Vickie Johnson walked into the suite at the AT&T Center with a pep in her step and a smile on her face. She had every reason to be happy after the San Antonio Stars selected Kelsey Plum, the NCAA’s all-time scoring leader, with the number overall pick in the WNBA Draft.
The first year Head Coach is excited to pair Plum with Moriah Jefferson and Kayla McBride, taking the Silver and Black offense to new heights after being dead last in the league the past two years.
“We’re excited to pair her with Moriah Jefferson and Kayla McBride,” Johnson said. “This arena is going to be packed, it’s going to be live, its going to be exciting. Stars fans, be ready. It is going to be an exciting season.”
Plum’s stats are well known. She became the NCAA’s all-time scoring leader after scoring 57 points against Utah back in February. She scored at least 21 points per game in 21 consecutive games and averaged 31.5 ppg in her senior season with the Huskies.
“Her ability to score is incredible,” Johnson said of Plum. “She can create for her teammates and that is very important in this league. Her ability to translate her basketball skills will be an easy flow into the WNBA.”
Johnson also have an insight into her coaching style as she gets ready for her first season at the helm of the franchise. Johnson takes over from Dan Hughes, whom she was an assistant under since the 2011 season.
“I’m a defensive coach,” she said. “We’re going to create offense from the defensive side of the ball. To be able to go in transition and Kayla [McBride] on the wing hitting three’s. From day one, I’ve talked about building a 12-man roster and that’s what we have. So, if you’re not playing defense…there is going to be some issues.”
You can listen above to the entire interview with Johnson following Thursday night’s draft above.
The Stars will open the 2017 season on May 13 against the New York Liberty on the road. The team will host the Phoenix Mercury for their home opener at the AT&T Center on May 19 at 7 p.m.
