Chatham's Bridget Carleton is getting ready to hopefully hit the basketball court as the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) aims for the 22-game regular season to tipoff later this month.
The Minnesota Lynx guard is currently in quarantine after flying to Florida earlier this week. The WNBA announced in June that the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida will be the official home of the 2020 WNBA season.
Over the past few months, Carleton -- like many -- spent her time at home with her family. Given the fact that she is not usually able to spend extended periods of time in Chatham, Carleton said it may have been the silver lining of the COVID-19 pandemic. She stayed with her family from February until late June.
"It was a long time at home, so it was amazing to spend that time with my family," she said.
However, Carleton also admitted it was difficult to be away from a game that she loves.
"I'm happy to have some things moving along again and to hopefully play soon," she said. "I just want to get back on the court at this point."
Although the WNBA and the WNBA Players Association have agreed upon a location and general format for the season, there is no specific date as to when the season will officially start due to changing circumstances surrounding the pandemic. In the meantime, Carleton said the players are in quarantine and are tested every day for COVID-19.
"We haven't been able to practice as a team yet but it has been good to see everyone," said Carleton. "We can still work out individually with our coaches so that's been good to just get a feel for everyone and get to know everyone. But obviously, it's just been good to get back with teammates and coaches and be back in the basketball environment."
If all goes as planned, Carleton said training camp should start this weekend.
Once play does officially start, Carleton said one adjustment she will have to get used to is the lack of fans in the stands -- something many athletes in a variety of sports have or will face.
"It's going to be strange and different and something we're not used to but I think after the first couple of games we'll kind of get used to it," said Carleton. "We'll bring the energy to the game and hopefully it'll still be a good experience."
Carleton, a former second-team All-American and Iowa State graduate, first played with the Minnesota Lynx in 2019 after being cut from Connecticut.
-With files from Allanah Wills