WNBA DRAFT

April 15, 2021

Dana Evans

Q. I know it was a longer wait than maybe I think anybody expected for you, but what was that moment like for you surrounded by your family and friends, to hear your name called?

DANA EVANS: It was a big moment for me. I was still blessed for the opportunity to get drafted and everything. But like I said, I just use everything as motivation, so that's just another thing added to the list.

Q. You mentioned the motivation. I know you're motivated by a lot of things, but how does this motivate you more going into the WNBA?

DANA EVANS: I can't even put into words how much it motivates me. I told somebody that I'm ready to just get in the gym tonight. I kind of feel disrespected, overlooked, but that's just been my career, my path and my journey. That's just my story.

Q. What was the moment like? Obviously you were disappointed, but when you finally got your name called, what was the first thing that you kind of thought, and what was the moment like between you and your parents?

DANA EVANS: It was a great moment. Like I said, it's a dream come true regardless of what number I went or how it went. Still a dream come true. I'm super excited for the opportunity. I thank Dallas for taking a chance on me and picking me. I think that's huge, and I'm excited to help in any way I can.

Q. The Dallas president called you the steal of the draft and he kind of talked about they kept thinking, Oh, my gosh, we're going to get her. Have you talked to them, and what was the message that they told you?

DANA EVANS: Yes, I did get a chance to talk to Greg Bibb and I was super excited. He just said to use it as motivation and just be ready to produce and be ready to play. I'm excited.

Q. I know Dallas has several picks, several newcomers. How is your mentality different going into your professional career than it was say going into your senior year, and what kind of things are going to make you stand out in training camp?

DANA EVANS: I would just say my intensity, my will to work, my will to win in any drill or scrimmage or game makes me stand out. Just being a presence on the floor, being a pest on the offensive and defensive end and just doing what I do best. Stick to what I've been doing. It's been working for me.

Q. Being able to score on all three levels is huge in the game now. Can you talk about your ability to score on all three levels and how you feel that that ability is going to impact the WNBA?

DANA EVANS: I think it's huge. I think that's big. I think it's something that you should always have in your tools going to the next level. Obviously, I'm not the biggest, I'm not the tallest on the court, but I think I'm feisty and I think I find a way to get it down.

So just carry over what I've learned in my college years and everything like that and just go with it.

Q. Do you have a dream matchup in mind? And my second question is this is more of a fun thing, you're going to be in a video game. Can you talk about that? I think that's something unique.

DANA EVANS: Well, first, I will say every team I play, every chance I get, I'm looking forward to it. Like I said, I kind of do feel disrespected, feel overlooked, but that's just the journey that I've been taking over my career, period, so it's nothing that I'm ashamed of or going to shy away from. I'm ready for the challenges. I'm ready to prove people wrong that sort of doubted me.

And the second question, I think that's amazing. I'm super excited about that. I don't really play the video games as much, but I'm sure my brother will love it.

Q. You got the nickname Mittens growing up. Can Dallas expect you to stand up to that nickname on defense?

DANA EVANS: Yes, that's something I think got overlooked a lot in college. I don't think it got talked about as much. But that's something I can bring to a team, and I think I will bring it to Dallas.

Q. I notice you have great, great vision with the ball and your passing kind of gets overlooked, as well. Do you go out with the intention of setting up your teammates with good shots?

DANA EVANS: Yeah, think that also gets overlooked a lot. People never talk about that. I think I got 100 assists every year and I think I've averaged about four assists a game. I think people just see me as a scorer, but I think I'm more than that.

Q. I'm curious, as a smaller guard, what it means to head to a team where Moriah Jefferson plays. She's really shown that it is possible to not just make this league but thrive in this league playing as a smaller guard. Has her game served in any way as a pattern for yours when you think about the way in which you want to contribute at the next level?

DANA EVANS: I'll just say sort of me watching Crystal [Dangerfield] last year and seeing her thrive in the league, because she's not a huge guard, either. We pretty much play the same. So seeing her thrive just gave me more confidence.

I'm always ready for a challenge, so I'm not afraid or anything like that. I'm excited. I'm excited to take on something new and face new challenges.

Q. You've been an elite three-point shooter throughout your time at Louisville, as well, so it allows you to expand the floor, obviously. Do you think that gives you an extra couple of steps even at the next level? Is that part of what will help you become an elite finisher at the next level, as well?

DANA EVANS: Yes, I think the three-pointer helps me a lot with my speed because teams can't back off of me because I shoot the ball well. So you have to play me honest. If you come up too much, then I can blow by you with my speed. So just being to utilize the tools that I have and just being ready.