LOS ANGELES --- The following is a blog by Tusculum College senior Jasmine Gunn, who was in California last week, preparing for her tryout with the WNBA's Los Angeles Sparks.

Friday, May 6, 2011

The try-outs went well. last Saturday our try-out times were 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. In the morning session, we did a couple of drills,such as, 3 on 2/2 on , 5-man weave back to 3-on-2, 17 sideline sprint in one minute, ball screen-pick and roll, etc. I was a little nervous (as everyone was) about what we had to do. Once being out on the court for a few minutes the nerves started to go away. And yes, I made my 17....whew. When we started to play games, I became very comfortable. After, the game, we were split up into groups to play 1-on-1 against each other,which was the last drill of that session. Another player and I were battling. Back-to-back I would make a good move and then she would make a good move. Then, I would "D" her up and she would "D" me up.

The last session last three hours on Sunday. We basically did everything we learned or did the day before for about an hour. We were split up into four teams the last 90 minutes and played on the big court. Each team had about 12 women. Two teams played for 20:00 with a substitution every five minutes. After that game the other two teams would play. Each team would end up playing the same team for 40 minutes. At the end, when the coach was giving her final speech, she told us that they would call whoever made it, within the next week or two.

After we were done, I received a phone call from the guy that works with the Sparks Media Relations department, to be interviewed by the Los Anglest Times, a local radio station, and a woman who was blogging about the event. I would have to say I am very blessed and grateful to be in the position I'm in now.

Friday, April 29, 2011

I have been in Los Angeles for the past week. These past couple of days has been a wonderful experience. I have seen much of California and have enjoyed the weather. I have been in the gym practicing with a men's team and getting extra shots. Most of all, I have been taking it easy until this weekend. I didn't enjoy the long flight here. I felt like I was flying to Italy again. On Saturday I will be having two try-out practices and another on Sunday. I'm getting word that some teams are excited I'm in town and can't wait to see how I perform.

Today is the day before it goes down. I have always imagined what this time would be like, but can not believe it's here. Ever since I was young, I always loved the game of basketball, but didn't know what I wanted to do with it, until I was in high school and was told how good I was in that sport.

With the weekend coming, the nerves are starting to flow. Not because I'm scared, but because I am anxious and ready to give it all I have. I feel like everything I went through basketball-wise, has led to this moment.

I remember my freshman year at Tusculum, having a final art project that I needed to get an "A" on to have a decent grade in the class. Working on it seemed like forever. Even if I was sleepy or had other extracurricular activities that I had to attend, I still had to find time for my project. And as you know with an art project, if you want it just right, you have to keep erasing, replacing, and redoing the parts you want right to get it as close to perfection as possible. I earned an "A" on that project and I'll be looking to do the same this weekend in L.A. ~Moral of the story… This weekend, I will be presenting my art project.

Talk to you soon. Jasmine.