WNBA DRAFT

April 15, 2024

Charisma Osborne

Phoenix Mercury

Q. What's your motivation going to be like in this process leading up to training camp?

CHARISMA OSBORNE: Yeah, first, I'm super excited to be drafted to Phoenix. I know they have some really amazing players there.

But yeah, I think I'm super motivated. Obviously since being a kid I've always wanted to play in the WNBA. To have this opportunity means the absolute world to me, and I'm just excited to go out to Phoenix and get started.

Q. What's one thing you'll miss most about college, and then what's one thing you're looking forward to as you enter into the W?

CHARISMA OSBORNE: I'll definitely miss the people. I love my teammates, my coaches and the staff around there, and them helping me so much. I know that in the dub I'll be a little bit more independent, so I'll probably miss the extra help of people telling me what to do. But I'm excited for what's next.

I know at some point I have to grow up, so...

Q. I wanted to ask you, you stayed for the fifth year at UCLA. How much was that extra year beneficial for you?

CHARISMA OSBORNE: Yeah, I think it really was. I think I learned so much about myself as a player and especially as a leader. We had a really young team this past year, and I felt like I was able to grow my game and my leadership. I loved playing with my teammates and they always challenged me to be better, but I definitely think any leadership. I used to be so shy as a kid, so to see where I am now, I'm just so proud of that.

Q. Obviously going to Phoenix, playing with a Natasha Cloud and of course Diana Taurasi there. You talked about your leadership. How much do you feel like you're going to be able to learn from them in year one?

CHARISMA OSBORNE: Yeah, I'm so excited to learn from both of them. Obviously they have a lot of great guards there, and Diana Taurasi is like the GOAT of basketball, so to be able to learn from her is going to be so fun and I can't wait for that. Natasha Cloud, I love her energy. I love when she used to play for Mystics and she was so fun to watch.

It's kind of unreal to be able to say that like I'm going to be teammates with Diana Taurasi and Natasha Cloud.

Q. Going third round is I'm sure not what you mentioned. I know how competitive you are. How much do you use that and how do you use that? Do you think about it daily? Do you put it to the side of your mind? How do you plan to use it?

CHARISMA OSBORNE: Yeah, I think going in the third round, that's just a number, and I think I'm just going to go out there and do my best and show what I can. I'm really confident in my skills and my abilities. Obviously, I've earned this moment to be here.

So I think, like I said, that's just a number, and I'll go out there and try my hardest and make the team.

Q. I heard from a birdie that you're a huge ice cream fan. What flavor will you get to celebrate getting drafted tonight?

CHARISMA OSBORNE: All the flavors tonight. All the flavors.

Q. What were your emotions sitting there? You probably knew you were getting drafted at some point. But you're hearing names come off the board. What are you hearing at that time until your name comes up?

CHARISMA OSBORNE: I think I was just nervous the entire night, so the feelings didn't really change. I was pretty much nervous. But I know when I heard my name, I was just so excited, and I can't wait to get to work in Phoenix.