Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Journey: Samantha Prahalis Finds Success in The FIBA Euro Cup Competition


(Image - Samantha 'Styles P' Prahalis - New York - 2012 - Sophie Elgort - Complex Magazine)



Peaks & Valleys - Tough, passionate, intense...these are just a few adjectives we would use to describe the on court basketball style of former Ohio State Buckeye Samantha Prahalis. For four years, we watched Sammy play with a fiery brand flash & intensity that would help her become an NCAA All-American and #6 pick in the 2012 WNBA Yet, in recent years, Prahalis has needed her resilient qualities and resolve to ultimately overcome adversity in the United States' top Women's Basketball League.

Samantha Prahalis had a successful rookie campaign with the Phoenix Mercury, starting in 28 WNBA games with an average of 12 points & 5 assists. She was named to the 2012 All Rookie Selection team and finished as the Rookie of the Year Runner Up. It seemed like a promising start to a nice future with the Mercury. And 2013 was supposed to be the squad!  You had a back court of Hall a Famer Diana Taurasi & Prahalis, wings Penny Taylor and DeWonna Bonner with hyped rookie Briney Griner in the post.

Unfortunately, the pre-season excitement and expectations quickly developed into disappointment when the Mercury inexplicably waived Prahalis in July 2012. Early season struggles prompted Head Coach Corey Gaines to give Diana Taurasi the primary ball handling duties, effectively placing Sammy on the bench.(2ppg & 2 apg in 8 games) That type of move is understandable, but Phoenix opting to go in different directions so swiftly was a definitely a surprise. And it is safe to say there was a fair amount of shock and dismay at the Mercury's roster decision. Article - Waiving Samantha Prahalis is an affirmation of an alarming trend in the world of basketball --
Home & Transylvania - Putting Phoenix in the rear view mirror, Prahalis quickly landed on her feet, this time finding herself in a familiar setting after signing a 7 day contract to play for the Eastern Conference's New York Liberty. The Long Island, New York native signed two 7 day contracts in total, participating in three regular season games for coach Bill Laimbeer before dis-continuing play with the Liberty.

After a rocky start to 2013, Sammy's next stop was far away Romania for the 2013 European Season with club ACS Sepsi SIC. Sepsi is one of the more formidable clubs in Eastern Europoean Women's basketball, and Prahalis was able to play in the Romanian domestic league as well as the FIBA Eurocup competition against top teams from other countries. Prahalis led her team in the Eurocup with a 21 points per game average. One of Sammy's more memorable games in Romania was an unbelievable 38 point performance in the Eurocup against Turkish team Tarsus! 

Check out this playlist of some of Sammy's games in Romania

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