Ivey Slaughter: "Just have fun and be you"

A great player. Even better person. “Florida State” standout Ivey A. Slaughter has earned all the good words, when it comes to her debut season in the EuroLeague Women. As usual, there are many great newcomers in this top competition – including the WNBA`s Most Valuable Player Breanna Stewart – and it`s not an easy path to walk. Ivey has proved herself – she belongs.

Congratulations on the great season full of big wins and emotions. Are you satisfied with the season so far?

I`m happy for how everything is going on. Satisfied? I think there always is a room to improve. We are having a really good season but we don`t want to take it down towards the end. We are gonna keep building!

The levels of joy and motivation – are they high enough to push you even further?

We want to continue to grow. Our coach tells us before every game – let`s keep improving. Keep smiling, keep enjoying the game. You are playing in one of the best league`s in entire world. Always smile and have fun!

Are you motivating yourself for most of the time or do you need some smiles and good words coming from the teammates and the coaches?

Just like everybody. First, you have to motivate yourself. And when you have more motivation from your family and teammates, it just makes everything better.

Obviously, it`s difficult to play overseas. Northern European winter, being away from family, new social environment – how are you coping with that?

I`m coping pretty well (smiles). I`m really not used to weather this cold but I`m having Facetime with my family. My teammates are amazing. They make me feel like I`m at home even if my home is the thousands of miles away. I`m really enjoying it.

You had five road games this month – the sixth one is coming on Wednesday in France. Being on the road – is it enough for the team bonding or are there some team events too?

When on the road, we do everything together – it`s easier for team bond. We try to do the things in Riga too, however most of the girls have their lives outside of basketball. Whenever we can hang out, we try to, as much as we can. On the road it`s easier to do the things together.

Shey (Peddy) is helping you a lot – she has tons of experience!

Yes, she is. I hang with her all the time, we talk every day. She is a really big help. Shey played in Riga last year – she knows a lot of the places. Is more comfortable in Riga than I am – she is a big help this (rookie) season.

What`s the best advice you have received from her?

Just have fun. She told me – you are playing the EuroLeague when you`re 24. Usually it takes more time to get there. Just have fun and be you!

How is the EuroLeague compared to the ACC (Atlantic Coast Conference)? ACC is the best league in the NCAA.

I think they are very compatible. Similar. In college the things move much faster. In EuroLeague people are more experienced – they play a little bit smarter. More halfcourt game. Otherwise, they are very similar – both are very competitive and on a high level. EuroLeague Women requires high IQ basketball.

The coaches have a lots of differents sets and plays. Is is difficult to adjust?

Like the first two weeks here it was hard to adjust – just coming from the team which didn`t run so many sets. In college you don`t have that many sets. Now it`s easy to catch on, easy to learn because most of the sets are connecting and overlapping.

Coach Zībarts has coached the forwards and post players in his previous clubs, like Dynamo Kursk. Are you learning from him?

His basketball IQ and basketball intelligence is out of this world. He is one of the best I`ve ever played under. As far as I know basketball. He helps me a lot on anything. If I ask him, he will watch film to tell me the things to do during the games and practices. Assistant coaches Jānis Nešpors and Matīss Rožlapa help me too – they know a lot about basketball. Entire coaching staff is really helpful.

What are the things you have worked on the most?

I think just my confidence. I`m able to shoot the ball when I`m open. When we were in Spain I didn`t took the shot I was supposed to take. The next two shots I took – I made them.

Ivey Slaughter: "Just have fun and be you"

Kalendārs