It’s no secret that making a WNBA team roster is the hardest in pro sports.
Forward Camryn Taylor and guard Jaylyn Sherrod both are late-season additions to the Minnesota Lynx. They both joined the team at around the same time in August — Sherrod was signed to a one-year contract August 9, and Taylor signed three seven-day contracts in August before signing a one-year contract Sept. 1.
Taylor previously was in the Lynx training camp but was waived after appearing in two preseason games, averaging seven points and 3.5 rebounds in May.
“I knew the opportunity was going to come,” said the 6’1” forward who played her college ball first at Marquette (two seasons) and Virginia (three seasons). “I’m still very blessed, and I’m thankful that Cheryl [Reeve, Minnesota head coach] and the group just gave me this opportunity to be here.
“I knew at least one day, one of these days, no matter how I got [here] — drafted, undrafted, got picked up in free agency, anything — I knew I’ll be here,” she stressed.
Becoming a pro basketball player “wasn’t a dream for me,” admitted the 5’7” Sherrod, who played in college at Colorado. She appeared in 10 games last season with New York, including two post-season contests after being signed by the Liberty last July. She was waived by the defending champions August 1, however, after playing in 18 games this season.
“Growing up within a single parent household,” said Sherrod, “my mom put me in the best position academically and athletically to have the opportunity to go to school [for free], and not being able to have a bill put on her or myself was always the goal.”
Taylor last winter played pro ball in Greece, saying it prepared her to play in the W as a result. “I actually played against [Lynx forward] Jessica Shepard a lot overseas for my first year,” she recalled. “It was just really good to finally get that first [pro] year under me.”
Both Taylor and Sherrod are anxious for the playoffs, which began on Sunday as Minnesota hosted Golden State in the best-of-3 first round. Sherrod got her first post-season experience last season with New York; this is the first time for Taylor.
“We’re ready for the playoffs,” said Taylor. “We want to make sure we’re playing our best basketball.”
“Yeah, I’m excited,” added Sherrod. “I think this is a great opportunity for us as a ball club, just to keep getting better. It’s always about getting better. It’s always about the next step.”
Brunson’s sabbatical
Before the season, veteran broadcaster Cindy Brunson found herself out of her play-by-play job with the Phoenix Mercury. She talked to us about what happened to her. Then she took an unexpectant sabbatical this summer by watching WNBA games without calling them.
“My WNBA arena tour has taken me to nine different venues this season,” said Brunson after the Minnesota-Golden State regular season contest in Minneapolis last Thursday. “I’m so glad I stuck it in on the last day of the regular season,” she declared.
Asked to briefly point out her top places where she saw games this summer, Brunson responded, “The top of my list is starting with the Golden State Valkyries. That environment was off the chain. I was so impressed, especially as an expansion franchise.
“Number two, the Minnesota Lynx — unbelievable atmosphere. And number three, the defending champion New York Liberty — unbelievable fan experience.”
More importantly, her summer arena tour was therapeutic and reaffirming in so many ways, the veteran broadcaster said. “How much I love this league, being able to tour the country this summer and watch how this game has exploded.
“It has done so much for my basketball-loving soul. It has cost a lot of money. It was a pretty penny.
“But it was so worth it.”
Charles Hallman welcomes reader comments to challman@spokesman-recorder.com.