Thompson's Tulsa Transition

Originally Published: Apr 27, 2010 5:11 PM CDT

Bobby Lewis
Oklahoma Sports Mobile Journalist

TULSA, Oklahoma – Amanda Thompson wasn’t quite sure what to think as she slipped the black and white Tulsa Shock practice jersey over her head for the first time.

“I had to step back and look in the mirror, like, ‘man, I’ve got a WNBA practice jersey on,'” said Thompson, Tulsa’s first draft pick. “It’s what I’ve always dreamed of.”

High expectations have been placed on the former Oklahoma Sooner standout. The Shock selected her with the 19th overall pick in April’s draft for her play on the floor and ability to draw fans to games.

“Her college career was at OU where they had tremendous success,” said Shock head coach Nolan Richardson. “You hope that she would bring some kind of that success with her, even though she’s a rookie, to the WNBA.”

Thompson averaged nearly nine points and seven rebounds for her career in Norman. She helped lead her team to the Final Four in each of her final two seasons. For all of her collegiate accomplishments, the 6-foot-1 forward wants to make a new name for herself as a pro.

“I’ve got to play well every day. You can’t have any slip ups,” Thompson said after practice on Tuesday morning. “You can’t think like a rookie. Whatever you learn, you transition into play and work hard, and it will all work out.”

Thompson says the transition to the pro game was bumpy at first, but has smoothed out after the first few practices with her new teammates.

“It’s just been a different pace. It’s a more physical game,” said Thompson. “Everybody can do everything, so you’ve got to not just be set in one position. You’ve just got to be versatile.”

Her first professional season tips off at home on May 15th. The Shock will host the Minnesota Lynx at the BOK Center.

“I expect us to play a whole different game that everyone else,” she said. “Pressure, play fast, play smart, play strong.”