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 remaining season at her College of Utah, she was some of the environment friendly high-volume scorers within the nation, averaging 21.4 factors per recreation on 55% taking pictures, and taking pictures 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 school star to predominantly driving the bench hasn’t come with out its challenges.
“It’s undoubtedly 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 assist 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 most important 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 wrestle that I am going by means of.”
Now, Pili is headed to Recreation 5 of the WNBA Finals, and whereas she’s solely checked in as soon as on this postseason, the 23-year-old is totally having fun with the journey of being aside of on probably the greatest groups on the earth and studying from her extra veteran teammates.
“There’s not quite a lot 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 attempting to soak the whole lot in.”
Cheryl Reeve has stated on a variety 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 cherished 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 school season.
“One thing that sort of caught me off guard was truthfully simply how nicely this staff clicked collectively so quick,” Pili stated. “I’ve seen it from school — any staff who goes and simply grabs a complete bunch of recent gamers, it’s tremendous onerous to construct that chemistry and be good immediately. Coach Cheryl did that fairly shortly. And I used to be like, ‘dang, that’s sort of loopy.’”
Pili, who grew up in Anchorage, Alaska, stated she prioritizes connection and neighborhood. So, the truth that she felt so embraced by the locker room, and hit it off along with her teammates immediately, was significantly significant.
“I’m a giant household individual, 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 high quality that I carry to my staff. I wish to be surrounded by that.”
However, slightly 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 desires 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 appear to be, a Could thirty first recreation in opposition to the Phoenix Mercury during which she exploded for 20 factors on 7-9 taking pictures 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 might translate on the skilled stage.
“It undoubtedly simply offers me confidence,” Pili stated. “I might 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 completed nicely, has given me hope and confidence transferring ahead.”
For now, staying optimistic about restricted taking part in time hasn’t been too tough, just because the expertise of being a Lynx has been so gratifying.
“The vets have helped me loads, as a result of a few of them have been like, ‘Pili don’t even fear about it, I wasn’t taking part in a minute in the entire season after I was a rookie,’” Pili stated. “They only let me know my time is coming.”
