Storm Training Camp: Rookie Experience

Multiple interviews with Seattle's rookies.

The Seattle Storm have five rookies in training camp, and that doesn’t even include Awa Fam, the 3rd overall pick in the WNBA Draft, who is still playing overseas in Spain. It’s a team filled with youngsters who are all adjusting to the pro league. It’s a major adjustment to make with such a short turnaround from the college season.

Training camp started nine days ago, and the team has played one preseason game. A highly competitive battle with the Golden State Valkyries. Ultimately, the Storm fell just short, losing that game 78-76, but it was a great experience for these players.

Before the team plays its first home (preseason) game on Wednesday, April 29th, against the Portland Fire, I spoke with some of the rookies about their experience so far. I talked with Elle Ladine, Taina Mair, Grace VanSlooten, and Jalyn “Ice” Brown about their first game, the chaos of coming to a WNBA training camp right after college, the differences they’ve experienced, and more.

I’ve updated the article to include the audio of the interviews. That will be placed at the bottom if you prefer to listen to the interviews instead of reading them.

On Playing in their First WNBA Game

“Oh, it was so surreal. It was a great experience, an amazing environment. The Valkyries, they have a great fan base. So it was just fun. I took it all in. I learned a lot. It was a blast.” Elle Ladine told me.

“Yeah, it was an amazing experience, obviously been dreaming about it since I was a young kid, and just finally to get on that floor with, how many fans they had there was just amazing. You know, I was really hype, really great environment. So that was really fun.” Grace VanSlooten said.

“Yeah, I mean, I thought it was a lot of fun to go out there and compete against other WNBA pros.” Taina Mair added.

“It’s surreal, honestly, I think, just to be in the environment and to be there, to be able to be for my teammates and watch them all succeed and do well. And I’ve seen them in training camp all week. Like, everybody’s been going hard, so to see them finally be able to let that frustration out on someone else. It’s really, really cool to watch. It’s really interesting to see how fast the game is, whether you’re in or out of the game, and I’m just absorbing everything.” Jalyn Brown answered.

On What Went Well and Areas to Improve Upon

“Oh yeah, obviously, this game of basketball, I’m always looking to improve. It never stops. You never stop trying to get better. And so, I’m just honestly watching the vets, how they communicate, them playing in the game. I think I learned a lot from that. Like they all take accountability. They’re trying to get better every possession, possession by possession. So watching that, I think I learned a lot from them. And honestly, going into the game, just like learning how to communicate with my teammates out there. I think I’m learning to slow down, going from college to pro, you kind of have to, a lot of people are athletic, fast, so speed doesn’t necessarily win a lot out here. You've got to slow down and manipulate the defense. So I’m learning that learning from all these great guards. But yeah, honestly, the first game just took it all in. It was such a great experience.” Ladine added.

“You know, I just went out there and told myself I was gonna play hard no matter what. I think that’s what I did. Those are the things that I can control right now. Just, you know, defense, playing hard, work ethic, things like that. So that’s what I’m focusing on. And then obviously, I just want to get better with my timing and everything. The game is so much faster than college. So, just getting used to that, getting used to the physicality. You know, obviously, perimeter game is really where I’m looking to improve on.” VanSlooten stated.

“I think for me it went well as part of my defense. I feel like I was super active, and I was in the spots where I was supposed to be. But, I think offensively, my offense will come, just making the right reads, slowing down a little bit.” Mair said.

On the Short Turnaround from the NCAA Tournament to WNBA Training Camp

“Oh, I mean, it’s amazing. It’s a lot to learn from, you know, it’s definitely not easy. These are the best players in the world. So honestly, yeah, I think I just had to get my body right to get ready for this camp. I’m learning a lot still. Like I said, these are the best in the world they’ve been playing. A lot of them have been playing for a long time in this league. So it’s definitely not easy, but having a team like this where they’re really invested in helping younger players and rookies, they’re really trying to help me on the sideline. And so it makes it a lot easier.” Ladine replied.

“Yeah, it was definitely stressful for sure. Really fun though! Just kind of the anticipation of having no idea where you’re gonna be in the week. Yeah, it’s exciting. I got back from the tournament, packed up my whole apartment, moved it all home, put it in a storage unit, and then flew out to Seattle in the matter of a week. It was a lot of work to get done, but like I said, really, really exciting. The anticipation was killing me, but obviously really happy to be here.” VanSlooten answered.

“Yeah, I mean, it’s gone pretty fast to say the least. I mean, we were in Sacramento, flew back to Durham, then I had a flight over here in Seattle, so it was a lot of traveling for me, but I enjoy that, you know? But, I mean, I’m just trying to enjoy the whole process of the stuff, you know? Everything happens for a reason. I’m super happy.” Mair stated.

“It’s been very chaotic, but they’re all blessings. I feel like going from college to a pro is, it’s very, it’s an interesting transition. I think that it’s different, but when you’re around the right people, and I feel like this whole community, all of the staff, they’ve made the transition very easy, very smooth. Obviously, the traveling is a lot. I’m from Maryland, so I came pretty far, but we have some people coming in from overseas, so my trip wasn’t as bad, but it’s just been really interesting to see how everybody’s pouring in, and it’s a little faster. But we have vets here that support us. We have vets that break things down. We have vets who explain things to us. So Coach Sonia, she does a very good job at breaking things down as well, and our vets just carry that voice for her when she can’t.” Brown told me.

On How WNBA (Pro) Training Camp Compares to College

“Yeah, I mean, obviously it’s a different pace. It’s a lot faster. These girls pick up things at such an elite level. And so like, I think in college, it was kind of, we slowed it down, broke it down a little bit more. But these are the best in the world. So just starting to adjust and pick up things faster, play with that pace, like I said, which I’m learning, always going to keep learning that.” Elle said.

“Oh, so much different. Yeah, the training camp here is just so much quicker. You know, like college, you put in a play, you break it down, you go through it for 10 minutes before you’re live. And here it’s like, here we’re gonna run through it once and then get out there and play against the scout guys with it. So a lot quicker, but a lot of fun.” Grace told me.

“Yeah, I think here, everything’s super efficient to say the least. I mean, when you’re in college, you’re in the gym for, like, three hours, you know? But here it’s super efficient. We’re here for, like, maybe two hours, maybe an hour and a half. Everything’s super quick, you know? You get quick reps at everything.” Taina responded.

“I would definitely say the speed of the game. I think that IQ is everything at the pro level, because everyone’s as athletic, everyone’s as fast, everyone can shoot as well. So it’s about using your brain, and I feel like when you learn basketball, it makes everything easier. So, for me, it’s more of a mind game, more of IQ, but I think that eventually, all of our training camp techniques will carry over to the court. It’ll be a little easier.” Jalyn answered.

On the Feelings and Emotions Ahead of Tomorrow’s Home Game

“Yeah, oh, I’m super grateful. I’m so excited. I know Storm fans are one of the best in the league, and I’ve come to games all these past five years being in Seattle. So super excited to be in this environment, not as a fan, but you know, with the team, it’s going to be an insane, surreal experience, and I’m grateful for it. But yeah, super excited. All the feelings. It’ll be fun.” Elle replied.

“Yeah, I think just really excited. I think we all want to go out there and play hard for the crowd and kind of give them something to watch. Hopefully they’ll come back. So I think everybody’s just really excited. Me personally. But yeah, like I said, just like a dream come true. I can’t believe I’m here, but just really happy.” Grace answered.

“Yeah, I mean, I’m super excited. I mean, we came here for the hockey games, and the fans were, they were great. They were excellent, cheering for everything, so I’m super excited to see what the fans are gonna be, like, for us. Yeah, I’m super happy to come out here and play for Seattle.” Taina said.

“I’m super excited. I’ve heard the Seattle fans are crazy. We’ve seen them. We got a little hint of them at the hockey game. So I’m just really excited for them to be supporting us, and finally not be at an away gym.” Jalyn added.

Audio Interviews:

Interview order: Elle Ladine, Grace VanSlooten, Taina Mair, and Jalyn Brown.

Notes:
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Photography Credits: Seattle Storm/WNBA Photography, Me

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