WNBA ALL-STAR GAME

July 14, 2021

Courtney Vandersloot

Betnijah Laney

TEAM WNBA vs. USA NATIONAL TEAM

Postgame Media Conference

Team WNBA 93, USA Women's National Team 85

Q. Courtney, your reaction to Allie winning tonight? The entire Sky team was super turned up. Can you just replay your guys' excitement courtside?

COURTNEY VANDERSLOOT: It was awesome to see her do it. It's always so much fun. I was a little nervous for her, a little stressed. It's just like the anticipation of it. But when she's out there, she looks so calm and makes it look so easy. I'm just happy to be a part of it and that we could celebrate together.

Q. At what point did you guys know she was going to win?

COURTNEY VANDERSLOOT: When she made all of her money rack shots. I knew there was a good chance because I think she only needed six more points or something. That was the point where I was like, okay, she just takes care of business, which she usually does, that there was a good chance she was going to win.

Q. I'm curious how similar you felt this team played compared to how you play with New York, the style of play, the three-point shooting, the run and gun type style?

BETNIJAH LANEY: It was really similar. The kind of style that we play in New York, just getting out in transition and trying to get our points there and just trying to keep the pressure on the defense. I really enjoyed playing alongside all of the WNBA All-Stars.

Q. There was a lot of New York representation both on and off the court tonight. I saw Reshanda Gray in the stands, of course Sami took part in the three-point competition. What was it like to have this first All-Star experience and to represent the resurgence of the New York Liberty as a whole on the national stage tonight?

BETNIJAH LANEY: It felt amazing to just be here in this moment after everything, and then to have the support that I had from the team, from my family and friends. It was a really good experience for me.

Q. Was playing with Copper again everything you imagined and then some tonight?

BETNIJAH LANEY: It was really fun because, like I said, this was the only level we haven't played on together. So to be able to have that opportunity out there today, it was fun. I really enjoyed playing alongside her.

Q. I also wanted to know if you could take me through what it was like when the coaches sort of said to you, hey, we're going to have you and Courtney Williams take on backup point guard duties to Courtney Vandersloot, who's sitting right here. What were those conversations like?

BETNIJAH LANEY: There wasn't one really. It just kind of happened, just with the lineups after the starters were chosen. I was the one who played kind of the point with my team, the New York Liberty. I sometimes play lead guard so I had the most experience there, I think, out of us. I kind of just took on that role and they were okay with it.

But yeah, I just tried to do that, follow Slooty to the best of my ability.

Q. We saw a lot of embracing on the sidelines. Can you talk a little bit about the friendships you all have?

BETNIJAH LANEY: For me personally, I kind of knew everybody because I've bounced around quite a bit. I've had experience playing alongside a lot of the people that I was playing with today, so just having those relationships prior to being out here today, it just felt like home. It was really fun. I really enjoyed having the opportunity to play with them all again. I'm really glad that we came together and got this win.

Q. Were there any fun rivalries or trash talking between the two teams?

BETNIJAH LANEY: No, not really, no.

Q. Courtney, this was not your first All-Star Game like it was for many of your teammates tonight, and it was not a conventional one. How did the defensive intensity add to the experience, knowing that Team USA was looking to come out locked in ahead of the Olympics?

COURTNEY VANDERSLOOT: You know, we had a different mentality, too. It was an opportunity for us to compete against some of the best players in the world, so we didn't take it really like an All-Star Game, either. We were out there competing. We were trying to win the game. It is a little bit different, but it was a fun dynamic and really competitive. It's a good time to be out there with all the best players from around the league.