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Chances are you've never heard of Kristen Mann.
BUT AFTER READING THIS, YOU'LL PROBABLY NEVER FORGET HER. FOLLOWING A SIX-YEAR CAREER IN THE WNBA, WHERE SHE WAS DRAFTED NO. 11 OVERALL BY MINNESOTA IN 2005 WITH ADDITIONAL STOPS IN INDIANA, ATLANTA AND WASHINGTON, THE 28-YEAR-OLD SANTA ANA, CALIF. NATIVE IS CURRENTLY PLAYING OVERSEAS IN MONTPELLIER, FRANCE. BUT THIS SUMMER SHE DECIDED TO GO BACK TO HER CALI ROOTS.
like I'm going to get fined for saying it too, but I know I'm not. However, anyone who has played overseas knows exactly what I'm talking about. I could vent about this for days. And it's things as simple as Americans getting picked on for traveling, while a European can take five steps to the basket or do a spin move without dribbling. It's ridiculous.
But aside from the refs, the style of game is different. I think the game is faster at home, and I think it's partly because of all the media timeouts we have – more breaks, more time to rest. You don't have that overseas, so I think you need better endurance training overseas than at home.
DIME: How does the competition compare to the WNBA? KM: I think it depends what country you are in. The
WNBA is by far the best and most talented league in the world, but overseas, most countries are only allowed two Americans per team. In my opinion, the best leagues are Russia, France, Italy, Spain, and Turkey – they're extremely competitive throughout
Mann, who played her college ball at UC Santa Barbara from 2001-05, is a SoCal legend. She ranks third all-time in school history with 1,700 points, was a four-time All-Big West Confer- ence pick and is the highest Gaucho ever drafted in the league. So when we decided to setup a photo shoot with her, only one place made sense: Venice Beach.
As you can see, Mann currently has six tattoos, and told us she "definitely" wants more.
"Tattoos are more accepted nowadays, like it's a part of our culture and generation," she says. "Anyone who has some knows that they're addictive. I don't know what will be the next one, but I do know that I want another one."
DIME: What's a typical day look like for you playing overseas? KRISTEN MANN: Typical day overseas... wake up, go to morning
practice, come back home and nap, wake up, go back to evening practice. You spend a ridiculous amount of time on the Internet, Skype, watching TV shows, movies, etc. A lot depends on what city you're in and how your teammates are. I've played on teams and in cities where I've been a hermit and just went to practice, came home and chilled with my dog and on the Internet. But I've also played in places where the city is great, lots of stuff to do, and have teammates to kick it with.
DIME: What's the biggest difference between playing in the U.S. and
playing overseas? KM: Oh man, this is a tough question, because I feel like there's a billion things. (laughs) But honestly, the refs are a huge difference. I feel terrible saying that, and part of me is hesitant because I feel
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the entire league. Most of the other countries have two or three teams that are really good, and then the rest of the league just kind of falls off. A lot depends where all the money is too. Russia used to be the place to be; now I think Turkey is the hot spot. Turkey is also different – you can have four Americans on each team, but only three can be on the court at a time.
DIME: Do you ever plan on returning to the WNBA? KM: I would definitely like to. I don't know yet about 2012, it's too
early to tell. I also don't know how I'll feel after my season here in France. It's a long season playing in the French league and Eurole- ague, so we'll see how my body feels. Not gonna lie though, it was kind of nice having the summer off. I'll just have to wait and see what happens during the year.
DIME: Which NBA player would you compare yourself to? KM: Oh man, this is a hard question for me. (laughs) I'm a 3-4
tweener, versatile and can shoot the three, so I don't know. I guess I would say someone like Lamar [Odom] or Mike Miller. If I go old school on you, then maybe even someone like Toni Kukoc.
DIME: Are you a fan of the NBA? KM: I am. I'm curious when this lockout is going to end. I need some games to watch while I'm over here.
DIME: Growing up, where did you think basketball would take you? KM: Well, I knew I could go to school and get my education paid for, but I honestly didn't know that I could play professionally until I got to college. I remember the WNBA's inaugural season, and I knew pro life overseas existed, but it really didn't occur to me that I could be doing what I love as a career.