PhoenixMercury.com: How have you been able to reflect on the 2014 Mercury Championship and what will you remember from the year?

Mistie Bass: Since I left Phoenix, I have had a lot of time to reflect on such an amazing part of my life. Last season was such an amazing summer; it is so difficult to pinpoint exactly what was the best moment. I know I will never forget just how amazing it was to play for that team! I remember when they were assembling the team, and so many people were concerned with how so much talent on one team could possibly find a way become on cohesive unit. There were times I would look around the locker room and be amazed myself at just how much talent was sitting in one room.

I think being on a team like that, and visibly seeing the sacrifices each individual was making in order to achieve the ultimate goal, was the most amazing parts about that team! I had been on many teams internationally where ego, selfishness, and the unwillingness to adapt for the greater good never allowed for the success that was set in front of us. I do believe that seeing each other give away parts of our games (that were important to us as individuals) to achieve the common goal, allowed for a greater respect to be shown to one another! We learned to appreciate each other, though at times it was difficult, we pulled through together! That championship was so sweet, because all the underlining stories that you all may never know about!!!!

PhoenixMercury.com: You have played in the WNBA for nine seasons and won your first title last year, what is your excitement level at for receiving your first Championship ring on June 5?

Mistie Bass: I have been on a quest for a championship since 2006. I say 2006 because I felt like that National Championship my senior year at Duke just slipped right through my hands. Looking back, I still had that open wound. Being up 20 at half time and losing in overtime was the worst feeling ever! I think it hurt a lot for me personally, because my performance that night was non-existent. I remember being so nervous, that during warm-ups I couldn’t even make a lay-up! I felt like had I just got myself together for the second half, when my team needed me, things would have been different.

After that year, I came in contact with the opportunity to win a championship three times. Every time, I was only able to say I was second best. As an athlete, being a champion is the ultimate goal. You can be MVP 10 times, but if you don’t have a championship to accompany your personal accolades, you just don’t feel complete. So this last season, winning and being a part of winning, was the most amazing feeling I’ve ever had. It was a mix between, exhilaration, amazement, exhaustion, and desperation at its end. I think the sigh of relief was the most drawn out exhale I’ve ever had. It was like being on this never ending journey and finally I arriving to the destination. One of the coolest parts was we were able to win in Chicago. My high school coaches, grandparents, childhood friends, and mom were all there to see my dreams come true. All those people who believed in me. All those people who knew my professional struggles. Those people who knew my story were able to be there to see my dreams come true. How magical that moment was! As I sit here writing this, the words don’t do justice to the way it felt! What a season!!!!

PhoenixMercury.com: You are among the league leaders in scoring with your team in France, how has your European league experience been this year?

Mistie Bass: This season has been very different than all the others. I am finally playing on one of the best teams in France, and the first year in Euroleague. It’s always an adjustment playing with new players and for new coaches. We have lots of talent, but the chemistry is taking longer than desired to acquire. Scoring has never been difficult for me in France and that is mainly because of my supporting cast. This season it has been easier because my teammates are also offensive threats. That’s awesome!!! It is always great having the other team needing to focus on other players, making your job easier.

Right now, I am sidelined. So my season is finished for right now! I had a minor surgery on my left knee to clean up some cartilage. It was bothering me really bad, so my team of agents, doctors, and physical therapists, we decided it was best to do now. No fear X-Factor, I will be ready by mid-May if not before to be back on the court!!!!

PhoenixMercury.com: In playing against some of your Mercury teammates in Euroleague, what have you seen from them on the court?

Mistie Bass: I have enjoyed playing against my teammates so much! They have really enhanced my first Euroleague experience. I mean I didn’t see anything different from them other than the awesomeness I am used to seeing. Just us doing what we do! ha! Ha! I mean do you all expect different? I am pretty happy to let you all know I did get Diana her annual technical foul. Hahahahah! Our last game against each other, she came off a screen to shoot one of her in your face step back three pointers. Knowing her tendencies, I stepped in exactly where I knew she wanted to go and she pushed off me (surprise! surprise!), and I stayed with my hands in the air. She missed, no foul, she yelled (at the ref), and she got a TECH!!!! She looked at me, and said some pretty “colorful” words for me. I said, “Well Diana, that’s what I do.” We just laughed! I looked at Coach Sandy, and she shook her head and joined in on the laughing.

PhoenixMercury.com: What can you tell the X-Factor about your former Duke teammate and new Mercury acquisition, Monique Currie?

Mistie Bass: Oh, Mo Mo!! Yes that is her nickname! So everyone, don’t hesitate to use it! Hahahha! Back in our Duke days, we were by far some of the most vicious competitors! We always wanted to win! It was no surprise the coaches always put us with one another to get things done. Our mentality was kill or be killed. As she told you all in her interview, we stayed together in the weight room! The good ole’ “Gun Club!” We were on this crazy journey attempting to get 12-14 inch biceps! Looking back that was just crazy. Who wants 14″ biceps? I also see she went on “record” to say she was stronger than me, and that I would have something to say about that! Well she knows me, and YES I DO have something to say! I was Monique’s pacer, she was my follow thru. Without one another….we couldn’t get to where we got without one another. So I am going go on record and say, we were equally strong!

There was this one time we had to run the mile for time at 6 a.m. I’ll tell you right now, this girl hates conditioning with the depths of her soul! I mean she has to have 1000 faces of disgust. Just wait, you all will have first row seats to her faces….it correlates directly with how she feels about what is going on! Anyways, if you don’t make your time, you show up the next day at 6 a.m. to do it again. This particular year, coach thought it would be a great idea to take off 15-20 seconds from the last time. Mind you we started at 7 minutes, so by our senior year she expected 6:20 for Mo and 6:25 for me. Right before that was 6:40 for me and I barely made that. I was the type to keep the pace, I was good for that. Monique was opposite. The whole time we were running Monique was behind me. I was like she isn’t going to make it. When our assistant called out that time on the last 200 yards, I was like I am not going make it. Then Monique kicked in to this sprint like her life depended on it, and passed me up. At that moment she became my rabbit. We both finished at the exact time set for us! So I’d like to think Mo and I will be able to bring that chemistry, tough nosed and vicious competitive edge we will need this season.

One thing you all will love about Monique is that she has the ability get into this zone and become this scoring monster. She has a coast mode, but the moment she is needed, she transforms. That is exciting to watch!!!!

PhoenixMercury.com: From what you have seen this off season, what do expect from the Mercury in 2015?

Mistie Bass: What a blockbuster free agency this year!!!! WOW!!! What an interesting turn of events!!! Where do I start? I guess I will say I am going to miss the heck out of my buddy Diana! This is a huge hit for us. I agree and support her 1000%. I wish her an awesome summer full of new adventures, rest, and relaxation. She deserves this time for herself. She is the most unselfish person I know, so taking this time is well deserved.

On the backside to this, there are some big shoes to fill. Diana is one of the best captains I’ve ever played for, and that’s before she even steps on the court. All of the returning players will have to step up. We will never be able to fill DT’s shoes…they aren’t made to be filled. As I told you all, last year we gave up parts of our games. This season we need all of everyone’s games, and some more! Where people didn’t need to lead, now is the time to step up and collaborate. Where there is void, there is opportunity. I am very excited about this season. I am no stranger to adversity, and, we aren’t the only team in the league with huge changes either. I believe in coaching staff, I believe in their vision, and I believe we will still be a team to be feared! So I expect the X-Factor to be just as loyal as you all were in the years past! We cannot do what we do without you!!! You are called the “X-Factor” for a reason, you are NEEDED!

PhoenixMercury.com: Playing in Europe must be an awesome experience and one you are used to, but what is the one thing you miss most about home?

Mistie Bass: Funny thing is I really don’t miss much! I miss my family, but that’s about it. All my friends call me a European because I feel at home abroad. I am just the type that enjoys different cultures. I am the most happy when I am traveling and doing what I love!

PhoenixMercury.com: Do you have any special message you want to share with the X-Factor about the 2015 season?

Mistie Bass: I am so excited to see all of you. It is always good to see familiar faces in the crowd. Especially those faces that are encouraging you, depending on you, believing in you! You all have no idea just how important you all are. We all enjoy bringing you excitement, bringing you to your feet, and giving you something to talk about around the dinner table. But, As much as we give you all, you bring us so much more!!! Never forget that!!! See you soon X-Factor!!!! It’s about to be a crazy ride—summer 2015!!!