Completed Event: Women's Basketball versus UCLA on March 29, 2026 , Loss , 58, to, 70
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Final
Women's Basketball
58
vs UCLA
70
Q&A With Charlotte Sting No. 1 Draft Pick Monique Currie
4/25/2006 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
From the WNBA.com
The Sting selected Duke guard Monique Currie with the third overall pick in the 2006 WNBA Draft on April 5, giving Charlotte a potential impact shooter from the perimeter. On April 20, the Sting's newest addition was in town for the first time, checking out her new home, being introduced to some of her new coaches and teammates, taking in the Bobcats season finale and meeting with some members of the local media. Here's what she had to say:
What are your first impressions of being here in Charlotte?
Well everyone is really nice and hospitable. I haven't spent much time here, I just got in last night, but I'm excited to be here and learn a lot about the city.
When you were drafted, it was the day after the National Championship game, have things settled down and allowed you to realize what's happened to this point?
Not really, since I came back from the draft, I've been trying to pack and get ready to come down here. I think now I can start to relax and get used to being a professional and kind of leave my college career back in Durham.
How difficult is that for you?
Initially it was difficult, but I've learned I have to move on. I have other dreams and aspirations and one of them is to be here. I am here now, so I'm looking forward to getting started with those goals and hopefully making some good things happen here in Charlotte.
How familiar are you with this team? Have you had a chance to take a look at the players who are on it and see how you think you might fit in?
I'm not too familiar with this team yet. I've been a Mystics fan because I'm from (Washington) D.C. and that's who I have always been around. I know Charlotte struggled a little bit last year. They have a new staff, which I'm excited about. I think we have a lot of potential we have a lot of young players and some veterans that are really good. I think it's a good mix to be a successful organization.
Being the franchise's number one this season, do you feel any pressure to come in and contribute right away on a team that struggled last year?
I have high expectations for myself, but at the same time I am a realist and recognize that it takes a lot of work and a lot of time, and I'm willing to put in the effort. I think the coaches will prepare us as best they can for us to be a successful.
How do you see your game fitting into the pro level?
I think I might enjoy the pro level a little more than the college. I know they like to get up and down the court -- they like to push the ball, and it's a physical game. I know I'll have to adjust because it's on a different level than college, but I think I will be able to ease my way into the system eventually.
Do you envision yourself as a small forward or shooting guard?
I think they are going for the two and three.
Do you think those are interchangeable?
Yeah they are pretty much interchangeable to me. I haven't really talked to them about the system, so I don't know how they operate, but I'll be meeting with (Head Coach) Muggsy (Bogues) tonight and be able to figure all those things out.
How important is the championship mentality and winning attitude that you bring here?
I think a lot of players on the team have winning attitudes. There are some great players in the league, and you just have to get the right combination to be successful. I think it's a good fit for me. I love to win, I hate to lose, and I'm sure a lot of the girls feel the same sentiment. Hopefully having me here will boost the team a little bit and I'll be able to contribute whatever I can.
After your fourth year at Duke, you decided to come back for the fifth year even though you could have entered the WNBA Draft at that point. What do you think you gained from having that extra year of experience?
I think I'm much more mature. I was able to work on a lot of my outside shooting, which wasn't the strongest part of my game. I just developed as an overall person as well. I think it was a great decision for me to come back and to be able to make it as far as we did this year. Of course I didn't get the National Championship like I wanted, but I think we had a lot of successes either way.
You got a lot of credit during the year for playing less minutes, scoring less points, putting some of your game in your pocket because of other the scorers at Duke. That translates well into the pro game where you have to learn how to share the ball too. Was that easy for you?
Yeah, it proved itself to be for the best. I know that for teams to be successful there has to be a balanced attack for everyone. We had a lot of players who deserved to play and deserved to score points. So whatever I could do to help my team win, I was willing to do.
I guess it excites you that this team needs scoring more than anything else.
I know how to score, so it's perfect. I think we are going to be looking to run and score points, so that makes basketball a lot more fun and exciting for fans. Hopefully we will develop that style of play and people will come support us. After playing your career in this state is it kind of nice to be starting your pro career in the same state? Yeah I'm still at home and I've really grown to love the Carolina area. I hear Charlotte is great, I'm excited to be here, and hopefully some of our fan base will be able to come out to Charlotte and check us out too
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