By Jennifer Bellis
San Antonio Express-News
The SBC Center sits quiet with just a small buzz of the upcoming NBA Finals outside the arena.
The only steady sound inside is the basketball hitting the floor before sailing through the air and then smoothly through the net.
It’s the same routine Marie Ferdinand follows before each practice — a few jump shots, followed by some 3-pointers and finally hard drives to the basket.
“Who’s to say Sheryl (Swoopes) isn’t still in the gym or Cynthia (Cooper),” said Ferdinand, a guard for the Silver Stars. “I’m just trying to beat them in every way I can.”
Sometimes the former LSU star works alone, but she’s often joined by veteran guard Jennifer Azzi.
“She wants to be the best player and wants to win,” Azzi said. “She’s one those rare young players that is really highly motivated, self-motivated.”
Last season as a second-year player, Ferdinand averaged 15.3 points and emerged as a top scoring guard in the WNBA and was named an All-Star for the Western Conference.
And now, Ferdinand has garnered respect around the league.
Phoenix Mercury coach John Shumate called her a stud. Even LSU coach Sue Gunter said Ferdinand is one of the best athletes she’s seen.
“I think she’s going to continue to get better and better,” Minnesota guard Katie Smith said. “She’s a great penetrator and pull-up shooter. All she has to do is master the 3-pointer and once she gets that, she’s going to be killer.”
And for those who don’t say it, the respect is shown on the court as Ferdinand, 24, is greeted with physical double-teams.
“The next step she needs to take is understanding she is a target now and is well-respected,” Silver Stars coach Candi Harvey said.
Through the first three games of the season, Ferdinand is leading the Silver Stars with 14.3 points per game.
But over the past 42 minutes of playing time, she has scored just eight points — a lapse in her game that Ferdinand recognizes.
“I have to be a threat on every possession,” said Ferdinand, who grew up in Miami. “At times I will fade away and I can’t allow that. I’m too good of a player to have a lapse.”
Ferdinand’s consistency is key as the Silver Stars look to match or better last year’s exit in the Western Conference finals.
Although considered by many around the league as the WNBA’s top shooting guard, Ferdinand, with her trademark WNBA game headband, has yet to develop go-to skills needed from a marquee player.
“She has to understand that the greatest players who have played the game bring it every night,” Harvey said. “She’s getting there and it’s improving. Right now it’s about consistently working as hard as she can. When she does that, no one can guard her and no one can score on her.”
There have been glimpses — Ferdinand scored 11 second-half points to lead the Silver Stars to a victory in the regular-season opener May 24.
She slashed through the lane, maneuvering her 5-foot-9 body through the taller defenders and awing the fans in one of the newest WNBA cities.
Yet, Ferdinand remains a virtual unknown to those outside the league.
“My time will come eventually,” Ferdinand said. “If I just do my part, they will know me. They will start to know me just as much as Sheryl Swoopes, Lisa Leslie and Jennifer Azzi.
“It’s just a matter of time.”