and he's you know, supported you at games and stuff with it, like becoming friends with CP. Yeah,

it's awesome. Yeah, I mean being able to work out with him and see what he does and then you know, jumping in on drills, shooting drills, all these things, and then you know, now seeing him being one of the best, you know, point guards the league's gonna end up seeing is is really cool because that's the way that he masters his craft, like through his practice, and so I was really able to witness that, and yeah, it's nice to see him come out support Although I don't know

who he's rooting for, Phoenix or US when we were in Phoenix, but I think he's room for me, so but the other team it happens. Yes, So twenty four you lead the league in Jersey sales. Slam Magazine labeled you know pressure the next Queen of New York. When you hear stuff like that, you know a girl from Wanat Creek, California, what kind of stuff starts going through your mind. I don't think I'm gonna really process it until I'm done playing. I think it's going to be

one of those things. But it's cool, like but I just have so much more that I want to do and accomplished, and I feel like I haven't even scratched the surface yet. So I'm really just focusing on, you know, the controllables and and I know what kind of sounds cliche, but I'm really like that. So we're about only what you control is a good thing. But the title the next Queen of Band? Why I gotta be just sound dope?

That sound dope dope. You can stay modest as you won't. Um. You also work with our brother k D and Rich over there boardroom. What's that experience? Like? I love because when we played, it wasn't so much about business and basketball, you know, it's just let's hope and then go have phone. We're done. Now there's so much attention to detail about

saving your money and building your own individual brand. Obviously teaming up with you know, one of the greatest we've ever seen, and then rich as a beautiful genius mind. What's it been like working with those two over there. It's been amazing. But you know, you're you're right. It's like when you're younger and back when you guys played,

it was just basketball. It wasn't as much like branding and investing and figuring out, you know, your brand partners and how they have to align with your brand, and so now it's it's really evolved, and I kind of think I was just thrown into the fire, you know, graduating, joining you know, the league number one pick, and it's like you're getting all these brands, you know, thrown at you, and it's like figuring out, like, Okay, what do I want to do, who do I want to partner with?

And so being able to you know, align with boardroom and Kevin being in York and just being able to stop by the office and pick his brain and figure out all right, we should invest here and here and this is why. And also yeah, they're they're really good and Riches honestly one of the best that I've been able to like witness. Ye talk us about your relationship

with Steph Curry. You mentioned it earlier, you know, being a one of Creek girl and and growing up and stuff is out that way, which your relationship with him, Like I've watched him since I was and when he came into the league and so um, you know when I was finally able to meet him and then was in college and you know, I almost signed with Curry Rand because of him and our relationship and being able to you know, open gym and go to his games and have that relationship where I can just pick up

the phone and call him. You know, when he called me right when I got hurt and you know, helped me out because he had ankle injuries early on in

his career too. So um, I mean, what he's doing for the game is something you know, we might not see him any more times from players and so it's it's really cool and I'm just proud of him for the player and for the person that he is now, he's like the you can create a superstar, Like he's the one, you know what I mean, Like he's the one, and and to be able to handle the pressure and continue to live the right way. I mean, obviously Lebron did it too, but Steph's kind of like the no

tattoo the Golden Boy. Yeah, I mean he got tattooed. Yeah. They just they're hitting smaller here and yeah they're small and hidden. Man shout out the baby face by face. Yeah that's what it is. Yeah. Who are your top five players right now today that you tune into male or female besides Matt Yeah, are you guys included? Keep us out? Keep us out? Uma? Male, male or female? Like if there's any o g s you've been to Dina Trrossi earlier or NBA guys, who are you checking

out right now? Oh? So they're still they have to be playing. Oh just in general general, this is the most controversial questions more. I mean, m J Kobe Kevin shocks up there. Um, Diana Trossi is gonna end up being probably top five all time, Sue Bird is gonna end up being in the in the top five all time. So that's my that's my answers, Curry. I mean, actually about my favorite female player of all time. We just had on the show Don Staley. What do you know

about Don Staley? Well, obviously we haven't played each other in college, so we kind of passed that one. But she coached me um a year at USA Basketball, and I liked I just like her demeanor. She's like quiet similar really yeah, she's like quiet, but like very to the point elite at what she does. Was a great player and an even better coach now at what she's doing.

And so I want to keep like picking her brain because she played that point guard position, um in the Olympic and um, so I'm hopefully going to be able to get a better relationship with her. Yeah, best live game you've seen. Oh that's a good one. That's a good one, you think, rich, Yeah, that's that's a Do we believe playoffs? Did you? Oracle? Yeah? And I had those court side seats because we're like three per quarters.

People don't get it. Yes, Oh Billy smelled like Tree. Honestly, one of those games when I was younger had to be like on just bedrins like all those guys. I was like, yeah, um predictions were at the halfway point in the NBA season. Some teams are still kind of find their footing. But who do you see in the fine else the Warriors and the Nets. Yeah, a dark horse pick outside of those two teams, I would say

it could be Chicago. Like Chicago, that's a dark Going back to Cobe, I think he really shined the light on female sports. Um obviously through g and Um the growth that's kind of taken on since he's kind of put his foot in there, and then it's kind of along with the same rise of you kind of coming into the w n b A. Do you feel, like you said in college, your game started two thousand people of game, now it's eleven thousand. Do you feel just

a growing support behind your guys game these days? I do. I definitely do, And it definitely started with him, and I think a lot of the NBA is really starting to transition. I think it's also like these guys are starting to have daughters and have sisters, and it's like Stu got a whole flock of them. Yeah, you know, andball, But I think it's important to see, like, you know, having those NBA players come to the games with their daughters and you know, showing them that it is possible

to be an elite athlete in play. And he did it, you know, just by showing up and and you know, representing us and vouching for us, wearing the w n b A sweatshirts all the time. And now it's like you see football players wearing them and everyone wants them. So it's cool to see how he changed that. And I think it's still changing. There's still so much, you know, that needs to be done, but I think it's cool seeing,

you know, people in power start seeing the appreciation. I think a lot of obviously, I think it brought new eyes to it, but I think a lot of us supported it, but we just didn't support it publicly. And not that we're hiding it, but it just wasn't like yeah, because I've always watched v NBA, but I just never you know, I think now that like you said, people are speaking on it and really showing support is what kind of move the needle could? You guys have support,

But I think him, obviously his presence helps. But then like you said, people just and rep in the brand. I mean that's how it grows. So I think we got our w n b A s which was last year right to do a great job of keeping us engaged with the w n B A and the w b A players. But Kobe rubbed off on everybody. We all got a part of the play and we all love the game, and like Don Stanley say, it's basketball regards if you man, a man wanted us basketball, so

we all have the same feeling about the game. Yeah, no, it's yeah, that's and it's the media plays such a big part in that too, you know. It's it's we'll do something and then someone in the NBA will do something similar, but it's like they get all the recognition and we don't. And it's like we put up the

same numbers or even better. And so it was cool to see like he didn't do it for the fame or he didn't do it to be talked about, but he shut a lot of people up about it because he showed like, no, this is important and this is where I'm going to invest my time in. And I think it shut up a lot of haters and kind of I was like, oh, yeah, he's right, Like we should be paying more attention to this. We understand it

different though, because we understand what you'll go through. Yeah, the preparation, you know what I'm saying, being away from your family. These as like we understand that party, you know what I mean. So it's important to us that we look y'all looked at its equal as the NBA and the power of social media, how you view it, I mean, we all know it's powerful. Um, I'm really a low key person, so I don't love putting up

a bunch of stuff on social media. I know it's kind of part of the new age with like do your sons have Yeah, you know, so it's like seven Instagram. But with that said, you do speak your mind on important issues when you need be do. That's one thing I love about. Yeah, I do. I'll talk to my ship when I have to. But yeah, no, it's powerful and I think now it's like, you know, when I was younger, we didn't we weren't able to really see what NBA players are. Like, I wasn't able to see

what you guys were doing. I was able to see what guys are doing on the court when I was at the games, but like I wasn't able to be like, Okay, this is what he's doing today or whatever. So sometimes it's like I try to make sure, like there's a seven year old that's watched my Instagram right now, and like what do they see? And it's like, all right, I'm battling an injury. How am I saying? Positive? What

am I doing? And you don't really realize sometimes that really can change someone's life with what they're dealing with. So I really try and you know, stay mindful of like I'm a low key person, but also like I want to do the best I can and reach people in places like Europe and Asia like places that I

might not be able to like actually be there. And then you have to play basketball, like they look up to you, and anything you go through, they just correlated to their life with the situation that they're dealing with. It might even be basketball. Yeah, you know what I mean by saying, you get through this ankle injury, and it encouraged me to get through what I was going through at the time, you know what I mean? That means a lot to a lot of people. Can this

Parker talk about her for a second? Is she coming back? Have you guys heard? Because I would trying to get her on the show. She keeps now that you want to ring at the crib? We never do you guys, do you want to ring? You could go back for another year, or you can finish your career on I was pushed out the league. What is I think it's fifteen? Ye, yeah, I mean she's got what two rings? I would probably right off on that high horse, especially because business after

basketball has already started, you know what I mean. And that's what you know. What's fun for me was, you know, life after basketball had started before I was finished playing, So when the transition I made, it was smooth, you know what I mean. But obviously each person is different. But she's doing her I think obviously she's doing a great job outside the space, It's it's cool, and I think the hard part is like the competitive nature and you of like, I'm still healthy, I can still play,

and I think that's going to be interesting. But to see what she's doing on the court but also off the court and just being able to represent the w n b A but also a woman on you know, on ESPN, on all these shows. It's cool. And I've gotten to know her a little bit, you know, through Vanessa and through the league and so I'm excited to see what she does, but super proud and happy for her winning UM back in Chicago and her in her hometown. Vicky Hammo was real close to becoming at first NBA

woman's coach, but she's in in Vegas. Now give me your thoughts on her big Am, Yeah, I was. I was ready to see her make that jump in the n B A. UM. You know, I know it's political, I know I know how it works and um, but that doesn't mean you know, I think she said it best. The door is not closed. I think you know that that door will that will be open, and she might be the first one to be able to knock it

down and we'll get that job. I think she's respected through the league, you know, coaching the G League and being under pop for for so long. But I think it's great for the league to have our league, to have someone you know, who's played in it, coached at the highest level and then be able to come back and kind of like pay it forward for the next generation of of players who's wanting to do something similar.

Is I'm excited to see what she does in big is just not when they play right right, all right, coming down to the end quick hitters. So first thing to come to mind, Shoot, you're welcome to the w n B. A A moment was I think I got my block shot to like my shot block to like the third row. Remember who it might have been, Liz Cambidge. Yeah, And I was like, okay, yeah, I gotta get a little floater in now I can't make it all the

way to the basket. That's funny. You Ascar Robinson and Russell Westbrook on the team and the three on three game, right, who owns points, rebounds and assists. You can only choose one Peach Mine's assists. Okay, so you're gonna lead in assists. I would say Russell will be easy. Russ I work out with his brother. I got the point. You said, points of Russ and the rebounds would be Oscar. Solid question. The funniest thing that's happened to you recently? That's a

good question. No one ever asked that. Yeah, no one ever asks a crazy The funniest thing that's happened to me recently? My brother be saying some funny ships. I mean today, like I was doing pushed ups at PT and he was over there making some comments about how I was looking weak and don't make me laugh while I'm doing push ups please, So I would just say that, are you guys so you got still close? As he out here right now? He comes Yeah, he comes out.

He just graduated. But yeah, we're we're always really close, even though you twins. He's a big bro. No, he's a little I'm older, but he's like six six so big. He's big. Yeah, so he that was always a year older than me. But I'm a big brother. Yeah yeah, yeah, I'm big broyeh know, he's but he's like you know, when you're like twenty three years four years old. It's like he's so immature still yeah, the time, he can't take the time at the moment right now, I'm like,

are you're a child still? Five dinner guests that are alive? Five dinner guests? Can they be my friends at your table? It's my table code? Gee for sure? Um Obama? Nice, um my mom. And then I would say, Tom Brady, that's twelve to have five greatest female athletes up all the time. Excuse me, Oh that's hard. Serena Williams. Have you seen King Richard? No, not yet, but I heard it's really good. Really will I would like this really fine? I was trying. Yeah, I can do it really good.

What gives you whole different perspective on their father becose growing up? Okay, I heard that, so I would say Serena honestly, Naomi, A sock is going to be yes, especially um yeah, And then I think basketball bias. I'm going to go with like Diana, Um, I feel like I'm missing some other sports, so I'm trying to think about track track soccer. Um. I'm going with those three because I don't want to say I don't want to miss out on someone that I know is there? Yeah? Yeah?

What's three artists? Songs? Are you having your rotation right now? Are you listening to break his new album that's Jack Jack Star. Yeah, I still listen to but I'm on the shuffle of like twenty like top hits, so it's like him pop smoke, um a sap, like just whatever whatever is getting me going for my workouts. Three shows you currently binge watch? I'm literally not watching any show NBA, TV, ESPN. Yes, I love it. If you could have a guest on

our show, who would it be? But before you answer it, but you have to help us get your answer on this show. And I got good with answering that question. I used to struggle with it at first. I would say they're a good ring level m second, I think Steve Nash. We have Steven we had Okay, that was remote? Yeah did you was it good? And I love Steve Nash because he's one of the only people on this earth that still has George Floyd as his profile and

his profile pick on his Instagram. Oh yeah, you're right, he does? You know? That was my guy? I love that. Okay, So not Steve Nash is canceled. Yeah, we had him already. Give us somebody else and I have to help, so I have to know them. There you going all right? Let me think? All right, Naomi Oskker God, I love

her too. We'll take her ding ding ding first press conference for George Floyd, Her and Carday were in the audience and nobody knew and they just stood there regular like everybody else, no security and that, and it was like three thousand people out there and they were just standing there like regular people. So shout out to her. Yes, we would love to have her on the show. Cardy just dropped a new album too, I got an album coming,

got picked it up. Check them out. Well before you get going, we wanted to give you a little you got to smoke. We gotta see what mom, you know what I mean. We appreciate you coming on the show. Best of luck, get healthy. We want to see you all the way healthy next year. We feel good when we see the grates and all the smoker we've seen Draymond and the rest of those guys wear to the game. I can't wait to see you in it, you know what I mean, So I can repost it. Reposted that. Well,

that's a wrap, Sabrina Unesco, I did it. You can catch this on Showtime Basketball, YouTube and the I Heart platform Black Effects. We'll see you all next week. And this is all a smoke, a production of The Black Effect and Our Heart Radio in partnership with Showtime