Monique Billings may have the laser-focused work ethic that has made her a mainstay in the WNBA<\/a> for nearly a decade \u2014 but that doesn\u2019t mean she doesn\u2019t like to lie back and have fun, even when she\u2019s on a business trip. \u201cGirl, I\u2019m going to the beach. I have a nail appointment at 4:30 p.m. I\u2019m so excited for that,\u201d she tells me over Zoom from Miami. \u201cI have this incredible view from my balcony. I\u2019m sitting outside, journaling, just taking it all in.\u201d<\/p>\n For the Golden State Valkryies<\/a> power forward, there\u2019s a lot to take in, especially ahead of her ninth season in the league. The 29-year-old California native stumbled into basketball when her dad asked if she wanted to play with some neighborhood kids, and although she was hesitant at first \u2014 \u201cI\u2019ve always been a super girly girl,\u201d she says \u2014 she gave it a chance.<\/p>\n \u201cI just kept playing. I kept getting better. It got to the point where I was like, Oh, I really enjoy this<\/em>, and from there it was like, Oh, I can get my [college] education paid for.<\/em> And then it was like, Wow, I\u2019m good enough to be recruited to go to the WNBA<\/em>,\u201d Billings says. \u201cAnd here we are, nine years as a pro, and it\u2019s still going.\u201d<\/p>\n After playing at UCLA, the Atlanta Dream drafted Billings in 2018, and she later played for the Dallas Wings and Phoenix Mercury before joining the Valkyries in 2025 and participating in Unrivaled<\/a> this year. She\u2019s seen the league\u2019s evolution firsthand, including the WNBA\u2019s new agreement<\/a> with the Women\u2019s National Basketball Players Association for higher pay and better benefits. Witnessing the sport\u2019s recent surge in popularity has also been particularly meaningful and has allowed her more opportunities, like partnering with brands like Silk Protein<\/a>, one of her favorite drinks to fuel up on.<\/p>\n \u2018[Before,] we weren\u2019t chartering flights, we weren\u2019t working with brands such as Silk. In some arenas, we didn\u2019t even have a locker room to put our stuff in overnight. So I see it as a privilege being at this point in my career,\u201d Billings says. \u201cIt\u2019s an exciting time for basketball. I\u2019m excited for myself as well [and] grateful to see where I\u2019ll end up this season.\u201d<\/p>\n Below, Billings breaks down her pregame rituals and why her tunnel \u2019fits sometimes stress her out.<\/p>\n Walk me through a typical game day, from the time you wake up to when you hit the court.<\/strong><\/p>\n I\u2019m a big routine girly but I don\u2019t like being super rigid about it. I would say I have a \u201cself-care menu.\u201d I\u2019ll pick different things from my menu depending on how I feel on a game day.<\/p>\n What are a few items on your self-care menu?<\/strong><\/p>\n I am a person of faith, so I\u2019m starting my day reading my Bible. I\u2019m journaling, I\u2019m praying, I\u2019m meditating. After that, I like to have a piece of fruit and drink some Silk Protein, either in tea or just Chocolate Silk Protein<\/a>. Then we\u2019ll go to shootaround and have a team meal. Afterward, I come home and I\u2019m taking a nap. That is essential for me.<\/p>\n After my nap, I get dressed. Tunnel \u2019fits are a thing. By putting on my makeup and getting fly, I\u2019m signaling to myself, it\u2019s game time<\/em>. And I like to keep it light by listening to R&B music. I talk on the phone with my mom, who grounds me and brings me a lot of peace. And then it\u2019s time to ball out.<\/p>\n What helps you when you\u2019re feeling extra nervous?<\/strong><\/p>\n Box breathing helps a lot. I like listening to affirmations and certain meditations that remind me of my power and of who I am, and that I\u2019m in the right place at the right time. It helps me stay grounded when I\u2019m feeling a little overwhelmed.<\/p>\n What has been your favorite tunnel \u2019fit you\u2019ve worn so far? How do you plan your outfits?<\/strong><\/p>\n I like the tunnel fits that have a staple piece, like a fur coat or a long trench coat, or black gloves\u00a0\u2014 accessories that pop.<\/p>\n I have a stylist who I sometimes work with, but I also get a lot of clothes sent to me. Sometimes, I pick out my outfit right before I leave. I don\u2019t know why I do this, because it stresses me out so much, but I do well under pressure. It\u2019s so unhealthy, it\u2019s so weird. Then the outfit will come out fire, and people are like, \u201cOh my gosh, I love this outfit.\u201d<\/p>\n Are there other sports stars or celebrities that you look to for fashion inspiration?<\/strong><\/p>\n Honestly, I have a very eclectic style. I like to shop at thrift stores. I like vintage, Y2K, and \u201990s stuff, so I\u2019m looking at icons from those periods. As for athletes, maybe Dennis Rodman<\/a> \u2014 he wore super jazzy outfits. He\u2019s someone who I really like on and off the court.<\/p>\n Do you have any go-to skincare or beauty products?<\/strong><\/p>\n When it comes to skincare, I just use whatever I have and keep it simple with a serum, a moisturizer, an eye cream, toners. As far as makeup, I like Saie\u2019s blush<\/a> a lot.<\/p>\n What is your nail routine for games?<\/strong><\/p>\n My nails are pretty long. I keep them natural and just do a shiny buff. I get my toes painted. I wish I was a nail girly, but it\u2019s really hard playing ball and getting the dip or gel.<\/p>\n A lot of people <\/strong>credit you as a leader<\/strong><\/a> on the teams that you\u2019ve been on. What does that mean to you?<\/strong><\/p>\n I want to lead by example, so if I\u2019m able to be positive, light, friendly \u2014 somebody who someone can trust and knows that I\u2019m giving my all \u2014 that, to me, is a leader. Someone who just shows up and someone who\u2019s consistent.<\/p>\n My parents raised me to be a leader. I\u2019ve always stood up for myself and for others and I\u2019ve always had a very strong sense of self. But in recent years, I\u2019ve really come into my own in leadership and in walking in that role.<\/p>\n Tell me about your next goals. What are you working toward?<\/strong><\/p>\n To have an incredible year nine. I have another goal to play in Unrivaled again. I\u2019m working with Silk Protein right now and would love to continue working with them \u2014 staying nourished is a huge goal for me as well. I always say, \u201cNourish in order to flourish.\u201d <\/p>\n And a big goal is having fun through everything that I\u2019m going through, all my traveling, all my busyness, playing with Team USA<\/a>. I want to enjoy these moments, because they\u2019re going by so fast.<\/p>\n This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.<\/em><\/p>\n![\"MEDLEY,](\"https:\/\/imgix.bustle.com\/uploads\/getty\/2026\/4\/2\/7511899a\/medley-florida-february-22.jpg?w=414&h=276&fit=crop&crop=faces&dpr=2\")
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