Bria Holmes is from Connecticut, born and raised in New Haven, and for the previous two seasons performed for the WNBA’s Connecticut Solar.
However on Monday, she made it clear that she feels as if she’s discovered a house in L.A.
The 6-foot-3 guard – who characterizes herself as athletic, versatile and defensive-minded – signed final week with the Sparks, with whom she believes she’s discovered the precise match.
“My complete household’s right here in Connecticut,” Holmes, 26, mentioned throughout an introductory video convention. “So for me to be from right here, and have the ability to play for my house state, it was a blessing, it was an excellent expertise, however sadly it didn’t work out in Connecticut for me. So it was time for me to maneuver on after simply two years.
“I needed to be someplace and go someplace the place I used to be ready to slot in,” she added. “I really feel like these final couple of years, I haven’t actually received the chance to showcase my expertise and present what I can really do on protection, in addition to on offense. So simply with the ability to have this chance, I really feel prefer it’s an excellent state of affairs for me going ahead.”
The Atlanta Dream drafted Holmes eleventh general in 2016 after she performed 4 seasons at West Virginia, the place she scored 2,001 factors. In 4 WNBA seasons cut up between Atlanta and Connecticut, Holmes has profession averages of 6.8 factors, 2.2 rebounds and 1.3 assists per sport.
Holmes mentioned Monday that her conversations with Derek Fisher, the Sparks’ coach and normal supervisor, made her consider she’ll have the ability to unlock beforehand untapped potential in L.A.
“He believes in me and that’s step one for me, anyone to consider in me,” mentioned Holmes, whose playoff expertise consists of appearances in all eight playoff video games because the Solar made a visit to the 2019 WNBA Finals – a run that included a three-game semifinal sweep of the Sparks.
“I don’t assume I had that, so like for anyone to consider in me and provides me a possibility and say, ‘Right here you go,’ that was huge for me, that’s what sort of offered me lots, simply having the religion, simply believing in me.”
Holmes mentioned she expects her 2-year-old daughter, Diona – higher often known as “Child D” – to take to L.A., too: “The palm bushes, good climate, she’s gonna adore it.”
And Child D’s mother – who was acquired by Connecticut forward of the 2018 season, which she missed whereas she was pregnant – is each bit as enthusiastic concerning the thought of contributing to a Sparks’ protection whose 98.8 defensive score final season was third-best within the WNBA.
Welcome @briaholmes32!!
We’re excited to have you ever! #defense #defense let’s gooooo! pic.twitter.com/Xj032xQHEx— Coach Trammell (@TrammellCoach) February 22, 2021
“I take pleasure in my protection,” Holmes mentioned. “Like, you rating on me as soon as, I really feel like you possibly can’t rating me once more, I’m not having it. That’s simply who I’m and that’s how I’ve at all times been since faculty. I’m simply wanting ahead to beginning a brand new journey and going to warfare with my teammates and training employees and attempting to deliver a championship again to L.A. once more.”
The attract of a possibility to play an necessary function in that pursuit was what finally drew her west, mentioned Holmes, who missed the conclusion of the Solar’s 2020 season within the bubble after she sustained a torn meniscus in her proper knee 18 video games into the season.
“It was nice being house as a result of I had all of the assist system, all my family and friends are from right here, I had all the assistance with Child D, so simply having that alone, it was lots,” Holmes mentioned. “So much performed a component in my leaving, particularly going so far as L.A., however like I mentioned, I’m grateful for this chance and I feel it’s simply time for me to maneuver on.”
“Child D has received the life.”
Bria Holmes’ daughter resides giant 🙌 pic.twitter.com/ChPLrr2otD
— CBS Sports activities WNBA (@CBSSportsWNBA) September 1, 2020
No Days Off! Get that Saturday work in like Child D💪
(through Bria Holmes) pic.twitter.com/hrbt9JCmdp
— Connecticut Solar (@ConnecticutSun) July 18, 2020
