Ahead of her first ever Athletes Unlimited campaign, three-time WNBA champion Alysha Clark joins Owen and Myles to share what it means for her to return home to Tennessee to play hoops, how she had to adjust her game for the pros, and much more. Alysha's AU charity is the Mt. Juliet Health Center, which provides aid and resources to her hometown. http://www.mtjuliethelpcenter.org/
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Episode 51: Pull Up with Alysha Clark
(light music) - What is up everyone and welcome to yet another episode of Pull Up with Miles and Owen. And today we welcome in a guest with an abundance of championships. I'm just gonna, I'm gonna start there. Three-time WNBA champion, most recently with the ACEs in 2023. She won the NCAA scoring title twice, which I don't know how many people have done that, but it can't be many. First player to be named Player of the Year in two different Division I conferences. The list goes on and on. And soon she'll be playing basketball back in her home state of Tennessee when athletes unlimited tips off on February 5th. Alicia Clark, thank you so much for joining us. How's it going? - Thank you all for having me. It's good. It's nice to be home. I haven't been home for this amount of time probably since the pandemic happened, so. (laughs) - That was exactly where I wanted to start because AU moving to Nashville, you grew up in Tennessee, but a year-round career, that's literally taking you all over the world. Was this just kind of a serendipitous opportunity for you to return home for a winter and be able to hoop professionally, but also be home for a bit? - Yeah, it definitely was. And to be honest, I knew it was here, and in the beginning I was just telling Sydney and TP and KB, like, oh, I'm just gonna out-pull up and come visit it, come watch some games, have you guys open for dinner? I had no intentions of playing just 'cause I was like, this is probably one of my first off seasons that I'm healthy and get to train 'cause the last off season I had was after a championship. So I was just trying to celebrate every chance I could get. (laughs) And so I was like, yeah, this will be the first time I get to really just train. And then Sydney was like, hey, can you just take the call, just at least see what they're talking about and just see if it's something that you're interested in. And so I was like, okay, taking a call won't hurt. And once I had the call with Megan Perry, the director, and just everything that AU was doing, not only just in the city, in the space of women's basketball, but just what they're doing for each individual player. I was like, how cool would that be to just like be home again and be able to play professionally in front of everyone that's seen me literally from the beginning and hasn't seen me since college. And so it was a great opportunity. - We had Sydney P on a couple of episodes ago and talking to her a little bit about her recruiting. So it's cool to hear the other half of it, that side of seeing. - She's a phenomenal recruiter, I tell you that. (laughing) - You were on the Instagram series with AU. I think you might have been the first player on there about a month ago that Instagram live. And I jotted down a quote when I was listening to that because you talked a little bit about what drew you to AU and you said you're very protective of how you show up in your community. And what drew you in is how much AU pours into the players in their off-court ventures. And it was the fact that you got to pick a charity to work with. So you're going to be working with the Mount Juliet Help Center and obviously that's super close to home for you because that's what you grew up. But it's a community center that helps get resources to people that are in need. Could you share a little bit about what your experience with them is and why that in particular is so important to you? - Yeah, so when I said I'm protective over how I show up in the community, whether that's here at home or the market that I'm in, is, you know, a lot of times as professional athletes, every, like we understand like the platform and the magnitude that you have as a professional player. And so a lot of times organizations are people like, "Hey, can we just use your name to say that you're part "of this to help draw in, you know, more resources?" Which is fine, there's nothing wrong with that. But for me, I want to be very present in the things that I'm doing in the communities that I'm in and especially here at home. And so for so long, I've wanted to kind of just find my footing here back home in ways that I can help the community. But I never really spent much time here. And so the pandemic, when I was here, I got to learn about the different organizations here, you know, an organization in Nashville that I was working with. But for AU and my cause, I was like, I really want to do something that directly impacts Mount Juliet. And so I came across the Mount Juliet Help Center a couple of years ago. And it just started with helping, you know, get the wish list of stuff that they needed by weekly. And so it allows, you know, for families and people in need that need groceries, they can come and they can get, you know, the basic essentials that you need in life through there. And I was like, wow, this is really great. And so that's kind of how it started. And then I was like, yeah, I really want to do more in this space. So with Adidas and the charity portion that we get through Adidas, I donated there. And so then I was like, okay, this is going to be the next step is to really bring more awareness around it by playing, you know, an AU and then highlighting it and talking about it. And then just being able to match, you know, the monetary donation that can help so many people, but just specifically right here and, you know, where I grew up. - I love that so much. And shout out to AU just for being so conscious of the communities that they're hosting, you know, their league and it's really beautiful. - It is. - So we already mentioned CID and TP. So we had, since we just had them on a few episodes prior, we had to have a little segment of CID and TP questions. I think I'm going to start here. Can you describe the exact feeling when you're sitting at a Tennessee Titans game and CID and TP get on the jumbotron? What does that feel like sitting next up in that moment? - Honestly, it was a moment of like unknown 'cause I was like, I have no idea what they're about to do. And I honestly think they didn't know. I think they had a few ideas in their head, but I think in that moment, they were like, yeah, we don't know which way we're going to go with this. And they just went with it. But it's always like, it's always such a fun time because they are just two of the like most liveliest people that you could be around that just thoroughly enjoy life. And, you know, to be able to be in that moment and TP wanting to bring back the old school dance, you know, I just started looking around the stadium to see how people were like receiving and reacting to what they were doing. And everybody was like dying, laughing, dancing with them. And I was like, the fact that you guys have a whole stadium so engaged in what you're doing, I'm like, you guys are insane, but also amazing. - So it might have been the most exciting part of the Titan season, if we're big real. - Yeah, yeah, let's be real. Like the kitchen that came from it, because like, you know, in the basketball world, everybody knows who they are. And I think in basketball, it's the environment's a little bit different than like football. Each sport has their own little unique atmosphere. And so, you know, I don't think the football atmosphere was ready for what's in TV brought, but they loved it. - I also, I agree with TP, like that dance has legs. I think the comeback is everything. - I will say, I haven't seen anyone else do it, but maybe somewhere out there, somebody is doing it out of school dance coming up. - You can take talk to pick it up and then it'll be everywhere. - Yeah. - So we also heard about the nerd herd, the trivia squad. And they both said that you would be an essential part of a trivia team that they would construct. TP described you as well traveled and worldly. So what are your trivia strengths? Do you have trivia strengths? And are there any fun anecdotes of any trivia nights with those guys? - Wow, I'm honored. The nerd herd is a hard organization to get into. So I'm honored that they said I could join. No, I feel like I know a little about a lot, just from traveling and just wanting to always know about stuff, if it's something I'm like, oh, I want to know about this, I like research it. So I think just probably the like random little facts I probably know a lot about. I also like grew up watching Jeopardy with my dad and Will Fortune. So I feel like my mind is always kind of in that like puzzle solved type of mode, family feud. Like I'm always just in any type of game show where you have to be quick and like answer something. So I feel like I was bred for this moment. - I think we put you onto their family feud team of five. - Yeah. - So yeah, and it was all ACEs. I'm not neither of us were shocked. None of us were shocked. - What is it going to be like going up against KB and sit in TP or playing on the same team or having different constructions of these teams? What are your feelings and excitements going into that? - Yeah, I mean, I think the biggest excitement for me is just the different of players, like the different players I'll be able to play with throughout my time, throughout the weeks with AU. But the other part is like the familiarity that I have, especially just like with Sid TP, KB and specifics. Because obviously Sid, KB and I, you know, a lot of times we're in practice together, got to play together in practice. So we kind of, we already have a chemistry. So if we do get to play together, that's going to be really exciting because it's, you know, kind of gives you an advantage. And it's like, cool, we already have this developed so we don't have to work as hard on that. But I mean, playing against them, I just, I know the competitors that they are and just the way that they can move. And they do things on not just one level, like the way they're able to affect the game, you know, whether they are shooting, whether they're cutting, you know, passing on the defensive side of it. So I also know that they bring a lot in that way. And I know it's going to be extremely competitive when we play against each other. But yeah, I'm excited just to see, 'cause like, you know, there's some players in the league that I'm familiar with that I've played against. Some that I don't know. And so to be able to just, you know, learn other players and kind of learn on the fly and just kind of help keep my, my mental, you know, sharp in that aspect I'm looking forward to. - Hey, B has been such a fun player, especially in AU because I think of the player-led component of it that she has a green light all the time because she's got that call to make but is just putting on performance after performance. And it probably, I think the most viral AU shot that happened when she had the game winner from half court. - Yeah, that was wild. - You have definitely put their stamp on athletes unlimited. I wanted to transition to college real quick because you stayed in the greater national area, both at Belmont and Middle Tennessee. What were some of the challenges at the time for competing for a mid-major, especially how that relates to just what was still a growing and is still a growing women's basketball space? - Honestly, like here in Middle Tennessee, I don't think there was much, 'cause like Middle Tennessee is like back then, I don't know what the landscape is like now, but it was like a breeding ground for bass, it's like female basketball players. You always got, you know, great players coming out of this area, obviously because of the rich culture, the rich basketball culture that's around, you know, this area in Tennessee. And so that part was cool. I think for me, when I think back, I've never really had to think about this, but now just on the spot, I think it was more so like the respect factor that like because you're at a mid-major, you aren't as good as some of the ones that are at the power schools, you know? And so I feel like as I was going through the ranks, that was always kind of like at the back of my mind. And when I transferred to Middle, it was so I could play against those players to really like a measure up to see where I was at, and which I knew I felt like I was good enough, but it was like more so just being able to get to that space where we're playing that competition. But then too, just to showcase that just because you're at a smaller school doesn't mean, or at a mid-major doesn't mean you aren't as good or a competitive basketball player. And so that was something that I kind of just carried with me as being kind of like the underdog for my career, but to really go out there and showcase what an underdog looked like and that we could compete with anybody regardless of where they went to school. So it's cool now to see like the mid-majors being kind of like in the prominent space, you know, talked about the same way that the power schools are talked about. And I think that's exciting because there's a lot of really good players in that realm. And I think they deserve to have the same recognition and be honored and, you know, get the same accolades as well. - And with the growth of NIL, they also have players might have more opportunity to stay close to home and not have to go to write one of those big schools necessarily in order to get that exposure. And I think, yeah, it's awesome. We've been both covering the league for the W primarily for five or six years now. So seeing how much the visibility has increased kind of in that time has been great to see, but then NIL lifts all ships also in a way too, which is really fascinating 'cause for no long just the funding wasn't there in the way that it should be or, like I said, the exposure. - Yeah, and that's the thing too is like, mid majors have donors too, you know what I mean? They're part of smaller communities. And that's, I think back and I'm like, it makes me want to bomb it 'cause I'm like, I could have made a killing in NIL. I could have made a killing like being from here, going to Belmont and having the, you know, the career that I did there and then finishing at middle and I'm like, ugh, like being in these small areas, like I could have made a killing. But here we are, here we are. - What was the transition then to the pros for you? Because like Owen said at the top, you were the leading scorer in the nation in your two years that you were playing for middle Tennessee. And as we know you as a pro, the first thing that I think about that we're going to definitely talk about a little bit is defensively is that you became this really strong three and D player later in your career, but that it was a transition from the, having the ball in your hand all the time, like you did in college. So what were some of those, I don't want to say challenges again, but just what that transition was like for you? - Yeah, I mean, it was a difficult one for sure because, you know, for my high school and collegiate career, 'cause again, I was a late bloomer, so I started playing basically in high school. And so those eight years, I had developed into this undersized post player and I was confident in who I was, I was confident in where I was going to be able to get the ball and score and do all these things. So I had, you know, jumped in late with all these teammates that have been playing since they were five, you know, four and five years old. And here I was and I developed into like a decent, you know, player and then it was like record scratch, we get to the league and they're like, yeah, so you're going to have to learn how to be a guard. And I was like, okay. And you know, I'm not, I'm not wanting to back down from a challenge, but it was, it was hard. So I was like, okay, we're going to do, we're just going to transition to a guard, like no big deal. And it was a big deal because not only am I at the, you know, the best league in the world, trying to make a roster spot, but I'm also learning how to play a completely different position where the best players in the world have been playing this position since they were five years old. So they already had, you know, like a 12, eight to 10 year head start in what they're doing. And I'm sitting here like, okay, how, like, how can we do this? But, you know, I pride myself on being a fast learner. I pride myself on just my work ethic and taking, you know, what's being told to me and applying it and really just like learning. But the first two years, like I tell people all the time, like the first two years for me when I was cut, it was difficult the, the second year, the first year it was like, okay, yeah, they told me I wasn't ready to be a guard. And I'm like, okay, well, I've done it for three weeks. So I, I pretty much knew that. But that was something tangible that I could take and go overseas and work on. So when I came back, I felt more confident. And I was like, okay, cool, I think I have a better shot. But that year they were like, we're gonna keep a bigger player. And so in that moment, it was like, why can't, I can't change my height. And that was the year that was tougher for me because it wasn't something tangible I could take. So I was like, you know what? I'm gonna continue to take what they told me I need to work on, go back overseas, continue to work on this and I'll give it one more shot. And that's kind of where I was. It was like, I'll give it one more try and we'll see. And so when I got to Seattle, Jenny Busik was like, you need, we need a defensive stopper. If you wanna like, I understand what you did in college, I think it was fantastic. But like we have enough scorers on our team and we need somebody who can defend the best player and like lock them up. So you need to learn how to become that. And so I, wherever Tenisha Wright went, I was right there beside her. You know what I mean? Like asking questions, Katie Smith, I was like, hey, when you're guarding this type of action, what do you do? 'Cause she wasn't a fast defender, but she was a physical one. So it was like, I got to blend the two of them together, the physicality of Katie in the IQ part and then the IQ and like quickness and physicality of Tenisha. And really just like understand the nuances of being a guard and defending. And so that is kind of where I was like, all right, this is what we're gonna do. This is what we're gonna lock into focus and do so we can make a roster. - What are I calling two people to learn? - Yeah. - That's unreal. - Yeah. - And it don't lead to me. One of the most efficient shots in the WNBA over the last decade is you in a cross match post up. When you get a smaller guard on you. And I think that's where we're seeing the post player kind of come back where you will identify early and then hunt that mismatch and go to work immediately. How soon did that, once you were kind of on that CL roster and getting those reps, did the coaching staff identify that as like, oh, this is a cheat code for us because you already have all that experience kind of on the post. - Yeah. You know, I mean, I feel like it was pretty quick but at the time, I mean, we had like, I had Tina Thompson that was a post player. So the amount of times I was gonna get post steps was, you know, far and few between 'cause that's where she was operating and working. But I think they really like realized it 'cause that was something that Jenny had said to me when she came over to Israel that like talked to me. She was like, "Swing cash is leaving and we need a tweener." And what people don't know is like, "Swing cash is the only other player "who's successfully transitioned from a post player "in college to a guard in the W." And like made that tweener thing. So that was somebody that Jenny, this is who you like could be in our league. And so like, watch her, watch what she does. You know, watch how she gets her mismatches. And that was a way that they had used to swim. And so that was already something they had in their mind. But I was so, the challenging part though was I was so stuck on being a guard, learning how to shoot, being, you know, staying out of the post, like not trying to, that it was a day that Tina Thompson was like, "Don't forget what got you here." Like you were a bucket in the post, like do not forget that as you're going to do that. And so I was like, okay. And so when I made that connection, like, yes, I can learn and be and do these things, but I can also do this. That's when I think I started to find my groove and like find my confidence in this new identity that I was creating in this league. - I love that quote. That almost makes me think of like, is a player like Jackie Young, where it's like, you know, now she's a 40% three point shooter. But sometimes she'll get to that spot in the mid range. Hold up. And it's like, this was the foundation. - Yeah. - That's cool to still have that. - Yeah. - So one of the coolest things to me about your career of many things is that you've been on title teams with both Subert and Candice Parker, and then also Asia Wilson and Brianna Stewart, not to mention many other people. So this is a two-parter, part one, when you sit back and just kind of reflect on your time in the W, what was it like and what has it been like watching this, you know, torch sort of get past from a previous generation of superstar to this younger generation of superstar? - You know, it's been really cool. One, 'cause I'm around long enough to be able to see that transition. But two, it's been fun to be a part of, because like you said, right? Like, even though we didn't win a championship in Seattle the early years with like Katie and Tina and Camille, like, I didn't win with them. But that's still championship pedigree that I got to be around early on. And that was like basically like the foundation of it, you know, like the early, early years. And like the studs of our league that really like knew what it took to win. And then to kind of transition to that tweener group with what we had in Seattle and to now it's like completely different. It's been fun because it's like, it's each, like, each part of it is so different in what it takes in the approach to winning. And so before I got to Vegas, I'm not gonna lie. Like it was, you show up, we do our job. Like winning is fun, working hard is fun. You can laugh after, but like we're here to work. This is what we do. And so when I got to Vegas and I'm like, there's in here laughing and talking and dancing while we're going through stuff. And I'm like, what is happening? And you know, 'cause I was of the mindset like you can't, you can't just switch it on and off. You can't be joking. And then all of a sudden you're like locked in to do something. But my teammates in Vegas showed me like, no, you absolutely can't. Like you can enjoy being out there and why you're doing it. And that was new for me. You know, I like to say that's like the old OG mindset of how you show up to your job. But it's been cool because it's like you're marrying all the beautiful parts of sport. You get to laugh and tell jokes and like have fun while you're out there competing. You get to talk stuff while you're competing. And then you, you know, winning obviously comes and it's like, that's great too. So it's been really cool to see and just the way that these new, you know, superstars have handled all the attention with social media and the constant talk around what their careers and what they're doing and just the way that they handle it behind closed doors and the work that they put into it. That part is consistent through all of it. When I look back like that work piece, the hunger, the grit, the like never settling for being complacent, like that has been consistent through all of it. And that's been the cool part to see as well. - I'm so glad you mentioned that specifically about the 2023 ACEs 'cause that was actually one of my next questions is like, I'll never forget being in the press conference after you guys won the title. And it was such a special half an hour, such a unique thing, like we never get that where it's just the entire team wanted to be in there and answer every question. And it was so palpable, like what that meant to you. So you just answered the question I had about what was it that made that group so special, but it was really cool to witness that. - Yeah, it was fun too, like that's something that 'cause you know, it's the media, right? Like you guys wanna talk to the best and the top players that did this and whatever. And it's like, no, this is a moment for everybody on our team 'cause it literally took everyone to get here at different points. You had different people step up at different times that needed. And so it's like, we should all be in there. We should all be, you know, being spoken to and asked questions and talked about because it was all of us, like it wasn't just two or three players, it was literally all of us. So the fact that we all just rolled in there deep, I think, you know, just, I think was just a testament to what that team really was and how special and tight-knit it was. It was really fun. - So circle back to my two-parter real quickly. The second part of the Stewie Asia thing is, I'm curious, playing alongside them, what are some similarities in their level of greatness and the way they approach the job? And then what are some things that make them distinct and different? - Oh, man. I mean, right off the top is just their work ethics. Both of them have crazy work ethics. And neither one of them, like they both wanna be the best. And they like complacency is like an it. Like neither one of them like wants to be complacent and neither one of them wants to settle. And so that's something that I love 'cause I'm like, okay, cool, I love being able to play alongside a big that feels that way. And they're both dominant in their own way. Like they're completely different players in terms of, you know, what they do on the court, but they both can dominate in their own ways. And so I think that's been, I think that's the similar part of it. And then I think the difference, I mean, Asia's just like, Asia just has this like fun personality. Like she's always light and laughing and just, you know, making everything just enjoyable in that way, not that Stewie doesn't, but like that's just her personality. Like she's always gonna come in and light up a room and be, you know, be the light and the joy in the space and make something fun. Like she's gonna talk crazy stuff like and let you know she's here, which is, which I love. And then Stewie's kind of more like a quiet approach in a different way. You know, she shows up, she does work. She'll laugh and joke here and there. I mean, obviously I don't know what she's like in New York. She could be a time. She could come in and turn up all the time. I don't know, but from my experience, it was like, you know, more of a subtle like laughter and in between type of thing. But, you know, their approaches are different, but at the end of the day, like the end result is the same. They both want to be great and they both want to be the best. I think one of the biggest surprises 'cause we're both in the New York market, was seeing how goofy Stewie is and just like how she will laugh at her own jokes more than she'll laugh at her own joke. And, but how comfortable she is in her own body. And I feel like that's something that also comes through with Asia too. Yeah. They have that self-confidence and then they pour into others, which is there, who will be able to witness. Yeah, no it is. And that's the part like when I was with Stewie in Seattle, like off the court, you got Stewie, that you guys are seeing, right? The confident, the goofy, the funny. Like Stewie's always been that way, but on the court it was more, I think like, there a Yukon approach of like, we're here for business. And so, but now you can kind of see, it's like starting to be into her on the court stuff too. Like she's more animated, she's talking a little stuff here and there. So it's cool, it's been cool to see and just watch like her evolution as well. And we've just got a couple more for you before we get you out of here. But you've talked before about how important preparation is to you and that you're a bit of a film junkie. So you break down what your process is like because I feel like everyone's kind of got their own routines when it comes to film study. Yeah. I'm somebody that studies, I like to study tendencies. And I'm like an informations type of person where, and again, credit Jenny Busik for helping me like break down film and learn the defensive side of the things this way. She said it was how Shane Batty I used to study on the defensive end. And so it's like, you know, all now like everybody, and this was before it was cool before you had everybody on the like stats and like looking at synergy, whatever. But she would like, bring me this information. She's like, keep from it, what like helps you. Some people get overwhelmed. And so I was able to go through and so for me, it's like, okay, I want to know their tendencies. I want to know what's their go to? Like if they're in an ISIL situation, what are they going to do? I want to know where they shoot the best, where they shoot, you know, the least amount of shots. Because sometimes it's like, yeah, they might not shoot a great percentage, but if they're taking triple or double the amount of shots on the side, it's like clearly that's a preference. So it's like, okay, being able to, so it's really like a chess game for me. Of like, okay, I want to take away this and this and make them beat me doing this and this. If I notice, and it's again, game to game. So like, you play in one way and it was successful and the next time they adjust and it's like, okay, now cool. Now, what's the next step I can take? And so that comes from the study of what I'm doing. So when I play an opponent, I go back and watch like, okay, I was doing this and we were doing this in the game. This is how they countered it and beat me. Okay, boom, check, got that. Let me see what they're going to do when I do this instead. And so that's just kind of how it is. And I like, the amount of information that I know on the players in the league and like what they want, honestly, is probably nauseating to some people. Like, I know Chelsea and Jackie in particular are sick of me. They're like, you know, over the last two years, they're like, why do I have all these clips of my inbox Alicia? And I'm like, I told Ty what I needed. So he just sent it to you guys too or, you know, whatever. And so, but they'll, you know, they come to me like, hey, what do I need to know about so-and-so? And I'm like, okay, she shoots this percent from here. She takes this amount of shots. So keep her out of this space and make her go here. And they're like, okay. And just being able to like take all the information that I know and be able to like give it to others in ways that they can receive and keep it. 'Cause not everybody can handle that level of info, which is fine. But just, that's been the cool part for me. It's like, okay, I have all this. I'm like the little Rolodex. It's like, what do you need from the Rolodex? (laughing) - If there was a Jeopardy category, which is like the percentages or the tendencies of the NBA players, you'd be like, this player shoots 44% from the left wing. And you're like, I got you. - I know who that is. (laughing) - Not to be banal, but like when you say inbox, are you literally emailing Jackie and Chelsea with clips or is this text like, how's the information getting? - Yeah. So we like, you have our, you have the video app. And so like, for instance, it was Tyler and I. So I'd be like, hey, Ty, can I get, and it would be like, for instance, like, oh, let me get Miles picking roll clips from the last five, let me get Miles, whatever from this and let me get ISO situations. Let me get this. And so when they come to your, you know, your video app account, it sends you an email that lets you know, like, hey, you got these videos, but like sometimes it's like 18, 20 videos. And they're like, why do I have 18 emails from Puddle? And I'm like, (laughing) 'cause we got some clips for you to watch. (laughing) - That's fantastic. This is the type of behind the scenes stuff that Miles and I love the nerd out over it. That's, that's so good. - Yeah. - I have a generic sort of reporter question to tie the bow on the defense thing, but it usually gives a good answer. Who are some of the biggest people that when you have to guard them, you're just like, oh no, like this is gonna be tough. This is gonna be a tough day. - I don't think I ever have a oh no type of perspective 'cause for me, I'm like, I'm not afraid to guard anybody. You know, for me, I don't look at it as like, oh, this is, you know, it's, I think early in my career though, I was when I was trans, like I remember, I very much remember when I was first learning to play and it was like a scrimmage game against LA and Brian Agler was like, you're guarding Noel Quinn. And I was like, did we not just watch the same film of her that like, are we, are we here? 'Cause like, there's no way. And the same with Piff, like Epiphany Prince. Those are the two like early on when I was like, they were like, yeah, this is who you're match up with. I was like, are you kidding, like why? Why would you do that to me? So early then, like that was my mentality, but I think over the years, I've just kind of developed, it's my job type of approach. And so they're honestly like, there aren't many people in our league now that I'm like, oh, this will be an easy night. You know, 'cause everybody has developed in terms of just like their level of play. But like when you have like the shifty guards, like the Arecays, like saw-to was shifty, you know, when you look at Stu, or when you look at trying to go through like really quickly of all, everybody, like Alicia Gray, like they're all so different. Ryan Howard, Kennedy Carter, you know, I can go through every team and be like these type of players, just 'cause everybody is so good now. Marina Amabry, I think people discount her, like her shiftiness and her ability to create. So it's like, you just, I mean, but I'm guarding like point guards and I'm guarding like four words. I'm guarding two guards, I'm guarding, you know, sometimes I'm switched off on a center. So I'm like, I literally have to know everybody, but I will say like the O-nose are always like, if I get switched off on like a big big gig and I'm like, oh, 'cause it's like a different type of strength that you have to like go back to. And I haven't played the post like consistently and so long. So like, I hurt in different areas after playing. Like I know the games where I'm like, guarding more post players than guards, 'cause like my sides hurt way more, my back hurts. And I'm like, yeah, we were in their fight for our life tonight. (laughing) - You're like counting the three Mississippi until the hell-- - Oh, listen, I am the queen. I am the queen. So calling and counting out even the defensive three or three seconds on the base, I do not care. I will count it out loud and I'm like, and I know all the rest of my name. So I'm like, they've been in here six seconds. (laughing) - Yeah, I mean, if you're in that mismatch, you have to be, you have to be fighting for yourself. - Yeah. - All that happens. - I'm like, people always talk about my strength, but I'm like, listen, there's some people in our league and I'm just like, you got it, you got it. I'm not even gonna fight. (laughing) - I was six too, but like 140 pounds in high school. So I was always getting thrown around, so I was doing the same thing. He was like, you see me, I'm under the basket. He's been like-- - No. - Asia, Kia, hurry up. (laughing) - So before we get out of here, the last thing we wanted to ask you about was off-season and the cooking show, and just kind of, if you could talk us through how cooking is a, either a similar kind of exercise when you talk about, I was thinking about that with the film study and the preparation, because that I feel like does go hand in hand with some of the order of it, but how also it's different in terms of whether it could be a step away from the court for you and another area of focus. What are some of, what brings that, what makes that such a passion for you? - Yeah, it's definitely, there's definitely similarities. The thing that I love is like cooking is always challenging because it's like you're always having to make sure things are done correctly, and there's like a high fail to success rate in the same as like sports. And so it's like, okay, I failed. Like this didn't take, this combination didn't taste good. What do I need to do differently? And so it allows me to kind of feed that competition, needing a challenge appetite that I have. But on the other side, it's, it's a nice release and creative, you know, release for me away from basketball. I'm like, don't get me wrong, like I love my job. I love getting in the gym and working, but I'm not once somebody that's like, oh, we're in the gym, we eat and sleep. And I'm like, no, I need to like step away for me to be the best version of myself 'cause I get so analytical and in my head about it. That sometimes it works in the opposite way for me. So cooking allows me to still just kind of like be creative, not really kind of have to think about anything. And I love good food, I love to eat. So, you know, it's like a way for me to feed my foodie self, feed the competition and challenge part, but then like the other creative release, it allows me to be creative and learn, which I love. Like I'm an avid learner and I'm also very curious too. So I'm trying out different recipes, trying out different combinations. And there's just so much in the culinary space that I know like I don't know. So it's like, there's always a way for me to get better too, which is always, you know, what I look for in anything that I'm doing. - I love that. Now is good we're signing off 'cause now I'm hungry. - Yeah. - So I'm like, I need to go make me a little something. - Well, Alicia, this has been such a joy. And I just wanna say thank you and not just for today, but I think I can speak for all of the women's basketball media and just saying how appreciated you are from our side of things. So thank you so much for joining us today. - Thank you. That means a lot. I appreciate you guys taking the time to chat with me. This was fun. - Thanks Alicia. We'll see you in Nashville next month. - All right. See y'all soon. (upbeat music) [BLANK_AUDIO]