Q. You really bet on yourself coming back to school. I'm just wondering if those thoughts went through your mind in the moments following the draft and just related what it meant to share that with Emmy in that moment.
JACY SHELDON: Yeah, it's special. I think taking that fifth year was something I thought long and hard about and I'm glad I did. A lot of good things came from it. Obviously having Emmy next to me it makes everything easier and that much more special. She's had a huge impact on me and everyone at Ohio State, and it's been really cool to see.
Q. You mentioned Emmy and she's here today. Obviously, she's played a big role in your collegiate career. Could you talk about her impact, and should we expect to see her at your WNBA games?
JACY SHELDON: She's everything to me. She's my why. She's why I do it, why me and my brother work so hard at it. She's special, and I really hope so. I know it'll be a little harder for them to travel, but I feel like absolutely they'll make it to some games.
Q. I'm curious what you remember about the WNBA growing up and how you think its perception in the popular culture has changed.
JACY SHELDON: Yeah, it's a surreal moment because I grew up as a little kid watching all these women play and how talented they are and being able to have a chance to play with them and compete against them, it's a dream. It's what we all are here for, and it's what we're looking forward to.
I'm excited. I've seen the growth. Everyone has seen the growth, and to be a part of that is something that is really rare, so I'm looking forward to it.
Q. Curious how you plan to maximize the business opportunity of the WNBA. The league is growing in terms of their sponsorships, and this high-profile draft class obviously has a lot of NIL deals. How do you plan to maximize the business opportunity you have in front of you off the court as you prepare for your WNBA career?
JACY SHELDON: Absolutely. I think that's something that's really big in today's world, especially with our class. It's exciting just to have those opportunities as women athletes. I think that's something that is kind of new to us, and it's exciting and it's absolutely something people should take advantage of. To be honest, I'm just ready to go play ball down there right now.
Q. What adjustments do you think you have to make now that you're drafted to the WNBA? What part of your game do you think you'll have to adjust the moment?
JACY SHELDON: Yeah, I think there's going to be an adjustment period for all of us, whether people want to admit it or not. I'm looking forward to it and welcoming it. As a rookie I think that's something you have to accept and be ready for.
The pace, the length, I'm sure there's going to be a lot of things that are a little different and it'll take some time to get used to, but I'm welcoming that challenge and looking forward to it.
Q. What's the best piece of advice you've gotten in regards to transition to the league?
JACY SHELDON: Yeah, I've gotten a lot. I've gotten to spend some time with some vets the past couple days and they've been really helpful. Just staying confident with who you are and what you do well is something that I took from them just a couple days ago. But I think that's important because when you're good at something, you can excel in that area and really keying in on that and taking that with you to the next level is definitely something I'll take from them.
Q. Who are you most excited to play with on your team? Who are some of your biggest rivals and competitors that you're looking forward to facing off against?
JACY SHELDON: I'm excited to play with everyone, to be honest on that team. Like I said, I grew up watching them, and I think being able to play with them now and getting that opportunity is something that, like I said, was a dream. They're a really talented group, and I know they're going to push me day one when I get there, so I'm excited for that.
Competing really against everyone. The league is -- the talent, you guys have seen it and it's no joke and it's something I'm looking forward to and excited for, and like I said, there will be an adjustment, but I'm super excited.
Q. What have your conversations been like with Dallas so far? I know Coach LT is huge on defense. I'm sure she told you that in your conversations, what you bring. What have you gotten out of those discussions so far?
JACY SHELDON: Yeah, we've had really good discussions. Coach is awesome and just being able to talk about their system and how they like to do things there was awesome for me to learn, and I'm sure I'll be having more conversations soon, but like I said, they've been really good, and I'm looking forward to talking to them more.
Q. Obviously you've had a lot of great moments at Ohio State. What do you hope is the legacy that you left behind being there for five years?
JACY SHELDON: Yeah, I was there for a minute and I got to experience Buckeye Nation and just staying in Ohio, which was amazing. I think just the way we represented that university and the way they're going to continue to, it's an honor to put on that jersey every day, it's an honor to play in front of Buckeye Nation every night. I just hope that we left a legacy of hard work going out there every night and giving it our all.
As far as representing the university and our fans, I hope we made them proud.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports