One is gregarious, outwardly emotional, and a natural, vocal leader. The other is measured, a calm appearance belying a sneaky sense of humor, a leader by example.
One is an admitted procrastinator; the other has a universally admired work ethic.
“They’re just inseparable. Always together, always making each other laugh,” guard Nia Jackson said. “They’re best friends. Their personalities are the same in a lot of ways.”
One plays a “flashy” game of basketball, highlighted by her no-no-no-no-YES three-point shots, let go where most NBA players hold reservations — with her work on the defensive end, often against players taller and stronger than she is, going virtually unnoticed. The other is that consummate glue player who “does all the little things” — how else could she set records for career games played and career free throw percentage? — with a highly developed basketball acumen that ensures she will never be caught out of place on the court.
Taylor Lilley and Micaela Cocks changed the direction of the Oregon women’s basketball program together, the roommates’ close friendship proving an unbreakable bond through hard times and successes. As their senior seasons have drawn to a close, Tay and Mic — or, more appropriately, TayAndMic — will be heading separate ways.
Lilley in the WNBA
Lilley, whose 124 made three-pointers from last season set school and Pacific-10 Conference records, has already started her life after college. She was considered a possible draft choice in the WNBA Draft but was not selected. A couple of days later, the Phoenix Mercury — the defending WNBA champions — called her and offered her a training camp invitation.
“I was excited,” Lilley said. “I definitely jumped up and down a bit.”
The Mercury is a natural fit for Lilley. Phoenix’s second-year head coach is Corey Gaines, a former Loyola Marymount player under current Oregon head coach Paul Westhead. Gaines began his WNBA coaching career as a Mercury assistant in 2006 under Westhead, who completed his first year with the Ducks this past season.
“He is similar (to Westhead), but he definitely has his own coaching style,” Lilley said of Gaines’ up-tempo system. There are so many more plays. You have to be really on point.”
One of the 12 roster spots was far from guaranteed for Lilley, one of four rookies at the Mercury’s camp. She shook off any nerves and took in everything she could.
“I just stuck to the way I play, the player that I’ve always been, extremely hard, giving it everything I had,” Lilley said. “Practicing hard, sprinting the lanes like they want, being versatile. I couldn’t have any fear.
“I’ve just been a sponge. Just observing so much. Anytime (the veterans) speak up, I am always engaged in it.”
Phoenix had two preseason games, playing the Seattle Storm on March 2 and the Chinese national team on March 8. Lilley did not play in the first contest but got 23 minutes off the bench against China, scoring 11 points on 4-9 shooting (3-7 from three-point range) with two rebounds and an assist.
Her future was not secure with the team, however, until May 14, as she survived final cuts. Lilley became the seventh player in program history to make a WNBA roster since the inauguration of the league in 1997.
“We’re all very proud of her,” Jackson said. “She worked her butt off at Oregon. Just very happy for her. It’s incredible to be playing at that level.”
More so, Jackson believes, because the 5-feet-6-inch Lilley is considered undersized at the professional level.
“Just being that height, it’s remarkable to be playing at the next level,” she said. “It’s incredible.”
Lilley’s adjustment to the quasi-nomadic lifestyle of professional basketball has also come off the court. She lives in a one-bedroom apartment in Phoenix with a new puppy. Her mother, Deborah, has visited her several times from her home in Newhall, Calif., to help ease the transition, and Cocks keeps in close touch thanks to Skype and Facebook.
She’s always got my back,” Cocks said. “We obviously are going to miss each other. Already are. We’ve got a good friendship. Distance won’t break our friendship up.”
Through five games, the Mercury are 2-3. Lilley saw her first live game action against the Minnesota Lynx on Tuesday. She played 10 minutes in the 92-82 loss, grabbing three rebounds and making her first professional field goal. It was a three-pointer.
Cocks looking at Europe
Back in Eugene, Cocks is finishing up her degree in business administration as she works with her agent on finding a professional home in Europe. The realization of the end of her time with the Ducks is hitting home.
“I’m definitely going to miss it. I love the atmosphere here,” she said. “You just really start to realize how lucky you are at the UO. People helping you, the facilities — you’re like, wow, what are you going to do?”
Cocks, a native of Auckland, New Zealand, is also keeping an eye on international competition with the Tall Ferns national basketball team. In the summer of 2008, Cocks competed with the Tall Ferns in the Beijing Olympics, a pivotal experience in her basketball development.
“Beijing gave me a lot of confidence. I got to be out there on the floor against the best in the world,” she said. “You can’t ask for anything else. I might not get to play some of those players again. It’s a whole other level of basketball.
“Off the court, it was so neat. One of best times in my life. Being in the village with the best athletes in the world is the No. 1 thing that sticks out. You all share a same kind of goal. It’s just an eerie feeling because everyone’s doing the same thing.”
Back in Phoenix, Lilley misses Cocks and her positive influence.
“Our thought process is very similar, which is why we get along,” she said. “She has a different perspective. She’s so goofy — she’s just her. She doesn’t let anybody affect who she is. She’s just really benefitted me, and her work ethic is unreal.”
Lilley and Cocks’ professional careers will take them elsewhere, but they’ll never be far apart.
“They’ll definitely be missed,” Jackson said.
[email protected]