The Dallas Wings 2019 Draft Class Question and Answer wraps up with Megan Gustafson, the No. 17 overall pick. Gustafson, a 6-foot-3 center, was the 2019 Citizen Naismith Trophy Award winner, given to the best player in college basketball, and this season she became one of only four NCAA Women’s Basketball players to score 1,000 points in a single-season. She topped the rankings in numerous categories this year including points per game (27.9) and field goal percentage (69.6). The Port Wing, Wisconsin native was also the Big Ten Player of the Year and was First Team All-Conference. The post player leaves Iowa as the Hawkeye’s all-time leading scorer (women’s and men’s programs) with 2,804 points.

Want to hear more from our rookies? Give a listen to Episode 3 of Wingspan to hear conversations with each member of the 2019 Rookie Class. Don’t forget to subscribe to Wingspan wherever you listen to your podcasts!

Q: What was the first thing that went through your head when you found out you were drafted?
A:”It was so exciting. I think it was more of a relief more than anything because everyone’s getting their name called and their futures are certain then and there, you just want to know at that point. Honestly, it’s been really incredible. I’m really excited to explore a new area and to get to know the team.”

Q: At what point did you know that the WNBA would be a possibility for you?
A: “I’ve always loved basketball. Both of my parents played, and my sister played. The turning point for me was my eighth grade year. I grew up in a small town and I graduated with 11 kids in my class. There weren’t enough girls to have a team in eighth grade, super devastating for me, but the eighth grade boys head coach came to me and said, ‘You can join us if you want to join.’ I actually ended up starting on the eighth grade boys team. At one point in a game an opposing coach came over to our coach and said I was being to rough on the boys. That was the turning point for me, realizing I could really do something with this sport.”

Q: What kind of work goes into getting to where you are in your career right now?
A: “It takes so much work. Thousands of hours in the gym and it’s not just shooting. It’s shooting game shots and going 100 percent all the time at practices every single day, never going less than 100 percent. Every summer we’ve had a shot club, a goal to make a certain amount of shots as a team. This past year our goal was to make 16,000 shots over the summer, and I ended up making 18,400 of those. It’s just going above and beyond. Doing more than what’s required and going the extra mile.”

Q: How would you describe your game?
A: “My game, a lot of the time, is around the block, back to the basket. I really pride myself on footwork. That’s something I’ve really worked on day in and day out at Iowa, being able to be crafty with my feet and my positioning. Especially because I might not be the tallest post player on the floor, but I’m going to be the hardest worker down there. This past year I’ve really been able to develop my mid range shot, to pull my range out, so I have some power forward skills too.”