San Antonio Stars guard Kayla McBride returned to her hometown of Erie, Pennsylvania last week to the United States while her overseas team, UNIQA Euroleasing Sopron, is on holiday break:
America!!!
— Kayla McBride (@kaymac_2123) December 22, 2014
It's well-earned because she is the team's leading scorer (15.8 ppg) and rebounder (7.5 rpg). While fellow Sopron teammate and Washington Mystics guard Bria Harley had an interview on SourceLifeRadio.com's La Vida Latina Show, McBride had her OWN DAY IN HER HOMETOWN!
On Tuesday, December 30, the Erie BayHawks NBA D-League team celebrated "Kayla McBride Day" when they played against the Bakersfield Jam. A YouTube video interview of McBride is embedded at the top of this page from the league's YouTube channel. In the interview she talks about her experience in high school at Villa Maria Academy and college at Notre Dame.
The day wasn't simply just a moment where McBride walked at halftime during a game. She had a busy day so you know:
It is finally @kaymac_2123 Day! Kayla will be honored for tonight's game at 7PM. Catch up on all of the day's events: http://t.co/j5eBMuHaE3
— Erie BayHawks (@ErieBayHawks) December 30, 2014
First, she led a basketball clinic before the game where young boys and girls got some valuable instruction from one of the WNBA's young rising stars (no pun intended):
.@SAStars guard @kaymac_2123 running #basketball clinic @ #Erie Insurance Arena. #ErieLive pic.twitter.com/iLwDIRnJD5
— Christopher Millette (@ETNmillette) December 30, 2014
.@SAStars guard @kaymac_2123 held #basketball skills clinic 2day in #Erie. Gallery: http://t.co/63fgpRNSF4. #ErieLive pic.twitter.com/TeFvdkfaa8
— Christopher Millette (@ETNmillette) December 30, 2014
Second took pictures with the Magnificat (OH) High School girls basketball team which played against her alma mater, Villa Maria which occurred before the BayHawks game:
she's verified @kaymac_2123 pic.twitter.com/UxarKKr0o4
— chryssa popson (@cpopson15) December 30, 2014
Of course, there were plenty of autographs and pics! Just some of them are below:
Erie's @WNBA star @kaymac_2123 signing autographs for her fans pic.twitter.com/PbpQxHooRq
— Erie BayHawks (@ErieBayHawks) December 31, 2014
Great meeting @kaymac_2123 at the @ErieBayHawks game tonight. Best of luck wherever your travels may take you! pic.twitter.com/H5zBitLPmQ
— Jonathan Williams (@powder132366) December 31, 2014
My favorite pic of all was a photobomb. Just look at the tweet below and you'll see why:
Selfie time with @arose_sweny3 and @kaymac_2123 comes up big with the photobomb! pic.twitter.com/PXIFgQ5Ax8
— Craig Smylie (@CraigSmylie) December 31, 2014
If there was only one bad part about this day, it was because the BayHawks lost to the Jam, 119-116 after a hot start. The BayHawks were led by Seth Curry, the younger brother of Golden State Warriors point guard Stephen Curry. He scored 33 points and drained seven three pointers while making his best Steph-, I mean McBride impression. Unfortunately, a potential game-tying three which he attempted was blocked at the final buzzer.
Despite the BayHawks' loss, it's clear that Kayla McBride Day was a big success. It definitely is really cool for a player to be honored in her hometown.