Aug. 19, 2008
COLLEGE PARK, Md. – When Crystal Langhorne finished her playing career at Maryland in March, it signaled the end of an era for Terrapins women's basketball. However, Langhorne is anything but done with basketball.
Langhorne, Maryland's all-time leader in points, rebounds and field-goal percentage, was selected with the sixth pick of the WNBA Draft by the Washington Mystics only days after the conclusion of Maryland's season, giving her a brief hoops respite before taking her game to the professional ranks.
Langhorne is getting accustomed to WNBA ball, playing 14.8 minutes per game. Maryland's most efficient scorer of all-time is just as deadly from the floor for the Mystics, converting 62.7 percent of her shots. Langhorne has been fantastic on the boards, as well, averaging 3.7 rebounds per game and 10 boards per 40 minutes played.
Basketball doesn't end for Langhorne when the Mystics' season ends as she is set to head overseas at the season's conclusion.
Umterps.com recently talked to Langhorne to talk her about the transition to life in the WNBA, the prospects of playing overseas and the future of Maryland women's basketball.
Q. With classes getting ready to start at Maryland, has it hit you that you're no longer a student?
A. I don't think it's really going to set in until school starts because I have been going to school every fall basically my whole life. Now that I'm not doing that it's going to be weird. It will probably hit me when I'm overseas and start thinking about classes and realize that I'm done.
Q. So far, what is the biggest difference between college ball and the WNBA?
A. I would say the intensity level. Defensively, it's a lot tougher. Offensively, it's a lot harder to score because the level of defense is a lot better. You're playing with the best players in the world and that raises the bar so high. That's been really different.
Q. Was it strange going to the Mystics with them having former Duke rivals Alana Beard and Monique Curry on the roster?
A. Well, I never really played against Alana in college, but I played a lot of tough games against Monique. I would joke with her and talk about the [2006] national championship game. It was all in good fun, though, it was never too serious or mean-spirited. We're on the same team now and I have a lot of respect for their abilities.
Q. Being in the area, do you keep in regular contact with your former teammates and coaches?
A. Definitely.I still come back to College Park and go to some of my favorite places from college. So, in a way I'm still there, but at the same time, I'm not there.
Q. Who is the toughest player you've faced in the WNBA thus far?
A. Honestly, everybody is so good at this level. It's really hard to say. Obviously, Lisa Leslie is great because she's a veteran. I'd probably have to go with her. She's one of the best players in the world and she's so smart on the floor. She's a really difficult matchup.
Q. What are your offseason plans?
A. I'm going to Lithuania to play overseas, actually. So, I'll be really cold. I'm going to be over there for seven months, a long time.
Q. What are your thoughts on next season's Terps?
A. I think they're going to be really good still. With Kristi [Toliver] and Marissa [Coleman] leading the team, it will be a little different since they'll become more of a guard-oriented team. But those two are so talented. The key will be to have everyone do their little part to help out. If they work hard enough for it, they can have a really successful season.
-TERPS-
