Entering her third WNBA season, Sting guard Kelly Mazzante was determined to improve on her game. The past two seasons had been disappointing for the 6-0, 155-pounder, with averages of 2.4 points, 1.1 rebounds and 0.3 assists. During her four years playing basketball at Penn State University, she had averaged 21.9 points and 4.2 rebounds, while becoming the all-time leading scorer, male or female, in Big Ten history, scoring 2,919 points.
Charlotte selected her with the 18th overall pick of the 2004 WNBA Draft, and she expected to come in and make an immediate impact. While she was always known as a viable three-point threat, her limited minutes and nerves kept her from showing her true potential during her first two years in the league.
But following the 2005 season, Mazzante was determined to improve and have a better year in 2006. And she did just that. Mazzante averaged 8.9 points, 2.9 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.4 steals in 21.3 minutes, all career-highs. She scored in double-figures 16 times, while exceeding her career-high in every statistical category. She scored a career-high 18 points at Phoenix on August 3 and grabbed a career-high nine rebounds versus Minnesota on July 25.
She went from being a seldom-used reserve during the 2004 and 2005 seasons, to being a valuable asset to the team and the first player off the bench in almost every game.
“I came into this season with a new mindset and a new focus. I was just trying to contribute,” Mazzante said. “I put my first two years aside, and this season it was my time to step up and contribute.”
The coaching staff recognized Mazzante’s improvements, and while they were excited about her increased production, they weren’t surprised at what she was capable of doing.
“Kelly kept working, and she understood what I wanted all season,” Head Coach Muggsy Bogues said. “She produced and was one of our most consistent players all year.”
Mazzante believes that this improvement stemmed from both Bogues’ confidence in her abilities and playing overseas during the offseason, where she got ample playing time.
“(Bogues) got my confidence back, so I can now do what I know I’m capable of doing,” she said. “I feel I can play here and participate, and I finally feel like I am playing the game I know I can play.”
“When we did our exit meetings last year, there were certain things that I asked (the players) to do, and they did them,” Bogues said. “I wanted Kelly to get her confidence back more than anything. She went overseas, played well and played her game. She came back and didn’t alter from that.”
While the head coach did think about inserting Mazzante in the starting lineup at various points throughout the season, he decided bringing her in as a substitute off the bench was best because she was an effective spark.
While starting appears to be the more glamorous role in basketball, coming off the bench was fine with Mazzante, who was just excited about having a bigger role in the team’s success, and willing to do whatever was needed of her.
“It’s not about me. It’s about the team,” Mazzante said. “I like being that spark. (My teammates) look at me to come in and have instant energy, and that’s my role. I just enjoy playing basketball.”
In addition to basketball, Mazzante also participated in various community activities throughout the season. She knows that she can serve as a positive role model to children, and she enjoys interacting with children.
“It’s important to give back to the community, and I have a good time doing so,” she said after an appearance at a party for Kids Club members. “It’s nice for kids to have an opportunity to see us on a one-on-one level.”
During this offseason, Mazzante is heading overseas again to keep herself sharp and further develop her skills. Like last year, she will be playing in Slovakia, and teammate Janel McCarville will be joining her there.
And like last year, Sting fans can expect an even better Kelly Mazzante to take the court in 2007.
