WEBVTT 1 00:00:00.120 --> 00:00:02.839 Final for pre championship press conference. Joining us on the 2 00:00:02.879 --> 00:00:06.639 stage are the UCLA Bruins. We'll hear an opening statement 3 00:00:06.679 --> 00:00:09.320 from coach and follow up with questions for Lauren, Keeky 4 00:00:09.439 --> 00:00:12.320 and Gabriella. This time, coach, thank. 5 00:00:12.160 --> 00:00:13.839 You, thank you all for being here. 6 00:00:13.960 --> 00:00:16.640 You know, I think one of the coolest parts about 7 00:00:16.679 --> 00:00:20.000 being able to participate in this in this role is 8 00:00:20.519 --> 00:00:23.839 being able to see behind the scenes all that goes 9 00:00:23.879 --> 00:00:27.399 into creating an eleit experience for these student athletes, and 10 00:00:27.440 --> 00:00:29.280 part of that is all of you in terms of 11 00:00:29.359 --> 00:00:33.640 telling their amazing stories, shining a light on their incredible journeys. 12 00:00:34.119 --> 00:00:36.320 And just want you to know it doesn't go unnoticed 13 00:00:36.320 --> 00:00:38.679 around appreciated, and our game is not in the position 14 00:00:38.759 --> 00:00:42.399 it is without your contributions to that. You know, we 15 00:00:42.439 --> 00:00:45.799 are we are expectant. We this is not a surprise 16 00:00:45.920 --> 00:00:48.600 for us to be here. We expected and believe that 17 00:00:48.719 --> 00:00:52.399 we would be in Tampa, and so, and that being said, 18 00:00:52.399 --> 00:00:56.320 we're really grateful, but we are ready to compete, and 19 00:00:56.359 --> 00:01:00.200 so we're excited about that opportunity. Obviously incredible respect for 20 00:01:00.359 --> 00:01:02.799 the other three teams that are in this tournament and 21 00:01:02.920 --> 00:01:04.840 excited to match up against those. 22 00:01:05.400 --> 00:01:07.519 Thank you coach. We'll open up with questions. We'll start 23 00:01:07.560 --> 00:01:09.920 right here to my left, our left, and then we'll 24 00:01:09.920 --> 00:01:10.719 come back over to all. 25 00:01:10.680 --> 00:01:15.239 Right, Hi, Suprina Merchant the athletic. I guess for Key 26 00:01:15.280 --> 00:01:16.879 or Gabriella, did either of you get a chance to 27 00:01:16.879 --> 00:01:19.319 watch the McDonald's American game this week? And for Lauren? 28 00:01:19.400 --> 00:01:21.120 What's it been like for your family to have all 29 00:01:21.120 --> 00:01:22.200 of this going on at once. 30 00:01:24.560 --> 00:01:25.799 I did not watch. We were on the plane. 31 00:01:25.840 --> 00:01:28.439 Actually well the game was going on, but obviously saw 32 00:01:28.439 --> 00:01:30.159 a lot of the highlights on social media. I want 33 00:01:30.159 --> 00:01:32.239 to big give a big shout out to Sienna for 34 00:01:32.760 --> 00:01:34.480 you know, doing such a great job and winning MVP. 35 00:01:35.079 --> 00:01:37.719 But yeah, it's really cool to have, you know, her 36 00:01:37.719 --> 00:01:40.560 coming in and we're very excited for her and Lauren 37 00:01:40.599 --> 00:01:41.879 in the entire Bets family. 38 00:01:43.040 --> 00:01:45.760 Yeah, obviously we didn't get to watch, but when we landed, 39 00:01:45.799 --> 00:01:47.480 Avery was sitting in front of me. She's like, oh, 40 00:01:47.560 --> 00:01:50.079 Sina one MVP and I had no idea. So I'm 41 00:01:50.120 --> 00:01:53.120 just so happy for her and the family group chat 42 00:01:53.200 --> 00:01:56.400 was texting all night basically, so it's been a crazy 43 00:01:56.480 --> 00:01:59.120 couple of past days for my family. But yeah, I'm 44 00:01:59.120 --> 00:02:02.120 just super proud of her and She's just so amazing. 45 00:02:02.200 --> 00:02:06.519 So yeah, we're gonna go to our right, ladies. Kurt 46 00:02:06.560 --> 00:02:10.000 Sandwell from maybe C seven back home, if two of 47 00:02:10.039 --> 00:02:12.280 the three of you could answer at this point to 48 00:02:12.319 --> 00:02:15.560 get to hear you get a lot of congratulations, but 49 00:02:15.639 --> 00:02:18.759 also a lot of distractions between texts and social media. 50 00:02:18.919 --> 00:02:23.039 What is the challenge of accepting that but also eliminating 51 00:02:23.080 --> 00:02:23.560 the noise. 52 00:02:24.240 --> 00:02:27.800 Yeah, I think that is a difficult part and learning 53 00:02:27.800 --> 00:02:30.439 how to navigate navigate that can be hard. But our 54 00:02:30.439 --> 00:02:34.039 coaches do a great job of giving us tools to 55 00:02:34.080 --> 00:02:37.759 handle these situations. And I think for me personally, you know, 56 00:02:37.879 --> 00:02:42.039 after we won thely eight game to come to the 57 00:02:42.080 --> 00:02:44.439 final four, I was really excited, and I was looking 58 00:02:44.479 --> 00:02:46.840 at all the stuff on social media, you know, and 59 00:02:46.879 --> 00:02:49.080 I give myself, you know, two days, and then after that, 60 00:02:49.280 --> 00:02:52.520 I think it's time to lock in for our next opponent. 61 00:02:53.759 --> 00:02:55.800 But yeah, I just try not to give too much 62 00:02:55.840 --> 00:02:58.520 of your attention to that because a lot of people 63 00:02:58.520 --> 00:03:01.120 are saying things, you know, I can piss you off, 64 00:03:01.199 --> 00:03:03.520 you don't agree with, and they're not in our circle 65 00:03:03.560 --> 00:03:05.879 and so understanding that they don't know what's going on 66 00:03:06.000 --> 00:03:08.919 behind the scenes in our locker room and the people 67 00:03:08.919 --> 00:03:10.960 in our locker room are most important. 68 00:03:11.840 --> 00:03:13.960 We want to stay. So I left, it's third row, 69 00:03:13.960 --> 00:03:18.039 and then we're going to come up to the second row. Hi, 70 00:03:18.120 --> 00:03:22.080 Jayalen Johnson for Lauren. 71 00:03:23.759 --> 00:03:27.479 That you took off, and I want to just say 72 00:03:27.520 --> 00:03:29.039 thank you for your open, your. 73 00:03:28.960 --> 00:03:29.800 Honesty with that. 74 00:03:30.680 --> 00:03:34.080 But you've talked, you learn were more than a basketball player, 75 00:03:34.080 --> 00:03:35.520 and I just wanted to give you the chance to 76 00:03:35.560 --> 00:03:38.120 say who Lauren Bits is aside from basketball. 77 00:03:38.639 --> 00:03:42.560 Oh my gosh, Well thank you also, But yeah, no, 78 00:03:42.680 --> 00:03:44.719 I think that I always try to remind myself that 79 00:03:44.840 --> 00:03:48.080 I'm so much more than basketball, and I think I 80 00:03:48.120 --> 00:03:50.479 always talk about how I really value the relationships I 81 00:03:50.520 --> 00:03:52.759 have with the people around me in my close circles. 82 00:03:52.840 --> 00:03:55.120 So you know, I'm like a daughter, I'm a teammate, 83 00:03:55.159 --> 00:03:58.879 I'm a sister, I'm a friend. So just reminding myself that, yes, 84 00:03:59.039 --> 00:04:00.919 like basketball is what I do, but it's not who 85 00:04:00.960 --> 00:04:02.280 I am at the end of the day. And all 86 00:04:02.280 --> 00:04:04.800 of this is amazing, but when I go back home 87 00:04:04.919 --> 00:04:07.319 to my teammates and my family, that's really what matters 88 00:04:07.319 --> 00:04:07.560 to me. 89 00:04:07.680 --> 00:04:12.560 So we can get the microphone over to the second row. Please, 90 00:04:13.400 --> 00:04:15.439 I see both of you. We'll go second back to 91 00:04:15.439 --> 00:04:16.680 the third and then we'll come back up to the 92 00:04:16.680 --> 00:04:18.879 second roll again, see you as well. 93 00:04:19.000 --> 00:04:22.279 Thank you, Annie Costabel, Front Office Sports Corey. These questions 94 00:04:22.279 --> 00:04:27.399 for you with the transfer portal being open, love the laugh. 95 00:04:27.920 --> 00:04:29.800 With the transfer portal being open while you guys are 96 00:04:29.800 --> 00:04:32.399 still playing, what challenges does that present and how do 97 00:04:32.439 --> 00:04:35.279 you have to adjust your staff to accommodate that need? 98 00:04:35.519 --> 00:04:37.639 Actually, if we could hold, we're doing coach questions for 99 00:04:37.720 --> 00:04:40.079 coach posts, so we're going to continue to fill those 100 00:04:40.160 --> 00:04:41.279 questions to the student athlete. 101 00:04:41.759 --> 00:04:42.399 We'll come back to you. 102 00:04:42.439 --> 00:04:46.240 Annie, promise we can go third row. If you can 103 00:04:46.319 --> 00:04:47.480 raise your hand higher. 104 00:04:47.759 --> 00:04:52.920 We'll get to you. What's going on, y'all. Misha Jones 105 00:04:52.959 --> 00:04:54.319 also with Rising Media Stars. 106 00:04:54.360 --> 00:04:56.759 I'm from the DMV ki Key, so I wanted to 107 00:04:56.759 --> 00:05:00.000 ask you specifically, what is it about that area that's 108 00:05:00.079 --> 00:05:01.959 you think molded you as a player And are there 109 00:05:02.000 --> 00:05:03.720 some faves from that area that I've played in this 110 00:05:03.759 --> 00:05:05.680 tournament and Mint Stars that you. 111 00:05:05.680 --> 00:05:06.879 Kind of take inspiration from. 112 00:05:07.439 --> 00:05:09.839 Yeah, I mean growing up then DMV, I always say 113 00:05:09.839 --> 00:05:12.759 it's the best basketball area in the country, but I 114 00:05:12.759 --> 00:05:16.160 think just the level of competition through high school and 115 00:05:16.199 --> 00:05:18.279 a you really prepared me for the next level. I 116 00:05:18.319 --> 00:05:21.519 mean I grew up, you know, going to the w 117 00:05:21.720 --> 00:05:24.519 C a C Championship games and just seeing all the 118 00:05:24.519 --> 00:05:29.240 fantastic leagues there and yeah, I mean watched. 119 00:05:28.959 --> 00:05:31.800 A lot of players at Saint John's, you. 120 00:05:31.720 --> 00:05:35.079 Know, Da Maatha on the guy's side, and I just 121 00:05:35.120 --> 00:05:37.600 think that, you know, seeing that really motivated me to 122 00:05:37.600 --> 00:05:38.639 just continue to get better. 123 00:05:38.720 --> 00:05:40.680 And yeah, it's so grateful to be from that area. 124 00:05:41.199 --> 00:05:42.720 We're going to go to our right in this corner. 125 00:05:42.759 --> 00:05:44.279 We're going to come back over to the side. Please 126 00:05:44.319 --> 00:05:47.000 receive Carl Adam at Hurts the media key. 127 00:05:47.079 --> 00:05:47.199 Key. 128 00:05:47.360 --> 00:05:49.959 Can you talk about the jump that Lauren has made 129 00:05:50.600 --> 00:05:54.040 this season from start to finish and to follow Lauren, 130 00:05:54.079 --> 00:05:56.079 if you could talk about the same thing, the work 131 00:05:56.120 --> 00:05:59.360 you've done and the pressure you've dealt with to be 132 00:05:59.399 --> 00:06:00.000 an elite player. 133 00:06:01.199 --> 00:06:04.160 Yeah, I mean Laurens obviously improved so much over these 134 00:06:04.199 --> 00:06:06.639 past few years, and I think for all of us 135 00:06:06.680 --> 00:06:08.920 just being able to see that firsthand every day in practice, 136 00:06:08.959 --> 00:06:11.040 and you know, she works so hard. She put in 137 00:06:11.079 --> 00:06:13.639 so much work in the spring and the offseason, the summer, 138 00:06:13.639 --> 00:06:15.560 and I think that's where her game just really really 139 00:06:15.600 --> 00:06:16.360 improves so much. 140 00:06:16.360 --> 00:06:19.040 And I think like from the first day in some 141 00:06:19.120 --> 00:06:19.639 workouts and. 142 00:06:19.639 --> 00:06:22.000 The preseason, I could just tell what a different player 143 00:06:22.040 --> 00:06:23.680 she was and the kind of a different confidence that 144 00:06:23.759 --> 00:06:26.199 she had about her, because we all knew the entire 145 00:06:26.240 --> 00:06:28.519 time the incredible player that she was. But I think 146 00:06:28.519 --> 00:06:30.519 a lot of it was about her realizing that and 147 00:06:30.639 --> 00:06:32.199 just being able to kind of play with her, help 148 00:06:32.240 --> 00:06:34.759 her alongside, and that journey has been an incredible honor, 149 00:06:34.800 --> 00:06:36.800 and I mean, you know, she's obviously unstoppable out there 150 00:06:36.839 --> 00:06:39.160 on the court, and just very grateful to play with her. 151 00:06:39.240 --> 00:06:43.800 Thanks, We'll stay on our right reaching. I'm sorry, I'm sorry. 152 00:06:43.639 --> 00:06:45.279 No, it's okay. Thanks. Key. 153 00:06:45.879 --> 00:06:47.720 To add to that, I would say, I mean, kind 154 00:06:47.720 --> 00:06:49.439 of like what Kiki said, I think it's just me 155 00:06:49.560 --> 00:06:52.519 finally realizing the player that I am. And I think 156 00:06:52.560 --> 00:06:54.240 that a lot of it has to do with not 157 00:06:54.279 --> 00:06:56.360 just the basketball side, but like the mental work that 158 00:06:56.360 --> 00:06:59.560 I've done this past season. I think that, you know, 159 00:07:00.120 --> 00:07:03.319 just talking to coach Shannon, having those conversations about like, 160 00:07:03.399 --> 00:07:05.120 you know, taking away all the pressure of when I'm 161 00:07:05.160 --> 00:07:07.160 on the floor and just playing for my teammates and 162 00:07:07.240 --> 00:07:09.240 understanding like the moment and what I have to do. 163 00:07:09.720 --> 00:07:12.319 I think that's just made me the player that I am. 164 00:07:12.399 --> 00:07:14.920 I mean, I think also I have to give a 165 00:07:14.920 --> 00:07:17.079 lot of credit to this program and like the amount 166 00:07:17.160 --> 00:07:19.480 of confidence that they've given me, and like all the 167 00:07:19.480 --> 00:07:21.399 love that they've showed me these past couple of years. 168 00:07:21.399 --> 00:07:24.199 I mean, I'm just super grateful to be at UCLA. 169 00:07:24.360 --> 00:07:25.680 So thank you. 170 00:07:26.480 --> 00:07:28.199 All Right, we're going to go to our second row. 171 00:07:28.240 --> 00:07:29.720 We'll go to the back, and then we'll come back 172 00:07:29.720 --> 00:07:39.879 over our see you, yes please right, sorry, take me 173 00:07:39.920 --> 00:07:42.000 anyone with the la times For Kiki, I know you 174 00:07:42.120 --> 00:07:43.759 talked earlier this year about your. 175 00:07:43.680 --> 00:07:48.120 Relationship with Dordan Canada. What is what has that been 176 00:07:48.240 --> 00:07:51.040 like for you as you've gone through this from freshman 177 00:07:51.079 --> 00:07:53.199 now to junior year. She was in a similar situation 178 00:07:53.720 --> 00:07:57.600 point guarded for the number one recruiting class, and like, 179 00:07:58.000 --> 00:08:00.959 how is just she she and maybe some of the 180 00:08:00.959 --> 00:08:03.920 other alumni helped you kind of grow throughout this process 181 00:08:03.959 --> 00:08:04.759 now to the final four. 182 00:08:05.160 --> 00:08:07.040 Yeah, I think we would, all of us sitting up 183 00:08:07.040 --> 00:08:10.000 here would say how impactful all of the UCLA alumni 184 00:08:10.120 --> 00:08:12.439 have been on our journey. I mean, they've just been 185 00:08:12.439 --> 00:08:15.120 so supportive throughout this entire year and since we've gotten here. 186 00:08:15.480 --> 00:08:17.600 You know, JC was someone I watched before I came 187 00:08:17.639 --> 00:08:20.519 to UCLA, and you know, I really really have always 188 00:08:20.560 --> 00:08:23.160 admired her, and just you know, over these past few 189 00:08:23.240 --> 00:08:25.160 years she's been at practices, she's helped us get better, 190 00:08:25.160 --> 00:08:28.079 helped us prepare for games, and now to see her 191 00:08:28.120 --> 00:08:30.360 like watching from afar and just kind of she also 192 00:08:30.399 --> 00:08:33.399 sent me congratulatory texts after games and just you know, 193 00:08:33.639 --> 00:08:35.639 certain things, and I think having their support really means 194 00:08:35.679 --> 00:08:37.480 a lot, because, you know, part of the reason why 195 00:08:37.519 --> 00:08:39.799 we're in this position is because of the you know, 196 00:08:39.840 --> 00:08:41.559 the work that they did to build this program, and 197 00:08:41.559 --> 00:08:43.360 we're continuing to carry that on. 198 00:08:44.639 --> 00:08:45.639 You can raise your hand in the back. 199 00:08:45.679 --> 00:08:46.159 He'll get to you. 200 00:08:46.200 --> 00:08:47.639 We'll come back up to the front. I see you 201 00:08:47.679 --> 00:08:49.200 as well. I still saw you it in the front 202 00:08:49.279 --> 00:08:49.720 row as well. 203 00:08:50.840 --> 00:08:53.840 Please receive Hi, Bella Munson with the next Laura and 204 00:08:53.879 --> 00:08:56.000 I also wanted to ask you about the the ESPN 205 00:08:56.080 --> 00:08:58.240 story about your mental health. I was wondering if there 206 00:08:58.240 --> 00:09:01.919 was any particular reason you decided to do that story 207 00:09:02.120 --> 00:09:04.720 recently it was published I think two weeks ago, and 208 00:09:04.759 --> 00:09:07.440 how you feel since sharing it in Kiki and Gabriella. 209 00:09:07.440 --> 00:09:09.360 If you could talk about what, if any changes you've 210 00:09:09.399 --> 00:09:11.679 seen in Lauren since she's been more open about her 211 00:09:11.679 --> 00:09:13.600 mental health struggles, I would be really appreciated. 212 00:09:14.639 --> 00:09:17.519 Yeah, I think one of the reasons why I wanted 213 00:09:17.519 --> 00:09:19.480 to come out with the stories because I felt like 214 00:09:19.519 --> 00:09:21.320 I was finally in the right place to do so. 215 00:09:21.519 --> 00:09:23.799 I think that I'd just done a lot of healing 216 00:09:23.879 --> 00:09:25.879 since then, and I was like, you know what, you know, 217 00:09:26.200 --> 00:09:28.200 I just don't feel like I have to really hide 218 00:09:28.240 --> 00:09:31.559 this anymore. And the I think the response is that 219 00:09:31.600 --> 00:09:35.879 I've had since then have truly just like validated, you know, 220 00:09:36.080 --> 00:09:37.919 what I did and what I put out, and I 221 00:09:37.960 --> 00:09:40.600 think that, you know, the amount of love and support 222 00:09:40.600 --> 00:09:42.240 that I've gotten is just means a lot to me, 223 00:09:42.399 --> 00:09:44.960 And you know, to help young girls who I guess 224 00:09:45.000 --> 00:09:48.960 didn't really have anyone to look up to Like I personally, 225 00:09:49.039 --> 00:09:51.879 I had mentors, and I'm really thankful, but I know 226 00:09:51.919 --> 00:09:53.720 there's a lot of young girls who don't, and so 227 00:09:53.840 --> 00:09:56.480 I think just for me to be an outlet and 228 00:09:56.559 --> 00:09:58.559 to kind of validate their feelings and to know that 229 00:09:58.559 --> 00:10:00.399 there's someone out there who's dealing with this same thing 230 00:10:00.440 --> 00:10:02.799 that I am, is I think is just really important. 231 00:10:02.840 --> 00:10:05.799 But yeah, I'm just really grateful for all the love 232 00:10:05.799 --> 00:10:07.960 and support that I've been receiving since the article, it 233 00:10:07.960 --> 00:10:08.600 means a lot to me. 234 00:10:08.720 --> 00:10:10.840 So and for follow up questions, can we start with 235 00:10:10.879 --> 00:10:12.039 Kiki and then go to Gabriella. 236 00:10:13.159 --> 00:10:15.559 Yeah, I mean, I just think Lauren's willingness to be 237 00:10:15.639 --> 00:10:18.159 open about a topic that's not easy is inspiring to 238 00:10:18.440 --> 00:10:19.080 tell all of us. 239 00:10:19.080 --> 00:10:21.120 And I think, you know, we've. 240 00:10:20.919 --> 00:10:23.919 All seen her growing our confidence over these you know, 241 00:10:24.320 --> 00:10:26.600 of these past few months, and I think I've even 242 00:10:26.639 --> 00:10:28.480 seen another step in that over these past few weeks 243 00:10:28.559 --> 00:10:29.559 towards the end of the season. 244 00:10:29.639 --> 00:10:31.919 And yeah, just really proud of her for that. 245 00:10:34.000 --> 00:10:38.399 I'm sorry, I'm just super proud of Lauren, and you 246 00:10:38.440 --> 00:10:42.559 know the way she emphasizes mental health and is an 247 00:10:42.600 --> 00:10:45.600 advocate for it, especially with student athletes, because it is 248 00:10:45.639 --> 00:10:48.960 something super important and being a student athlete is, you know, 249 00:10:49.080 --> 00:10:51.759 very hard at times, it's super fun. I'm super thankful. 250 00:10:51.840 --> 00:10:56.320 But to see Lauren just advocate for not only herself, 251 00:10:56.360 --> 00:10:59.159 but for so many others, it's really inspiring. And I'm 252 00:10:59.159 --> 00:11:01.399 just super proud of her and the way she has 253 00:11:01.480 --> 00:11:04.679 grown throughout her college experience in college career. 254 00:11:05.600 --> 00:11:06.639 I want to shift to our right. 255 00:11:07.480 --> 00:11:10.440 Hi, I'm Gid you overtime and Lauren, what is something 256 00:11:10.559 --> 00:11:11.679 he in is better at the. 257 00:11:12.679 --> 00:11:18.399 God, oh my gosh. Okay, like in basketball or just 258 00:11:18.440 --> 00:11:23.039 like in life in general, like basketball basketball. Okay, I 259 00:11:23.080 --> 00:11:25.159 will say she's a way better shooter than I am. 260 00:11:25.480 --> 00:11:27.960 And to be honest, like I feel like for her 261 00:11:28.000 --> 00:11:30.720 being younger, I think she like is a little bit 262 00:11:30.759 --> 00:11:33.080 smarter than I am too. Like, she's genuinely one of 263 00:11:33.240 --> 00:11:35.799 the smartest basketball players I've ever been around. So yeah, 264 00:11:35.919 --> 00:11:37.759 credit to her. I don't know where she got it from, 265 00:11:37.799 --> 00:11:40.879 but yeah, yeah. 266 00:11:40.919 --> 00:11:42.320 I want to shift to our left. Did you raise 267 00:11:42.360 --> 00:11:44.399 your hand in the black? Thank you? 268 00:11:45.600 --> 00:11:45.840 Yeah? 269 00:11:45.879 --> 00:11:48.639 Mitch North of Mesmination, Kiki, I know you played against 270 00:11:48.639 --> 00:11:52.600 Easy in high school. Just you know what kind of 271 00:11:52.600 --> 00:11:55.159 from your perspective makes her a great player? And are 272 00:11:55.159 --> 00:11:57.519 you looking forward to kind of matching up with her 273 00:11:57.519 --> 00:11:59.559 again on such a big stage And what are you 274 00:11:59.600 --> 00:12:01.080 looking for or two about that matchup? 275 00:12:01.679 --> 00:12:04.000 Yeah, she's a great player. We played against each other 276 00:12:04.000 --> 00:12:05.960 a lot throughout high school. Our high school's for like 277 00:12:06.000 --> 00:12:09.159 fifteen minutes away from each other. And I think she's 278 00:12:09.200 --> 00:12:11.399 always been a fantastic shooter, one of the best shooters 279 00:12:11.399 --> 00:12:14.519 that I've been able to see, And stuff, and I think, 280 00:12:15.440 --> 00:12:17.360 you know, just grateful to have another opportunity to play 281 00:12:17.360 --> 00:12:20.720 against her and you know the Yukon team. But yeah, 282 00:12:20.759 --> 00:12:22.919 it's really cool that both of us are from the DMV. 283 00:12:23.799 --> 00:12:25.039 We'll stay on our left had side. If you can 284 00:12:25.120 --> 00:12:26.600 raise your hand with the blue jacket so we can 285 00:12:26.639 --> 00:12:27.639 get that microphone to you. 286 00:12:31.000 --> 00:12:31.159 Uh. 287 00:12:31.159 --> 00:12:33.000 Shape Attagning with the Tampa Bay Times. I had a 288 00:12:33.039 --> 00:12:36.559 question for Gabriella. So, knowing that your brother Jim made 289 00:12:36.559 --> 00:12:38.159 his own run with UCLA to the Final four and 290 00:12:38.200 --> 00:12:40.440 twenty twenty one, has he given you any advice on 291 00:12:40.480 --> 00:12:42.200 how to handle this new and big stage of the 292 00:12:42.240 --> 00:12:42.799 Final Four? 293 00:12:43.519 --> 00:12:43.720 Uh? 294 00:12:43.879 --> 00:12:46.200 Yeah, I was very thankful that I got to, you know, 295 00:12:46.279 --> 00:12:50.440 watch my brother's two games in Indiana on his team's run. 296 00:12:50.559 --> 00:12:53.600 But he's been super busy with his own basketball games 297 00:12:53.600 --> 00:12:57.039 and things like that. But he's always supporting and I 298 00:12:57.120 --> 00:12:59.399 just really appreciate his support. 299 00:13:00.039 --> 00:13:01.840 What's our right hand side, Joey, If you grisha hand, 300 00:13:02.399 --> 00:13:03.000 then get to you. 301 00:13:12.080 --> 00:13:14.399 Joey Johnston with the Tampa Bay Sports Commission, Lauren, I 302 00:13:14.399 --> 00:13:16.679 want to ask you, you know, there there's players and 303 00:13:16.720 --> 00:13:19.000 other programs that have been to this event. This is 304 00:13:19.039 --> 00:13:21.799 the first time around for UCLA. You guys have been 305 00:13:21.799 --> 00:13:24.320 here for a few days. How do you mix business 306 00:13:24.399 --> 00:13:27.080 with pleasure? You know, do you get some time to 307 00:13:27.279 --> 00:13:29.159 enjoy the community and what do you think so far? 308 00:13:29.320 --> 00:13:30.600 What's been like here? 309 00:13:31.240 --> 00:13:34.000 No, it's unbelievable. You know, we kind of talked about 310 00:13:34.039 --> 00:13:36.519 it in film just Koshannon brought it up. Just enjoying 311 00:13:36.519 --> 00:13:39.039 the moment. Obviously, we talked a lot about you know, 312 00:13:39.399 --> 00:13:41.240 media and how there's going to be a lot of 313 00:13:41.440 --> 00:13:43.279 things going on and it'll be a little hectic, but 314 00:13:43.440 --> 00:13:45.639 like just acknowledging that, like we're here at the Final 315 00:13:45.639 --> 00:13:47.919 four and this is a huge deal and it's a 316 00:13:47.960 --> 00:13:51.559 huge accomplish accomplishment for this program, and you know, just 317 00:13:51.639 --> 00:13:53.960 having fun. I mean, like we're all here together. We 318 00:13:54.000 --> 00:13:56.080 all love each other so much, and just to experience 319 00:13:56.120 --> 00:13:59.240 this together I think is amazing. But yeah, we've had 320 00:13:59.279 --> 00:14:02.000 a lot of fun. Obviously, we're also you know, reminding 321 00:14:02.000 --> 00:14:03.519 ourselves that in the day, like we're here to win 322 00:14:03.720 --> 00:14:06.440 as well, and it's a business trip and you know, 323 00:14:06.639 --> 00:14:08.080 at the end of the day, like we're here to 324 00:14:08.399 --> 00:14:10.279 play in the Final four as well, but we can 325 00:14:10.320 --> 00:14:12.840 also just have fun and enjoy each other's company. 326 00:14:13.000 --> 00:14:15.559 So take our final question for student athletes, if you 327 00:14:15.559 --> 00:14:16.879 can raise your hand on the right hand side so 328 00:14:16.919 --> 00:14:18.679 we can get to you right. You had your hand 329 00:14:18.720 --> 00:14:25.399 raised previously him Mark yep a question no longer. Okay, 330 00:14:25.559 --> 00:14:27.720 we'll hit this last question on our left hand side, 331 00:14:27.720 --> 00:14:28.840 if you can raise your hand. Thank you. 332 00:14:29.360 --> 00:14:29.559 Hi. 333 00:14:29.720 --> 00:14:32.720 Jennifer Portsy from A Let's Tall Women in Basketball, What 334 00:14:32.840 --> 00:14:35.600 have you guys learned about yourself throughout this tournament? 335 00:14:36.919 --> 00:14:39.720 M Yeah, I can take that one first. 336 00:14:41.000 --> 00:14:41.159 Yeah. 337 00:14:41.200 --> 00:14:43.399 I mean, I think our toughness and our resilience has 338 00:14:43.440 --> 00:14:45.960 been something that we've really worked on and that's been 339 00:14:46.039 --> 00:14:48.559 on display throughout got their turn. I think, especially in 340 00:14:48.559 --> 00:14:51.000 our LSU game, our ability for so many people to 341 00:14:51.240 --> 00:14:53.240 like so many people different to step up and hit 342 00:14:53.240 --> 00:14:57.240 big shots and make big plays, and just our ability 343 00:14:57.240 --> 00:14:59.639 to play in those close games and you know, find 344 00:14:59.639 --> 00:15:00.559 a way to pull them out. 345 00:15:01.799 --> 00:15:03.960 I would say the same thing. I think our toughness 346 00:15:03.960 --> 00:15:07.200 and I think our composure as well. Obviously, like say 347 00:15:07.240 --> 00:15:09.519 game of runs, things are gonna go wrong, people are 348 00:15:09.559 --> 00:15:12.039 gonna have fouls or being foul trouble. But I think 349 00:15:12.200 --> 00:15:15.799 just making sure that you know it's next man up, 350 00:15:15.799 --> 00:15:17.960 and I think that just talks about like the depth 351 00:15:18.000 --> 00:15:20.120 of our team. I mean, everyone's just ready, and you 352 00:15:20.159 --> 00:15:22.440 have such a talented roster that when things go wrong, 353 00:15:22.519 --> 00:15:23.639 like we know, at the end of the day, we're 354 00:15:23.639 --> 00:15:24.279 gonna be Okay. 355 00:15:24.840 --> 00:15:27.600 Yeah, I would just add exactly what they said. But 356 00:15:27.840 --> 00:15:30.480 our togetherness, how powerful we are when we stay together 357 00:15:31.200 --> 00:15:33.879 throughout the whole game and we play for each other. 358 00:15:34.000 --> 00:15:36.039 So just I've had so much fun so far, and 359 00:15:36.080 --> 00:15:37.000 I can't wait for more. 360 00:15:38.159 --> 00:15:41.360 Thank you, Lauren, Keeking Gabriella. At this time, the locker 361 00:15:41.440 --> 00:15:44.360 room is now open and the three student athletes will 362 00:15:44.360 --> 00:15:46.200 move to the mix zone will now open up for 363 00:15:46.279 --> 00:15:51.120 questions for coach Andy. We will start with you. We'll 364 00:15:51.120 --> 00:15:54.360 get the microphone to you. Give me one second sight, 365 00:16:00.200 --> 00:16:01.039 please proceed. 366 00:16:00.840 --> 00:16:02.639 Okay, Corey, sorry about that. 367 00:16:02.639 --> 00:16:06.919 In Passable Front Office Sports, Yeah, I'm curious with the 368 00:16:06.960 --> 00:16:09.799 transfer being open while you guys are still playing. What's 369 00:16:09.840 --> 00:16:12.159 the challenges that are presented and how do you shift 370 00:16:12.559 --> 00:16:13.919 your staff to accommodate. 371 00:16:14.320 --> 00:16:17.159 Yeah, you know, it's it's we Thankfully we'd have more 372 00:16:17.200 --> 00:16:19.440 coaches now and that makes a big difference so that 373 00:16:19.480 --> 00:16:22.480 we can divide and conquer a little bit more. But 374 00:16:22.519 --> 00:16:24.519 you know, I think there's two sides of this, and 375 00:16:24.600 --> 00:16:29.519 I saw an interview with Bruce Pearl recently and talking 376 00:16:29.559 --> 00:16:34.679 about how, yes, the it's very inconvenient, it's very difficult, 377 00:16:34.720 --> 00:16:37.799 but also that having the kids be able to pursue 378 00:16:38.639 --> 00:16:41.519 what their next steps are is important. And I really 379 00:16:41.519 --> 00:16:43.960 did pause when he said that and think about the 380 00:16:44.000 --> 00:16:47.039 majority of the numbers. Right, we are very fortunate this 381 00:16:47.120 --> 00:16:49.720 year we don't have a lot of space, so it 382 00:16:49.840 --> 00:16:52.120 actually has not been very difficult for us at all 383 00:16:53.200 --> 00:16:55.840 because we have the potentially to have almost our whole 384 00:16:55.879 --> 00:17:00.600 roster return. But from a global perspective, I think there's 385 00:17:00.679 --> 00:17:01.519 two challenges. 386 00:17:01.600 --> 00:17:03.039 One is what is. 387 00:17:03.559 --> 00:17:06.039 Best for the student athletes and what is best for 388 00:17:06.119 --> 00:17:09.759 our game. And the part that concerned me a little 389 00:17:09.759 --> 00:17:14.400 bit about the game part is how quickly coaches we're 390 00:17:14.440 --> 00:17:17.400 trying to Our athletic departments were trying to field coaching 391 00:17:17.400 --> 00:17:21.279 positions so that they had people in place during the 392 00:17:21.440 --> 00:17:24.400 you know, for the transport portal opening, and I think 393 00:17:24.440 --> 00:17:27.440 that has been an unintended consequence of the date, which 394 00:17:27.519 --> 00:17:30.480 is really difficult. So now you have assistant coaches leaving 395 00:17:30.519 --> 00:17:31.559 in the middle of the tournament. 396 00:17:31.640 --> 00:17:35.519 You've got, you know, on top of everything else we're doing. 397 00:17:35.599 --> 00:17:38.440 I have people calling about you know your coaches and 398 00:17:38.680 --> 00:17:41.039 are the interested in jobs and things like that, so 399 00:17:41.680 --> 00:17:44.960 somehow to find a marriage of like, okay, what is 400 00:17:45.039 --> 00:17:46.440 best for the student athletes? 401 00:17:46.480 --> 00:17:47.720