Sunday Sit-down with Mizzou women’s basketball star Grace Slaughter

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

ABC 17 Sports Director Nathalie Jones brought on Mizzou women's basketball star Grace Slaughter in this week's edition of Sunday Sit-down.

You can find a full transcript of the interview below. You can also watch the full conversation on ABC 17 SportsZone at 10:30 on KMIZ.

NATHALIE JONES: Welcome back everyone, it is Sunday sit-down time. As you can see, we have a very special guest in the house, Mizzou women's basketball's own, Grace Slaughter. Grace, thanks for joining us, making your Sunday sit-down debut. How's the summer been going for you?

GRACE SLAUGHTER: It's been going great. We've been working hard and just having a lot of fun, getting to know the new players and new coaches as well. But thank you for having me.

NATHALIE JONES: Yeah, you know we were talking before we sat down here, I feel like we're seeing so many new faces and new head coaches. Kind of been a whirlwind of a past few months. Tell me about, you know, how the past few months have been for you, kind of adjusting to everything and working with Kellie as well.

GRACE SLAUGHTER: For sure. I mean, you know, I can remember March and just how it kind of went down, you know, I was super excited when Mizzou announced Coach Harper as the next head coach, and just getting to know her and what, you know, ideas and you know, what she wants to have happen at Mizzou, and specifically, you know, women's basketball was just super cool. And then on top of that, you know, summertime, just getting to know the new players and getting to actually be on the court with Coach Harper and the new staff has been a blast. And summertime is definitely, you know, the best place just to get to know people on and off the court, because you have a little bit more time for that. But it's been a lot of fun.

NATHALIE JONES: What stuck out to you when Coach Harper kind of had those initial conversations to you, what kind of stuck out most about her vision for this program to you?

GRACE SLAUGHTER: For sure. I mean, just her, you know, drive she's been in the SEC before, she knows how tough of a league it is. And I just think, you know, she has a fire let under her to, you know, play, play and play well, play fast, play up and down. And that was something that really stuck out to me, you know, SEC, you know, you're playing against just such strong and fast women. So being able to compete in this league and compete at a high level takes a lot and takes experience. And I was just excited to hear that from her.

NATHALIE JONES: Coach Harper, off the court, tell us a little bit about it. I mean, I talked to her assistants a little bit, she seems like, you know, she's very family driven, a very fun person. Kind of tell us a little bit about Kelly off the court.

GRACE SLAUGHTER: Yeah, no, for sure. So, I actually vacationed in Florida for spring break, and we were only about 20 minutes away from her. And so, if you know Coach Harper, you know she also loves horses, and she has a couple. And so my mom actually got to go ride horses with her. And just, we got to be with her off the court, and you're right, very family oriented. She has her other hobbies, you know, has already mentioned just having the teams over for get togethers. We already had multiple different things we've done, had a lake trip to Lake of the Ozarks, and so just being able to build those relationships off the court helps us as a team, and helps us get closer, but also helps our chemistry on the court as well.

NATHALIE JONES: Well, you know, we've mentioned a lot of these new players. What do you like about what you guys were able to bring in this off season? As far as, you know, the transfers of new players.

GRACE SLAUGHTER: For sure. I think we've brought in, you know, a lot of speed, a lot of guards. And I think that is the fun thing about the SEC is that, you know, you get to play so many different styles of basketball, but especially quick and fast. And I feel like that's how practices have felt. You know, we've really pushed the ball, gotten to be out in transition. And you know, if you know about basketball, that's one of the most fun ways to play. So that's been fun. And I think just the girls we've brought on, you know, are really buying into the program. And what Coach Harper has to say, and what some of us returners, you know, have to say about being here at Mizzou before, so it's been a great - it's been great to get to know everyone. And I think a really good group of girls.

NATHALIE JONES: Well, it's funny you say fast, because when I talked to all the assistant coaches, they said it's going to be fast paced. There's going to be a lot of scoring, you have a lot of shooters on the team. You know, do you feel like there's kind of a difference in, maybe, style of what you guys are going for this year?

GRACE SLAUGHTER: Yeah, no, I think a little bit. I think, you know, if we can get a shot up as early in the shot clock as we can, I think that would be, you know, a plus. And I'm just really excited to keep growing in that. You know, we're really working on our transition right now, and I know, you know, we'll get to set plays and other stuff later, but yeah, I think everyone's just really bought into what the coaches have to say and how they want us to play. And I think we're all really excited for it.

NATHALIE JONES: To have, you know, Abbey [Schreacke] back and Hannah [Linthacum] and obviously Averi [Kroenke] as well, to have, you know, that kind of core back. What did that mean to you? To kind of have people that you've come up with in this program back?

GRACE SLAUGHTER: For sure, it's been super special, especially, you know, multiple of those girls I even played competitive basketball with, and middle school and high school as well. So, getting to just, you know, have those relationships built for a long time, it's super special. And I think that also just really helps the new girls feel more welcome when they come in and know that we've been here for a little while. So, we can help them with the small things, whether that's, you know, fastest way to class, or, you know, getting your food in between practice, like some of those small things, I think, really help with us being here. But on top of that, just being very welcoming to the new girls and making sure they feel as right at home as we do.

NATHALIE JONES: Has this summer felt a little bit different for you? I mean, we've talked, you know, all off season, Grace Slaughter is the face of the program. You know, one of the big faces of this program. Has that kind of felt like a little bit of a different responsibility maybe going into your junior season?

GRACE SLAUGHTER: You know, a little bit. But I think, you know, it's just something that I've wanted to be a part of. And I've, you know, looked up to women's basketball and just Mizzou for so long, so getting to be here and getting to be in this position of just, you know, wanting to help Mizzou women's basketball grow. And, you know, be in a good spot, has just been, you know, a blast. And I think, you know, being with Coach Harper and being with this staff and this group of girls just helps elevate me every day. And I hope I can help elevate them too. So, it's been special. And I've, you know, loved the role. I just hope I can keep growing, you know, vocally and as a basketball player this year.

NATHALIE JONES: You know, the role has gotten you some kind of cool opportunities. Obviously, got to go to the Cardinals game pretty recently, we were talking - you grew up on the Kansas City side of the state. Was that a kind of an interesting experience for you?

GRACE SLAUGHTER: It was, it was a blast, though, because I'd actually never been to that stadium before, and I remember when we played St Louis University my freshman year, we, like, were looking right into the stadium, and so getting to watch the game there, was fun, and seeing Coach Harper throw out the first pitch, but I definitely was secretly rooting against them during it. But it was still a fun experience, and it was fun to be with the team there.

NATHALIE JONES: Well, half the state will forgive you. Don't worry about that. But you know when you're talking about Coach Harper, and obviously you are stepping into this leadership role, she says she looks at you as one of the leaders of this team. What are some areas that maybe you're hoping to grow this year in that leadership aspect as you step into your upperclassmen years?

GRACE SLAUGHTER: Yeah, for sure. You know, I think something that helped me, like looking when I was a freshman, you know, I really looked up to Hayley Frank, and I felt like she did a great job of just being vocal and helping, you know, bring others up, like even just little texts before the game, and some of those small things meant, you know, the world to me as a freshman. And I know we might not have some of those younger players, but we still have players that are just looking to feel welcomed and, you know, feel a part of this team. So, I think definitely being vocal on and off the court will be big. Just some of the other things, you know, like if you have workouts outside of practice, you know, sending a text to tell the group what you're doing, some of those things just, you know, can help girls get an extra work, but also just build those relationships.

NATHALIE JONES: You played a couple years in the SEC, you've done pretty well for yourself. You know, what's been your biggest I guess, you know, adjustment to playing SEC, and now, you know, you have that experience under your belt heading into this later half of your career.

GRACE SLAUGHTER: For sure. I mean, I think playing and just the experience has helped me and helped the game slow down a little bit, even though it's never really that slow. But, yeah, I think one thing I've just always noticed is just the physicality of the SEC, and you know how aggressive you have to be. So, yeah, I think, you know, I didn't realize how important, you know, the weight room was, and even just conditioning, being in shape and getting game loads, you know, in the off season means the world, so your body's used to it for when you actually, you know, have weeks where you might play three games, you know. But playing, you know, in SEC season, playing two really physical, hard games. So just, you know, making sure your body is prepared, and diet, sleep, all the above makes the difference.

NATHALIE JONES: Where do you feel like your game has maybe grown the most in the last two years?

GRACE SLAUGHTER: Yeah, for sure. I think one area I would love to say has grown is probably my mid-range. I think I came in really just probably wanting to shoot threes and straight-line drives. So being able to grow and just not drive into the six-fivers down there, you know, just getting to the mid-range. But I'd also like to say, I feel like I've gotten stronger in the weight room and, you know, tried to be more vocal with the team, but there's always room for improvement in those areas as well.

NATHALIE JONES: Well, a fun asset to the schedule this year, Kansas is coming back. Is that interesting for you, being from that side of the state, where you get to see it more when you're growing up? You know, obviously you're a Mizzou fan growing up, I do know that, so.

GRACE SLAUGHTER: Yes, yeah, no, it's funny seeing that I was so excited and actually reminded me, I want to say I was about nine when I first actually went to a KU women's basketball game, and I actually wore a Mizzou shirt. And I can only tell - I know, that's what my exactly what my mom said. She warned me, she's like, you are going to get yelled at. And I did, but I took it and yeah, I'm super excited for that game, and I'm super excited for it to make a comeback. You know, that's been a rivalry I've, like, looked up to and watched ever since I was young. So being able to actually play in it is super exciting.

NATHALIE JONES: Well, you're in such an exciting time for women's sports right now. Obviously, you see what Sophie Cunningham is doing. She's gone national as the Enforcer this past month, right? You know, how exciting is it to be playing during this time where women's sports is getting, you know, the deserved attention that it is getting?

GRACE SLAUGHTER: It's so exciting. I mean, just being able, I mean, I can remember watching the WNBA when the crowds were, you know, not as big as they were now. And just being able to watch any WNBA game, and, you know, see how packed it is in there is just super exciting. And I just hope we can carry that over to women's basketball as well.

NATHALIE JONES: Yeah, you know, obviously, when we were talking to Kelly, right, when she was getting hired, a goal of yours is, obviously, to get to that next level. How exciting was it for you to kind of talk to her about that and, you know, things that you can work on to, you know, try to achieve that dream?

GRACE SLAUGHTER: Yeah, it was super exciting, just being able to talk with her about those things and listen to, you know, the other players that she has done it with was very exciting to hear and talk about, you know, talk about strategy and what we can do in the next couple years to try to prepare me for that. But also, you know, help Mizzou women's basketball, as well. So, it's been very exciting to get to talk with her about that.

NATHALIE JONES: Well, it's been fun to see how excited the fans are for the upcoming season. If you had a message to the fan base ahead of this upcoming kind of new slate of a season, what would you say to the fan base?

GRACE SLAUGHTER: I would say just get ready. We're working hard and we're preparing for an awesome season of basketball where we're going to play fast, have fun, and hopefully win a lot, so.

NATHALIE JONES: Awesome. Well, Grace. Appreciate you making the time. Hope you have a good rest of the summer.

GRACE SLAUGHTER: Thank you, you as well.

NATHALIE JONES: Awesome. For the rest of you guys, we'll be right back after the break.