Looking to get comfortable in LA

May 2, 2008

Looking to get comfortable in LA

Kenny Walter
OwlScoop.com Staff Writer

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If things fall into place, Temple's Lady Comfort could join former teammates Candice Dupree and Kamesha Hairston in the WNBA this season.

Comfort, who completed her senior campaign back in March, recently signed a non-guaranteed contract with the Los Angeles Sparks. She flew to California with the hopes of impressing her coach, Michael Cooper, and a team that features former MVP Lisa Leslie and No. 1 overall pick Candace Parker.

"I'm excited to get the chance to play with them," Comfort told OwlScoop.com. "I played against Parker a little when I was a sophomore. It's going to be different to play with her."

So far, Comfort is sticking around, but the non-guaranteed contract means she's not exactly a lock to make the team. With that in mind, Comfort knows she must improve to make an impact at the next level.

"I have to work on finishing better around the basket," Comfort said. "When playing at a higher level, I have to show my strengths and try to hide my weaknesses."

Comfort is coming off an NCAA tournament berth, Atlantic 10 regular season title and a senior season that saw her average 9.4 points, 8.4 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game. As senior point guard Ashley Morris shouldered more of the offensive load, Comfort actually saw her scoring average go down from 12.7 points per game as a junior, when she was named the A-10 and Big 5's Most Improved Player.

Cooper, who's entering his fifth season as the Sparks' coach, won five championships in the 1980s with the NBA's Los Angeles Lakers. Comfort is anxious to play for a former member of the "Showtime" Lakers teams, and she knows she can call upon another former pro, Temple coach Dawn Staley, for advice when she needs it.

"Having her by my side should really help me," Comfort said.

If Comfort sticks with the Sparks, she'll become the third Owl in three years to make the league. Two years ago, Dupree was drafted sixth overall by the Chicago Sky. She has averaged 15.1 points and 6.6 rebounds through her first two seasons. She also plays professionally in Poland when the WNBA is not in session. Hairston was drafted 12th overall by the Connecticut Sun in 2007 but struggled in her first season in the league, averaging just 1.9 points on 24 percent shooting from the floor.

Comfort still remains in close contact with Hairston.

"I talk to Kamesha still," Comfort said. "It's hard to talk to Candice because she is in Europe, but I've talked to Kamesha about what I should do first when I get out to LA."

Comfort is in Los Angeles now, and because she left with just over two weeks of classes remaining in the semester, she still wanted to make arrangements to finish her work accordingly.

"I worked it out with all my teachers that I will finish all my work online," Comfort said. "So I'm done actually going to class, but I am still going to finish everything up on time."

Comfort's success at the next level is going to depend upon how well she finishes around the hoop. With Leslie's ability to face up in the post and Parker's versatility, Comfort hopes she will be able to pick up easy baskets.