WNBA DRAFT

April 15, 2021

Chelsea Dungee

Q. Can you just talk to us about your feelings when you heard your name called? And secondly, how do you feel like being in Mike Neighbors' system and playing there will help you in your pro career?

CHELSEA DUNGEE: It was an unbelievable feeling. I've worked my whole entire life for this moment, for this day, for this feeling. I feel on top of the world right now. I feel amazing.

In the SEC, there's so many great players. But in Coach Neighbors' system, the speed that we play at I think is a huge factor and it's going to really, really help me transitioning into the WNBA and the style of play that we play. There's a lot of ball screens and playing out of screens, and there's a lot of that in the WNBA. I think those two things are really going to help me transition.

Q. Talk a little bit about your ability to score, to shoot the ball and how you will play alongside Arike, of course, the league's leading scorer last year, and kind of alleviate some of the pressure that she's had in that area.

CHELSEA DUNGEE: I think that I have the ability to score the basketball from everywhere on the floor. I can shoot the three consistently. You'll see more of my midrange game. I've always had it, but I didn't get to showcase it as much in college. But the midrange, for sure. And getting to the basket, getting fouls, getting under the defense. I think that I can contribute in all those ways.

Arike, I love watching Arike play. She plays with so much passion and energy and intensity. I can't wait to learn from her. Like you said, the leading scorer. I can learn so much from her, and I can't wait.

Q. I know you talked to Holly Rowe about what it meant to you to be from a small town and now be representing the WNBA on this stage. When you think back to playing high school basketball in Oklahoma, what does that mean to you just to represent your small town and represent the state like that?

CHELSEA DUNGEE: Yeah, anything is possible. Like you said, I came from a small town. Being so close to Oklahoma and to Arkansas means so much to me. I'm so happy that Dallas picked me. I can't even describe the feeling.

Just like I said, anything is possible. Don't set limits and fears on yourself. Especially if we do that as women, we create that in our mind. Let that go, and anything is possible.

Q. I think the first time we did a story on you, you were 14. When you were back there in Sapulpa playing at 14, did you ever think this would happen?

CHELSEA DUNGEE: It was always a dream of mine, but it became reality today, for sure. It's a dream come true. I just worked every single day to be in this moment right here.

Q. What does it feel like to know all your Arkansas fans, like Cole or the three little girls who wear your jersey, to know they can come to Dallas and watch you?

CHELSEA DUNGEE: Absolutely. It means so much. I've had so much support since the day that I stepped on this campus until now, and I know that will carry on through the WNBA. They always talk about I can't wait to buy the jersey, so it means so much to me.

Cole was actually here today. But like I said, it's going to mean so much. My mom has never missed a home game. Right up the street. I'm only about three and a half hours from her and about five from Arkansas, so it couldn't be a better situation.

Q. For those who have never seen your game before, who do you compare yourself to or who do you model your game after?

CHELSEA DUNGEE: I can tell you my favorite -- Maya Moore is my favorite player, and that's somebody that I want to grow into throughout my journey, throughout the WNBA. But I can't wait to play alongside Arike. I can't wait to learn so much from her. We both have a scoring mentality, and I can't wait to grow from her.