MINNEAPOLIS — Alissa Pili is used to being a star — the Minnesota Lynx rookie has successfully dominated each stage of basketball since she was a child.
As a freshman on the College of Southern California, she averaged 16.3 factors per recreation, and in her closing season at her College of Utah, she was one of the environment friendly high-volume scorers within the nation, averaging 21.4 factors per recreation on 55% capturing, and capturing 40.4% from three.
Pili was drafted No. 8 by the Lynx in April. And, like many first-year gamers, her on-court alternatives have been restricted; she appeared in 22 video games throughout the 2024 season, averaging 2.4 factors in 6.3 minutes per outing.
Going from faculty star to predominantly using the bench hasn’t come with out its challenges.
“It’s positively taken a toll on me mentally,” Pili advised SB Nation. “I’ve by no means been on this place earlier than, and my coach is aware of that.”
However, due to the distinctive connection and camaraderie within the Lynx locker room, and unwavering help from Cheryl Reeve and the teaching employees, Pili has discovered her footing.
“To search out methods to assist the staff and influence the staff — not solely on the courtroom — was the largest factor for me to be taught,” Pili stated. “After which, nonetheless being in good communication with my coach and the staff and speaking to them about the place my head’s at and any battle that I’m going via.”
Now, Pili is headed to Sport 5 of the WNBA Finals, and whereas she’s solely checked in as soon as on this postseason, the 23-year-old is completely having fun with the journey of being aside of on top-of-the-line groups on the planet and studying from her extra veteran teammates.
“There’s not a variety of rookies that get to be on this place I’m in, and the truth that our staff is so profitable has been actually enjoyable to be part of,” Pili stated. “It’s simply been a really nice studying expertise. I’m making an attempt to soak the whole lot in.”
Cheryl Reeve has stated on a lot of events that she realized her staff was distinctive related for the reason that second day of coaching camp. Courtney Williams has gushed about how a lot she’s liked the Lynx in her first season in Minneapolis, and Napheesa Collier has repeatedly expressed how particular this specific group is.
Alissa Pili has shared these sentiments since she arrived to coaching camp just some weeks after the conclusion of her faculty season.
“One thing that type of caught me off guard was actually simply how properly this staff clicked collectively so quick,” Pili stated. “I’ve seen it from faculty — any staff who goes and simply grabs an entire bunch of recent gamers, it’s tremendous laborious to construct that chemistry and be good immediately. Coach Cheryl did that fairly shortly. And I used to be like, ‘dang, that’s type of loopy.’”
Pili, who grew up in Anchorage, Alaska, stated she prioritizes connection and group. So, the truth that she felt so embraced by the locker room, and hit it off together with her teammates immediately, was significantly significant.
“I’m a giant household particular person, in order that’s a price that I carry into what I’m doing,” Pili stated. “My job is taking part in basketball, and that’s a top quality that I carry to my staff. I wish to be surrounded by that.”
However, quite than sulk on the restricted on-court alternatives, she has embraced discovering her voice within the locker room and being a optimistic spirit on the bench, and across the staff.
“The largest factor was me discovering my footing with the place I stand on the staff and what I can do to contribute if I’m not going to be on the market on the ground on a regular basis,” Pili stated. “No person needs any person who’s simply taking power from the staff and being pissed off that they’re on the bench.”
There was one on-court this season that gave Pili a peek into what her future within the WNBA would possibly seem like, a Might thirty first recreation in opposition to the Phoenix Mercury wherein she exploded for 20 factors on 7-9 capturing in simply quarter-hour of motion.
In that outing, she made all 4 of her three-point makes an attempt, showcasing a glimpse of how her recreation may translate on the skilled stage.
“It positively simply offers me confidence,” Pili stated. “I will not be able to compete constantly at a excessive stage within the league but, however the truth that I had that recreation, and have had moments the place I’ve achieved properly, has given me hope and confidence shifting ahead.”
For now, staying optimistic about restricted taking part in time hasn’t been too troublesome, just because the expertise of being a Lynx has been so pleasing.
“The vets have helped me so much, as a result of a few of them had been like, ‘Pili don’t even fear about it, I wasn’t taking part in a minute in the entire season once I was a rookie,’” Pili stated. “They only let me know my time is coming.”