Checking In With Allison

Allison Hightower returns to the Connecticut Sun for her second year after spending the WNBA offseason in France, where she averaged 5.5 points and 3.3 rebounds for Reze Nantes Basket 44 in her first year abroad. Selected 15th overall in the 2010 WNBA Draft, Hightower appeared in 20 games with one start last year, and is hoping to make a bigger impact with Connecticut in her second year.
Following a recent practice at Mohegan Sun Arena, Hightower took a few minutes to answer some questions.

Does it seem your offseason went by really quickly?
“It is kind of crazy. I think it moved so fast. You wait all this time for camp to get here, and then it does and you’re like, ‘Gosh, I feel like I just left.’ But I think it’s going pretty good. The first day was yesterday. We’re just learning a lot, trying to get adjusted again and build chemistry and work hard.”

How does this camp differ from your rookie year?
“I think I feel a little bit more comfortable. I feel as nervous as always, but I do feel more comfortable with the players and some of the things we’re doing because I remember them from last year. It’s a good feeling.”

How did you enjoy playing in Europe?
“It was a good experience. I got to grow as a person, and a player. My first year overseas, I was very homesick. But I’m glad I made it through. I definitely took a lot from the experience.”

Was there a particular place where you improved?
“I think just (overall) growth. I had to work a lot on my game. I was a big role player, so I got to work a lot on defense. I had to guard almost everybody, so I got to work a lot on defense and on offense. I took a lot from it. Try to be a better shooter, try to be a better passer, a better ball handler. I tried to work on my shot, being more consistent.”

How about personally?
“Well, first you don’t have anyone there. You’re pretty much on your own. You don’t have any family or anybody like that. It was a lot of time to myself, a lot of thinking, just realizing all the blessings I have and all the opportunity. It was hard, I can’t like about that. But I’m just so glad I made it through.”