SEATTLE - It's been less than two weeks since the 2024 WNBA season tipped off but for Indiana Fever rookie guard Celeste Taylor, reality hasn't sunk in yet.
When asked how the past few weeks have been for her, Taylor told The Latin Times that she still hasn't processed everything. "My job is basketball right now. It is a surreal feeling."
Back in April, Taylor was selected by the Fever with the 15th overall pick in this year's draft, she then went on to earn one of the 12 spots in the team roster and now awaits for her WNBA debut. "It's been a crazy time with things happening so fast," Taylor said. "A lot of good things but also a lot of changes in my life. I'm thankful to be in the position that I am and for the platform that I was given."
Born and raised in the city of New York, one of the cities with the best basketball communities in the U.S., she found love for the sport as she grew older. She attended the University of Texas, Duke and finished her collegiate career at Ohio State, where she helped the Buckeyes to a regular season title.
Her life changed forever when she heard her name being called out at the 2024 WNBA Draft, an emotional moment that she shared with her family. "I was with my family and a couple of friends, they have been with me through every step of my journey. I was very emotional," she confesses. "At first I said I wasn't going to cry but then my mom said something to me and tears started coming out of my face. I am just so thankful for the opportunity and for my dream to come true."
Before she turned her dream into reality, Taylor had to put in the work inside the classroom too. As much as her professional career means, she wanted to make her parents proud academically too. "I got out of college with two degrees as a first generation college student. I wanted to make my parents feel accomplished in a way."
Five games into the 2024 WNBA season, Taylor is still waiting for the opportunity to play on her first ever professional game. She is one of six players of Latin American descent currently on WNBA rosters, something that gives her a huge sense of pride.
"I think it's amazing. There's not that many (Latinas) that I have played with and typically I am the only one on the teams that I have played with to speak Spanish," she said. "Being one of them and the fact that we only have a few is crazy. I think we can come together to show younger girls and especially young Latinas that basketball could be a big time sport for us too," Taylor added.
Taylor is part of a rookie class that has changed the WNBA. The arrival of teammate Caitlin Clark attracts more and more fans with every game, creating a new generation of basketball fans. "Caitlin has done a great job at being who she is and bringing that attention to the league. It's great to see that girls can do it too," Taylor added.
The Fever guard finished the interview reflecting on how things have changed in women's basketball. She used to go to Liberty games growing up in the Big Apple but now she is seeing it first hand from the inside. "The game is growing. It's great to see it grow it's awesome to see things starting to change. Women are starting to get the respect they deserve," Taylor said.
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