On the Beat With the New York Liberty 04/28/2021

Yesterday, I was "On the Beat" as the New York Liberty held a press session yesterday featuring assistant coach Jacki Gemelos, Jocelyn Willoughby, Neah Odom and Kylee Shook. With all due respect to the players, most of the attention was on the recently retired player-turned coach Gemelos.

After a stellar career at USC, Gemelos was selected by the Minnesota Lynx in the third round with the 31st overall pick in the 2012 WNBA Draft. After not making the Lynx roster, she would not debut in the WNBA until the 2015 season with the Chicago Sky. While she played overseas, she did not resurface in the WNBA until last season, which she split with the Connecticut Sun and the Washington Mystics. Along the way, Gemelos endured 10 knee operations.

Gemelos retired in the offseason with no immediate plans. Plans quickly materialized when Liberty coach Walt Hopkins called Gemelos with a coaching position offer. Although she ddin't originally plan it this way, Gemelos feels she is right where she belongs. "I definitely thought there would be coaching in my future. I just think I'm meant to be here."

Gemelos also joked about the first time she was called “coach” or technically, actually wasn't called “coach.” If that is just one part of the transition Gemelos is making.

Lastly, Gemelos joked and put out a question of the best Greek restaurants in the New York area. As I learned in talking to her last year, Gemelos is a big fan of the chocolate cake from Portillo's. I did not get the chance to ask her if she had the chance to enjoy any in the offseason.

Second year players Willoughby, Odom and Shook talked about their biggest lesson from last season and biggest challenge heading into this season. A rookie's season is challenging enough, but last season's WNBA rookies had the added issue of playing in the Bubble. This year they have the added pressure of competing for roster spots, where last year, the rosters were pretty set as they entered the Bubble.

Willoughby also talked about her book club. In February, Willoughby partnered with Cafe Con Libros, a Crown Heights bookstore, to start Read What You Saw, to explore injustices facing people of color through the eyes of women of color. It focuses on race, identity, healthcare, education, class and more. For now, it is a virtual online meeting, but it has become so popular in the short time, there are thoughts of expanding it already.

The Liberty finished a woeful 2-20 last season, worst in the WNBA. Star rookie Sabrina Ionescu hurt her ankle in the third game and missed the rest of the season. Ionescu is back and at full strength now

It's cliché to say, but the Liberty are better than last season's record indicates. The addition of new coach Gemelos and the growth of second year players Willoughby, Odom and Shook will be a big part of determining just how much better the Liberty are. We will start seeing the answer to that question on May 14, when the Liberty open the season by hosting the Indiana Fever.

The press session can be found at On the Beat With the New York Liberty 04/28/2021. Go to WNBA.com for more info on the Liberty and the WNBA. Check back here, GlobalWomensSportsRadio.com and GlobalTravelerUSA.com for my recurring coverage.

On the Beat With Connecticut Sun 07/30/20

At 0-3, the Connecticut Sun are having a rough start to the season. The team is staying positive though as it continues to gel and find the right combination to win. Their next game is Saturday against the Minnesota Lynx, who are 2-1.

Prior to yesterday's game against the Los Angeles Sparks, Jasmine Thomas and Jacki Gemelos took part in a media session. Thomas talked about adjusting to the quick turn-around, while Gemelos discussed the differences between playing in Europe and the WNBA.

Then the session talk turned to food, as I asked Gemelos about her favorite Greek dish. It was a lot of fun hearing her answers and also her non-Greek favorite of Portillo's. I sent the video link to Portillo's and suggested they send Gemelos some food. We'll see if anything comes of it and I will report it here if it does.

Thomas starred at Duke and was selected by the Seattle Storm in the first round of the 2011 WNBA draft. Prior to her rookie season, she was traded to the Washington Mystics on a three team deal. She played with the Mystics for two seasons, before being traded to the Atlanta Dream. She played with the Dream for two seasons, before being trade to the Connecticut Sun.

In her WNBA career, she has played 334 games, averaging 9.5 points, 3.6 assists, 1.1 steals and 2.9 rebounds per game.He was named to the WNBA All-Defensive First team three times.

Gemelos played college ball at USC, before the Lynx selected her in the third round of the 2012 WNBA draft, but did not make the team. She played overseas, but resurfaced in the WNBA with the Chicago Sky in 2015. Gemelos played 17 games for the Sky and went back overseas to play 2016-2019. She signed with the Sun for the 2020 season.

The fact that Gemelos has made it back to the WNBA or even that she is still playing anywhere is testament to her determination and talent. She has endured five ACL tears and eight knee surgeries, dating back to her high school years. Her story is truly inspirational.

Check out Jacki at JackiGemelos.com. Go to WNBA.com for more info on the league. Check here and GlobalWomensSportsRadio.com for recurring coverage.