Asks Quote by Pat Summitt
“I never ask Candace Parker if she was thinking about leaving because I never had any reason to believe she would. I just kept the focus on the team and on Candace and the role she played for us.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Sports Illustrated, 2005
She trusted her player’s commitment, focusing on team goals rather than speculation about departure.
In simple terms: Trust players, stay team‑focused.
Key Takeaway
Maintain confidence in teammates.
Themes
leadership
trust
teamwork
Mood
confident
steady
Type
motivational
leadership
When to use this quote
- team meetings
- performance reviews
- contract negotiations
Key Concepts
player commitment
coach confidence
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance trust and vigilance?
- What signals indicate a player’s disengagement?
A Different Perspective
Assuming loyalty without evidence can backfire.
![“Actually, when I saw it in USA Today, I just, Candace Parker was, we were warming up in practice and she was underneath the basket shooting and I just said, 'Hey Candace! I enjoyed what I read in the paper today about your decision [to stay].' She just started laughing and I did too. So I haven't…” quote by Pat Summitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/477/pat-summitt-2987_baskets_actually-when-i-saw-it-in-usa-today-i-ju_2601326.jpg)
