WNBA DRAFT

April 15, 2021

Destiny Slocum

Q. What's it mean to you to be a player from Idaho to represent Idaho and the Treasure Valley and make it all the way to the WNBA?

DESTINY SLOCUM: You know, I think it means a lot to me. I think growing up it's always been a dream to play professional basketball, and a lot of people around me here thought it was crazy to even have that dream. They thought it was crazy for me to go to college on a full-ride scholarship. I think each and every day, every opportunity just becomes another path that you pave to open the doors for even more young girls that want to have the same dream. Hopefully I can open more doors for them, as well.

Q. And starting your career a quick plane ride from Boise, how exciting is that for you?

DESTINY SLOCUM: I'm excited. I think that's awesome. I think the rare amount of times that I've actually been home in the last four years, and Vegas being that close, is kind of awesome for me. An opportunity that I'm very thankful for.

Q. I saw a brief moment where you were hugging your family members. What was the moment like when you finally heard your name called and you had your brother and everybody around?

DESTINY SLOCUM: I think it was nerve-racking. It was also a relief just to hear your name finally. I've been draft eligible for three years. It's been something on my mind for three years now, and then finally to know that I'm in the perfect mental and physical space to be there and hear my name, I couldn't be more grateful, and be able to share it with the people who sacrificed the most for me to have that opportunity. It means a lot to me.

Q. What does it say for the University of Arkansas to have you and Chelsea drafted, and what does it mean for that university going forward?

DESTINY SLOCUM: I think it speaks highly just to the culture that's there and just the opportunities that are presented to any player that chooses to go there. I think Coach Neighbors and their staff do a great job of preparing you for the next step. Just grateful and so happy for Chelsea that she gets the opportunity to go show what she can do and just thankful that I got the opportunity, as well.

Q. The Aces just lost Kayla McBride in the offseason. You kind of bring to the table the same thing she did. How excited are you to fill those shoes and have a chance to contribute immediately?

DESTINY SLOCUM: I think just the opportunity in general. I think being able to be around such a talented roster -- I mean, they're literally just books of knowledge. Being a rookie, having the opportunity to be around people that have had such great success and being around, I think, a team that a lot of people know is super talented. I'm excited to go pick everybody's brain and go in there and compete and work hard and do whatever they need me to do. I'm excited and thankful.

Q. I want to ask you about pace. It's something you excel at, and it's something the Aces do exceptionally well. How significant of a fit is it for you as the type of player you are to be able to go in and be able to play at that pace right away?

DESTINY SLOCUM: I think it's really beneficial. I think throughout my college career I've improved my -- just willingness to play at a slower pace, but I think genuinely as a player that my game is best suited for someone who loves to run, someone who loves a little bit of pace in their game. So I think just overall my maturity as a player throughout college basketball would fit me in any system, but obviously I would love to play on a team that plays with pace, and Las Vegas fits perfectly.

Q. What can you translate from your college game bringing into the WNBA game, and how do you think you'll be able to help out the Aces?

DESTINY SLOCUM: I think just my playmaking ability. I think being able to set up players and get them the ball when they need it at the right times. I think just my competitive nature as a point guard and being able to really just dictate kind of how and who needs the ball at what times. I think as talented a roster as the Aces have, that's going to be so fun setting up people who you're like, okay, I'm going to get them the ball, they're going to score, they need it here.

It's going to be a fun challenge and I'm excited to be there and just get going.

Q. One thing I noticed with you playing next to Chelsea was you have a buttery jumper and a silky-smooth handle, similar to a Steph Curry. Do you think bringing that to Las Vegas is going to elevate them further, and do you feel like you fit in with Bill Laimbeer's system?

DESTINY SLOCUM: Yeah, I definitely think I do. I think when it comes to pace, I think when it comes to just my playing ability in general, I fit a lot of systems. But I think the Aces fit me a little bit differently with that pace and being able to play, like I said, with people around me that are capable of kind of understanding the game, super knowledgeable. I enjoy that a lot.

I think Bill, through our conversations that we've had, we kind of get each other, so I enjoy that.

Q. Who's your dream matchup? And my second question, you're going to be on a video game now. Can you talk about those two things?

DESTINY SLOCUM: Yeah, dream matchup, that's a good question. Probably -- I'm a huge [Diana] Taurasi fan. I played her when I played at Oregon State. We played Team USA. To match up in the W against Taurasi I think for me would be a huge thing. That would probably be my dream matchup.

And then video game, that's going to be funny. I'm excited, just the opportunity to be able to have a platform like that. We as women recently -- what is this, year three of the women being in the game? That's awesome. I think just the opportunity is a blessing in itself.