Reply to thread

Message: [QUOTE="BlueSkyGLW, post: 5309656, member: 11281"] [URL unfurl="true"]https://andscape.com/features/setbacks-slowed-azura-stevens-ascent-but-now-shes-enjoying-a-breakthrough-season/[/URL] [Gabby is her best friend!] Best to read the whole article....it is really lovely. “Consistency has always been a big thing, just for me to kind of be that player that people on the team can rely on, and it’s not like, oh, what are we going to get from her?” said Stevens, who narrowly missed out on making her first All-Star team this season. “This year I’ve been proud that I’ve been able to display that as much as I can.” “I’ve been thrown a lot of different things … and had to adjust to that,” Stevens said. “I’m proud of myself for just continuing to show up in each opportunity that I’ve been given.” “I was excited to coach her because I felt like what we wanted to do was kind of five out. She would play really well into that,” Roberts said of the Sparks’ offense, which incorporates all five players on the perimeter. “I think she’s performing as I was hoping, that she could kind of be a linchpin for us in that, and she’s done a tremendous job." Perhaps what has stood out most about Stevens’ game this season has been her level of efficiency. Stevens has an effective field goal percentage of [URL='https://stats.wnba.com/player/1628922/advanced/?Season=2025&SeasonType=Regular%20Season&Split=yoy&sort=TS_PCT&dir=1']59.0%[/URL], the highest in her career. That ranks [URL='https://stats.wnba.com/players/advanced/?sort=EFG_PCT&dir=-1&CF=MIN*GE*25']fourth[/URL] among players averaging 25 minutes per game. Her true shooting percentage is a career-best [URL='https://stats.wnba.com/player/1628922/advanced/?Season=2025&SeasonType=Regular%20Season&Split=yoy&sort=TS_PCT&dir=1']62.3%[/URL], also ranking [URL='https://stats.wnba.com/players/advanced/?sort=TS_PCT&dir=-1&CF=MIN*GE*25']fourth[/URL] in the league. [I]“Azurá has always been this unicorn of a player, able to do everything. I’m excited to see her step into a leadership role,” said Seattle Storm forward [URL='https://www.wnba.com/player/1628931/gabby-williams']Gabby Williams[/URL], Stevens’ best friend. “She’s always been really talented, but I can see her being the one that’s, like, angry when they lose. I can see her getting on her teammates now. … I think it’s putting pressure on her to be consistent every day. I think we’re seeing that.”[/I] Roberts said Stevens’ positive presence and attitude around her teammates is unwavering. “She shows up the same way every day. She’s just low maintenance, you know? Just a total pro,” Roberts said. “I think that’s how you breed the culture of consistency, and I think she personifies that.” [B][I]When asked what motivates her when she steps onto the court, Stevens’ answer didn’t allude to accolades or accomplishments. It wasn’t to be an All-Star or to make an All-WNBA team, and she already can call herself a champion.[/I][/B] [I][B]Instead, Stevens said she is fueled by gratitude – to be healthy when she takes the court each night; to get the opportunity to play in a league that so few get to compete in; and to make her family proud. She has learned to enjoy every moment of her career.[/B][/I] More than most, she knows those moments can be fleeting. “Our careers go by fast,” Stevens said. “Every opportunity is an opportunity just to go out and play and have fun.” [/QUOTE]

Verification: First name of men's bb coach

Forum statistics

Threads: 164,433

Messages: 4,396,128

Members: 10,209

Latest member: gemini*trvl