RMeeting expectations is never an easy task. If these are named and surnamed John Stockton, things get a little more complicated. Laura Stockton has just landed in Malaga to play for CAB Estepona, which plays in the LF Challenge. All of her spotlights are on her. The North American base grants its first exclusive interview to MARCA since her arrival in Spain. Her childhood next to one of the best players in history, her presence in Spanish basketball and all her concerns for a very promising future.
QUESTION. Why did you decide to come to Spain, a country with a renowned basketball tradition? And, specifically, why Estepona?
ANSWER. Spain is a very beautiful country. In fact my sister played in Santander two years ago, so I was aware of what basketball was like, the culture… I thought I could fit in well. So, Estepona in particular seemed like an appropriate place. The city is beautiful. In addition, the beach and the sun were definitely other reasons that motivated me a lot to come.
Q. How did the signing for CAB Estepona come about?
R. I was playing in Puerto Rico. There the season only lasts about three months. Once I finished I went back home hoping to find an opportunity in Europe, not knowing exactly where. Then this opportunity appeared right after Christmas and I didn’t hesitate.
Q. Spokane and Estepona are different cities. How does it fit?
R. I have always been a person to go to the beach. Now in Spokane the snow has probably reached a couple of inches and it’s very cold. Surely coming here has been a small improvement in that regard. However, I miss my home and my family, but it helps that it is sunny and having good companions near me.
Q. How would you define yourself as a basketball player?
R. I will define myself as a player who prioritizes the team and who always wants to win. I like to help the whole group work in the same direction to achieve victories. It’s not about my stats, it’s about the team.
P. Coming from where you come from, was there any possibility that you would not dedicate yourself to basketball?
R. I have always grown up having options, something for which I am very grateful to my parents, who have always been there to provide me with different things that I could do or be. My older brother, for example, played football from the beginning, but the rest of us (one sister, four brothers) played basketball.
In my house, studies were given a lot of importance, if we don’t get good grades we can’t go to train”
Q. Do you feel the pressure of being the daughter of an NBA legend?
A. This is my life. I guess I can’t make comparisons. I just try to be myself, do what I like to do, which is to play, live in the present without paying attention to the outside world or the pressures.
Q. Do you remember seeing your father playing basketball?
RS He retired when I was about five years old. I have some memories of when I went to the Delta Center, but they are very few. I wish I had a few more.
Q. Have you ever been compared to your father? Does it look like?
R. Of course, always. I guess this is part of the job. I try to give my best. My family is part of my life, but I just try to be myself. It is the most difficult.
P. Do you think you have any resemblance to playing basketball?
A. Yes, of course, I play in the same position. I love the pass, finding the space to score without being tall, so I have to be a little more cunning in my movements, which doesn’t make it easy. But yes, there are some similarities.
My father always told me that I was good enough to play basketball.”
Q. Some time ago you had a knee injury. Has she gotten over it? Have you forgotten that problem?
R. Yes, I feel like I’m finally in a good place. I have been able to achieve a good form. I like to take care of my body and now I am in optimal conditions to face a long season.
Q. How was it for someone so young to go through a serious injury? Did it affect you mentally?
A. It was very difficult. It was without a doubt the worst situation I have ever had as an athlete. It was my first injury, so having to distance myself from the sport for the first time and see it from the outside was very hard.
Q. What advice has your father given you so far?
R. It is difficult to choose one, because I have always received very good advice from him. I would say that above all his constant support. She has always been a person who when the time comes tells you “you are good enough to do this or that”, and these words remind me how super proud I am of us and my career.
Q. How have you handled the expectations placed on you in Estepona as the daughter of John Stockton?
R. I think that to cope with all that, the important thing is to focus on work, try to give everything, improve as much as possible.
Q. How has the reception of the team been? How do you adapt to the club and to the new teammates?
A. It has been great. I am very grateful to my colleagues for welcoming me in this way at this point in the season. They have been working hard all this time and it is not easy to welcome a new player. They have been wonderful.
Q. How about Spanish? What can you say now?
R. I try to learn. I had Spanish classes in high school and I have a base. Having played in Puerto Rico I had the opportunity to freshen up a bit. I’m still trying to learn, but I don’t have much confidence to express myself, although I’m lucky to be surrounded by people who can help me. I really want to learn to make everything easier. This week has been very cold and my roommates and I kept saying: “So cold!”
If I had to choose an athlete, right now I would choose Naomi Osaka.”
P. And with tactical language?
R. I begin to get used to it and guess on the fly what each concept means. Many times he (coach) or another colleague stops me to explain something to me in English.
P. You have already played some matches. How was he?
A. I felt good. It was just when I arrived and I continue to adapt to the players and the team. In each country they have their different ways of seeing the game and I’m getting used to it, but it felt good.
Q. Has it benefited you that two games were suspended due to COVID in order to prepare better?
R. Obviously I do not like that the games are suspended, but that extra week of preparation came in handy.
P. To what have you given more importance at home, sports or education?
A. I think there was no emphasis on any of them. When we don’t get good grades we can’t go to train. There was a fair balance between the two.
I want to move up with Estepona, that we all give our best”
Q. If you could choose any quality of your father as a basketball player, what would it be?
R. Probably his pass and his vision of the game.
P. Your father played with the best players in history. Has he told you stories about them?
A. From time to time. He is not the kind of person who talks about himself. He is a reserved man.
Q. What is your favorite basketball player or player?
A. I love Sue Bird.
Q. From other sports, is there someone you particularly like?
A. I love sports. I grew up playing football, volleyball, basketball… If I had to name someone, it would be Osaka.
I was very young when my father retired, I wish I had more memories”
Q. Do you feel that women’s sport receives the respect it deserves today?
R. I think there are still ways to open and this makes me feel excited and hopeful that women are moving forward and getting more opportunities. I feel more hope for my future.
Q. What are your goals here in Estepona?
R. I would like us all to give our best. Of course reach the playoffs, do well and, being optimistic, move up in category and be the best. Those are always my goals.
P. Do you see Spain as a transition period to, in the future, play in the United States?
A. I’m not sure. I am very grateful to be here. I always look to take advantage of any opportunity. I try to focus on that. Obviously now the objective is to continue improving, going up. I don’t know what will happen in the future, but what I want is to do my best here and then we’ll see what happens.
John Stockton
One of the greatest who never won a championship
The NBA is a competition that can have legendary players who have never won a title. John Stockton (Spokane, Washington state, USA) is one of them. The former base of the Jazz, who ran into Jordan’s Bulls on their way to glory, played 19 seasons with the professionals with his 1.83 height, few centimeters, but endowed with immense wisdom to play basketball. Nobody has given more assists (15,086). Nobody has averaged more in a season (14.5 per game in 89-90). No one has dominated more from the point guard position. Quiz Magic. Stockton is also the biggest ‘thief’ in history. And his commitment to the game was absolute. He only missed 22 games in 19 years.
