April 9, 2007 • Rome Italy

Check out more images from the Easter Sunday mass at St. Peter's

The 2007-08 USA Basketball Women's Senior National Team training got underway on Sunday morning with a great mix of veterans and newbies. But, as has been the case over the years, the vets are taking the younger players under their wings and the newcomers are soaking up the knowledge. With 12 players at practice on Sunday and the addition of Olympic gold medalists Swin Cash and Katie Smith on Monday morning, the squad was able to scrimmage that night. So after three sessions under their belts, USA Basketball.com thought it was time to find out what it's been like out on the court in Rome.

Sue Bird
Tell me about your two days of training:
It's been really good to be here, it's been fun to get to know some of the younger players. Obviously this is the first time this group has been together and it's been really, really fun. That's the best word I can use. Practices have been good, they've been hard and we've learned a lot. Hopefully this can help us down the road in our future training sessions as well as in Chile and so on.

You've won championships at every level, not only at the Olympic and World Championship level, but from high school to college, WNBA and now in the EuroLeague. Do you think you're some kind of good luck talisman of teams?
I don't know about good luck, I've definitely been lucky. I've really been lucky to have been able to play alongside some great players. It's been a really good ride over my 26 years so I can't complain.

What was it like winning the 2007 EuroLeague title?
It was great, it really was. Because it's not easy. The EuroLeague is not easy and it's a different style than what an American player is use to. There are a lot of good teams that have been playing together a long time in Europe and it's very tough. So to go actually go through the whole tournament, we almost got eliminated in the quarterfinals. So to make it to the Final Four and actual win it all was really special.

Was there a little friendly trash talking going on between you guys (Diana Taurasi & Tina Thompson also play on her squad) and your USA Basketball teammate DeLisha Milton-Jones of Ros Casares?
(laughs) Yeah, you know. Off the court, love the girl. On the court, opposing team, she's a tough one.

You're heading back to Russia Tuesday. Tell me about what you have coming up.
We have our Russian league playoffs coming up. In my opinion Russia is the best league in Europe right now. You have three of the top, maybe even four, of the top ten teams in Europe. So it's going to be tough. There are special rules out there where you have to have two Russians on the court at all times, so it kind of changes our team a little bit. The EuroLeague is a little different, which makes us look like two different teams really. But I think it's going to be fun, I think we have a great chance at winning and to get both crowns in the same season would be pretty amazing.

Tamika Catchings
How do you think practices have been the past few days?
I think practices have been going really well, sometimes there's a lot to put in with the group that we have. We have a lot of post players this time around, which I'm not complaining about because last time that was one of those things at the World Championship where we were kind of struggling at the last minute trying to get post players. I'm really happy about that.

One of the biggest things here is getting more repetition, as far as trying to get our posts comfortable in playing with every single one of the guards that we have.

Courtney Paris said you've been really helpful to her and she was surprise because you knew all the plays at her position. Have you been taking her under your wing a little bit?
That's one of the things that all the veteran players are here for - to help some of the younger players who aren't yet on the same page as us. I knew Courtney coming in was a little bit like putting her hands against her forehead. I was like, ‘Courtney! What's wrong?' And she's like, ‘I'm trying to write these plays down, I just don't get it.'

For me, having to always play more than just one position, it's natural for me to kind of pick and choose and know everybody else's position because I've played the one, two, three, four and the five in Indiana so it's something that over time you just have to learn.

On Easter Sunday you went to Mass at St. Peter's and saw the Pope. Can you describe what that was like?
It was a different feeling. I'm not Catholic, I'm a Christian, but it's one of those things. It's Easter and I'm used to being at church at home and I jsut wanted to get out and experience Easter Sunday in another country. It was a great thing because for me, I didn't know what to expect. You go there and there's all these people, everybody's there to see the Pope. Although I'm a Christian and believe a little different theology, it was cool to see all these people there to pay their respect to the Pope. And for him to have such an influence on not just Italians, but Italians, Americans, people from Spain, people from London, there were people from all over the world that come to watch, see the Pope and be a part of this. I think that, in itself, was kind of cool.

Jessica Davenport
How does it feel to be back out here on the court with the USA Senior National Team again?
It's great, I feel that since the last time I've gained a lot more experience and I'm playing a lot better than last time.

Do you think that last year's experience at the Opals World Challenge helped shake those jitters out?
It definitely did. Last year I was pretty nervous, but this year I felt much more comfortable playing with these guys.

How have the practices been going over the last few days?
It's been great. It's been a great learning experience. For me, going into the league, this has been the best training I could get before I start.

Do you feel like this has been a whirlwind tour - first the NCAA Tournament, then the WNBA Draft and now the USA Tour of Italy?
Definitely. I haven't been home that much and I've been traveling. But at least I'm playing basketball and I get to travel to Italy so that makes up for all that.

Lindsey Harding
What has it been like getting out on the court for practices for the first time in a USA Basketball uniform?
First of all, it's definitely going to prepare me for the WNBA because I'm already starting with the best of the best. These are some of the best players in the world, knowing that you're going to get better and better and when you stay with them it's an honor to be on the floor with them.

How difficult is it for you coming out here and, with the exception of Alana Beard, not having played with these athletes previously?
It's very hard. Especially as a point guard because as a point guard you have to know everyone's position, you have to know how to get them the ball. It's hard because I'm learning the plays as well as having to learn the one through five positions. But it's getting better. Day by day I get more comfortable with them.

How comfortable were you leading your side during tonight's scrimmage?
I felt comfortable, I made a few mistakes obviously, but we've all done that. I was more comfortable at the point. It felt good, but I know there's room for improvement.

On Easter Sunday you went to Mass at St. Peter's and saw the Pope. Can you describe what that was like?
It was really special, being a Catholic as well. I've seen it on TV many times but it didn't hit me that we were going to be in Rome on Easter Sunday. It was quite an experience. I don't know how many people, I don't know how many people were there, but so many people were there. The one thing I loved about it, there was so much diversity from every country, every different place, everyone in peace all at one place. It's like how it should be and I really enjoyed being there.

Courtney Paris
What's it been like over the past few days being out here on the court with the USA Senior National Team?
It's been really hard. I think it's cool because I think that I've just gotten adjusted to college. These last two years have been great and now it's time to adjust to a level beyond college and get ready for my future so this is a perfect opportunity for me, going into my junior year to experience all of this, learn stuff on the fly, it's a lot faster but I'm glad to be here.

What was it like stepping on the court for the first time with the likes of Tina Thompson, Katie Smith, Diana Taurasi?
You're definitely nervous. When I was younger I watched all these people play so it's a big deal, it's tough and it's very competitive. But just having this opportunity is going to make me a better player going back to my college team and in the future when I play professionally and, if I get the chance, to play in the Olympics. So I really thing this is a great opportunity for me and it's only going to make me better.

Have any of the players been giving you pointers?
Definitely. All the time, every one of them. they're always teaching me something or going over the plays. Tamika today went over all the plays with me. She knew my position and she's a guard, so that's pretty cool. Everyone's supportive and they want you to do well so it's a good thing to be a part of.

On Easter Sunday you went to Mass at St. Peter's and saw the Pope. Can you describe what that was like?
It was different. But I thought it was really cool. It was a really spiritual event. I was really lucky to be there on Easter. I didn't even think I'd have the opportunity to go to that on Easter so I'm really lucky as far as how everything turned out.