Q. Ta'Niya, it is a year and five days to the day you entered the transfer portal, and it's been a heck of a whirlwind, I'm sure. What has this past year plus taught you about yourself as both an athlete and perhaps as a human being as well?
TA'NIYA LATSON: Yeah, I was challenged on the court, for sure, this year. I feel like that's the biggest takeaway. But I can commend my resiliency and who I am as a person. I feel like it's gotten a lot better mentally and physically. I went to South Carolina to become a pro and get ready for the league. And I feel like I'm well prepared. I've just got to go out there and be myself.
Q. To be on a roster in L.A. with Kelsey Plum, with somebody who obviously likes to get downhill, finishing tough at the rim, wonder how much you feel like you can learn from her?
TA'NIYA LATSON: I can learn a lot from her. I was in the dawg class, and I learned so much then. It's such a full-circle moment because she gave me a lot of advice. Just to see how she worked up close, the way she takes care of her body, not just her body, but her mind, too.
She's such a hard worker. I can't wait to learn from her.
Q. Do you think there's a particular skill out of dawg class that helped get you to tonight?
TA'NIYA LATSON: Yeah, I mean the mental part, just seeing how she worked, it gave me confidence and it made me want to work harder, too. Just seeing what it takes to be a pro. I feel like she gave us all good advice, and I'm going to take it to the league with me.
Q. Can you describe the feelings, the emotions, when you finally heard your name called tonight?
TA'NIYA LATSON: Yeah, I mean, it's just a surreal moment. It's a dream come true. L.A. is a great city. I love the culture they have there. I'm excited to meet my coaches, my teammates, and I'm just ready to get to work.
Q. Earlier today, your mom said you will end up where God wants you to be. For you, given your skill set, how do you think you would fit in with the Los Angeles Sparks? What would you bring to the --
TA'NIYA LATSON: Yeah, I do second that. Obviously God wanted me here for a reason, and I'm going to take it in with everything that I have. I know I can bring my ability to get downhill and score the ball, and also I'm a two-way player. I can bring a lot of other things to the table, and I'm a really good teammate.
So I'm just excited. I'm ready to win and work.
Q. What is a message that you, you sitting here on draft night, would want to give to your younger self who is maybe looking and planning, looking toward and planning for this moment?
TA'NIYA LATSON: Yeah, I mean, just continue to be yourself. Don't let anybody change who you are. Do what's best for you. Do what you feel is best for you in the moment. Trust your gut. Never compare yourself to anybody else's journey. Run your own race and everything will fall into place.
Q. I was late to the orange carpet, so this would have been a question for that, but you and your South Carolina teammate Raven sort of embodied old Hollywood. Can you just, I guess, speak to why you made that decision? And I guess why the two of you decided to expand upon that motif?
TA'NIYA LATSON: I know I wanted to step out of the box, for sure, just give like a timeless, classic look. I feel like people haven't really given that at the draft in past years. So just wanted to be a little different and step outside of my comfort zone. I know Raven, she wanted to be different.
We talked about our outfits the whole week. Just to see her come out and have her suit on with her hair, it looked really, really good. I feel like we killed it this year.
Q. I'm curious how much you paid attention throughout this year to what was going on with the CBA. But also how much did you know about what life was like in the WNBA before this new transformational CBA?
TA'NIYA LATSON: Yeah, I was following it the whole entire year. It was a long process, and, honestly, I'm just glad to be stepping into the league at this time. This is a historic moment for women's basketball. Shout-out to the vets and I thank them for working hard and endlessly for us.
Obviously, we have to carry that load for the next generation, when it's our turn. So obviously they're just an inspiration, and I'm forever grateful.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports