‘Sloot finds success at next level

This spring Courtney Vandersloot, class of 2012, led her Bulldogs to a thrilling Elite Eight run in the NCAA tournament, which capped her collegiate career. Soon after, Vandersloot was picked third overall in the WNBA draft by the Chicago Sky. In her first season as a professional, she was voted an all-star in the WNBA All-Star game. Vandersloot took time out of her busy schedule to sit down with Sports Editor Justin Trujillo and talk about how she feels about her first season and how much she loved Gonzaga.

JT: How is the transition to the professional game going?

CV: It's been tough, but good at the same time. I have had my ups and downs. It is tough to adjust to a completely different game. The players are a lot more competitive and the scheduling is much different. We play as many games as we can in a short amount of time. It has been very different and very much an adjustment but great for sure.

JT: What similarities do you see between the pro and college game?

CV: It is similar because it is the same sport. It's still basketball. Things are just more elevated but when it comes down to it, it is still a game of basketball.

JT: What kind of preparation goes into getting ready for a WNBA game as opposed to a WCC game?

CV: Well we do not have nearly as much time to prepare as college. In college it is planned out so we can prepare for each game but in the WNBA we sometimes play in back to back days or every other day. Sometimes you get a day off here and there. But we get to know the teams we play pretty well because we will play them three or four times during the season. All the players seem to know each other pretty well.

JT: Congratulations on making the 2011 WNBA All-Star team! How was that experience?

CV: It was really cool and fun. It was a great experience because everyone is out there to have a good time. Everyone just wants to enjoy themselves and play with and against the best players. It was something very good to experience.

JT: Can you tell if you have any "Is this real?" moments?

CV: The All-Star game would be that moment for me. The games go by so fast and everything this year has happened so fast. Next thing I know, I am in the All-Star game and I never expected all this to happen so fast.

Read the rest  of the interview in next week's Bulletin where Vandersloot talks about what she misses most about Gonzaga.