Chatting with Courtney, part 2

In the second part of her sit-down with Sports Editor Justin Trujillo, Courtney Vandersloot addresses her emotions before her first game and says that Gonzaga will always be her home. Currently, the Chicago Sky is 14-16 and competing for a playoff spot in the WNBA Eastern Conference. Vandersloot, a standout Zag, was selected with the No. 3 pick in the 2011 WNBA Draft.

JT: What are some other goals you have for the rest of the year?

CV: I really want to make the playoffs. This team has never been there before and we have had our struggles before; but once we get it together we are going to make a great run. Our [focus] is on making the playoffs.

JT: How is being a rookie in the league?

CV: It is fine. Everyone treats you like anyone else and your team looks after you. Playing is hard because we constantly have to make adjustments with players who have been in the league for a while and understand the game better than I do. It is always an adjustment.

JT: Have you learned any tough lessons yet?

CV: I have learned there is no time that you can take off. You cannot just rest [on] a possession mentally and physically because you will be exposed. You have to play the best of the best at all times. So if you want to be successful you cannot take it easy.

JT: How were you feeling before your first game as a pro?

CV: I had a lot of different emotions. I was really excited because playing was something I worked for a really long time, but also nervous because there is no bigger adjustment for a rookie point guard. I felt a little bit of everything but Coach Pokey Chatman just wanted me to play like I know how. She told me to let my instincts take over.

JT: Are you missing Gonzaga?

CV: Of course. I miss everything about Gonzaga. That was my home for a while. I still consider it home. All my friends are still back there and I miss everything about the Gonzaga community and Spokane. On and off the court I got to enjoy as much of the Zag experience as I could. I think that is why I miss it so much, too.