Dec. 11, 2007
By Greg Kincaid, Penn State Athletic Communications Student Assistant
Playing collegiate basketball for the Penn State Lady Lions was a privilege for Kelly Mazzante. Playing in the WNBA and winning a championship has been a dream.
The Big Ten's all-time leading scorer for both men's and women's basketball, took part in the Phoenix Mercury's WNBA championship run this past June. The Mercury defeated the Detroit Shock 3-2 in a best of five series to clinch the WNBA crown. In the five games, Mazzante averaged 6.6 points a game and played 14 minutes a game. Her best game came in the series clinching 108-92 victory over Detroit. She knocked down 12 points with one steal and two boards in 13 minutes of action.
Mazzante is one of the top players to wear a Lady Lion uniform. She scored a total of 2,919 points for her career at Penn State. Other notable accomplishments that Mazzante had as a Lady Lion was smashing Suzie McConnell's single season scoring mark during the 2001-2002 season by netting 872 points on the year. In that same season, she scored an astounding 49 points at Minnesota on December 28, which is an all-time high in a game for a Lady Lion.
Beyond all her accomplishments at Penn State, Mazzante feels that winning a championship in the WNBA ranks at the top.
"There is no doubt that winning a WNBA championship is the most rewarding achievement I have accomplished playing basketball," she says. "It is what everyone strives for as an athlete, and being able to accomplish it on the highest level makes it that much more special."
Mazzante had the opportunity to play on four successful teams at Penn State. In her freshman and sophomore year, the Lady Lions finished fourth and second in the Big Ten, respectively. In her junior and senior year, the team captured back-to-back Big Ten regular-season titles.
Mazzante credits her success on the court in the WNBA to her playing days at Penn State. "Playing at Penn State helped to build me into the player that I am," she says. "I had a great four years with many special teammates and a great coaching staff. I wouldn't have changed anything that happened during my time there, and I look back now a lot of my Penn State days and just remember what a great experience it was for me."
One advantage that Mazzante has playing in the WNBA is she has the opportunity to play with her fiercest opponent in college. In 2004, the Lady Lions lost to the Connecticut Huskies in the NCAA Regional Finals. UConn superstar Diana Taurasi was by far Mazzante's toughest opponent in college. Now, she has the opportunity to play with Taurasi in the WNBA.
"She's such a special talent and a good person, and of course we joked all season about playing against each other in college, and how we were rivals you could say," she said. "She is one of the best players to ever play the game, and being able to play along side of her makes you a better basketball player."
Mazzante is glad that Taurasi has become an ally, instead of a foe. "There's no doubt having her on your team instead of against you is much better," she said with a laugh.
Mazzante says that there is quite a difference in the style of play between the collegiate level and the WNBA. Some of the difference she has noticed is the speed of the game, the intensity, and the talent. The transition was tough for her during the beginning of her career. But sticking to it and working hard has paid off for her.
"My first few years in league were tough for me," she says. "I had to continue to work hard on my game, go overseas to play, to make sure I could get better in order to help my team in the WNBA."
She also added that the play in the league has improved greatly which is good for the game and the fans.
"The WNBA only continues to get tougher each and every year," she said. "The league is continuing to grow, which is great for women's basketball."
Mazzante continues her routine throughout the entire offseason. Currently, she is playing over in Russia for Spartak Moscow Region. She is playing with athletes like Sue Bird, Diana Taurasi, Tina Thompson and Lauren Jackson. Mazzante is proud to be a part of this team, who are the defending champions of the Euroleague.
"This season goes from October right up until the WNBA season, so I will be playing a lot of basketball, which is a good thing," she said. "I enjoy playing year round, and will continue to do this as long as possible."