May 8, 2013

UNCASVILLE, CONN. - Capping a memorable season that included helping the Saint Joseph's women's basketball team capture the Atlantic 10 championship and a NCAA Tournament bid, redshirt senior Chatilla van Grinsven signed a contract with the WNBA's Connecticut Sun and is now competing for a spot on the Sun's roster at training camp. van Grinsven will detail her journey in a daily blog for SJUHawks.com.

WNBA TRAINING CAMP - By Chatilla van Grinsven

DAY #1
Life is a journey, and you have to love it no matter where it will take you! My life journey so far has taken me from the Netherlands, all the way to Colorado, eventually to Philadelphia, and now I am excited to take on this next step in my journey of life as I am currently in Connecticut with a new team, WNBA Connecticut Sun. I arrived up in Connecticut just a few days ago, and let me tell you, these days fly by, as there is so much to take in. I arrived in Uncasville, Conn., in the evening and I was introduced right away to the entire Connecticut Sun coaching staff and a few players that arrived as well that day. Connecticut Sun is part of Mohegan Sun and therefore we stay in an immense luxurious hotel that is known for its internal casinos, restaurants, shopping center....and even the WNBA arena is located in this building, so you guys can just imagine how big it really is! As the next day came along, I met more of the players on the team and got a great workout in with a bunch of teammates to get used to the rims, arena and especially the balls.  As you know, WNBA balls are a bit different than we college kids are used to...but we got comfortable with those balls very quickly.

That same day in the evening we had a team meeting and dinner; this is where everybody introduced themselves and we got to know everybody just a bit better before we all went into day one of training camp the next morning which I was extremely excited about. As the next morning came about, some of us teammates met up early in the morning to get in a good breakfast before we were going to head to the gym. As we arrived, everything was in our lockers ready for us to go (all CT SUN practice gear etc.).

DAY #8
Training camp is definitely something different than we are used to in college. Being able to compete with the best players in the States in Division I is an amazing experience; you learn a lot coming from high school. This is the pros; now it is about competing and playing with the best women's players in the world. The speed of the game goes a lot faster, everybody is stronger, bigger and it is all about doing the littlest things on a great speed and power. Our first day of practice was a full three-hour practice, I very much enjoyed every piece of it... and as we finished up practice, we all sure needed an ice bath for our legs!!!

What a week it has been! They say time flies if you are doing what you love...and that sure is true! Just finished up week one with the Connecticut Sun and looking forward to the start of week two. A lot has happened in these past few days with the Sun. We practice every day, and sometimes it even switches up to a two-a-day practice. As these practices last about 3 hours each, we really are in the gym from the early morning to late afternoons or sometimes even later depending on the media coming in after we are done working out. I love every moment and every day of this entire experience. The team is great, I really enjoy being part of the team and being able to play with those great veterans as they teach me something new every single day in and outside of the practices....let alone, they all have some jokes in their pockets! Being able to practice and play with these great athletes under the leadership of Head Coach Donovan is a very meaningful and great experience and I certainly feel blessed to have this opportunity.

I always prepare myself well for every practice, and that all starts with nutrition! In our hotel we have a restaurant especially for us Sun employees/players that offers a variety of dining delights. Personally, I always make sure I get up early in the morning and get in a good breakfast with a few of my teammates before we head out to the gym. Eating smart and healthy is important for your body in life...but even MORE important as an athlete playing at this level. What you get in is what your body will get out, and it will all be reflected in your performance. I have always been told that every little detail counts. To be honest, I have always believed that to the fullest, but never have I been so extremely disciplined about my diet than I have been these past few weeks.

I have learned and experienced this in this past week since I have been able to compete with and against the best female ball players in the world. Saturday night at 7PM Eastern Time I played my WNBA debut game vs. the NY Liberty at our home court (Connecticut Sun). It sure was quite the experience and certainly something I have looked forward to since I was about 8 years old. Good thing is that we got that "W"! We won 83-74, and I received about 15 minutes of playing time where I was able to score baskets and grab some rebounds. I have to say, I was not as nervous as I thought I would be. The few nerves that were in the tank sure disappeared as soon as I stepped my foot on that basketball court when Coach Donovan subbed me in the game. That was a moment that I was always striving for to come true...now that it did, I will set my ladder and expectations of myself higher, and strive for better!

The point is, it is all about having self-discipline, and I certainly believe that that's the way to success and certainly a core value that I have learned at Saint Joseph's University. The Magis, living Greater, is a motto I live by now and unquestionably something I am applying in my every day doing. Not just on the floor in the WNBA practices and games but even off the floor; from practices and eating breakfast to carrying a genuine smile and showing people a real character. The point is....be passionate no matter what you do, show joy no matter where you are and live greater no matter what you have achieved already; ALWAYS strive for better!

June 3
What a rich experience I gained with the WNBA Connecticut Sun. Just about 15 years ago I was a little girl dreaming and knowing that I would one day play in the WNBA, and that one day I can now talk about. Even though I could not finish the last lap of the cuts, I sure am proud that I was able to fight for that spot and showcase my talents for a pretty darn long time.

I truly enjoyed playing with the top basketball players in the world, and sure learned a lot in that process and stage of being part of a WNBA team. Every day, your body really pays a toll not only physically but also mentally. You really have to prepare yourself before every practice that you go into in such an intense training camp, and this for me always starts with mental preparation. I always believe that being `mentally-in-shape' is more important than being physically in shape, but you cannot reach success without one another. Therefore I made sure every day when I woke up, and got ready for practice early in the morning that I was off to a good start. I made sure I had a bright, ambitious, positive...and especially that "NEVER GIVE UP ATTITUDE" I always had since I was a 8 year old girl dreaming of this particular moment. Mental toughness has always been a big part of me as I try my best to fulfill this to the fullest of my ability. As I tried this and worked my tail off, I already knew in my mind that whatever happens...I will be pleased and content; because I know that I did what I could do and in the end it will be up to the staff to make their decision. Of course, performance wise you cannot play always 100 percent perfect.You will always make some mistake at some point. In this level it is just all about how fast can you recover from your mistake and how fast can you learn from it and move on. Players that cannot do this usually do not last long in such training camp, therefore...every day, you have to be mentally prepared; even more than your `almost perfect' physical condition.

Even though I did not make the final cut, I only came out even stronger out of the WNBA camp, and YES...with even more passion and motivation than I ever had to show them next year! As the Head Coach Donovan as well as the President explained that they certainly want me back next year, as they hope I will choose for them next summer as well. For me, I am super excited and pumped to know that I will have my chances again next year, but I know I will end even stronger in the finish as I will only improve my strength, speed and skill this upcoming year in the PRO-league. As Coach Donovan explained as well, that waiving me was a tough decision but "experience and being older" won it for the player 'fighting' for that same position. Coach Donovan was sure that playing in the highest league in Europe (EuroLeague) would do me great next season to help me make that final roster in the WNBA.

I am excited and look forward for that new opportunity full of chances next summer in the WNBA training camp again, but even more excited to announce future journey as I recently signed my contract with the France Champion "Bourge Basket"! I am honored and blessed to be part of this prestigious top basketball team in the world as it has won three EuroLeagues and six national championships in a row. I am energized about my new team, as I will reach new heights; to play on such a big international podium...again `with and against' the best women's basketball players existing today. I am sure after playing a year on this stage, the EuroLeague, I will be ready to RUMBLE IN THE JUNGLE, once again, in the WNBA next summer.

For now, until I will start with my team in France and dominate the leagues in August. I am now playing with the Dutch Senior National Team all over Europe. Today, we just came back with the National Team from a tournament in Spain. In about two days we will head out to play our qualification games in Luxemburg to play in the European Championship and qualify for the Olympics in Rio, 2016! So these are exciting times, as they say; one door closes, the other door opens. A lot of times I think back at my youth years as a young, little girl, dreaming of playing professional basketball one day. I always knew I would one day play in the States, which I did. I always knew I would one day play in the WNBA, which I have experienced and I still know that I will in the future. I always knew as a little girl that I would one day play professional basketball and hopefully one day will influence the next generation like generations before me have inspired me to dream, believe and just go for it. I have had those beliefs and thoughts ALWAYS in my mind and was continuously in the gyms to make my beliefs reality. So Always keep believing, keep fighting and most importantly have the right attitude no matter what happens because things will go your way with that right mind-set and work-ethic, and in your own way, you will inspire people around you! Therefore keep setting and reaching new heights and new limits for yourself, as those `limits' will permanently be `limitless' if you put your heart, mind and soul to it!

Above all...THE HAWK WILL NEVER DIE!!!!!!

- Chatilla van Grinsven