WNBA DRAFT

April 10, 2023

Maddy Siegrist

Dallas Wings

Q. From section 1, Small School Lourdes to one of the biggest stages right now, how do you reflect on your journey and what's it like hearing your name called on draft day?

MADDY SIEGRIST: I mean, it's a dream come true. I can't even put into words right now. You've got a million things going through your mind. But I've been surrounded by good people, good teammates, and I wouldn't be here without any of them.

Q. What do you know about Dallas? I think Greg Bibb told me your dad and he were friends in college?

MADDY SIEGRIST: Yep, they went to Marist together. Fortunately, I was in Dallas last week for the Final Four, so got to check it out a little bit. I loved it when I was there. I know they're a young team, really up and coming. So, I'm so happy to be a part of it.

Q. I'm curious, what was the last time you played basketball where you weren't double-teamed? And how much are you looking forward to seeing what that's going to be like once again?

MADDY SIEGRIST: Oh, gosh, probably USA this summer, 3-on-3. But before then, probably sophomore year.

Q. Just the other side of it, how excited are you to see how you're going to play with that?

MADDY SIEGRIST: Yeah, I'm super excited. I know the Wings have a lot of great players. Just to be surrounded by great players, I'm just excited.

Q. You obviously had a record-breaking year this year for Villanova, led them to the Sweet 16. Did you ever consider coming back for a fifth year and what went into your decision to declare for the draft?

MADDY SIEGRIST: Yeah, for sure. I love Villanova. That'll be home forever. But unfortunately nothing lasts forever, and I feel like God had opened a door, and it was time for me to walk through.

Q. Talk a little bit about your game and which part of your game you think will translate the best to the W and to the Dallas Wings.

MADDY SIEGRIST: I think I have a really high motor, so just constantly moving without the ball, moving on both sides of the ball, defense and offense. Just going after offensive rebounds and just trying to do all the hustle plays.

Q. You spent obviously your career at Villanova, and you played in Philadelphia. What did you learn here that you believe you will take with you to the W?

MADDY SIEGRIST: Oh, my gosh, I've learned so much. Just believe in yourself, surround yourself with good people and you can achieve anything.

Q. Obviously it was emotional for you in your last game playing here. What is it about playing here and what are the things that you'll miss the most about playing at Villanova as you move on into the next stage of your career?

MADDY SIEGRIST: Definitely the people. My coaches, my teammates, the administration, all the people at Villanova. It's such a family, such a community. Just knowing I'm going to have that with me for the rest of my life makes it a little bit easier.

Q. Obviously you're coming out of this very I'm sure exciting and somewhat chaotic NIL era. I'm really curious to hear how you continue growing this brand, now that you have this platform in the W, both on top of your game and outside of it?

MADDY SIEGRIST: Yeah, I think the NIL really allowed college athletes to start to build their brand and I'm fortunate that I caught the beginning of that in the last two years. So just continuing to use the resources around me, using my platform to spread my message and promote my brand.

Q. All your family is here today and you know how close you are to them and how important your dad has been to your journey. What was it like to share that moment with them?

MADDY SIEGRIST: I was holding onto his hand for dear life, just waiting to hear your name called. But to spend it with them, my family is the most important thing in the world to me, and I would not be here without them. The rest of my extended family is at a restaurant down the street, so I can't wait to go celebrate with them after.

Q. What is the biggest challenge for you going to the WNBA?

MADDY SIEGRIST: I think the unknown. I haven't been there yet, so I don't really know what to expect. So yeah, I guess the unknown.

Q. Of course you were amazing at the power forward position at Villanova, but this position is quite crowded in Dallas. Do you see yourself also maybe playing small forward in the WNBA or whatever comes at you?

MADDY SIEGRIST: Yeah, I mean, I'll play whatever position they need me to play. We're fortunate at Villanova we play a five-out, so I played 1 through 5, so I'll do whatever they need.

Q. When did you first start to believe that you could be a WNBA pick and then also maybe a lottery pick?

MADDY SIEGRIST: Probably like halfway through my college career is when I realized like maybe you could play in the WNBA. It probably wasn't until this year where I was like, oh, you might get picked pretty high. I don't know, I just never looked that far ahead until recently.