Early Lessons For Some Young Guns

April 14, 2010 - Hartford, Conn. - Training Camp Photo Gallery

Due to injuries that are keeping Jayne Appel and Kara Lawson from fully participating in the USA National Team's practices, USA Basketball brought in a few of its USA Select Team members early. Not only are they being added to drills and practices, they're able to learn the drills from USA National Team head coach Geno Auriemma and they get an extra day or two to play alongside and pick the brains of Olympic gold medalists. Following Wednesday's practice, USA Basketball.com sat down with three recent WNBA Draft picks and one returning collegian to find out how they're enjoying this unique opportunity.

Kalana Greene (New York Liberty / Connecticut '10)
What was it like stepping out on the court against Women's National Team players?
It's been a great experience, playing with a lot of the best players in the world. Another chance to play under Coach Geno Auriemma. I probably won't ever get a chance to play under him again, so it's recalling moments that weren't that long ago, but still you always want to be a part of it. He's a genius at what he does. It's me getting that experience from these great players, whether it's Kara Lawson on the sideline or Seimone Augustus on the court or Swin Cash on the court.

How much do you think playing with the USA Women's National Team and the USA Select Team will help you prepare for WNBA training camp?
It's going to be great. I get to play with and against good competition heading into training camp, and it's going to help season me up for training camp. And you know, I'm playing well now and going in with a lot of confidence. Confidence is I think the biggest key going into training camp as a rookie.

What went through your head when you got the call to come play for USA Basketball?
I was like, ‘this is a great opportunity.' I was excited. A lot of people don't get invited, so I was honored and excited that I would have the opportunity to play with and against great players. And another shot to play under Coach Auriemma. I think he is the greatest coach of all time.

Kelsey Griffin (Connecticut Sun / Nebraska '10)
What was it like stepping out on the court against USA Women's National Team players?
It was a great honor. When I got the phone call, I was so excited to come be able to practice with them today. And then to step out there, I was a little star-struck, but at the same time I knew that I was supposed to be out here. So, it was just a great learning experience. I was very excited, and just I felt privileged.

How much do you think playing with the Women's National Team and the Select Team will help you prepare for WNBA training camp?
I think being able to be here at this USA camp will help me immensely. Not just because I'm touching the basketball and getting up and down the court, but I'm playing with some of the best players in the nation. There are still players overseas finishing up their season over there, but to be able to play against such great competition and learn from all these players. Everyone is super nice and more than willing to teach me along the way, and so I'm just trying to make the most of the experience.

Did you talk to any of the veterans today? Did they give you any pointers?
I did. Everyone was throwing a little bit of something my way, and so I was just trying to take it all in. But at the same time I know I'm a good basketball, so some of it is letting it come to me. This is a great learning experience, and veterans have been here, done this before, and they are all very nice, helping me along the way. I know I'm going to make mistakes, but it's learning from those mistakes.

Danielle Robinson (Oklahoma '11)
What was it like stepping out on the court against Women's National Team players?
It's a lot of fun. I've enjoyed it a lot. Talking to all the coaches, and playing for Geno was great. He's a great teacher. I'm just enjoying being around such good company.

How is it to be back together with some of your 2009 World University Games teammates?
It's always good to reunite with people that you haven't seen that much. I'm pretty excited for Jacinta (Monroe) to get here, so she will back out here again. It's awesome. I mean, you are able to play with them in the summer, and then you have that distance during the season when you are only able to watch them on TV. It's good to be back in person together.

What were you looking forward to most coming out here this week?
Just another opportunity to get better. Tto play with the best of the best and get coached by some of the greatest coaches and some of the best players that have been around, that's always good.

On getting to wear the red USA Women's National Team practice jersey:
Red! Right! I've seen it in pictures. It's different than the blue, it's a lot brighter. It's always nice to have an extra pair of short around, and it's only given to the national team, so that's cool.

Monica Wright (Minnesota Lynx / Virginia '10)
What was it like stepping out on the court against USA Women's National Team players?
It was definitely a great experience. It was a learning process, coming in here after they had been here a couple of days. We were kind of behind, but I think it's a good head start for tomorrow with the younger group. I'm just learning as I'm going, so it's a great experience for me.

On playing for her college coach Debbie Ryan here at training camp:
When she called me and told me she was coaching this weekend, her and Dawn (Staley), she said, ‘You can't get rid of me.' It's good to have her for a couple more days, playing under her, having her in the same gym is me is good because I am going to miss her.

What were you looking forward to most coming out here this week?
Playing under Coach Auriemma and having that experience, obviously, and learning the most that I can from him. Playing with my new teammate Seimone Augustus, talking with her on the ride over was very nice. She is awesome so far from what I can tell, someone I will probably latch on to once I get up there.