Day One, Again.

Leading up to her pro debut, the WNBA’s #1 pick shares a diary of the busiest and most surreal period of her life.

Downtime? I have none. Just the way I like it.

Last week I was in Seattle trying to figure out if I could pull off the trip back to Connecticut for graduation. My new teammates asking, “What time do you have to be there?” Meanwhile I’m thinking, What if I get there and they forget to call my name? But being able to graduate in person from an institution like UConn, in front of a community that gave you so much, is an opportunity you can’t pass up. I made it, and squeezed in a visit to the White House with my UConn teammates; it was worth it.

Just a few weeks earlier I had been drafted No. 1 overall by the Seattle Storm. On draft night, all I’ve got in my mind is: Is this really happening? I get to the arena super early, around 1 or 2 p.m., and see the entire WNBA draft getting set up. It’s weird because in the past, I’m in the audience at the draft for my teammates. Now I’m going to be on that stage. Is this really happening?

The draft is a big moment for my family. My parents have been riding this roller coaster with me from the start. They were there when I didn’t really know how to play basketball, and now they’ve seen me evolve into a No. 1 pick. I know it’s a bit mind-blowing for them.

My grandparents, too. Since high school, they’ve gone to all of my games. My Grandma, now affectionately referred to as “Grandma Stewie” (best grandma name ever?), and I were on FaceTime recently. She starts mapping out the schedule and figuring out how long they can stay in Seattle. She is a Grandma up for adventure, and I feel really lucky to have her so involved. She’s on Twitter — go follow @GrandmaStewie! She said to me the other day, “I just twitted you. Did you see my twit?” I figure Snapchat might be next.

Right after the Draft, I have dinner with my family and friends and hop in the car to New York to grab a few hours of sleep before appearing on GMA the next morning with Robin Roberts. It’s cold outside where we do the interview, but I barely feel it. Going from a championship, to the Draft, to GMA with Robin — all with hair and makeup and cool jumpsuits (my favorite thing)? It’s like a dream.

My first event when I get to Seattle is our Storm jersey sponsor reveal with Sue Bird, the best point guard in the league and a fellow UConn grad. For as much experience as I’ve had at UConn with the media, it’s nice to have her there. She’s been through so much, and I know she’s helping me adjust to life in the WNBA — on the court and off. That’s a testimony to what we do at UConn; there’s a sense of family there. A bond that can’t be broken.

I’m in Seattle when I get the call from USA Basketball about the Olympics. My heart nearly jumps out of my chest when I see Carol, the Director’s name, pop up on my screen. Having the opportunity to play for a gold medal and represent my country on a team this great is an honor that’s hard to describe. I’m not sure how winning gold would compare to the four national championships — that’s something we worked years for that hadn’t been done. The NCAA championships go in their own separate category of accomplishments. But Sue told me the Olympic experience does, too.

I’m 21 years old. This is a lot. It sounds ridiculous. But it’s the exact position I want to be in.

Today is my first WNBA game. I’m excited and nervous. Finally, this one counts. When it was my first high school game, first college game, it was always the same. Time to show everyone what I’ve got, all over again. Gotta be ready. So I’ll get out on the floor early and see the ball go into the basket. You have to get a feel to know you’re ready.

I’m going to match up against Candace Parker. During our first preseason game, I realized every night you’re probably playing against at least one person who ranks amongst the best in the world. These women are proven pros. No matter who you are, it’s a huge challenge. But it’s why you play the game: to compete.

There are going to be tough games. There will be days and nights when things don’t go my way. At UConn I learned how to fight through. I have to make sure my confidence and effort never waver, because I am learning and growing every day.

I want to be the best. I’m focused today because of where I want to finish. Top women’s basketball players, or top basketball players, period. I’m going to do as much as I can to put myself and the teams I play on into that discussion. No complacency. And I have to keep getting better, because the past is the past and I want more.

I still have a lot to prove.