A Wonder from Down Under

Harrower

We took a minute to shine the spotlight on Australia's very own Kristi Harrower. And I guess we should have brought two lights with us because this saucy Aussie is a bit like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde when it comes to her life on and off the court.

Off the court, she is laid back and easy going. A regular Dr. Jekyll of sorts. She loves to be around her family, especially her eight-year-old nephew, who she spoils more than she should. But a few presents never hurt anyone. She says her parents, especially her father, have helped shape her as a person and as a basketball player. Kristi's father is a coach of a women's club in Australia, and when Kristi was younger, she played for him.

"I played for my dad a lot when I was younger. Once in a while we may have had a fight. But then I realized he wasn't picking on me for who I was, he was just trying to make me a better player," Kristi says. "We never had any problem when I realized that."

Kristi has appreciated the constructive criticism that her parents have given her about her game. "The good thing I like about both my parents is that they will tell me if I play well, bad, or if I could do better. They don't just praise me all the time. I think that helps me get better as a player."

Kristi not only likes spending time with family, she enjoys going out with her friends. Her favorite band is Matchbox 20. And when she goes out she likes to listen to music that she can dance to. Or should I say move to. Kristi's lack of rhythm might cause one to question if what she is doing could really to be considered dancing. Kristi hears jokes like that from her former Phoenix teammates all the time. Old teammate Bridget Pettis dubbed her "Shrimpy Shrimp" one day out of the blue. Now that name has traveled overseas with her to Australia. So now Kristi is known internationally as "Shrimpy Shrimp." I guess you could refer to her as the basketball player formally known as Kristi.

On the court however, the shrimp hits the barbie! When this Aussie steps on to the floor, she turns into Ms. Hyde.

"On the court, I won't take any mess," states Harrower. "And if someone is talking trash to me on the court, as they do so often in America ... very often I don't say too much. But if someone is being dirty, I will let them know."

Kristi then adds, "I am not one for the spotlight, I just go out play and give 110%. I let my game speak for itself. But off the court, I am just the opposite."

Well, you might be wondering how Harrower keeps up with her "split personality." She has been keeping a diary where she writes her innermost thoughts for the past 10 years. She writes about her games and her life off the court as well. From time to time, she will go back and read, but for the most part she doesn't dwell on the past -- she is more focused on the future.

What the future holds for Kristi Harrower is in Minnesota. In the 2001 season, Harrower will be fighting for a starting position with the Lynx. She will miss Phoenix, but she is optimistic about her future in Minnesota.

"I did enjoy Phoenix. I think it was because of the other Aussies on the team. That will be a test for me not having another Aussie on the team to talk about stuff back home," says Kristi. "But it is time to move on in life."