In her Chicago debut against the Phoenix Mercury Tamera unexpectedly started for the first time this season, she equaled her season-high in minutes played and she defended the league’s top scorer, all while helping the Sky to within seconds of beating the best team in the West.

“I was turning my practice jersey to white (the non-starters) the day before we played the Mercury and coach (Steven Key) said, ‘T, turn black (the starters),’” recalled Young. “It was cool and unexpected.”

Getting matched up against the league’s best scorer however, was something Young took a little more personally.

“Coach (Key) and I spoke before I got here about high energy-intense defense and helping the team rebound, and that’s what I helped the team do because that’s what I knew was expected of me.

“I’m a very competitive player. I like to take on challenges. I like to guard the best player on the opposing team. It means something to me when coach tells me I’ll be matched up against the opposing team’s best player. The big players you like to keep under their average. Nobody likes getting scored on, I know I don’t.”

It’s that on-court attitude that got T to Chicago. But, it’s been her attitude away from the court that has helped Young get to know her new teammates. After eight games with the Sky, the trade that brought Young to Chicago from Atlanta might be considered a dream come true.

“Adjusting to Chicago has been great,” Young said. “The team is really cool, laid back and goofy at times. I think I fit in well with the team, personality wise and on the court. The personalities here are not so serious. We’re serious when we need to be, but we have fun. Having fun and loving what you’re doing makes you better.”

Young arrived in Chicago in time for the Sky to host New York in the Sky’s Breast Health Awareness Night, a night she looks forward to each season. Growing up, Young lost a grandmother to breast cancer and watched an aunt beat it, so Breast Health Awareness is very personal.

“Not only because pink is one of my favorite colors, but giving recognition and letting my aunt and grandmother know I care and support them, it means a lot to me seeing people acknowledging it and trying to find a cure.”

Young will continue to support breast health awareness, it’s something that’s been engrained in her through her life experiences. She’ll also continue to play superb defense and help the Sky towards their first ever playoff birth.

The kind of intensity Young brings on the defensive end is something that should remind Chicago fans of a guy named Michael. Young went to the same high school as Jordan but the two have never met. If they ever did meet, and maybe played a little one-on-one, it would definitely be a dream defensive match up.