Phoenix Mercury’s Sami Whitcomb on teammates’ impact coming off bench
Phoenix Mercury guard Sami Whitcomb talks about how rookies Lexi Held, Kathryn Westbeld and Kit Laksa can make an impact off the bench in the upcoming postseason.
Meet Kathryn Westbeld, a national champion at Notre Dame who has helped the Phoenix Mercury to a surprise playoff appearance this season.
The Mercury open Sunday, Sept. 14, at home.
The 29-year-old rookie carved a career overseas that included stops in Puerto Rico, Spain, Australia, France, Italy and Hungary before finding her spot on the Phoenix Mercury. Westbeld has come in clutch with her 3-point shooting skills and her defense against post players.
She scored a season-high 15 points in a June 1 Commissioner’s Cup game against the L.A. Sparks, put up 14 in a July 7 win over Dallas, and, a week later, hit four 3-pointers in a win at Golden State.
Her rookie season came at the right time as her sister, Maddy, is also in her first WNBA season with the Chicago Sky.
But outside of basketball, Westbeld has used her world traveling experience to fuel herself as a chef. Westbeld shares her passion for cooking on her Instagram account called kats.kuisine.
Question: Outside of basketball, what do you enjoy doing?
Answer: I really love to cook. I feel like, here, I haven’t had as much time and haven’t needed to because they provide a lot for us, but normally, I’m always cooking and going to the grocery store and finding healthy ways to make food and desserts. I’m an artist also, so I’ll paint and draw and do things on my iPad. Just being in nature and taking walks and being around water and taking all of that in.
What topic other than basketball do you know a lot about?
I would say nutrition. I’ve gotten a really big interest since college, being overseas, and being exposed to all these different types of good food. I feel like they put a lot (into) our food in America. Just nutrition and being knowledgeable about what goes into my body and things like that.
Who is someone who inspires you on or off the court?
Definitely my family. I have two older siblings and two younger siblings. I feel like everything that I do is for them. It really is. I think about them all the time. Being the role model and being able to do things for them or give back to them any way I can.
Who is someone you would like to see courtside at a game?
I’m really not a big celebrity fan girl, but I’m a fan of Jessie Reyez.
What would you say is your favorite road city and why?
It’s got to be Chicago because my little sister (Maddy) is there, but also I love the city and especially in the summertime. It’s beautiful, and there’s great weather and things to do. They’ve got the beach and I love Chicago.
Do you have any pregame superstitions?
No, I’m not a superstitious person. I feel like you can’t control a whole lot, so I feel like the more adjustable you can be, especially on game day, the better you are. You’re not in the back of your head and you’re not thinking, “I wasn’t able to do that today.” So just being adaptable to any environment is my non-superstition.
What are some of your favorite parts of Phoenix?
There’s a lot to do, always, and they have really good restaurants. I’m a big foodie and I love exploring places. I feel like we don’t have a ton of time, but when I do, I’ve gone to a couple lakes. It’s nice, and I love going to new areas and being able to explore different things.
What music do you prefer to listen to and what has been the most-played song or artist for you lately?
I listen to everything. I do like Jessie Reyez, I feel like I go through her songs a bit. SZA is always in rotation and I love Chris Brown.
What are your favorite shoes to wear on the court and off of it?
My favorite shoes at the moment are Ja Morant’s and I just got his newest pair and I like them a lot. Outside of basketball, I’ve really become a heel girly. I love putting on a nice little heel and getting dressed up, especially being in the W, fashion is such a big thing, and I’ve been able to dive headfirst into the fashion world and be able to find my style and it’s been a lot of fun doing that.