The key questions were posed to the Russian U19 World Champions in their homeland and this is how they answered:

How did the draft for you pass on the night? Did you manage to sleep?

Vadeeva: – Of course, I really wanted to go to the draft, to feel the atmosphere. When you sit in anticipation and then they call your name, they bring you up to the stage. As they say: drafts happen once in a lifetime. But the Russian clubs are now at an important time – the playoffs of the national championship. And at the time of the draft pick I was with Dynamo Kursk [playing] in Orenburg. I agreed with my teammates Nnekla Ogwumike and Angel McCoughtry that we would see the broadcast – it began at 4 am in Orenburg time. I did not think that I would worry so much, but the emotions went off the scale.

Musina: – I waited for this day, but, as often happens, it came and I forgot about everything. Then I woke up at night and remembered. I turned on the broadcast. I thought I would wait until Masha [Vadeeva] was elected and then go to bed. But in the end she waited for her number. On television, only the first round was shown, so I watched the second through Twitter.

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Are you satisfied with the results of the draft? How much do they meet your expectations?

Vadeeva: – I expected that they would choose me earlier – under the eighth and ninth number. But in the end, I’m glad that I got to Sparks, one of the most titled league teams. In general, with me on the eve of the draft, Washington, New York and Atlanta were contacted. They asked me if I was ready to play for them. So I thought that I would get into one of these three teams. But when I went to bed the night before the draft, for some reason I thought: “If only I could go to Los Angeles”. And it happened! When I was chosen, I jumped with joy. I even put these “dances” on the social network.

Musina: – Phoenix are a good club and this choice suits me. The only trouble is it will be too hot in the summer (laughs). I wanted to be closer to big cities, but this, of course, is not the main thing.

What can you say about your respective teams?

Vadeeva: – [The Sparks] is one of the strongest teams in the league. It will be more difficult to gain a foothold in its composition than in a middle club, but it’s even more interesting – you always have to set big goals. Nneka Ogumike also plays with Sparks and I’m glad that she will be there with me and there will be a friend in the team who will always support me and help me in basketball and in everyday life. I hope that together with Raisa we will show in the WNBA that the Russians are also able to play basketball!

Musina: – I’m familiar with the coaches, as the Phoenix head coach is Sandy Brondello who up until recently, I worked with her husband Olaf Lange – the current head coach of the Russian team. With the players too, with Brittany Griner and Diana Taurasi who played together at UMMC. So I can imagine what kind of basketball the team plays.

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Are you ready to fight with the strongest basketball players of the world for a place on the floor?

Vadeeva: – I have already been sent a contract, I signed it. Of course, it will not be easy, and it would be easier to get into the team in a team that does not claim the title. But among the strongest there are more chances to progress. And who said that I will definitely have problems with the game time? I will try, prove that I deserve to play a lot. It all depends on me.

Musina: – First you need to get into the squad for the season. Already in May, a training camp begins, you need to show yourself to go to the team. But I’m ready.

Both of you can play for the Russian U20 team at the FIBA Women’s European Championship this summer?

Vadeeva: – Raisa and I warned coach of the youth team in advance that we plan to go to the WNBA in the summer. Of course, it’s hard to imagine our American clubs letting us go. You can go to the youth [tournaments] – and lose a place in the line-up. I think everyone understands that this should not be done. Of course, we are sorry, but it will let the other girls show themselves. They will come to our national team giving enthusiasm.

Musina: – Again, it all depends on May. If I get onto Phoenix then I play there, if I do not get it – then all summer is free​.

(Source: Russian Basketball Federation)

The real question and threat for the WNBA teams and especially in the case of Vadeeva is if her rumored transfer to UMMC materializes. She could sign a multi-year, multi-millionaire clause which could yet demand that the player only suits up with UMMC and the national team and that she does not play WNBA. Something similar happened a couple of years ago with Diana Taurasi and if this becomes a trend, the WNBA could be in trouble. Not least because it would only apply to the biggest stars in the women’s game. Even more so, if, in time, the practice [which I don’t agree with by the way] spreads to the cash-rich Asian teams.

If you missed it…HERE IS WHY EUROPEANS ARE MOCKING THE WNBA DRAFT

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