Her ACL injury recovery has kept her off the court, but that hasn’t stopped her from further promoting the brand and working on her latest name, image and likeness deals and appearances.
junior made her Second appearance on ESPN’s NBA Today On Wednesday, we’ll talk about her recovery journey and what kind of sideline coach she wants to be.
Bookers told ESPN’s Malika Andrews, “I’m two months old, so I feel like the hardest part is over.”The first week was very challenging just trying to handle it. But I’m going through it mentally, mentally, emotionally and physically.But I think I’ll be a much better player when I come back.And I see this as a period of growth and a period of getting better. I’m just trying to use it as
Beukers said she’s been reading Kobe Bryant’s book “The Mamba Mentality: How I Play” to keep herself strong during the rehabilitation and recovery process. She later admitted that she had been thinking about the injury for a long time, but after reading Bryant’s book, she took his words as inspiration to stay motivated.
“I read books, and I will probably read them a million more times during this rehab process,” she said. “But there was one particular page that told me a lot, and it was that he never brooded over injuries.
“Since then, it seemed like I was in attack mode. I changed my nutrition, did Pilates, and did a lot of other work to get back in shape, what I needed to do to get back on track.” is ready to do anything.Like him, I am very passionate.I love the game and want to come back as soon as possible.
In return for UConn this season, Bookers has already dubbed himself as the team’s newest sideline coach. “Coach P..”
“I’m just really excited about the new perspectives I can bring to the game and I want to continue helping the team in any way I can,” she said. I would have to, but I think I have a lot of words of wisdom: I watch movies, I watch scouts, I watch us, I’m going to help the coaching staff as much as I can. “
She wants to be a coach for players that her teammates can ask for help…and help create plays when she’s a head coach. Geno Auriemma Frustrated with the team.
“I ride them and I’m their biggest supporter,” Bookers said. .”
She added:
Andrews also asked Buekers about her friend and current Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren. Bueckers and Holmgren grew up together in Minnesota. Holmgren was the 2nd overall pick in his 2022 NBA Draft.
“We talk every day,” Bookers said. “First I got hurt and then I saw his injury and it was so hard because I wanted that breakout year for both of us. We both love the game of basketball. We live the game of basketball…but I’m excited about our comeback.
“We are both from Minnesota and we want to show the world how tough Minnesota is. It’s just a do-anything mentality, and I think getting back on the court is a big thing.”
In addition to appearing on ESPN, Bookers spent a week in Los Angeles in September performing around the city.
She attended a Los Angeles Chargers NFL game at Angel City FC, dined at In-N-Out, and spent the day in Manhattan Beach. While in Southern California, she also shot several promos for her Gatorade. Bookers was the first college athlete to sign her NIL contract with Gatorade last fall. Since then, she has designed her own water battle with a sports drink company, Appeared in some commercials.
maggie.vanoni@hearstmediact.com @maggie_vanoni
