Out of the corner of my eye, I see Farah step forward. “Hey, you two, can we stay on task here?” She’s not rude, but I can tell she’s a little irritated.
Rawley’s face holds an unexpected expression briefly…shame? It’s gone in a blink, before I can pinpoint it exactly.
“Okay, sure thing,” he says, his voice smooth.
I slide my finger to the next question on my sheet.
“Next question then.” I give him a small smile of reassurance. He doesn’t need to feel bad. “What’s the hardest part about being a rookie?”
“I might have a different answer once I start rookie minicamp this weekend,” he responds with a wink. “But it’s not the football itself. It’s having to build relationships from scratch with your team. I’m grateful to be with the Waves, where I already have such strong ties, and Coach Houston creates a family-like culture.”
I notice Aiden give a small nod as Rawley finishes. He must have nailed his expected answer.
“So what’s the hardest part about being a rookie for you, since you’ve already started game play?”
“Most WNBA rookies would probably say the same thing. You go from the NCAA tournament in March, to the draft in early April, to training camp at the end of April. It’s been a whirlwind. One I’ve been planning for, for years, and I’m so excited about this season—but it’s been a lot back-to-back.”
Rawley processes what I just said like it’s new information for him. “Oh yeah, I can’t imagine. So no graduation ceremony even though you’re a senior?”
“Right.”
“That kind of sucks?—”
Farah clears her throat, a reminder to keep to the sheets we were given. Rawley catches himself, looking sheepish for a moment again, but I’m starting to get annoyed.
“We’re just having a conversation, isn’t that okay? I mean, can’t you cut out what you don’t want?”
Kayla steps in when she hears my annoyance. “I think Farah’s just trying to make sure we get through the questions.”
Farah has the grace to look apologetic. “I don’t mean to come off as rude. There was just a lot of back-and-forth on the topics covered today with the teams.”
No surprise there, and I don’t envy her managing that.
“I understand.” I push a conciliatory tone into my voice. “Next question. Rawley, other than playing for the Waves, what’s got you most excited about Orlando?”
“Well, that one is easy. Having my family here. Landon, and my sister Grace too.” He twists the corner of his paper between his thumb and index finger. “What excites you the most, other than playing hoops?”
“Starting fresh in a new city. Part of that is being on my own for the first time in a real way, feeling like an adult. I’m also excited to explore Orlando more, go to the amusement parks, hang out at the beaches on the coast. The ocean is different here than in the northeast.” I smile at him.
He starts to say something, but stops himself and dips his head toward the sheet at front of me. My turn.
I read the next question. “You and I both have famous family members—wait, are we really going there in this interview?” Farah nods. I had grumbled about this question to Kayla, but I guess my complaining didn’t matter. “Okay. What’s that been like for you?”
Rawley crinkles his brow. He must think the topic is as cringe as I do.
“One positive is that Landon’s shown me how to navigate intense scrutiny without it impacting your success, and he’s been a role model in how to stay focused on football. And that is my priority: football.”
Good answer.
“How about you? Your family has been in the spotlight your entire life.”
“Yeah, obviously it’s been part of my normal,” I acknowledge. “It’ll be nice to have my dad and the rest of my family come to the games when they can.”
The last sentence was one Kayla requested.“One shout-out to your dad is all we ask.”
I continue with a sentence more from my heart. “Though I’m looking forward to making my own name here too.”
“Okay, number one draft pick.” His voice carries an amused tone. “You’ve left your mark on college basketball, that’s for sure.”
