This will be my longest post ever, so long I made 2 posts, this is part 1. Well, it was a hell of a run wasn’t it. I started playing in 8th grade just because I was tall and my brothers played. I remember I was so nervous at tryouts because I didn’t know how to form my body to do a layup and everyone else looked so advanced. I remember I started playing AAU for the Boro Blitz and my dad wouldn’t let me play on Sundays, so my brother had to convince him that I was good and I could get a scholarship (it’s so crazy to look at him now, because both of my parents are such huge basketball fans and go to games on Sundays 😀.) I remember “taking my talents” to the Philly Belles. I remember all the love our girls’ team got at Willingboro High, if it was a big game, that gymnasium was jumping. I remember so many people telling me that I made a mistake choosing Maryland and that I’d regret it. It’s still one of the best decisions I’ve made to this day, TO THIS DAY!!! I remember struggling so bad my rookie year in the league, I thought it was over after year one. I remember finding my game and becoming a Pro. I remember all those years playing overseas, it was such an amazing experience. I mean, that 4 year window playing in Madrid, Moscow, and Istanbul, were, as the kids say, a movie! I remember the shock of being traded to Seattle and just feeling lost that summer. I remember realizing I was apart of the Seattle team no matter how my role changed. I remember how the last few years I had such gratitude and appreciation for the game because I knew it was coming to an end, and now that end is here. It’s still weird coming out my mouth, but.....I’m officially retiring, it’s surreal, but it’s time. Basketball has been my greatest love and it feels like a piece of me is dying, but like a 100 year old who died and lived an amazing life.