Get To Know Erin Phillips
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Where are you from?
�I was originally born in Melbourne, but I was pretty much raised in Adelaide. It�s a little country town. It�s got a population of about a million people. It�s just a nice size and it�s easy to get around.�
Is it anything like Connecticut?
�Yeah. Driving from the airport to Mohegan Sun, the trees and everything, it kind of reminds me a bit of the drive up into the Adelaide hills. So there�s actually quite a few similarities between the two places.�
Understanding that you�ve barely seen the state, what�s your initial impression of Connecticut?
�From what I was expecting of the states, Connecticut seems a bit more laid back. I was in the LA Airport for like an hour, and people were just so fast, and so hurried. And in Chicago, people were just full on. So I got the impression that people here are a bit more relaxed.�
Were you ever a Girl Guide?
No, I wasn�t (smile). We didn�t really have that where I�m from. But I can tell you that I have had a few door knocks recently, and I have bought a few packs of cookies, so I think it just might be taking off.�
What Intrigues You About Playing In the WNBA?
�It�s the best league in the world. I�ve been watching it on ESPN for a while now, and I�ve always wanted to play. I love the style that Mike has introduced to the team. The fired up tempo, the good defense, and all that. It�s something that I really like. Now, getting here, the girls seem fantastic. It�s a very family-like group. It�s really good.�
Does it help the transition to have another Australian (Laura Summerton) and a New Zealander (Donna Loffhagen) here?
�It�s good to have them here. But even if they weren�t here, it�s good to make some new friends and meet some new people.�
Did You Feel Like It Was Time To Take That Next Step?
�Yeah, definitely. I�m always up for different challenges and bigger challenges. I�ve put pretty big expectations on myself, and I wanted to give it a go. Even if I succeed or fail, since I�ve been here, I�ve learned so much.
Has it been somewhat overwhelming?
�A little bit. You kind of sit back and have a break, and go all right what just happened today?�
Was there one player you were looking forward to playing with?
�I�d have to say, I look up to Lindsay Whalen�s game. Playing the same position, and watching her play, she�s a very tough player, and I have so much admiration for her. ....And you�ve got all the other players around you, it�s really hard to just to name one player you want to play with.�
Is there any player you look forward to playing against?
�Sue Bird. She�s on the U.S. team, she�s an all-decade team (nominee). I�d like to play against her. She�s got a WNBA championship ring. It would be fun.�
What was your impression of your first WNBA game (May 7th against Detroit)?
�Besides the fatigue factor (laughs)? It was quite amazing. I know it was just a preseason game, but seeing the preparation before the game, it was like it was going to be a normal game. And the amount of people that were at a preseason game was just amazing. I was a little bit nervous, but I was just running on adrenaline. No sleep. Just get out there.�
Do you have any pregame superstitions?
�I always like to speak to my mom and dad and my family back home, and my boyfriend. They wish me good luck and then I get to go out and play. That�s the only real superstition I have.�
Favorite basketball moment?
�Uhm, God. Australia beating the U.S. a few weeks ago (laughs). I�d have to say winning a Gold Medal at the Commonwealth Games (over New Zealand in March).�
Have you reminded Donna (Loffhagen) about that?
�(Laughs), I haven�t actually. She might turn around and belt me one.�