Rookie Peters soaks up life in the WNBA - KMSP-TV

Devereaux Peters has a grasp on reality. She understands that this year there will be games that will require her to be more mentally tough than physically. She is the kid in a team stacked with veterans and just needs to be ready when her number is called.

For the first 25 minutes of Sunday's game, the kid had one of the best seats in the house as she watched her team maintain a double-digit lead over the Phoenix Mercury.

Sitting on the bench doesn't bother Peters. Actually, it's all part of the master plan.

"I just have to stay ready," said Peters. "That's something that coach told me from the jump. She said this is going to be a learning year for me and I just have to come in and make the most of my minutes."

The Target Center clock showed 4:52 when Devereaux heard her name. That is when she took head coach Cheryl Reeve's message to the literal extreme. Over the remainder of the third quarter, Peters scored four points, pulled down three rebounds, collected two steals and dished an assist as well.

Making the most of her time?

Absolutely.

"It's just what she does," said Reeve. "She is just a person who is extremely efficient in the minutes she gets."

No question Peters played her best game as a pro finishing with 10 points, four rebounds, two steals and the assist in just under 11 minutes of action.

Not a bad day at the office for the kid.

"It's pretty much everything I expected," said Peters. "When I got here I had a sit down with coach. She told me what she wanted from me and what she wanted me to do for the team and what she wanted this year to be for me."

That meeting with Reeve was all about keeping her in her comfort zone and continuing to do the things that made her the number three selection in this past year's WNBA Draft.

"Rebounding, setting good screens and doing a lot of the little things," said Peters. "It's been a simple transition. A lot of the plays run through the post at the elbows. It's very similar to the dynamic I had at Notre Dame so it's been great."

Winning is something she is used to as well. Notre Dame went 35-4 during Peter's senior season, helping the Fighting Irish advance through the NCAA Tournament into the championship game. She is 6-0 with the Lynx counting the exhibition games.

Peters maybe the kid, but she isn't playing like one. She is making good on every second of her professional career and ready to do her part for another championship contender.

She is a winner, and that is reality.