Jamie Carey
Former Horizon High athlete Jamie Carey just completed her rookie season with the WNBA's Connecticut Sun. She will play for the Colorado Chill of the NWBL this winter. Earlier this month Carey received the NCAA's state of Texas "Woman of the Year" award. She starred at the University of Texas.
Q: What was your rookie season like in the WNBA?
Carey: It was an incredible experience -- one that I'm still kind of in shock that I was a part of, especially being a rookie. It was incredible. Obviously I wish we would have won the whole thing but still it was amazing experience, one of the best I've had in basketball so far.
Q: College basketball is big in Connecticut, especially for women. How have the fans taken to women's pro basketball in Connecticut?
Carey: The fans in Connecticut are incredible. We averaged 7,500 every game, so they really did take to us. But then we'd go to a lot of cities where there weren't many fans. That was kind of hard to see. But on the whole, if you look at the WNBA from when it started until now, I think it's incredible as far as the fan support. To see the finals packed in both arenas, I think was awesome for women's basketball.
Q: Did people recognize you on the streets?
Carey: People did recognize us. We'd walk into Subway and people would say they read about us in the paper, wish us good luck, things like that. But I wasn't recognized as much in Connecticut as I was in Austin (Tex.). But I think Austin is a pretty unique town that is enthused about women's basketball. It's probably one of the best, as far as media covering women's basketball.
Q: So, Jamie Carey is big in Austin, Tex.?
Carey: No, no. Our team is big in Austin.
Q: What was going on in the WNBA this year with the tempers flaring and some fights? You don't expect to see that feistiness in women's basketball.
Carey: It's very, very intense. I think the referees in general tend to take a little bit more in a professional league that they do in a college setting. In a college setting, if you mumble a curse word you'll get a technical foul. In the WNBA it's not the case. I don't know if it's just that the tempers are accepted more in the WNBA, I'm not sure. It's just something that happens, and something that I honestly was taken back a little bit by -- but you'd think it would work in reverse. In the WNBA you get a fine for technicals. In college, your punishment comes from your coach.
Q: Do you think fans expect the ladies to play like ladies, and forget that you're out there competing?
Carey: Women's sports certainly are just as competitive as men. The competitive spirit is there. Maybe it's just recognized a little more at the professional level, I don't know.
Q: How soon will it be before a WNBA comes to Colorado?
Carey: (Laughing) That is entirely up to the Denver Nuggets organization. I don't know. We're adding a team in Chicago, but I don't know . . . it's hard to say.
Q: Will it seem different, playing in the NWBL just after finishing the WNBA season.
Carey: Most players in the WNBA tend to go overseas and play. But if you don't want to -- or can't -- go overseas, the NWBL is a great opportunity to be able to compete. That's the case for me. I can go to school in the fall and continue working toward my Master's degree, yet still play and be ready for the WNBA again.
Q: Were you tempted to play overseas this season?
Carey: I was tempted, just because to go overseas would be an experience that, without basketball, I probably wouldn't be able to get. At the same time I'm trying to complete my Master's, which is important to me. The NWBL is a great opportunity for me. I get to be close to my parents. I don't think I've seen my parents for longer than three or four days in seven years.
Q: What are you studying?
Carey: Sports management, with an emphasis in mind, body and wellness.
Q: How long do you want to continue a career in professional basketball?
Carey: It's hard for me to answer. I don't know how my body's going to react. I hope to play as long as my body will allow me and that I can make a roster.
Q: Do you golf at all?
Carey: I try. (Laughing) I have clubs.
Q: The last time you played was . . .?
Carey: Probably in the spring.
Q: Earlier this year Michelle Wie came to Denver for one of the major tournaments on the women's tour. At that time there was a lot of talk about women competing against men. There have been women who have tried out for the NBA, and recently, a woman (Ann Wolfe) challenge a man in boxing. Do you think we’ll ever see a man attempt to compete in women's sports -- and what would the reaction be?
Carey: Honestly? No, I don't think so. The reaction? I don't know. But I really don't think it will ever happen. In society's eyes, for a lot of people that would be a step down. I don't really forsee it ever happening. But at the same time, we do have males as practice players . . . I guess it's possible. But I think people are starting to recognize that women can play and are capable.
Q: You've played against Becky Hammon in the WNBA. You'll be her teammate with the Chill. What are you looking forward to, as far as playing with her and playing in Colorado?
Carey: I'm really looking forward to playing with my parents in the stands. They are both my heart and have been very supportive through everything. I'm excited about playing with Becky, and being able to learn from her. I remember watching her when she played at Colorado State and I was in high school. To see how much she's improved is just amazing. I'm also looking forward to playing with Katie Cronin -- a former Horizon player. I'm looking forward to a lot of things -- except the snow. I don't even own a winter coat any more. I don't know what I'm going to do.
Q: Wait a minute -- aren't you from Colorado? You should a coat in the closet.
Carey: Honestly, the last winter coat I had is my letter jacket from Horizon. I haven't been (in Colorado) in seven years.
Q: How closely will you study Becky Hammon during practices with the Chill, to pick up pointers to use against her in the WNBA?
Carey: Honestly, I've watched enough film on her that I can tell you a lot already. I'm sure she's done the same on me. That's kind of how the game goes. I can still tell you tendencies of players I played back in the fourth grade.
Q: Are you that studious a player, watching lots of film and whatever it takes to learn an opponent.
Carey: Yes. I'm very big into preparation.
Q: That sounded like someone who one day might become a coach.
Carey: (Laughing) You nailed it. Yeah. I really would like to coach. We'll see. At least I'm putting myself into a position where I can.
Q: You mentioned your parents. When you were going through tough times physically (Carey had to quit college basketball at Stanford due to concussions) did they ever express to you that you shouldn't play?
Carey: I'm sure, as parents, they probably at some point wished that maybe I would take the easy route and not play any more. But they never once said that to me. I'm sure, naturally, that's how they felt at times. They supported me through absolutely everything. They've always done that. It was not a very popular decision amongst most everybody for me to return to basketball. But my parents never once doubted me. I think we really value hapiness. My parents are pretty unique in that regard.