- July 17th, 2006, 11:00 am
#21046
GR native Feenstra brings Seoul to basketballhttp://www.mlive.com/sports/grpress/ind ... thispage=1
Monday, July 17, 2006
By Bob Becker
Press Sports Editor
AUBURN HILLS -- Katie Feenstra is happy to be home.
Not "home" home, as in Grand Rapids, where she was a standout at Baptist High School. But home -- as in the United States.
Six months ago, the 6 foot-8 Liberty University All-American was playing basketball in Seoul, South Korea, and it was difficult for her to not look north and wonder what might be brewing across the demilitarized zone.
"I really prayed about going," Feenstra said Sunday.
The 23-year-old plays center for the San Antonio Silver Stars of the Women's National Basketball Association, and she scored 13 points and grabbed two rebounds in a 77-67 loss to the Detroit Shock.
Feenstra played well, but three first-quarter fouls limited her playing opportunities. She fouled out with five minutes left in the game.
The Shock will be in town Friday to take on Lisa Leslie and the Los Angeles Sparks in a 7:30 p.m. game at Van Andel Arena.
"South Korea was actually a good place for me," Feenstra said. "But it was lonely, because I was the only American on the team and nobody spoke English. The only person I could talk to was the trainer.
"In a way, it was good for me, but I kept wondering if it was going to be safe. The Lord was amazing. I have faith in the things he has for me, so I never felt unsafe. And the trainer turned out to be a Christian, so the Lord helped me there again and gave me somebody I could lean on.
"I never felt threatened, but I knew what was across the border.
"The time there was good for me. But I look at the headlines today, and I'm really glad I'm back here."
Feenstra does not know where she will play next winter. She does, however, have ideas where she does not want to play.
"There are some places in Russia where it is very cold and some places where it's very lonely," she said. "But I haven't written any place off."
Feenstra went through Japan to get her visa for South Korea. There aren't many 6-foot-8 American women in either country.
"I didn't know what they were saying, but they did notice me," she said, laughing. "When I was in Korea, nobody wondered why I was there. If you are a tall American, you play basketball.
"Basketball is huge over there. ... And, every time I went shopping, everybody wanted to make me suits or skirts. I could have spent all my money on handmade clothes."
When Feenstra signed with San Antonio, she learned a family member of a Liberty staffer lived there, giving her a friendly face in a different city.
In Seoul, she connected with the daughter of her aunt's pastor who teaches English there.
"That's another thing the Lord worked out for me," she said. "I went out with her and her husband several times, and having them there gave me great comfort."
Speaking of comfort, Feenstra's second year in the WNBA is better than her first.
"The difference this year is the difference between night and day for me," she said. "The team is different and the chemistry is great, making it a lot more fun.
"We talk to each other more, we hang out together more. I'm more comfortable here, more comfortable with my game and my place with the team. It is just so much better."
Two weeks ago, Feenstra had a career night, getting 16 points and four rebounds against Chicago. She averages six points and four rebounds a game. With Sunday's 13-point effort, she has hit double-digits four times this season.
"We played Chicago at home," she said. "I haven't been playing as much, nor as well as I want to, so it was a real boost to get a night like that. Last year, I had a good rookie season, but that meant people were taking a deeper look at me and figuring out ways to defend me.
"It's like a chess game: I do this, so they do that, then I have to do something else.
"After the all-star break, I met with the coaches, and they said they wanted me to have more minutes, but they needed more from me as well. That's a fair exchange."
Feenstra knows she still is finding her way. She is confident the coaching staff also sees her as a long-term effort.
"I love the coaching staff," she said. "They always talk. If something is going wrong, they'll tell me. But if something is going well, they'll point that out, too.
"I can't believe how patient they have been with me.
"So I'm not worried about my future. Coach (Dan) Hughes is the most patient person I know. He tells me he knows I'm a developing player and he's willing to put in the time."
Feenstra went back to school last fall to complete a degree.
"No more school, that's a big thing," she said. "Last year school and going overseas were things I had to deal with but, now, my mind is clear. I'm ready to concentrate on basketball."
Send e-mail to the author: bbecker@grpress.com
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