USA Basketball Update - Renee Montgomery
Following four days of practice in the Washington, D.C. area, finalists for the 2010 USA Basketball Women’s National Team have relocated to Connecticut, where it will play exhibition games against Australia on September 10th at 7:30 p.m., and Spain on September 12th at 1 p.m.
The games will be played at the XL Center in Hartford.
Among the group of players contending for spots on the team are the Connecticut Sun’s Kara Lawson, Asjha Jones, Renee Montgomery and Tina Charles.
Montgomery took a few minutes to answer some questions after the team arrived in Connecticut.
How has the experience been?
“It’s been good. It’s nice to already have had a couple of training camps. Coach (Geno) Auriemma was my coach in college, so I knew what to expect.”
It seems like a great group to spend time around.
“It is. I don’t want to be biased, but most groups I’ve been around…I guess basketball players are just good people to be around. We always have a good time.”
Are you looking forward to playing in Hartford?
“I am. It’s always good to play in Connecticut because the fans are great. And coming back to a familiar area is always good for me. The (XL Center) is like a second home. When I go in there, I don’t know what kind of feelings I’ll have, but it will probably feel like I never left.”
Does having something like this camp help you get over the disappointment of not making the playoffs?
“It does. I always feel the same away about a loss or about ending a season the wrong way. You always want to get back on the court so that it’s not your last memory. Just to get back on the court and practice with the team, it’s a good feeling.”
Statistically, you had your best season as a professional. Is there anything in particular you want to get better at during the off-season?
“Just getting a better feel for the pro style game, mentally and physically. And, also to continue to work on my jump shot so I can remain consistent, and continue to work on my left hand.”
Are you still planning to play in Israel? When do you leave?
“Yes. I leave on October 12th.”
Was there any reason you chose to play in Israel this year instead of Europe?
“Nothing in particular. They offered me a contract where I can leave during Christmas or stay. I liked the fact that Israel was very flexible.”
The games will be played at the XL Center in Hartford.
Among the group of players contending for spots on the team are the Connecticut Sun’s Kara Lawson, Asjha Jones, Renee Montgomery and Tina Charles.
Montgomery took a few minutes to answer some questions after the team arrived in Connecticut.
How has the experience been?
“It’s been good. It’s nice to already have had a couple of training camps. Coach (Geno) Auriemma was my coach in college, so I knew what to expect.”
It seems like a great group to spend time around.
“It is. I don’t want to be biased, but most groups I’ve been around…I guess basketball players are just good people to be around. We always have a good time.”
Are you looking forward to playing in Hartford?
“I am. It’s always good to play in Connecticut because the fans are great. And coming back to a familiar area is always good for me. The (XL Center) is like a second home. When I go in there, I don’t know what kind of feelings I’ll have, but it will probably feel like I never left.”
Does having something like this camp help you get over the disappointment of not making the playoffs?
“It does. I always feel the same away about a loss or about ending a season the wrong way. You always want to get back on the court so that it’s not your last memory. Just to get back on the court and practice with the team, it’s a good feeling.”
Statistically, you had your best season as a professional. Is there anything in particular you want to get better at during the off-season?
“Just getting a better feel for the pro style game, mentally and physically. And, also to continue to work on my jump shot so I can remain consistent, and continue to work on my left hand.”
Are you still planning to play in Israel? When do you leave?
“Yes. I leave on October 12th.”
Was there any reason you chose to play in Israel this year instead of Europe?
“Nothing in particular. They offered me a contract where I can leave during Christmas or stay. I liked the fact that Israel was very flexible.”
