LOS ANGELES -- Rae Burrell is part of the future of the Los Angeles Sparks.
Burrell came out of Tennessee and was drafted by the Sparks with the ninth overall pick in 2022. She missed most of her rookie season due to a foot injury. In the next season, she didn’t make L.A.'s Opening Day roster but was signed to a couple of hardship contracts before eventually making it back to the Sparks. She has been with the team since. Last season, she averaged 5.9 points per game and started the last seven games of the campaign.
The Sparks guard stopped by after practice on Tuesday and talked about what to expect this season as well as her experience with the winter three-on-three women’s league, Unrivaled.
THE SPORTING TRIBUNE: You’ve had a rollercoaster stint here so far in L.A. But what is your feeling coming into this season?
RAE BURRELL: I feel really good. I feel a lot comfortable with the system that we have and the players that are around me. Yeah, I’m excited for this season.
TST: I know it’s all about adaptability and you’ve shown that throughout your career so far. I know it’s only a few days into camp but do you feel like you will have a more defined role this season?
RB: Most definitely. Just to be able to show what I can do and I feel I’m able to do a lot of things in a lot of areas on the court. That’s something I can really help this team and the coach’s plan so I definitely see myself having a bigger role.
TST: I say that because out in public, we see you out with some of your teammates. It feels like you’re entrenched in the future here with the Sparks.
RB: Yes, definitely! Our team is really close. We have really great chemistry. Just always talking and just so much love between us. The chemistry’s great.
TST: You did Unrivaled. How was that experience for you?
RB: It was great. Super fun experience. Getting to play against the best of the best. I feel like it really helped me mentally and physically. Helped my game, helped to slow down a little best and my confidence. It was really good.
TST: As far as your game goes, where do you feel you’ve improved the most?
RB: Honestly, I feel like I’ve improved kind of all around. Mainly in confidence, shooting, just my pace when I’m playing, able to read the defense a little bit better… improve me and Dearica’s (Hamby) chemistry; we’re on the same team at Vinyl. It definitely helped that.
TST: I know Dearica is basically like the mother hen of the team so what did that mean to have her on your team in Unrivaled?
RB: It means so much. Just to have a vet that’s like there for you, really cares for you, and wants the best for you. She’s always in your ear. I can literally call on her in any moment of the day; it can be 2:00 in the morning. Anytime that I need really anything and she’s there. Knowing that you have that as a person off the court and on the court, it just makes that chemistry and that bond between us that much stronger.
TST: What are you most excited about with the new coach, Lynne Roberts?
RB: Just excited to have new opportunity. It’s her first time in the league and she gets to show what she’s able to do. She has a lot of new and exciting things that people haven’t seen before and she has a great group for it. I think this group really just fits the system she wants to play in. She’s ready.
TST: How excited are you to play with Kelsey Plum?
RB: Super excited. KP has been a great leader so far. She’s always talking. She shows not only by voice but by example. She’s always working hard. We can always look to her to keep us pushing throughout practice and whatever we need from her.
TST: What has stood out to you so far in camp? In particular, anything from the rookies?
RB: The rookies… I feel like all of them have been working super hard. They got great motors and they’re all so willing to learn.
I think Sania (Feagin) has been doing a great job with talking. Every time I’m on the court with her, I’m always hearing her. That’s a great thing to have, especially as a rookie ‘cause you know, you’re coming in as the baby and you might be a little nervous trying to do that. But she’s been really great with using her voice.
TST: You’re no longer a baby but you’ve been in this league for a bit so what advice did you give to the rookies, if anything?
RB: Just give yourself grace and find where you fit in. Really find your niche and perfect it. Find what the team needs from you and do whatever that is. And then just keep talking. Like I said, as a rookie, it seems kind of scary coming in and not talk that much. But I think the more talk that you do, the better it is for yourself and for the team just to hear you.
TST: What are your expectations for yourself and the team for this season?
RB: Obviously, a championship. I want to make it to the playoffs. Just really trying to be what I did last year. I’m always trying to improve myself, whatever that looks like.
TST: During Unrivaled, the great Lisa Leslie called you ‘Sweet Baby Rae.’ Is that your favorite nickname? And do you have any other nicknames that you like?
RB: I honestly have a few nicknames. I got ‘Raeski’, ‘Sweet Baby Rae’, I got ‘Rae-Rae’…
But Lisa Leslie, just an honor for her to even just give me props in any sort of way. Her giving me that nickname, it just feels really special coming from such a legend like her. I’m on the Sparks and she played for the Sparks so that connection is really special.