2026 AT&T WNBA All-Star Friday Night Press Conference

[2:05] She's gonna be which part that was my favorite part you guys know [2:17] We are joined by Shakira Austin Giselle Gigi banks and Elena Della done [2:23] We will begin right away with question and answers for folks. We'll start right here in the second row to your right [2:29] Elena news to be a new WNBA era [2:32] What would it take for you to come back after this performance tonight? [2:36] You know the juices were flowing we want a championship out there [2:40] So I was really feeling it, but uh, it would take a lot. I'm loving retirement. I'm loving what I'm doing now [2:47] I you know took a little bit of time after [2:50] Just to kind of settle and do other things, but now it's great to be back [2:54] Be around the game a little bit more and yeah, this was a lot of fun [2:57] I mean when I first got the call I'm like no [3:01] But I'm glad I did it [3:04] Next question front row to the right. Oh, sorry. Oh, sorry. Jesus Elena, um [3:11] Um your voice you've been partying. No [3:18] Obviously yeah not coming back to the game in that capacity, but just being around the mystics like can you tell us a little bit about? [3:24] What you're you're doing with the team now and and what are your thoughts on? [3:28] I had this young core that they have and what they're doing this season [3:33] I love them their winners they figure out a way to get it done even when you know [3:37] It looks like their backs are completely against the ropes. They just keep grinding and keep working [3:42] I get to come to practice interact with them [3:45] I do a lot of different things kind of whatever that day calls for I bring it [3:51] But they come every single day with a passion to just get better and they love each other and you can see it [3:58] And it's palpable and when teams have that type of chemistry [4:01] It's so important and it's why they're winning and why they're doing so great [4:04] So I've been proud to watch them next question in the back to the left. Hi [4:09] Gigi first for you [4:11] Can you just take us through what you had seen of Elena's game and Kira's game and then have a question for Elena and Kira after that? [4:19] Yeah, I feel like they both amazing players, you know great role models for the younger generation [4:24] You know just leaders on the floor like they do whatever it takes to win and I'm glad I had them today, you know leading. We got the dub [4:32] We had you [4:34] Straight right? Elena for you. You talked about how at first this was a hard no for you [4:40] Yeah, what what changed your mind? What what brought you to this moment in retirement? [4:46] There's like a part of me where I'm like [4:48] I want to say yes and lean into certain things that when I was playing I was too serious and too competitive to do [4:54] So I had to like drop that competitiveness where it's like, oh, I haven't been training. I haven't been in the gym [4:59] I haven't shot the ball since I was wearing a mystic's jersey like whatever go out have a fun time and [5:04] When you say yes to things and you're vulnerable [5:07] Sometimes it works out and you end up in a place like this [5:09] And even if it didn't it would have been worth it because it was so much fun experiencing it with them and then Kira for you [5:15] Just were you more focused on this moment of extending the ladder down and being there for the next generations coming up after? [5:22] Or were you more focused on playing with Elena, you know, who obviously has this legacy that she comes to the game with? [5:28] Yeah, I mean honestly, it was just like a full circle moment [5:32] One, you know growing up playing here in Chicago at EYBL and you know being able to have you know [5:38] Younger younger players just look up and have this opportunity to to bond and you know [5:44] She showed me I already met I knew she looked familiar [5:46] I had already met her a while back and just the fact that we're here again and even with Elena just having that opportunity to [5:54] Play with her again. I missed it. I really do and it was just a great moment to [6:01] Again have that full circle. I think next question all the way to the right. Hey, y'all [6:07] It's my call with USA Today. I'm Gigi. This question is for you. Obviously [6:10] Kara and Edd have been hyping you up [6:13] I saw the the big moment on the court, but I'm just curious of one [6:16] What were you thinking in that moment? And two is this moment everything that you thought it would be when they asked you to participate? [6:21] Oh, yeah, definitely. I was excited. I saw Elena brother at the [6:27] EYBL tournament this morning. He told me I was on her team [6:30] But when we got the rehearsal they didn't tell me I was on her team [6:32] So I was confused, but you know once I heard my name and you know with these two like I knew we was gonna get the dove [6:37] And I was very excited, but when I got the car I didn't think it was gonna be like this man [6:41] It's packed in here too [6:43] It's an awesome experience for sure [6:45] Next question in the back on the right side [6:47] Lindsay Gibbs of CBS Sports Elena [6:50] You obviously started your career here in Chicago one of your thoughts about how the W has grown here and where the sky are right now [6:58] And also just on how all-star has grown since your first all-star [7:02] Yeah, this this all-star looks a little bit different than my first one [7:06] My first one it was almost like just like pulling up for a scrimmage and leaving [7:09] Now it's like a whole weekend and everybody is getting celebrated the way they should [7:16] It's a place everybody wants to be to show up and have fun together [7:20] And then for it to be in Chicago like that certainly brought me back [7:24] I love this city so much. I met my wife here. I had so many incredible years here [7:30] uh, so I knew you know if I'm gonna get out and you know dust these cobwebs off at least I'm in Chicago and hopefully the rims still work here for me [7:38] Right [7:40] Next question second row center elena. This is what do you think about this competition like? [7:47] Going forward having it having a chance to see if you will of three generations of hoopers all playing together and [7:55] What is that? What does that mean to you? I loved it. I hope you know the viewers loved it because obviously that'll lead to if we see this again [8:04] But I think you know, it was certainly fun to participate in [8:08] Hopefully it was fun for people to watch but to be able to you know lead the next generation and like see our next superstars rising [8:16] It's gonna be really cool when she's in this you know down the road when she's a WMEA all-star [8:21] So I was excited to be a part of it. I hope it continues [8:24] uh front row to your left for elena and shakir lane [8:28] You kind of sort of got at this, but how much interest will you be? [8:31] Uh in the rest of gg's career from this point after you guys are bonded by this like are you [8:35] Is she prepared for how much you guys gonna be involved? She's giving her tips and everything like that [8:40] gg [8:41] Went to ursulon academy for a couple of years, so we shared the same high school same coach [8:46] So I've been watching gg for a really long time now, but it was great to you know interact and compete together and [8:54] um, yeah, she's got my number [8:56] I told her anything she needs i'm here for her for throughout the rest of her career in life [9:00] Whatever that may be so love her and i'll be supporting her next question uh all the way to the left third row elena [9:07] Just obviously you get to see the mystics on a regular basis [9:10] But seeing the way the league has moved in the direction that you really pioneered as somebody at your size being able to play inside and out [9:18] How meaningful is it to know that the game you played helped create the template for a lot of what's happening now? [9:25] Oh, it means so much [9:26] Especially when I came into the league and made the choice to try to stay home and be marketable because [9:33] Obviously, you know going overseas [9:35] There was a lot of money to be made there [9:37] But I did feel like we were losing the market and you would forget about the wmba in the offseason [9:43] So when I came in as a rookie, I wanted to try my best to be marketable, you know get a signature shoe do all those things and [9:50] There were a lot of moments where it was like this is hard. I don't know if this is going to happen [9:56] um [9:57] But you know you just kind of keep your head down keep working and trust in the process and now [10:01] I am so proud of where this league is and where we'll continue to go second row center [10:09] Shakira is there is there a moment when you're in a competition like this? [10:12] I mean, it's fun, but is there a moment where it the competition really kicks in for you and and you know [10:17] You think hey, we can win this thing and and and what was that? What was that feeling like? [10:22] Yeah, I mean honestly [10:23] It feels the same as jump ball to me like I I will have a little bit of nerves at the beginning [10:29] But as soon as the clock starts like you just have to really go out there and do what you do and I mean [10:35] I'm just I'm happy we come home with that money [10:37] Anyone else right here [10:46] Gigi, what's your biggest dream as a basketball player? [10:50] Uh to be a wma all-star facts. I mean that's where I want to take it all you know [10:55] um [10:56] Doing things like this uh it gets me started having these two to lead me throughout this whole journey [11:01] Uh, I feel like that's an amazing step towards where I want to be next question fourth row to the right [11:07] Yeah, there's been a lot of talk about the new cba elena. There was a provision that gave retirees [11:12] A payout and I was noticing one of the provisions was 12 plus years got the most unless you were named an nvp [11:19] Then if you didn't get 10 seasons, you still got the boost was that a little like [11:24] How's that it felt like the kind of deladon clause a little bit? [11:27] Yeah, I mean that's certainly nice, you know [11:30] Many years putting into this thing to get you know a little payout from it is great [11:35] But just seeing them get paid the way that they have deserved for years is um the most meaningful thing [11:41] It's incredible and i'm excited about all of it. Next question third row to the right. Hey, edd [11:48] It's make all again with usa today. Um, I wanted to ask you and I apologize if someone else asked this [11:52] I did come in a little behind [11:54] But i'm just curious of your thoughts as a legend about the wmba connecting kind of the future [11:59] Generations to current players to also you and kind of bridging the gap there with this new event [12:04] I felt like that's something that we maybe not have not seen as much in the past and i'm curious of your thoughts on it [12:09] Yeah, I love it. Um, I hope viewers loved it and will continue to see it because I think this is super meaningful and [12:17] I think you know when you get touch points like this and hopefully get to inspire [12:22] The next generation or they get to carry you an event like this [12:25] Like that's gonna give her confidence throughout the rest of her tournament this year and then headed into college and all those things [12:31] But just the moments of interaction again has always been the most important part of the career [12:36] You kind of forget about the statistics the wins the losses [12:39] But you always remember the touch moments with really good people. So that's what it's about [12:45] Uh next question standing to the right elena this one's for you uh chelsea late tsn [12:51] Obviously you've been in the league. You've seen a lot of changes [12:53] I'm curious what your thoughts are now that the league has expanded into canada and how much it has grown internationally [12:59] And if you ever thought that would happen when you first started uh in the wmba [13:04] Ah truthfully, no, I didn't I didn't see that happening because we were told like [13:11] You need to do this or this league is folding like there was never the talk of expansion or anything [13:16] It's like we got to do everything we possibly can to make this continue to happen [13:20] Um, so i'm thrilled that that conversation is over with and everybody gets to see how incredible this game is and [13:26] Um where it's going to go, but I I do I want to get to toronto [13:30] I I've heard it is an unbelievable experience. So i'll be traveling there with the sticks at some point [13:38] three in the center this is for elena and kira um [13:46] Of course this event is also the first event since the new cba [13:50] How um just talk about being able to make a better future for players like gg in the future for when they do come to the w [13:57] Yeah, I mean, you know that cba was just transformational um in the way the the league has [14:05] Shown with the all-star weekend. I mean even simply down to the trophies like it's a very big big change [14:12] so [14:15] I said I was like this is the best [14:17] career this is nice [14:20] They don't got the best rep for the nicest trophies, but like [14:24] At the end of the day, it's just about continuing to to pave the way and keep fighting for more and I don't think we're done [14:30] I think by the time she gets into wmba like [14:33] It's going to be a whole nother cba. That's going to be you know [14:37] life-changing and I think every day [14:39] We're just trying to continue to fight for women in sports and just show that you know [14:44] We have everything that we need to to make it and to to be successful and [14:50] Just got to give us the opportunity so [14:52] All right, we have time for just a couple more. We're going to go to the left side of the room third row [14:56] Hey, I got two questions one for gg and one for both of elena and shakira. So for gg [15:01] I think you're on the under 18 [15:04] Team usa. Yes, you felt like you gave [15:06] the two ladies to your left and right some energy some confidence after you knocking down a couple of the seven ball shots [15:13] Is that a role that you play for your team that you play on now as far as giving confidence by way of your energy? [15:18] And then for for you two did you feel her giving you all that energy in the moment? [15:22] And then able to kind of pick the baton up off of that [15:24] You can answer you I mean yeah, I feel as though for me any team [15:28] I step on whatever role that coach or whatever role my team needs me to play [15:32] I'm willing to do that to help us get the dub and I felt as though with these two next to me whatever [15:36] They needed me to do but there was energy knocking down the shot. I was ready for it. So yeah [15:40] Yeah, she carried [15:43] Like she carried you could just tell in her energy like as soon as we as soon as we started like it was confidence [15:51] And I think that showed in how she hit those tough shots [15:55] Those I was very far like it was really like half court shot [15:59] And I'm just looking up. I'm over here breaking. I'm looking up cheap cash [16:03] I'm like oh my god like to have that confidence so young and you know [16:11] I was nervous. I didn't look like she was nervous. So it was just yeah, it was an inspiration to say the least [16:18] Even even at the beginning we were like trying to figure out our strategy and I was gonna go first and it's like hold on [16:25] It's gonna take us way longer to get to each spot. Why would I go first? You need to go first [16:29] But freshly also you didn't want her to have to go first if she's nervous, but she's like, yeah, sure [16:35] I'm like, okay, thank god. Yeah, I wasn't getting us there [16:39] We have time two more two more questions front row center and then we'll close on the last row in the center [16:45] Elena you mentioned when you in during your career not even being able to see something like toronto happening [16:52] What would you say to the next generation of stars? [16:55] Um in terms of not being able to see what's ahead of them [17:00] With new you know money and attention influx coming in what would you say to them in terms of carrying the baton? [17:06] I think the biggest thing is to lock into each day like you can't control what the future holds [17:11] You can only control your work ethic and what you do every single day and if you're [17:16] Putting in the work and you are putting the best product out there because you are putting in the work [17:21] Then things are going to take care of itself. You just have to trust in each day [17:25] And you can't look too far ahead and you certainly can't look behind you. All right, everybody shakira elena [17:32] Giselle or gg. Thank you and congratulations. Thank you. Thank you guys stay with us [17:37] We're going to flip out the banner, uh, and we will be back with az5 [17:41] Let's talk right here [18:39] um [18:46] Welcome congratulations az we're going to start first question second row to your right um az are the first rookie chewing the three-point contest [18:52] What was your reaction to? [18:54] um to this information and how much work does it go into a perfecting or three-point form? [19:00] Um, yeah, it was shocked. That's crazy. Um to be the first is definitely an honor [19:06] um [19:07] And then I mean, I feel like honestly [19:09] Come going back coming back from injuries. It was a lot of chair shooting a lot of stationary shots [19:15] And so you get really good at shooting off a rack and being stationary and robotic and having your shot down to a tee [19:23] AZ front row to your right az kendra andrews espn [19:26] What was the mindset heading into the whole competition but particularly that second round? [19:31] I mean you came out and you only missed six shots in that championship round [19:36] So you say only missed six shots and that feels like a lot like I should have made more [19:39] Um, but honestly really nervous. I was excited. I was like whatever happens. I'm honored to be here. I'm here to have a good time [19:46] I'm shooting against the other best shooters in the league [19:49] Um, but yeah, just focus like I said to holly just trying to see the ball go through the net [19:54] uh staying on the front row to your right natalie esquire mbc sports congratulations az thank you [20:00] uh one [20:02] Did you find it more advantageous or less when you went in the second round to go first? [20:07] uh [20:08] Oh going first at least for me [20:10] I think it's preference but for me going first is better get your nerves out of the way like my hands were all sweaty [20:15] And then you don't have to think about it like the first round I had to watch the first two people go and think about my shot [20:21] And just think about am I gonna miss it? Am I gonna make it? [20:23] Um, but then you just you get it done and there's nothing you can do and final round same thing [20:29] Yeah, final round I prefer to go first [20:31] Okay, then my final was uh [20:33] Now that you did this won it rookie year [20:36] Uh, what would you think about taking on your your good friend steph curry in a in a three-point contest? [20:43] I mean stuff if you're listening i've been asking for a rematch since high school [20:47] So maybe this is it's our time to figure out a time and a place [20:52] AZ second road to your right [20:54] Akeem balen with beyond the w uh congratulations on tonight huge and if I remember correctly not only the first you know rookie [21:01] But I believe also the first uconn husky to also win a three-point, you know [21:06] How does it feel just to you know just to feel that uconn love it right, you know throughout the night? [21:10] Wow, um, yeah, definitely again honored. Um, I mean yeah, that's crazy. I don't know speechless [21:20] Uh next question first row to your left. Hey az doug feinberg the ap those first six shots were [21:28] Basically didn't touch on you with the net and that found around did that give you like the confidence [21:31] Like you're in a rhythm right now and shots are gonna keep on falling so to speak as a great shooter [21:36] Yeah, well, I also think when you're shooting at least for me when i'm shooting it's [21:39] Just trying to think like all right like making sure my feet are set [21:43] My follow-through is the same it feels good and so when you're locked in you're just thinking like same thing same thing [21:48] Not necessarily like what's happening. So I was just locked in in the zone next ball next ball [21:54] izzy to your left in the third row izzy howard mendel the nine sports congratulations [21:59] Obviously you're doing this in the midst of playing in the wnba [22:02] So i'm just wondering how much time and in what ways you were able to kind of specifically prepare for this was did you do any [22:09] uh work with racks, you know shooting the ball [22:12] In the lead up to this you know, what was your prep going in? [22:15] Yeah, well seriously shout out to our [22:18] um coaching staff and our all of our interns who helped figure this out [22:23] We had a bunch of games our last few days. So I only got to practice a couple times [22:28] We also only have two ball racks like normal ball racks. So they were like trying to rebound and hustle [22:32] um [22:33] But just getting a few reps of that because in the game you don't shoot like that [22:36] So like having a three-point competition is completely different. So getting a few reps getting the feel [22:40] Um, I definitely appreciate them making that possible. So shout out to all of them [22:45] izzy front row all the way to the right. Hi izzy [22:48] um [22:49] Do you plan to treat yourself or do anything fun with the prize money that you won today? [22:54] um [22:55] Hmm yeah, I mean, I don't know [23:04] First i'm gonna save it and then you know at the end of the season a vacation [23:08] It's like my family and I need a vacation izzy next two questions right in the center second row [23:15] Hi az jennifer porti from let's talk women in basketball [23:19] My question is where do you get your shooting skills from and also what advice would you give young ladies? [23:25] Who also look forward to playing in the wmba three-point contest one day? [23:29] I definitely get my shot from my parents my shot looks identical to my mom's if you look at pictures of her playing [23:35] um, but it really it's all credit to them every all the the time and effort they put into me and helping me stay disciplined [23:42] Um learn learn the whoa [23:46] um, but just have a good foundation with my shot [23:48] We spent a whole summer fixing my shot making it into what it is [23:51] And so without them just instilling that repetition and attention to details. It wouldn't be the same [23:58] uh izzy next question second row [24:00] easy does winning a [24:02] Competition like this set give you just that little extra boost of confidence for the second half of the season because [24:08] You know, you've been a great shooter for a long time [24:11] But this is just kind of an another nice thing to have going into when you we start the second half of the season [24:16] Yeah, totally. Um, I mean if that definitely does feel good [24:20] um [24:21] Um, I think a three-point competition is completely different than shooting threes in a game [24:26] um, but it does feel good and it is a little extra boost a nice boost going into the second half [24:31] uh izzy to your right third row hey izzy right here [24:36] Rashad here. Um, how does it feel to finally win a three-point contest without a boot? [24:41] It feels great. It was a lot lighter without the boot [24:46] Uh staying in the third row to your right izzy. Hi, uh cali finn with usa today sports [24:51] I was just wondering if you could take us back to being invited to this three-point competition [24:55] Did you enter your rookie year thinking like I want to be on the court when this competition takes place? [25:00] Or was it more of a surprise that you had to come to terms with and think about whether or not you wanted to participate? [25:05] Mm-hmm [25:06] Um, I mean obviously when they reached out it was an immediate yes, um, it's an honor to be invited honor to be able to participate and do this [25:13] Um, so I was definitely really really excited and looking forward to it is your next question right in the center second row [25:22] Hi izzy melissa yang gq sports [25:25] Um at the beginning you mentioned rematching stuff [25:28] What do you remember about being 15 being one of the only girls invited to his camp and beating out all the boys and then going up against stuff at that age? [25:38] Um, really nervous [25:41] But also excited just because it was it was so much fun to be at that camp to be one of the first two girls there [25:47] Um, and then to shoot against the boys. It's always a little extra [25:51] Something when you get to beat the boys, so it was a lot of fun and then to shoot against stuff is super cool [25:57] Uh izzy on the right side of the room standing in the back. Hi izzy congratulations on the win [26:02] I wanted to ask are there any other shooting competitions you would like to see implemented during all-star weekend? [26:08] Oh [26:09] I have no idea. I don't even know [26:15] uh izzy uh all the way in the back of the room [26:19] Uh cassandra negli yahoo sports you talked about the team helping you just kind of get into the zone [26:25] You had the front office in the corner who were pretty calm but excited when you won [26:29] What does this win say about the dallas franchise as an organization right now? [26:35] Yeah, I mean you can see the support [26:37] Um having the front office there having my teammates there [26:40] Um the staff that was making it possible for me to practice this before I came out here [26:44] So just all the love the support the dedication the commitment um to not just me but each of us as players as individuals [26:51] Um it means a lot all right izzy we have time for a few more or we're going to go standing on the right side of the room in the back [26:58] Hi izzy colin salawood front office parts over here [27:02] um you know you mentioned it was an honor to participate and to win [27:05] Will you be doing this again next year is it something that you're already thinking about um [27:11] I mean if they'll have me i'd be honored to be here again. I don't know that's not up to me [27:21] Next two questions on the right side of the room go ahead [27:23] um izzy the all-star weekend is about a lot of things you know there's definitely [27:29] fun with the stud buds and then activations [27:32] What was the recovery process for you to come here tonight and then um hit almost all of your shots [27:38] um yeah, I mean as professional athletes we [27:42] We know how to make things work with a tight schedule [27:44] um so I had a nice basically nap last night uh woke up had a packed schedule [27:51] um had so much fun today all-star weekend is I love it's my second one first one being a part of [27:56] it but it's it's so much fun just all the different activations like you said see getting to interact [28:00] see all the fans that come [28:02] um it's it's a a lot of fun um but like I said as a professional athlete you know how to separate the [28:09] two and when it's time to show up it's go time uh next question to third row to your right az [28:16] hey it's uh meg hall with usa today um you are largely described as one of the best pure shooters [28:21] uh in the league and I'm curious of like how is exciting is this as a pure shooter to kind of get [28:27] in this sort of competition show off your skills and show off something that's probably almost muscle [28:31] memory at this point for you it really is muscle memory and it's fun to do this because it is [28:36] I don't I don't want to sound cocky to say it's easy for me but like the set like just the set [28:41] shot take the ball from the rack shoots it really is muscle memory it's what I've been doing since I [28:45] was young so it's like I get to come here and do what I do every day uh Izzy third row all the way [28:53] to the left hey Izzy steven prejone gardener phna exports uh two questions for you one you talked about [29:00] your shot changing a little bit do you feel like the kind of minimalist type shot that you have [29:05] is an advantage for you it kind of later interacts in the three-point shooting contest and then [29:10] number two for you is because you've won in your first one Ali Quigley does have the record with four [29:16] is that something that's in mind for you that you would like to challenge in some capacity [29:20] um I'd never thought about that but maybe that would be a pretty cool record to break uh it's [29:25] impressive that she's not won four times um but yeah I think obviously I think everyone's shot is [29:30] different and as long as that's what's yours and you do that every single time then that's that's [29:36] that but I think for me um obviously I got to finish with time on the clock just how quick I shoot and [29:42] the consistency with that so not having to worry about time is definitely a benefit right az [29:50] congratulations and thank you thank you guys