Brooke Wyckoff was a member of the Connecticut Sun from 2001-05, carving out a role off the bench as a gritty defender with a dependable three-point shot. A fan favorite, she is perhaps best remembered for her game-tying three-pointer in the final seconds of Game 2 of the WNBA Finals with the Sacramento Monarchs. Her shot forced overtime, and Connecticut managed to pull out a victory to even the series at 1-1.
Today, Wyckoff is back at Florida State, where she enjoyed a great college career under head coach Sue Semrau. She now works as an assistant coach on Semrau’s staff, and was at Mohegan Sun Friday for the game against UConn.
She took a few minutes to answer some questions before the game.
How does it feel to be back where you had some of your best moments as a professional?
“It’s been great to be back at Mohegan Sun Arena. I have so many great memories of my time here with the Connecticut Sun, and just being able to see so many familiar faces from back then. It really brings back great, great memories and warms my heart.”
When you think back to your three-pointer at the end of regulation in Game 2 of the 2005 WNBA Finals, what goes through your mind?
“That shot was the epitome of just the best time of my professional career, just because that team was so special. Our chemistry, the success we had on the court and the level that we had gotten to as a team in such a short time. Great moments like that really bring great memories of everything else together for me. It’s something I will never forget.”
Do you miss playing in the WNBA?
“Yes. The WNBA is such a great organization and league. It provides so many great experiences in terms of meeting great people, traveling…the basketball is great (and so is the) coaching. I miss all those times because they were some of the best times of my life. I don’t miss waking up and having to hang on to the wall every morning as my body got over all of those minor little injuries (laughs) but it was such a great time in my life, and such a great experience, and I am so fortunate to have lived that.”
You are now the mother of a 2-year-old daughter. Tell us about that.
“Motherhood has been amazing. It’s such a blessing to have a little one and now not just be all about what’s going on with me but to be able to really invest and pour into another person. Having played basketball and the experiences I have had there and also coaching has really helped me to be a better mother. Having to understand people from different backgrounds has allowed me to appreciate the moments as a mother with my daughter and I’m just loving every minute of it.”
How has it been making the transition from player to coach?
“Being a coach has been an unexpected development in my life and I am so thankful for it. I did not realize I would ever coach. I now see that all the years of playing for great coaches – that’s another benefit of having played professionally – has been so beneficial. It’s a whole different challenge in a lot of ways. Similar to being a player, but obviously very different. It’s challenged me every single day. I love the growth, personally, and I love the interaction with the players.”