Despite averaging 11.2 points and 6.1 assists per game while leading Iowa to the Big Ten title, the numbers were against point guard Cara Consuegra this May, namely the numbers four, seven, and eight. Consuegra was drafted in the fourth round by the Utah Starzz, a team which had seven guards on its training camp roster, including #8, star point guard Jennifer Azzi.

But Consuegra ignored the numbers and worked her way into a spot on the Starzz's roster as the team's back up point guard. Being a back-up is a big change for Consuegra, who was a first-team All-Big Ten selection and an honorable mention All-American at Iowa. But it's a role she's happy to have the opportunity to fill this season.

In this interview, Consuegra talks about making the team, playing professionally, and learning how to be a leader.

What was your reaction when you saw that you made the team?
It was pretty unbelievable. It was combination of relief and excitement. It's always tough going into this kind of situation where you know your future is so uncertain. You're almost more relieved to make the team than you are excited.

How did you deal with having to earn a spot on the team?
I just tried to not worry about it. If you think about it and play mind games in your head, it's just going to be harder for you to compete and go out and do your best. So I just tried to relax and have fun and do the best I could. I knew whatever was meant to happen would happen.

Did you think about the situation much when you were away from the court?
It's hard not to. You try not to, but you just sit there and think of the numbers and all the possible things that could happen. But I tried the best I could not to focus on that because I didn't want it to bring me down.

There's obviously a big difference in the talent level, but how much different are tryouts for the WNBA compared to high school or college?
Each level it gets tougher, and at this level everybody is great. Everybody can score. Everybody can handle the ball. Everybody can play great defense. It's a higher level and that made it that much harder. The atmosphere is a little different, too. There's not quite the same team camaraderie right away because everybody is out here fighting for a spot. It's not until they had the final team that you could really come together, because until that point it's every man for himself. And that's a little bit harder because you're used to coming in and being a team and supporting each other. I'm not saying that our team didn't support each other, but it's not the same closeness as in college or high school.

How difficult is it to sit on the bench for most of the game as a back up after seeing lots of minutes for most of your career?
It's been tough. Obviously, I'd like to go out there every minute if I could. But I also realize I have one of the greatest point guards in the history of the game in front of me in Jennifer Azzi. So right now, I'm just trying to be the best team player I can be and to learn everything I can from her. I know that my time will come. I've never really had to sit the bench before and I think at some point in their career most people have to. I guess it's just my turn.

Are there things you do to help you deal with being on the bench?
I just try to stay up and stay positive and be there for my teammates as much as I can on the bench. I think if I focus on that and be positive about what I can give, then that helps.

Do you approach practice differently as a back-up?
Absolutely not. I go into practice every day and give it the best I can. In the back of my mind, I think "I need to get Jen ready. I need to do everything I can do to make her ready for this next game." That's the only different thing. But I still work just as hard and try to do everything I can, whether I'm going to be out there or not.

Does it help having Amy Herrig, a former teammate of yours at Iowa, on the team?
I was very lucky to have that. Throughout tryouts, if I had a rough day, I could always go talk to Amy and she would be there for me when other people really wouldn't. That has been really great and it's made the adjustment a lot easier.

How does playing in the pros compare to playing in high school or college?
The pace of the game is a lot faster and the level of play is just incredible with all these amazing athletes. But there's more of a professional atmosphere. You can tell with the players that they've been there before and they know what they're doing. They want to win bad. There's no one who comes out here and takes anything lightly. This is what they're all about and this is their job. It's kind of fun being around people like that.

A lot of players dream about being a professional. Has it been what you imagined or has it been different?
It's pretty much been what I imagined. It's an unbelievable dream come true for me. To be able to play basketball for your job is kind of a hard concept to grasp. I still think "I need to be studying." But you don't. You just get to play and you can put all your time into that. It feels like I'm on a long winter break. Some younger people may think there's a lot more glitz and glamour to it. Although it's really fun and really nice, it's still tough. We don't get paid the big bucks. So we're out here trying to make a living and trying to have fun with it at the same time.

Which have you enjoyed more, playing in high school, college, or the pros?
I think I've enjoyed my college career the most, but I did that for four years and I've only been here about a month and a half. In college, I had a great team and everybody on my team were my best friends and that was part of what made my college experience so much fun. I was playing every day with my best friends. Hopefully, one day our team can be like that here, but it's hard to say that when I've only been here a month or so.

What adjustments did you have to make going from high school to college?
I had to make a lot of adjustments because I played the three-guard in high school and they recruited me at Iowa to play the one. The biggest things I had to work on were my handle, my decision making, and my leadership skills. Because those are things that are essential for a point guard, but not as much for an off guard. Plus, being open to new coaching and new ideas. It's really important to be able to come in and be willing to learn. Those coaches are the people who are going to make you better and you have to believe that.

How did you go about developing that leadership?
That was tough for me because I was a pretty shy kid in high school. I didn't like to talk on the court, so I chose to lead by example. But from the moment I got to college, my coaches really got on me about being vocal and saying positive things to my teammates, so that's what I really tried to do. Even when I didn't know what to say, I tried to say something like "Good job" or "Way to work hard" or just something. Then over time, by watching and listening to your teammates you learn what they need to hear and what the team needs.

How did you get started in basketball?
I started in second grade. My brother Justin is two years older. He played basketball, and as soon as he played I wanted to. I wanted to do everything he did. I started in a league where you didn't even play games, you just went and learned skills. From then on I just played every year and it grew from there.

Did you play other sports?
I played t-ball when I as little and that was just following my brother's footsteps again, but I quickly gave that up and went into track. I ran track all the way through high school.

Did that help make you a better basketball player?
I think so. The main reason I wanted to run track was to keep in shape during the offseason and increase my endurance and speed. It kept me in shape year round, which is important.

Do you have any superstitions?
I have a ton of superstitions. I'm a very superstitious person. I like to go through the same routine every day and when I get to the game I keep things the same. I like to have Frosted Flakes for breakfast, which is something a teammate and I picked up on in high school. I have a karma bracelet a couple of friends gave me in college. I have to wear that before every game day and it's the last thing I take off before I get to the game. Just little things like that. I always talk to my parents before every game and if I don't talk to them, I don't feel right going into the game. I just want to keep everything the same. If I feel that way, then I know I can go in and play well.

Is there anything you've had to change in the WNBA compared to your routine before?
It's a little different on the road because you don't do things as a team. In college, everything is structured. You go to shoot around, you come back, then you go to pre-game meal together. You watch video together, and you go to the game together. Here it's different. You're completely on your own. We'll go to shoot around and then the pre-game meal is on your own. You can go to the arena early if you want--you don't have to go on the bus. Things like that have been a little different and I'm trying to adapt and figure out the way I feel comfortable doing it.

What advice do you have for younger players out there who may be worried about making the team next season?
You just have to go and play with all your heart and all your soul and put everything you have into every practice and every game. And you also have to believe in yourself. It could have been easy for me coming in here as a fourth-round pick on a full roster to say, "I don't have a chance." But I never allowed myself to think that. I think having a positive outlook is one of the biggest things that players can have. And if they believe in what they can do, and they go out every day to try and prove that, I really believe there's nothing that can stop you.

Interview conducted by Gball Assistant Editor Dennis Read.

Photo: Courtesy of University of Iowa Sports Information Web site.


Check out last year's q&a's by clicking here