Beyond the Hardwood:
K.B. SHARP

Name:
K.B. Sharp

Team:
Indiana Fever

Hometown:
Bexley, Ohio

What playing professional basketball means to me:
Playing professional basketball is a dream come true to me. It has been my dream since I was in the second grade when I fell in love with the Los Angeles Lakers, and more specifically Magic Johnson. I wrote a letter back then to the NBA, asking them when they would have a womens league in the United States. They wrote back that one was in the works. Everyone has dreams, but a lot of times, those dreams do not come true. To actually have my dream come true is unreal to me. I feel very blessed that I get to play the game I love each and every day, and that my dream came true.

What I expected professional basketball to be:
I expected professional basketball to be very exciting, and competitive.

What it really is:
It is exciting and competitive, and it is also a job.

Something I wish I'd learned while playing lower division basketball:
I learned a whole lot while playing lower division basketball, but I'd probably have to say I'd wish I'd have worked on shooting more.

Why I love playing basketball:
I love playing basketball because this has been my dream since I was a little girl. I loved watching Magic Johnson play because he always had a smile on his face while he was playing, and I saw that he enjoyed the game. And the way he feels about the game is the same way I feel about the game.

The women’s player that’s most fun to watch right now...
Tamika Catchings, Deanna Nolan, Lindsay Whalen.

My most memorable coach (and why)...
My college coach, Laurie Pirtle, from the University of Cincinnati. This woman has so much passion for the game, and is so intense that you want to go to war for her. She taught me so much about basketball, and most importantly, about life. She taught me a lot about discipline too. She really cares about her players, and she wants them to be prepared for life. I am so much more prepared for life after playing for her.

I'd go crazy on a road trip without...
My computer and my iPod. I have to be able to get on the internet, and I have to have my slow jams to listen to.

A teammate (past or present) that I’ve been the most inspired by
is (and why)...
My favorite womens player growing up was Teresa Weatherspoon. I had always hoped to meet her. I not only got that chance, but I also got the opportunity to play with her. In 2003 I was drafted to the New York Liberty, and I made the team as her backup. T-Spoon is my favorite because of the intensity with which she played the game. She played basketball with her heart and soul, and always gave her everything. She reminds me a lot of Magic Johnson. They both play the game with high intensity and excitement, and have a lot of fun while doing it. Currently I am inspired by two of my teammates from the Indiana Fever: Tully Bevilaqua and Tamika Catchings. These two players play hard for 40 minutes, on both sides of the court. They play the game with so much intensity, so much heart. They are also two of the best teammates I have ever played with. They are two selfless people who care about their teammates. That's why they are such great leaders. Vickie Johnson of the San Antonio Silver Stars also inspired me. We played together in New York. I promise there was never a time that I saw VJ take a break. She is the epitome of a warrior. She played her hardest all the time, whether she was sick, tired, or injured.

Three things I'd like to do before I die...
(1) Meet Magic Johnson, (2)start for a WNBA team, and (3) tour the inside of the White House.

Advice I'd give to a younger player who plays my position is...
Always keep your head up and believe in yourself, and never give up.

An aspect of my game that I'd really like to improve is...
Consistent shooting, better defense and being a better leader.

Website I Visit Most Often:
WNBA.com, Safsal.com