"Coach wants to see me at Minnesota for next season"

Olairi Kosu, one of the most talented basketball players of her generation, was selected at number 15 in the women's NBA draft by Minnesota in mid-April. In the history of Russian basketball, only five of our compatriots have "left" with a higher number. Olairi immediately joined the Minneapolis club and was able to break into the main roster of the Lynx, who were considered one of the favorites of the season (they won the regular season, but lost in the semifinals of the playoffs to Phoenix). Yes, I didn't play Kosu much, but I gained invaluable experience. The 20-year-old basketball player told about this in an interview with Izvestia and Sport-Express.

"I was able to experience all the specifics of working in the women's NBA"

— What was the first thing you did upon arrival in Russia?

— I spent the day with my family and, of course, had a Russian dinner. Then we went out of town for a few days to enjoy our vacation and the forest nature.

— Do they often find out in Minneapolis?

— Yes, of course. Quite often, people in public places or cafes come up to talk or take pictures. It's very pleasant, almost the whole city is rooting for the Lynx. And of course, a lot of attention to our leaders.

— Do you have any personal fans?

— I remember little girls in my T-shirt coming up to me to take pictures. A lot of pleasant messages and comments are received on social networks. It's very sweet, you feel connected to the fans at such moments.

— What is the most important lesson you learned during your season in the WNBA?

— For me, this is certainly a great experience and an opportunity to become a better person. I want to develop and move on, during this time I realized a lot and grew as an athlete. It toughened me up mentally, and I am very grateful that I was able to successfully spend my first season in the WNBA. I was able to experience all the specifics of working in this league and learn the best for myself.

— What did Minnesota lack to beat Phoenix in the semifinals?

— We should have won the second home game (with the score 1-1). We led by a wide margin, but we missed our opportunities. I think it would be much easier to continue the series later, first of all mentally.

— How did Maria Klyundikova cope with the pressure? Is it hard for her to play in that position against the best players in the league?

— Masha coped very well, she has excellent data and a lot of experience playing with WNBA players. Based on the games, we can say that the contact in the league is much higher and the speed on the court is incredible. Maybe it was a little hard somewhere, but the most important thing is character and perseverance. Masha made cool block shots that were constantly getting into the highlights.

— Who did you like from your draft? Based on the game and the results, can we say that the top five of the draft were fairly selected?

— Yes, the top five were chosen absolutely fairly. I liked how Dominique Malonga played the season, she is a couple of years younger than all the drafted ones (like me), sees the court well, and her athletic abilities fit this league. I also liked the bunch from Washington — Kiki Iriafen and Sini Citron.

— Who was the most impressive player in the league?

— Aja Wilson is blowing everyone on the floor at the moment, she's in great shape right now (the Las Vegas center was the first in the history of the women's NBA to become the MVP, DPOY and Finals MVP in the same season. — Izvestia).

"There is a cult of fast food in the USA, I cooked the usual food at home"

— Where did Masha and I go for the weekend?

— When the weather was good, we went swimming on the lake. And during the break for the star weekend, we had a weekend off, we spent it in New York. It was cool, and I was very impressed with the city.

— How do you like the local food? Are there many Russians in the area? Are there any Russian restaurants?

— There is a cult of fast food in America. There are lots of sauces, sugar and salt everywhere. I had to look for some more suitable options for me personally. Or cook the usual food at home.

Yes, there are quite a lot of Russian-speaking people. We met and talked with a wonderful girl from Armenia. Maria has been an ardent Lynx fan for many years, and she has personal seats in the gym. She went to games with her daughter and invited my mother to sit in the front row next to the team at matches. My mother was very impressed by this. Maria and I often went for walks and shopping at the Slavic store. I am very glad to make this acquaintance.

— What is missing in the USA, what is common in Russia?

— Every country has its pros and cons. And the person rebuilds and gets used to everything (smiles). What was really missing was good beauty salons and the quality of beauty treatments. It's much more affordable and better in Russia.

— Did you go to watch some other sport?

— Yes, I was at the baseball game. I didn't understand all the rules of the game, but the atmosphere at the matches is great! A lot of people come to have a good time with their loved ones and enjoy the game and fast food. There are always full stands of spectators, it's impressive.

— How do you get sick at matches? Which cities have permanent full houses?

— In fact, even in a small town in the USA, there will always be a full audience, people there really love sports and get high coming to the games.

— What is the format of communication with the coaching staff?

— Very comfortable, the atmosphere is good and friendly. You can always come over and talk to the coach. Rebecca Bronson and Lynsey Wolen recently finished their playing careers themselves, they are very supportive and understand the players, they look at the game with the same passion as before.

— How was the meeting with the fans after the end of the season?

— It was very emotional, each player was asked a couple of questions about his overall impressions of the season, the records set for the season were announced, and, of course, there was a speech from the coaches. I am very glad that I managed to become a part of this team.

"The league is developing, and a lot has changed for the better in the last two or three years."

— Will you go to the WNBA next year?

— Each player had an individual conversation with the head coach at the end of the season. Cheryl [Reeve] said that she really wants to see me on the team next season, explained how she sees my development in the organization. She particularly noted my diligence in training.

— What do you think about the situation with a potential lockout? Maria Klyundikova does not believe in him.

— I also think that there will be no lockout, the parties will make a common decision and agree on an increase in player salaries. The league is developing, and a lot has changed for the good in the last two or three years, and I hope it will get even better.

Is it true that Caitlin Clark is so popular in the league?

— Yes, it really is. Her popularity is felt, there are full arenas everywhere, and media attention. This is a big plus for the entire league and women's basketball in general.

— Which players of the team have you established a relationship with? From other teams' players?

— We have a great atmosphere within the team, we all communicate and support each other. You can feel it every day. And there are not many contacts with players from other teams yet, I think that this is still ahead.

— What have you seen in Minneapolis during all this time?

— I was in the city center, walked a little in the parks, saw the river and bridges. It's very beautiful here by the water. The nature in Minneapolis is magnificent. But, honestly, there is not much time for excursions, the schedule is tight.