LOS ANGELES -- Odyssey Sims has been in the league since 2014. She was the second overall pick that year (selected by the then-Tulsa Shock, who are now the Dallas Wings) and has had quite the career. Sims was an all-star and a member of the All-WNBA second team in 2019.
Sims is now in her second tour of duty with the Sparks after signing with them midway through last season. She averaged 9.8 points and 5.1 assists in 15 games with the Sparks. She then re-signed with L.A. in the offseason and seems ready to go for this upcoming campaign.
She stopped by after practice on Thursday for a little chat with The Sporting Tribune.
THE SPORTING TRIBUNE: How are you feeling both physically and mentally?
ODYSSEY SIMS: It’s the start of training camp, getting the anxiousness out, the excitement, of course, season around the corner… just working together, slowly but surely taking on information… learning quick! Definitely excited. Just waiting for the season to start.
TST: You played so well last season even though you did go from Dallas to Los Angeles midway through the campaign. Was there any doubt for you about coming back here to L.A.?
OS: I wouldn’t say doubt but I’m not in control of what happens. I was with the organization 2017 and 2018. Went to some other teams along the way so this is part of my journey. I’m happy to be back and I’m happy to be here. I think we got a great team. Glad that I was part of it at the end of last year.
TST: Not the best season, record-wise, last year. But now you’ve added Kelsey Plum, you’re going to get another year of Rickea Jackson and Cameron Brink. You’re here. Dearica Hamby is here. Mercedes Russell is here… how much do you like the potential of this team?
OS: We got a lot of potential. With Coach (Lynne) Roberts, obviously a new coach, she has a certain style of play so just getting used to that. It’s gonna be a beauty once we put it together. We’re still working trying to get everything together with our offense and defense. Like I said, it’s the first week, it’s Day 4. So far, so good. We’re definitely gonna make some noise throughout this season. We just gotta stay with it and continue to push each other.
TST: What’s impressed you about the rookies so far?
OS: They just play hard. It doesn’t matter what time it is; they’re in the gym before, after, during practice and off days, all of that. So it’s good to see their dedication to the game already. They’re staying with it. They’re constantly willing to learn. They’re asking questions. It’s nice to see.
TST: Any advice you’ve given to them?
OS: I just told them to be their selves. At the end of the day, coaches know what you can do, everybody knows what you can do coming from college. Be yourself and let everything play out.
TST: The boom of women’s basketball. We’ve seen the sport grow leaps and bounds. It’s about time, isn’t it? What do you think?
OS: The women’s game is constantly growing. It’s beautiful. We’re lovin’ it. As it continues, as the years come along and pass by, the women’s game is gonna continue to grow. So I think it’s good not only just for women’s basketball but for women’s sports in general.
TST: You’ve been able to stay in the W for more than a decade. What do you attribute that to?
OS: I’ve been blessed. Being in the W is not easy to stay around for this long, of course. I’ve just been blessed and continue to be in situations where teams have wanted me or needed me, have always seen my potential. That’s why I’m here now.
TST: You’ve done nearly everything in this league. Besides winning a championship, what’s left for you to do?
OS: We all have goals. Every year, everybody’s goal is the same. Everybody wants to win a championship. If I win a championship, cool. If not, cool. That’s not the end goal for me. At the end of the day, I want my career to continue. I want to continue to play as long as I can.