By: Reese Yan

“People would die for opportunities like I have,” said Evina Westbrook, a basketball player in the WNBA who is fighting for a roster spot.

Westbrook was on the Seattle Storm team. Although she did well in games, she still wasn’t able to get on the team because when her contract was over the team was already full. On her second try with the Minnesota Lynx team, she wasn’t able to go in games for long, and when her contract of 7 days was about to be over, she got a call from another team called the Washington Mystics. However, going to the Washington Mystics was her last opportunity. If her seven day contract was over and the WNBA team didn’t permanently want her, she might never be able to play basketball on a team again. (In the WNBA, you get to have three contracts. If all of your contracts are done and not any of the teams wants you permanently, you won’t be able to go on a team again.)

In addition, switching teams constantly for Westbrook was arduous, but she did not give up. Although her emotions got the best of her sometimes, she never gave up. The results of that were her teammates and coaches saying her skills were amazing. Despite that, in one particular game, Westbrook committed three personal fouls and two turnovers, which is not acceptable.

Four days into the contract, with three days left, either her coach says she stays or leaves. On the day of the decision, Westbrook’s coach decided to not tell Westbrook if she was going to stay or leave. She said before, “I know I can give so much more, and I try to do that. It’s just me telling myself, ‘Evina, you’re a dog. Play like that.’”

Moreover, if Westbrook gets declined a third time, she might just never be able to go on a team ever again. I wish Westbrook the best of luck that she is going to get in, but will she stay in the WNBA?