AUS - Phillips has London in her sights

KRAKOW (Olympics) – How important was competing at the Beijing Games to Australia’s Erin Phillips?

The Australian Opal commemorated the occasion by having an Olympic tattoo on her right wrist.

Phillips, one of the leading Australians in Europe at Wisla Can-Pack Krakow and in the WNBA, is looking to make a return trip to the Olympics when they are staged this summer in London.

She spoke to FIBA.com.

FIBA: Having undergone ankle surgery earlier this year, you look as if you’re getting back to your best.

Erin: "Yes, definitely. It took a while to get a rhythm back after being out six, seven weeks. You play game after game and it helps you get your rhythm back. Hopefully I can just continue to play hard up to the Polish league finals."

FIBA: Are you going to the WNBA, or are you headed to Australia for a training camp?

Erin: "This is still trying to be worked out. I'm pretty sure I'll be doing both. I'm committed to doing both, so we're just finalizing things now. I'm looking forward to the WNBA and playing with the Opals. It's something I'm very passionate about.

FIBA: Have thought much about what's coming up this summer?

Erin: “Absolutely. It's a big year for the Opals and a very exciting year. We're getting a group to try and train together as much as we can. Definitely, the Olympics means a lot to me.”
 

FIBA: Will you get a new tattoo on the other wrist if you do play at the London Games?

Erin: "(Laughs) No, I'll maybe add something under the one I have - not too many tattoos."

FIBA: How have you changed since the Olympics in China?

Erin: "If I make the Olympics, it will be my second and it just means that I'm getting older (laughs). Just playing overseas in the WNBA and playing in Europe - I've definitely matured as an athlete. Also there is living away on your own. There are different styles of basketball in the EuroLeague, which has definitely helped my game. So, more experience, more mature - every year learning more and more about the game."

FIBA: Lauren Jackson looks like she's getting over the bad injuries she had and is now looking more like the Lauren Jackson that we all know. Is that accurate?

Erin: "She's been playing a lot of the three position (small forward) at Ros Casares this year, which is very different to the four (power forward) or five position (center). But she's adding to her game. She's coming off screens like a guard. It's great for the Opals that she is getting better."

FIBA: Is it better for her to recover from Achilles and hip surgeries to play small forward?

Erin: "Definitely. I think it takes away that body bashing inside the post. Her injuries were very fragile, very difficult to come back from. Playing in the Spanish league, she's feeling really fit and is raring to go for the Olympics."

FIBA: Do people not fully appreciate what athletes go through and put their bodies through?

Erin: "Especially basketball. It's a 12-month season. It's back-to-back seasons, it's Europe, then WNBA. It's back and forth and it takes a toll on your body. You definitely work hard, but you get those rare couple of weeks off at Christmas, but yes, we definitely work hard."

FIBA: Are there still a lot of youngsters Down Under who look to the Opals players?

Erin: "Sure. They look at us like we're heroes. For me, when I was growing up, it was Timmsy (Michelle Timms). I had a short of haircut and I got mixed up with Timmsy a lot. Her aggression and everything was definitely an inspiration to me."

FIBA: Some of the big names in Australian basketball are getting closer to the end. Is there a lot of hope for the future of Australian women's basketball and for the Opals?

Erin: "Absolutely. Australia, we always manage Olympics after Olympics, World Championship after World Championship. We have a really great group. We're fighters. We're renowned for our work ethic and aggression, so the next generation it's the same. Breeding a theme, a flavor into our team so for the Opals, it's very optimistic.”

FIBA