Konig Discusses Post-Collegiate Future
NC State senior guard Aislinn Konig met with the media via Zoom Tuesday morning to discuss her future plans after getting undrafted in last Friday’s WNBA Draft.
A transcript of Konig’s comments is posted below.
Opening Statement
“I’m very disappointed with not hearing my name on Friday. That was something that I’ve been working toward and dreaming about for the last 10 years. There are definitely some strong emotions over that, but I’m not going to stop. It’s not something that’s just going to end for me. It’s a dream that I can continue to pursue. Because of the pandemic, everything’s a little bit up in the air. We’re in a strange time because WNBA training camps have no date yet, and they’re not sure if the season’s going to happen. Right now, I’m focusing on finding out where I’m going to be going overseas when travel is available and always being prepared for when the opportunity comes to jump to the WNBA – whether it’s through an injury to one of the players or if a spot needs to be filled from a roster cut. I just need to be prepared and physically ready to go whenever it’s needed, even if that means it has to be next season.”
How Have You Been Staying Prepared?
“It’s a little bit strange. You have to get a little creative in the way you train and take care of your body. There’s been lots of outdoor running wherever I can find somewhere that’s not super populated by people. Then I’ve been on outdoor courts. If I can get into an indoor court, it’s a good day. If not, it’s outdoor courts. At the end of the day, it’s going to come down to conditioning, because that’s what’s going to separate the people who are really dedicated to it, especially in this time, and the ones who just take this as a hobby. It’s lots and lots of running.”
Have You Had Time to Sit Back and Reflect on Capturing the ACC Championship?
“It didn’t really feel real when it happened. It kind of felt like some hazy dream because, once you win it, everything happens so fast. We had to sit down with the seniors and the coaches on Zoom and design the rings. That really puts it into perspective. We accomplished something super big, and we might not have been able to continue the season, but if we had to choose a way to end it before the tournament, I think that was the ultimate way to do it. Going out on a win like that is not something to be ashamed of.”
Does the ACC Championship Win Mean a Little Bit More Considering How the Rest of the Year Played Out?
“For sure. Short of winning the NCAA Championship, that’s the only way we end our season on a win. I think it’s really special for the fans, especially, who have been waiting for this for us to be able to play it through. I know we were really disappointed about the men not being able to finish their tournament. Having that kind of closing moment, now knowing that would be our last game, is very special.”
Have You Talked With Any Clubs Overseas About Opportunities After Travel Opens Up?
“I am signed with Wiesel Sports. Eric Wiesel is my agent, and he’s actually handling that for me. When he gathers a pool of good offers and opportunities, then we’re going to discuss what the next steps are.”
At What Point Did You Start to Worry That You Wouldn’t Hear Your Name Called?
“There was definitely always that possibility that I wouldn’t get drafted. There are certain teams that I could have filled their need. By the time that those teams had used all of their picks, it started to seem like it probably wasn’t going to happen. It’s disappointing, but it’s not the end of the world. I believe that I’ll have other opportunities to get a shot in the WNBA. It’s just a matter of timing and making sure I’m prepared for it.”
Do You Think Playing in the NCAA Tournament Could Have Helped Your Status Among the GMs and Scouts?
“It could, but at the end of the day, I could say any number of things could have helped, like if Elissa [Cunane] wasn’t such a stud. I don’t like to think about the ‘shoulda-woulda-couldas.’ I want to focus on the next thing. Obviously, that could have changed it, but it also could have gone the other way. Ultimately, I’m very proud of my career at NC State and what we did this past year. I’m focusing on my next steps as opposed to regretting what could have been.”
How Do You Deal With the Anxiety That Comes With Waiting For the Next Step?
“It is a lot of anxiety. I have friends and teammates that are getting jobs and stepping into the next steps of their lives with a plan. I’ve had a plan my entire life up until this point. There is a lot of anxiety, but I deal with that by over-preparing. I work out as much as I can. I make sure I keep busy. I just launched my website two nights ago. I’m focusing on the things that I can control and letting everybody else worry about the things I can’t.”
How Much Are You Looking Forward to Getting Back to Reynolds Coliseum to Celebrate the ACC Championship Win With Your Teammates?
“That's something that I feel is going to be super important for the closure of everything. Usually, you play your game, and you know whether or not [the season] is going to end. We didn’t have that. We played our last game without even knowing it was our last game. We went into the gym ready to prepare for the next one and found out it wasn’t going to happen. Being able to have that closure as a team, to be able to celebrate what we’ve done one more time, will give us the closure for the season that we need overall. It was a mad scramble to get home to be with family after campus closed, and so we went our separate ways and didn’t get to say goodbye the way we wanted to."