Dishin & Swishin 5/8/15 Podcast: Katie Douglas looks back at her career, NCAA basketball and the WNBA

By David Siegel

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

[display_podcast]

Yesterday, Katie Douglas celebrated her birthday (her 36th, happy birthday!).

For the first time in 14 years she did not celebrate by getting ready for the start of the WNBA season. Last week, Douglas announced her retirement, her back betraying her basketball abilities, ending a celebrated career that included an NCAA national championship, WNBA stops in Orlando, Connecticut, and Indiana; and the respect of her peers and fans everywhere.

It is a pleasure to welcome Douglas back to Dishin & Swishin, in a “career celebration” podcast. Douglas had plans to lace up for the Connecticut Sun this year, but suggested in the podcast that playing even one more season could have long term impact on her quality of life.

We will look back at the Purdue Hall of Famer’s career, one that featured, a scoring average of over 13 points per game, never averaging less than double figures since arriving in Connecticut with the Miracle franchise. She was a 36 percent three-point shooter and an 80 percent foul shooter; a multi-time all-star, all defensive team performer and four-time All-WNBA first or second team selection.

On the podcast, there are a lot of topics covered including Douglas’ thoughts on:

• Impact of playing year round for so many straight years
• Winning the NCAA championship
• Being the first recipient of the V Foundation Comeback Award
• NCAA basketball today and UConn’s dominance
• Favorite coaches to play for
• Favorite teammates, not only as players but as people
• Toughest opponents to play against
• Favorite international country to play in
• Changes in the game from her rookie year in 2001 until now
• Playing with Bill Laimbeer on the other sideline
• The role of player as league promoter and fan interaction
• The issues of the day (Griner-Johnson, the Liberty hiring of Isiah Thomas, Taurasi and Parker sitting)

Enjoy the podcast!

Tags: Katie Douglas