{"id":42403,"date":"2023-11-10T13:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-11-10T13:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.swishappeal.com\/2023\/11\/10\/23941723\/fiba-wnba-ncaa-kamiah-smalls-james-madison-sun-lynx-philadelphia-villenueve-france-euroleague-women"},"modified":"2023-11-10T13:00:00","modified_gmt":"2023-11-10T13:00:00","slug":"kamiah-smalls-talks-philly-hoops-euroleague-and-more","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gamefootballmobileanimeiphone.com\/index.php\/2023\/11\/10\/kamiah-smalls-talks-philly-hoops-euroleague-and-more\/","title":{"rendered":"Kamiah Smalls talks Philly hoops, EuroLeague and more"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n \"2021
Kamiah Smalls during the 2021 Connecticut Sun Media Day. | Photo by Brian Babineau\/NBAE via Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

We interview Kamiah Smalls, the James Madison University alum who currently plays for Villenueve D\u2019Ascq ESB Lille Metropole in France.<\/p>\n

With her team currently undefeated in the EuroLeague, Kamiah Smalls, the 5-foot-10 point guard from Philadelphia, should be happy with her first season in France. <\/p>\n

And yet, we were surprised to learn that she feels she should play better. Kamiah was able to find some time to talk to us before Villenueve-d\u2019Ascq\u2019s EuroLeague game against USK Praha about what drives her on and off the court; she also shared her experiences and expectations for the rest of the season.<\/p>\n

\n \"Minnesota
\n Photo by Evan Yu\/NBAE via Getty Images<\/cite>
Kamiah Smalls played three games for the Minnesota Lynx in 2022.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Growing up in Philly, were there any local players that you idolized? I am inclined to think that the number 3 on your jersey is not accidental. <\/strong><\/h4>\n

Come on, I think Philly would disown me if I didn\u2019t say that Allen Iverson is one reason I wear number 3! Even though he isn\u2019t actually from Philly, he has always been the face of Philly basketball. Outside of him, we have Dawn Stanley, an actual Philly native who gave so many kids in the city hope! Dawn for me was huge, she made me feel like I could do it too!<\/p>\n

How would you evaluate Philly as a potential WNBA location? The fans in Philly are known for their high expectations towards their athletes. Would they give a potential expansion franchise time and space to grow?<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Philly would be a perfect location for a WNBA<\/a> team! I think the bar would be set very high because Philly is a competitive city, so the fans always expect the best from our teams. I think they would give a little space to grow but not too much (laughs). We like to be at the top! So with those high expectations comes a lot of love, but also a lot of competitive people that want to brag on their city being the best! I would say Philly would have one good year to figure it out (laugh).<\/p>\n

Can you tell me more about your mom and her influence on your career?<\/strong><\/h4>\n

I don\u2019t even know where to start. My mother Connie is my biggest fan and has been since the day I decided basketball was what I wanted to do. She has always put me in positions to go after the things I want and has been there every step of the way, good and bad. She instilled a huge, humble heart in me and, outside of my basketball talent, I am a firm believer that the young adult she raised me to be is part of the reason I\u2019ve been in some of the rooms I\u2019ve been in. I owe that woman the world because that\u2019s what she has given to me.<\/p>\n

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