Oklahoma State University Athletics
Catching Up With Andrea Riley
July 20, 2010 | Cowgirl Basketball
July 20, 2010
On July 13th, former Cowgirl Andrea Riley made her return to the state of Oklahoma as a member of the WNBA's Los Angeles Sparks. The Big 12's all-time leading scorer had a successful outing in her first professional game in her adopted home state, scoring 14 points to go with one assist, one steal and one rebound. Following the contest, Casey Kendrick, the color analyst for Cowgirl basketball's radio broadcasts, caught up with the former All-American.
It was exciting to get to see you play tonight. How exciting was it to get to come back to Oklahoma?
"It was really exciting. I was really anxious. The butterflies took over. I am just so happy and so appreciative of all the fans that came out to see me play. The standing ovation when I came in, I was in shock. It is just a blessing."
Even though you came in as a member of the opposing team, they did mention you were from Oklahoma State and you did get a response. What was going through your mind?
"I thought I was going to play bad because I was so nervous about coming home and was so anxious and ready to get on the floor. You never know in your homecoming. You are either going to play good or play bad."
You look at some of the people who came out to see you, Coach Budke, your former Cowgirl teammates, Coach Sutton, how much of that was going through your mind?
"I could not believe it. I could not believe a lot of people would come out like that and I just really appreciate it. It is something that you have to respect. It makes you more of a humble person. Those people really love the way I play and I am just so thankful and so blessed to have that kind of support system."
When you hit the first three, did it allow you to calm down a little bit?
"It actually did. When you hit that first shot you are like, `I am about to do something now.' I felt good about it and my teammates kept encouraging me to keep it going. I didn't rush it and that is one thing you can't do in the WNBA is to rush it. You have to be quick without rushing."
Speed was your main asset last year, but everybody here has great speed. How much different is it playing with people that are almost as quick as you?
"It is actually a relief. You don't have to try to go past everybody all the time. There are better defenders that are bigger and stronger. That will just make me tougher as a person and as a player. You always have to be physically strong and mentally strong in this league. Everybody is looking to compete and you cannot be a whiner. You have to go compete."
You have obviously been in the weight room. How much of that has helped you in this game because the WNBA is a little more physical than the college level.
"A lot of people are really, really toned in this league. If you look at every single player on each roster, you want to go in the weight room and you want to get yourself in shape because you want to be able to stay on the same court as them. You don't want to let them push you around. You want to stand your ground."
You did a great job with the hustle play that you made. That is the part that got you going last year. That is the thing that is amazing about what you have been able to do and get you more playing time here are those hustle plays.
"That is what you have to do, especially as a rookie. You have to show that you are one of those people that go after it every single time that you are in there. You can't go in there and be lackadaisical. You have to contribute as soon as you get in the game and that is the mindset I have right now because I am rookie and I am not guaranteed a spot."
Ticha Pinicheiro has been a great mentor to you and you have admitted it. She has said how she really wanted to bring you along. It is great to see that relationship and how she has taken you under her wing.
"It is great and she is a great mentor. She really just keeps me going all the time. She is so positive and so patient. She corrects me every time I am wrong and keeps me going. It is really great to have someone like that in your corner."
