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The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz
GOOD FOLLOW - Phoenix Mercury Forward, Kathryn Westbeld, Talks Alyssa Thomas, Playing Overseas & More
00:28:25
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- [00:02]
Commercial Narrator
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- [01:01]
Raz Golden Bore
You're listening to DraftKings Network. Welcome to GoodFollow show presented by DraftKings. It's your girl, Raz golden bore. And today's episode is. We have a very special guest interview coming to us from the Phoenix Mercury. As well as a Notre Dame alum who won a national championship, an NCAA championship in 2018, we got Katherine Westfeld here joining us. What's up, Kat? How are you?
- [01:46]
Katherine Westfeld
Hello. I'm doing great. Thank you for having me.
- [01:50]
Raz Golden Bore
Yes, yes. I'm so excited to dive in with you. I mean, your story to being on the Phoenix Mercury and your rookie season is captivating because for a number of reasons, but I think the most, like, obvious is you're a 29 year old rookie. It took you years, it took you years to get your shot in the wnba. So now that you're here and living it, like, how is it?
- [02:13]
Katherine Westfeld
How do you feel? I feel great. It's been an awesome season so far. I honestly couldn't have scripted a better rookie season for myself, honestly. Um, you know, coming like right into the season, we had a lot of injuries, a lot of adversity early on. So it kind of gave me an opportunity to really make my mark from the beginning. So, I mean, I've really just taken advantage of the opportunity at hand and I'm just, you know, happy to be a part of such a great organization. And, you know, we're headed into playoffs here soon, so it's an exciting part of the season and I'm just happy to be here.
- [02:50]
Raz Golden Bore
Yeah. And I mean, if you can just think about that journey, Right? So you come out of Notre Dame, you're an NCAA championship champion, you're undrafted, and then you, you know, eventually begin. Is it seven years overseas? There were a lot of stops, different countries that you played for.
- [03:06]
Katherine Westfeld
Could.
- [03:06]
Raz Golden Bore
Could you talk about just, like, what your experience became playing overseas, the countries you played for and the journeys you took?
- [03:14]
Katherine Westfeld
I think it was a total of like, six years. I know there's another year in there, but with COVID and everything, I. I ended up not playing that year just because I didn't want to get stuck in any, you know, country and who knew what was going on at that point. So I stayed home a year, and I actually took a day job 9 to 5. Didn't even know I was going to get back into basketball. Like, it was such a crazy time. So I worked at that job for, like, six months, finished the training program, and then finally my agent called and was like, we have a job for you. And I was like, thank God, because this is not for me. But yeah, it has been such a journey. You know, I didn't know the WNBA was. It kind of seemed out of reach, especially during that time. Like, I did really didn't know if I was going to pick up a basketball again professionally. So just to be where I am and, like, just knowing, like, everything that I've been through to get here is just very humbling. And I'm just grateful for the whole ride because it has been a lot ups and downs and great, you know, experiences with everything. But, yeah, I feel like I've been everywhere. I've been, you know, Spain, Italy, France, Hungary, Puerto Rico, Australia. I even was in Israel for, I think, not even two weeks during the war. Like, literally right before the war started, I was there and had to make a quick, like, you know, escape. It took a few days to get out, you know, tons of flights canceled and a little scary moment in there. But, yeah, it's been. It's been quite a journey, but I'm definitely grateful to be back in the US Now.
- [04:50]
Raz Golden Bore
I do want to revisit, like, the corporate role you also took. Like, you. You kind of touched on it. You legitimately took an office job. Like, you were an account executive. An account executive, I believe, had totally total quality logistics.
- [05:06]
Katherine Westfeld
I saw. Yes, yes.
- [05:07]
Raz Golden Bore
What was your role? What were the tax. The tasks you were doing? And, like, eventually did you just realize, like, nah, I'm gonna. I got more hoops to play.
- [05:19]
Katherine Westfeld
Yeah, it was a lot of being on the phone, a lot of cold calls, a lot of. I was kind of the middleman in between, like, our client and like, like, Either a driver or whatever, because it's. It's logistics. You're kind of just organizing pickups and just transportation. So you're on the phone with drivers and you're on the phone with clients and things like that. And it's just like sales. Also, I feel like you kind of lose your moral compass a little bit because you're like, obviously the margin that you get is what you make. And so it's just like you're kind of lying to people a little bit. And I just felt so wrong internally about everything. And, you know, people sitting on the desk and it's like, you know, you're ordering out every day, people are eating Chinese. Like, just. It's just such an unhealthy and unfit lifestyle. And it was just totally against, like, kind of who I am as a person. And so it was not the best six months I've ever had, but it definitely was an experience and something I've learned from then. Luckily, I know what I don't want to do, so.
- [06:24]
Raz Golden Bore
Right.
- [06:25]
Katherine Westfeld
So there's a positive to it.
- [06:27]
Raz Golden Bore
Sometimes these experiences of, like, learning what's not right for you are so valuable. But for me, I mean, just in kind of walking with you through the journey, both on the court and even some off court, you know, escapades and experiences, why did you. How did you not ever give up on the dream and.
- [06:50]
Katherine Westfeld
And the game?
- [06:51]
Raz Golden Bore
How did you do that to get to here, to finally make it to.
- [06:54]
DraftKings Announcer
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- [07:44]
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- [08:26]
Raz Golden Bore
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- [08:54]
Katherine Westfeld
I just have a love for the game. Like, everyone would always ask me, how long are you going to play for? And I'm just like, you know, I'm just kind of taking it season by season. And it's like every season I was getting better and I was having better seasons, better numbers, and it's just like, why would I stop when I'm on an uphill trend? Like, it just doesn't make sense for me to just turn it in right now. And so, I don't know, you just get to work every summer in the off season and I don't know, it's just led me to where I am. I think you really have to have a love for the game because you're going to have bad experiences. But I feel like also with that, it's, how can you turn it into a good experience? And I think I go back to my aunt and uncle. Like, they really did a lot, whether they think they did or not. But, like, helping me have a good experience in that first trip to Spain, like, my first overseas experience, they were able to make me have a, like, turn my mindset to where it's like, I look back and I'm like, no, that was a good experience. And like, so now everywhere I go, it's like, where do you, where do you see the silver lining? And so if you can see the silver lining in everything, I feel like you can just continue to do it because it's gonna, like, you're gonna get good out of it regardless, so.
- [10:10]
Raz Golden Bore
Absolutely, absolutely. But, you know, look, if, if you wanted to, you could have become a chef, like a professional chef. Because I saw, like, you have an, you have a scintillating Instagram account, Kat's Cuisine on ig. And I went and perused through it, these dishes look incredible. Like, this is not like, oh, I'm making, you know, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches between games. Like, we're talking juices and smoothies. We're talking lasagna ramen, Mediterranean, Greek, shrimp, and crab boil salads. Just the diversity of cuisine and the way that food looks, I know it's good. Like, how did you get into cooking?
- [10:58]
Katherine Westfeld
In another life, I think I'm a chef. No. So my dad always had a garden growing up, and he always was. He's a great chef himself, and my mom cooks, and so I was just always a sponge in the kitchen, like, you know, hanging around. We have a big family. So you're hanging around the kitchen, parents are cooking, you're at the dinner table with, you know, your siblings. And I was just always asking questions, watching what he was doing. And then when you go overseas, it's like, the food over there is so good, like, the produce and everything. And you're experiencing different types of cuisines and different flavors and everything. So I just, you know, took what I learned, and I love. That's one of my favorite things, is going, like, getting to a new country and going to the grocery store and, like, seeing things that, like, I haven't seen before or trying different things. Or sometimes I'll just go in the meat section and grab some slice of meat, and I'll go home and I'll be like, dad, what is this? He's like, oh, that looks like. I'm like, okay, what do I do with it? And so it's just, like, kind of experimenting. I feel like I'm very much like a artist also. So, like, I kind of turn like, it is an art. Food is an art. And it's like, I feel like I've been able to just kind of take the two of those and turn it into kind of my lifestyle of, like, you know, healthy eating, athletics, like, you know, it's all. It's all a part of it, and it's all, you know, what helps you be the best you can be. So I don't know. I've just really enjoyed it. And you have so much time overseas. So, yeah, I make the most of my time. Yes.
- [12:29]
Raz Golden Bore
Food is a love language, so I'm sure it really is. I'm very fluent in food, or maybe in eating is better for me, but. So no formal training this year, Learning as you're going on the.
- [12:45]
Katherine Westfeld
Yes.
- [12:45]
Raz Golden Bore
Have you cooked for your teammates on the Phoenix Mercury? Have you had anybody over for dinner?
- [12:51]
Katherine Westfeld
Actually, no, not yet. They take care of us here really well. So I have really not had to cook at our facility. You know, our chefs take care of a lot. So I'm always taking stuff to go for dinner. And, you know, it's, it's pretty taxing. We play so much. Like we're hardly even home. So to be able to like kind of rest and not be on my feet cooking and it's been really nice, but I do miss it. My little sister came when we played Chicago this past time and I was like, do you want to go to dinner? And she's like, maybe we'll just order in. And I was just like, she wants a home cooked meal. So I actually, for the first time, I made her a little dinner.
- [13:31]
Raz Golden Bore
And you mentioned though, your younger sister, so Maddie Westfeld. And that's been a fantastic part of the story too. You guys end up being drafted in the same draft class, even though I think there's, is it a six year gap between six years. So you're 29, she's 23. You again finished in 2018 after winning a national championship at Notre Dame. She came out of Notre Dame this year in the two in the class of 2025 and was drafted number 16 to the Chicago Sky. And I saw that in some ways you call this divine timing that you guys as a family could have this together. So if you could just describe, like what the bond is between you two as sisters growing up and now as pros and fellow rookies, interestingly enough.
- [14:19]
Katherine Westfeld
Yeah, it has been such a special journey for, you know, us individually and obviously together. You know, she took an extra year in college too. Like, I feel like I've been waiting for her to be pro, you know, so we can kind of finally be on that safe same level. And she ended up taking another year and, you know, that other year gave me another great season in Hungary and got a great training camp contract in Phoenix. And it's just, it doesn't make sense how it just all worked out the way it does. So that's why we trying to keep going to divine timing. Because there's, I mean, God did that, like, if you really want to sit down and talk about it. But yeah, it's just been really special and you know, we've been best friends for so long and I feel like when we grew up, like, yeah, we argued and stuff, but my mom's just like, you guys are going to be best friends one day, you might as well start now. So we really did and we've just been so inseparable. And you know, in the summers we're working out together. Like that's our favorite thing to do together is work out. So it's like summers, we can't wait because it's like that's our bonding time. We just go in every summer. Dogs, you know, literally, like it's, it's the funnest thing to us. And we eat healthy and we cook together and like we both just share so many interests together and just being able to do it all and like reach this moment at the same time. Like it was just. Did I find timing? There's nothing else I can say about that.
- [15:49]
Raz Golden Bore
Yeah. And when you guys finally saw each other on the court for, you know, this WNBA season, how was it for your family? Were their house divided, jerseys and hats being made, and who rooted for who?
- [16:01]
Katherine Westfeld
Yeah, I wouldn't say we were divided, but definitely my uncle made my parents a couple hats, you know, half and half hats and now my parents have half and half shirts. And I think the whole family is kind of getting on that trend. So. No, it's just really cool. And our last Chicago game at Chicago, I think we had about 30 plus people come up like drive up from Dayton, which is about a five hour drive with just friends and family and just a huge support system. And it's just like just a testament of like how their love and support and what it's done for us just to see everybody there was a really special moment for us and our family.
- [17:05]
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- [17:57]
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- [18:08]
Katherine Westfeld
Checking off the boxes on your to.
- [18:10]
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- [18:21]
Katherine Westfeld
App, it's nice knowing you have help.
- [18:23]
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- [18:28]
Raz Golden Bore
There, and you guys have always, your paths have always been somewhat intertwined despite the age gap. Like, you know, Maddie went to Notre Dame after you went to Notre Dame. I mean, your, your tenure there finished in the ultimate way with the championship. Right. And when I think about it like, that 2018 Notre Dame team in particular had so many pros on it. It's yourself, Ogumbawale, Marina Mabry, Jack Shepherd, Jessica Shepherd.
- [19:00]
Katherine Westfeld
Am I missing Briana Turner?
- [19:02]
Raz Golden Bore
Yeah, but there were so many injuries that year, too. Like, she was.
- [19:05]
Katherine Westfeld
Yeah, she was injured. Those were. Yeah, our starting five, now that I'm in the league, are all. All in the league.
- [19:13]
Raz Golden Bore
You want to know something funny? This is like generation gap, though. But so I played at Stanford and our entire starting five was in the wnba except for me.
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Katherine Westfeld
Oh, wow.
- [19:25]
Raz Golden Bore
So I, I ended up being the one who talked the most. I'm a broadcaster and I interviewed him. But just, I understand that feeling.
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Katherine Westfeld
You're still, you're still involved.
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Raz Golden Bore
Yeah, yeah. But I'm just like, yo, how cool that you completed that. You know what I'm saying? That's how lit. That's how lit that team was. And actually, your sister's Notre Dame class is impressive too, because it's her. Sonia Citron's out here for rookie of the year consideration. Like, right? What is it, what is it about Notre Dame players? Why there's so of y' all that have come out and been pro ready? Why?
- [19:58]
Katherine Westfeld
I mean, it goes a lot into the coaching staff. Like, I mean, Maddie didn't have Moffat, but I mean, a Hall of Fame coach, like, people want to play for coaches like that. And Neil being the recruiter that she is, I think people just had faith in her from the very beginning. I think Maddie, when she got the coaching job, Maddie was her first call and was like, we're going to do this together. And it's just like, it is that culture that they have built, and I think, you know, just their recruiting style and just that family community that they built there. Like, Notre Dame is a special place. And like, their little slogan that they say is, it's not about four years, it's about 40 years. And it's just like, you want to be. It's up. You want to be your best self. And I feel like Notre Dame is going to challenge you enough and make you uncomfortable enough to where you have no choice but to grow, or you're not going to make it out of Notre Dame. So I don't know. It's just a group of people who really hold themselves to excellence. Yeah.
- [21:01]
Raz Golden Bore
You know, that excellence. That run in particular y' all had was very memorable. What will you never forget about the dramatic Notre Dame running that final four to the championship? Because, you guys, one, we're down so many bodies. He had so many injuries. And then Enrique had two game winners, if I'm not mistaken, against UConn and then Mississippi State for the championship. And it's all in front of Kobe, like, Kobe Bryant. What do you remember about that? Well, you'll never forget about that run.
- [21:36]
Katherine Westfeld
I mean, it was a full circle moment for me. I'm from Ohio. I won a state championship in Columbus. It might have even been the same arena. I don't remember now, but it was just such a full moment. I had my high school coaches there, I had my middle school coach there, teammates. Like, it was just. It was meant to be. Like, I feel like it was written and even Neil, when she won her national championship in 2001, it was in her hometown, St. Louis. And it's just like we both wore number 33. And it was just little things like that. It was just the stars aligned for us. And yeah, I mean, we. I remember we were down like 14 or 15 at half in that championship game. And, like, I wasn't nervous at all. Like, I. I knew that I knew the outcome of the game. I didn't know how. I didn't. Could have never guessed that Enrique was going to hit that shot again. But, like, I feel like I already knew the outcome of that game, so I don't know. It's just meant to be. I feel like you have a lot.
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Raz Golden Bore
Of these kind of moments in your, like, life story here, right?
- [22:38]
Katherine Westfeld
I know I kind of do. Just keep the faith. And, I mean, it's all about work, work ethic. Like, if you, you know, work at something Long enough and I feel like it's bound to eventually meet you and it's cool. Actually. When I was in the third grade, I remember I went to a national championship game and I think Candace Parker, I think I forget who they played, but I just remember Candace Parker. Candace Parker, like, obviously a legend. And I remember she won a national championship game. And like, literally from the third grade I was like, I want to do that. I'm going to win a national championship. And so like my entire childhood, like, that was my goal. And I feel like it is really important, like for young girls to get out there, go to games and like physically see it in person. Because like that, like, that was my, my path. And so everything, every decision I ever made, I'm just like, I know what I want to do. Like, I know what decision I have to make because it's going to lead me there. So, yeah, just a cool little, little thing that I, yeah. Had to look forward to.
- [23:46]
Raz Golden Bore
I mean, I'm just getting to know you a bit, but you've got some unwavering faith and you have game changing conviction about you. So like, it's really impressive, which is hard because I know a lot of people who be in their heads way too much to have gone through everything that you do. And so that's a skill in itself. And so to take us through that now, to come to where you are right now just with the Phoenix Mercury. So girl, you were thrown right into the fire because especially with all of the injuries that were happening to some of the big name players and stuff, you've started a majority of the games this season. You've more recently been coming off the bench, but a huge role like you have carved out. What is the role you've carved out for Coach Tibbets in the Phoenix Mercury?
- [24:35]
Katherine Westfeld
Whatever they need. I kind of, I've kind of always been that person. Kind of positionless, kind of, you know, am I going to get 10 rebounds today? Am I going to get that one really crucial rebound at the end of the game? Like, that's just kind of been the player that people have named me as back in Notre Dame. They call me the glue player. You know, the people, the person who just keeps everyone together, you know, doing all the little things, the intangibles. What I do isn't always going to show up on the stat sheet, but I feel like our, our front office here, like that's, that's who they know me as and that's who they see. And so just to be recognized as, like, because A lot of times, like I said, you don't show up on the stat sheets a lot, but, like, they reassure me. Like, they see what I'm doing out there, and, you know, it does. It's not always the most rewarding role, but at the end of the day, like, it's what helps us win. And I feel like that is the most important thing to me. So I feel like that's why I've had such an important, you know, role on this team and a piece of our success is because I am that person doing the little things that doesn't always show up. And I feel like every successful team needs that person.
- [25:50]
Raz Golden Bore
Yeah. Another person that does all the little things and also all the big things is Alyssa Thomas. What's it like? So what's it like playing alongside her? I know she's a very captivating leader for teams.
- [26:06]
Katherine Westfeld
Yeah. I have never played with anyone like her. And it's truly, like, it has been amazing playing with her, like, learning from her, because I feel like we have been in similar positions, like, her whole career. I feel like she's been overlooked. Like, she does so many things, and she has been overlooked. And so to be here and to, like, see her success and see people recognize her for what she's actually doing, like, it just makes me so happy because I know that she deserves that. Like, she deserves the MVP and, you know, just to be able to learn from her every day in and out. And for her, like, just the leader like that she is, and her type of leadership, you know, she's keeping people accountable. And I feel like she. No, like, she really is. Like, she. She's gonna let you know. And I feel like, you know, that's why we've been really successful, even playing with so many rookies from the beginning, is because she's led the way. Like, she's, you know, she's gonna make sure that we're doing what we need to do. And one special thing about her is she's not going to ask you to do anything that she's not going to do herself. Like, she absolutely is doing everything. And so it's okay for her to tell you to do that, because she's going to do it. So she's a very special player and person, and I'm just really happy to be a part of the team with her.
- [27:30]
Raz Golden Bore
Yeah. What about Nate Tibbets? He's relatively new to the wnba. He's only been here, what, maybe a year more than you or two, or something, so.
- [27:39]
Katherine Westfeld
Yeah.
- [27:39]
Raz Golden Bore
How is. How does he how is he helping to sculpt and mold this team into what it is, which is very highly successful this season?
- [27:46]
Katherine Westfeld
Yeah, I mean, I think we have really great players, and he is a players coach. Like, he has his, you know, his leadership council with. With all our leaders, and they meet regularly, and they're just always on the same page, and he takes, you know, what they think into account, and he's very motivating and encouraging. And it's just like, I feel like a coach like that, like, you want to run through a wall for. Because, you know, he's got your back at all times. So, I mean, I think he's done a great job with. With, you know, our season so far. And, you know, credit to him and credit to his staff, like, this is the best. I think the, like, a full staff, like, it's probably the best I've worked with in my whole career. And so to have this, my first rookie season and, like, you know, just the whole organization, like, it really has been a dream come true and to be able to work with everyone and not only are they really talented and incredible at what they do, but they're such good people. So, I mean, someone like that, like, you just want to win a game.
- [28:52]
Raz Golden Bore
For meant to be.
- [28:55]
Katherine Westfeld
Exactly. Exactly.
- [28:57]
Raz Golden Bore
It has been fascinating to chat with you. Just a delight. Thank you for the time.
- [29:01]
Katherine Westfeld
Oh, thank you so much for having me. It really has been fun.
- [29:05]
Raz Golden Bore
Yeah. Yeah. We'll be watching you through the playoff run and throughout the rest of your career. Thank you for joining Goodfallow Show. You are part of the family, and I wish you the best in your first ever WNBA playoffs coming up.
- [29:16]
Katherine Westfeld
Thank you so much.