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It’s been a wild couple months for Vandebilt Catholic graduate Theresa Plaisance.
But she’s playing ball, so she wouldn’t have it any other way.
Plaisance, a four-year veteran on the professional basketball circuit, just completed a season with Dike Napoli – a professional team in the top league in Italy. While there, she was a force, averaging a double-double, while helping the team earn a 14-8 record on the year.
That team ended its season in mid-April, which gave Plaisance a day or two to rest, recover and get set for the next chapter – her fourth season with the WNBA’s Dallas Wings, which will begin next week.
Plaisance said she’s already in Dallas after having two days off in between seasons to visit with family and friends.
She admits that life can be hectic at times, but added that she doesn’t sweat it because she knows that playing basketball for a living is a blessing – something she’s dreamed of doing her entire life.
“Being able to travel the world playing the game I love is a dream come true,” Plaisance said this past week. “I love being able to experience living in different cultures and live their way of life. I’ve been able to see a lot of countries because of basketball so I can say definitely that I’m extremely blessed to be able to play this sport.”
Plaisance is peaking at the right time, too.
She is playing some of the best basketball of her pro career.
With Dike Napoli, Plaisance was a force – one of the top post players in the league.
She averaged 15.0 points per game in 25 contests, shooting 46.5 percent from the field (105-of-226). She was also steady from distance, shooting 44-of-144 from the 3-point line.
Defensively, Plaisance was also sound, establishing herself as one of the top interior defenders because of her ability to defend multiple positions.
This past season, Plaisance showcased her upper-body strength, averaging 10.6 rebounds per game – second most on the team.
She did so while fouling just 2.5 times per game, which shows an increase in lateral quickness in pick and roll defense and also on the block.
Plaisance said her defensive improvements are due to hours of work in the gym to try and get bigger, faster and stronger.
She added that she also takes pride in her offensive improvements, which she feel go overlooked because she’s always been capable of scoring at a high level.
“I’ve been working hard on putting the ball on the floor more, which is making me a more versatile player,” Plaisance said. “I’ve also been working on my back to the basket game a lot. I’m so excited to use these in the upcoming season.”
That season Plaisance mentioned is the WNBA slate, which is going to begin next week at arenas throughout the country.
Plaisance is hoping for a breakout year – one that can establish her as a high-end rotation player for a Dallas team that’s looking to break out and put itself in the championship picture.
The former Vandebilt Catholic State Champion and McDonald’s All-American has played 71 games on the WNBA circuit over three seasons, but she’s yet to break out at the level she believes she’s capable of.
Last season was Plaisance’s best in the WNBA. She played 27 games, posting 4.0 points and 2.5 rebounds per game, while averaging 11.8 minutes per contest.
But after a productive offseason and a solid showing in Italy, Plaisance said she’s hungry for more.
She started her career in Tulsa playing for the Shock for two years from 2014-15.
Last year, the team relocated to Dallas and rebranded as the Wings, and this will be the team’s second season under its new name.
Dallas has loads of talent, but the team hasn’t been able to fully live up to its potential in recent seasons, according to WNBA prognosticators. They finished last season with just a 11-23 record – several games out of the playoff picture.
In addition to Plaisance, the Wings have Skylar Diggins, Glory Johnson and Courtney Paris on its roster – all players who are among the tops in their position throughout the league.
Dallas also had three first-round picks in the WNBA Draft, selecting Evelyn Akhator, Allisha Gray and Kaela Davis to round out the roster.
“This year in Dallas, we are building toward a championship,” Plaisance said. “I’m really excited to be a part of this Dallas team because I’m confident in the members returning, as well as the addition of the rookies coming in. I really think this is going to be a great season for us – one in which we can break out.”
Plaisance said her focus as the season gets going is playing her game and doing the best she can to help the team no matter what she’s asked to do.
If she does that, she believes her quest for playing time will take care of itself.
“I really enjoy playing for Dallas,” she said. “This is my fourth season with this team and Coach Fred Williams. It helps me because I know what’s expected and how they want things done. I’m really excited to be a part of a system that I am very familiar with.”
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