January 29, 2025 • 25 mins
This week Khristina is joined by gold medalist and Atlanta Dream Guard, Allisha Gray. Allisha talks to Khristina about how she spent her All-Star weekend prize money, becoming a TikTok food critic, entering the restaurant business, and what's in store for Atlanta fans this coming season. In the second half of the episode, Khristina is joined by Indiana Fever Guard Lexie Hull who shares a huge announcement!
Want more women’s basketball scoop? Follow the show on Instagram @ICYMIwithKW and X @ICYMIwithKW and for more on Khristina follow her on Instagram @khristinawilliams
Let us know what you think of the show by leaving a rating and a review!
CREDITS
Executive Producers:
Nikki Ettore
Jessie Katz
Tyler Klang
Jonathan Strickland
Producer:
Mike Coscarelli
Producer & Editor:
Tari Harrison
Host:
Khristina Williams
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:01):
In Case You Missed It with Christina Williams is an
iHeart women's sports production in partnership with Deep Blue Sports
and Entertainment. Welcome to another edition of In Case You
Missed It with Christina Williams. And for the headlines, we
have Indiana Fevers Lexi Hall joining us for a special announcement,
(00:24):
so you want to stick around for that. And later
in the show, we have Alicia Gray joining us to
talk all things unrivaled basketball, so you want to stick
around for that as well. But before we get into
all of that, let's break down the latest in WNBA
free agency. Sources have confirmed that the Seattle Store of
Las Vegas Aces and Los Angeles Sparks have agreed to
a three team trade deal. Seattle will acquire number two
(00:47):
overall pick and Lee Yuru from LA, while the Aces
acquired Guloid from Seattle and the number thirteen overall pick
from LA. And this deal, the Sparks get Kelsey Plump
from Las Vegas and the number nine overall pick from Seattle. Now,
I think that each team gets better with this trade.
Obviously for Seattle they will be in a rebuild mode
(01:09):
and it seems like they're high up on keeping Gabby
Williams around with the move of cooring her prior to
the negotiations starting. And I like Juloyd with the Aces.
She gets to team up with Asia Wilson, Jackie Young,
Chelsea Gray and that number thirteen pick. Now we know
that last year the WNBA took away the number nine
(01:32):
pick from LA due to the case with deer Can Hampy,
and so now they get back into the ballgame for
the twenty twenty five draft by acquiring the number thirteen
overall pick from LA and then Kelsey Plumb. She gets
a fresh start in Los Angeles. This is a team
that's young. They have the key of Jackson, Cameron Brink,
and they want to compete. So I love seeing her
(01:53):
not only help this young core, but also to team
back up with her old teammate and deer Can Hampy.
So I like that three team trade deal. And then
they also get the number nine pick from Seattle. So
while they had to give up that number two pick,
I think that the twenty twenty five draft class is
so deep that even having the number nine pick with
the thought of maybe using that as a trade asset
(02:17):
to get a veteran experienced guard or why not just
draft someone within the twenty twenty five class and continue
to build their young core. There are lots of talented
guards coming out of college this year, so I'm excited
to see what the Spark to do in terms of
doing that. Now. Also in WNBA Free agency News, Washington
(02:38):
Posts reporter Kareem Copeland has reported that Shatori Walker Kimbro
intends to sign a one year deal with the Atlanta
Dream once players can officially sign on Saturday. We know
that Shatari Walker Kimbro, you spent seven non consecutive seasons
with the Mystics, and she had arguably one of her
(02:58):
best seasons last year, and so she goes to Atlanta
to get a fresh start there. All right, And now
for one of the biggest stories of the week in
free agency, It's being reported that Alyssa Thomas is being
dealt to the Phoenix Mercury and a sign in trade deal,
and it's being reported that in exchange, the Phoenix Mercury
(03:21):
will send over Natasha Cloud, Rebecca Allen and the number
twelve overall pick. I'm also told that in that deal,
potentially Ty Harris can be dealt from Connecticut as a
package with Alyssa Thomas and that sign in trade to
the Phoenix Mercury. Now, is it shocking that the Phoenix
(03:43):
Mercury are deciding to potentially trade Natasha Cloud after signing
her last year. I think that it is absolutely shocking,
but it makes sense in the biggest realm of things
because they both play the same position. Alyssa Thomas is
point guard, she can play defense. I didn't really see
(04:03):
how it would work out with those two, so it
makes sense. And also for Connecticut, if you're going to
give up your MVP type candidate Elsa Thomas has been
in the MVP runnings for the last couple of seasons,
you have to give up something, and so I think
that for that package, I think that the numbers kind
of make sense in terms of being able to make
(04:24):
that swap. I do see or maybe want to predict
that maybe Dowanabonna will also as an unrestricted free agent
signed to the Phoenix Murcery because they've now cleared so
much cap space with Because they've now cleared so much
cap space with trading Cloud and the pick and Rebecca Allen,
(04:44):
you now have more cap space to sign a bigger contract.
And also it was reported early on that Diana ta
Rossi will retire and Brittany Grinder potentially wants to play elsewhere.
So you have all this cap space, but now you have,
you know, more room to sign big name stars or
more role players to fill that role. So I do
like this trade for Phoenix, and I'm excited to see
(05:06):
what happens next. All right, that's gonna do it for
the latest pre agency news. Make sure you tune into
the in Case You missed It with Christina Williams social
media channels for all of the latest and WNBA Free Agency.
Now let's get into this conversation with Indiana Fever's Lexi
Hall for her big announcement. Welcome to a bonus edition
(05:35):
of In Case You missed It with Christina Williams here
on iHeartRadio, and I'm super excited for today's guest. There's
a huge announcement and so without further ado, I want
to welcome in Lexi Hall of the Indie Anda Fever. Lexi,
Welcome to the show.
Speaker 2 (05:52):
Hi, thank you excited to be here.
Speaker 1 (05:53):
So Lexi, I understand that there's a huge announcement today,
so I'll let you do the honors and tell all
the listeners. What's new with you?
Speaker 2 (06:03):
So I am part of Unrivaled obviously, but also more
exciting being part of Athleta. I'm a partnership that I'm
really excited about.
Speaker 1 (06:11):
And so you just announced that you're a part of Athleta.
What does it mean to you to not only be
a part of the Power of She collective, but how
do you think joining this collective influences the next generation
of young female athletes.
Speaker 2 (06:26):
I mean, it's it's a great honor to be part
of it, and I'm super excited about the opportunity. The
Power of She just inspires women and girls to gain
confidence and empowers them to really be whoever they want
to be. So to be part of that group and
joining incredible athletes and an incredible brand that supports them,
i''m truly honored.
Speaker 1 (06:46):
We just spoke on how it focuses on empower women
in the next generation. What's your personal connection to that?
Speaker 2 (06:56):
Hopefully you know, I'm excited about the initiatives that the
Power of She is putting in place and the way
that they're able to help young girls in sports and
at every stage of their careers. So just excited to
be you know, part of those activations, part of those
things coming up in the future.
Speaker 1 (07:16):
Part of this huge announcement is Athleta making a donation
to Girls Inc. To support girls and underserved communities. So
how does it feel to be able to not only
partner with Athleta, but to be able to use your
platform to create these opportunities to inspire young girls.
Speaker 2 (07:33):
Yeah, so some of those girls got to come to
the Unrivaled game yesterday, and it's just really great to
be able to have an impact on different communities and
especially the Miami chapter here being able to see, you know,
those girls having a great time in the game and
hopefully inspire them to really just chase whatever dreams that
they have because everything's possible.
Speaker 1 (07:51):
You're joining a long list of athletes like Simon vows
Kately Bladecki as part of this collective. What does it
mean for you to be, you know, part of a
group where top tier athletes are just making that impact
on the next generation.
Speaker 2 (08:05):
I mean it's pretty incredible. I mean those two names
alone are incredible athletes, incredible people, and they're doing so
much outside of their sport, which is so inspiring to me.
And so to be able to be a name amongst
them and be able to have an impact on girls
across the world. That's just such an honor and so
exciting to be part of that.
Speaker 1 (08:23):
I love that, you know, Unrivaled is a part of
this initiative. What has it been like for you just
being able to be down in Miami and being a
part of the inaugural season of unrivorled.
Speaker 2 (08:33):
Again, it's you know, I'm just so happy to be here.
And I think you see just the amount of attention
that the league is getting and how good it's going
to be for the WNBA and how good it's going
to be for the sport of women's basketball. I think
to be part of that inaugural season, it's it's definitely
a privilege. So just excited to see, you know, the
growth that this will have in every aspect of the sport.
Speaker 1 (08:56):
A Lexi, thank you so much for joining us this
week on in case you missed it. Congrats on your
new athletic partnership, and also we look forward to seeing
you the rest of the season at Unrivaled in Miami
and of course with the Indiana Fever in twenty twenty five.
Speaker 2 (09:10):
Thank you.
Speaker 1 (09:11):
All right, We're gonna take a quick little break and
when we get back. Alicia Gray joins the show. Welcome
back to in case you missed it with Christina Williams,
(09:34):
and I'm super excited about our next guest. Listen, y'all
know on this show we do it big. So without
further ado, please welcome to the show. Two time WNBA
All Star, twenty twenty four WNBA Skills and three point
Competition Champion, she won Athletes Unlimited Championship in twenty twenty four.
(09:57):
She's an NCUBLEA Champion, a seventeen Rookie of the Year,
and they call her Gold Medal Leash. Please welcome to
this show, Alisha Gray, for having me so we unrivaled
has been going on for the past few weeks. What's
the thing that made you want to join this season?
Speaker 3 (10:19):
I mean it's a new league. I mean the way
it was pitched to me, it sounded amazing. The amenities,
how we're living, how we have excess to things like
the equity within the league like it. It was like
appeal to me. And also during the off season, getting
to compete every day with the top players in the
(10:39):
w I mean it was something that I couldn't pass up.
Speaker 1 (10:43):
The lunar owls have been taken unrivaled by storm. You
all are still undefeated through week two. What would you
say is the most surprising or fun thing about playing
with such a diverse group of athletes.
Speaker 3 (10:57):
It's fun because I mean we all just jail so well.
I mean we're all I don't know, like we understand
our role within the team, Like we don't take bad shots.
We get each other, like we support each other, motivate
each other. It's almost crazy because normally getting yelled at
for shooting too much, and we yell each other like
that's your shot, take that shot. So we just got
a great I don't know, just the chemistry, like we
(11:19):
still mission still learn each other. But I mean you
will never notice on how we play. But I mean
it's just a fun group to play with.
Speaker 1 (11:28):
You feel like you have an advantage over the other
players here because you have that three x three experience
from being at the Olympics, And how have you applied
that to the style of unrifle, because I know it's
different than the fever three x three.
Speaker 3 (11:43):
I don't say I have an advantage because, like you said,
it is a different like pace where three x three
fevers and pace pace pace where here you take the
ball like it's a different type pace. So it's just
like you're playing five and five, just missing the two
extra putes. So I wouldn't say it's advantaged, but I
mean overall, I mean it's something new. It's cool, like
(12:05):
you get to show your game. I mean, you're on
an island because defensively, like you have no help. So
it just allows you to get in your bag a
little more and have a little more freedom and be
able to cook more.
Speaker 1 (12:17):
This week coming up one of the most anticipated matches
between Lunar Isles and Laces, both undefeated teams throughout the
first couple of weeks of unrival what's the key to
keeping that going to have the perfect record?
Speaker 3 (12:32):
Just for us to keep doing what we're doing. I mean,
we don't want to play different just because the team
that we're playing. I mean, what we've been doing has
kept us undefeated, undefeated this far. Excuse me, but I
mean we just got to go out there and hoop.
And I mean the Lasers they're a great team. I
mean they have they seem like they messed together well also,
(12:53):
so I mean the biggest thing, we just got to
continue doing what we're doing and play at our level.
Speaker 1 (12:59):
Okay, so off the or. I think that the fans
could appreciate all of the Leash and Ryan Howard content.
I've seen them on TikTok. You both have become sort
of food critics lately, which has been hilarious to watch
from from this point of view. How did that become
your thing? And what's the funniest food combo you tried
to kept together?
Speaker 3 (13:19):
I mean, we we seen like the crumble cookie thing
on TikTok. We was like, I don't know the cookies,
like it can't be that bad. So then we tried
the cookies and then it just became a thing like
we saw we see something like we never seen before,
Like let's just make a TikTok and tried because we
found the them sodas. The sodas we tried and the
(13:40):
skill dress trophy happen to be in a candy store
one day. It was like you want to try that?
We was gonna try, and then we just decided to
make a TikTok out of like we didn't even planning
to make a TikTok, like me and Rod never playing,
so we just do it. So I mean, but it's
cool though. We got something something else that we're gonna
try and on speal the bees, we gonna try something
else as well. But I mean it's fun overall.
Speaker 1 (14:04):
I think the fans can appreciate seeing that side of
the both of you, and I think that sponsors need
to get on and give you all your own show
about you trying to do things. I think people will
appreciate that. In addition to just like the food reviews
this week, that handshake that went viral between you and
Ryan when you checked into the games, fans are dying
to know what's the deal with the glasses? Is that
(14:25):
a part of the handshake or did you both do that?
And the sense of the moment.
Speaker 3 (14:30):
Uh, it's gone dam I mean we've done that handshake before.
I guess it's just never been caught on camera, like
that's our handshake, So I mean it's all a part
of it.
Speaker 1 (14:42):
You got a few nicknames, Gold Medal, Leash, Google, Leash,
big Al. Which one do you get the most? Love for?
Speaker 3 (14:53):
All of them?
Speaker 2 (14:55):
All?
Speaker 3 (14:55):
Love them all, love them?
Speaker 1 (15:00):
What's the story behind the goggles and how did that
become your part of your signature?
Speaker 3 (15:03):
Look, I was actually playing three x three and I
had got poked in the eye, and like I was,
I don't know, I had trouble like seeing out in
my eyes. So I just wore the goggless to like
protect me and and I really liked them, so I
just just a team when it just became part of
(15:24):
my wardrobe. But I did have an eye and that's
why I wear right.
Speaker 1 (15:28):
I want to switch gears a little bit. This summer,
we all witness you make history becoming the first w
NBA player in history to win both the Skills Challenge
and the Three Point Contests. So just take us through
what that weekend went like, what's like for you? What
was going through your head as everything kind of unfolded.
Speaker 3 (15:48):
I mean it was wild. I still say that all
start basically changed my life. I feel like people got
to I mean I always been the same person. Just
the cameras in my face and I'm really authentic, Like
what you see is what you get on switch up
for nobody in I don't know. It just was like
my really my main focus was to win the Skills Show.
(16:11):
Of course you think you're gonna win both, but I'm like, okay,
the Skills Challenge, like that's my main goal, and a
three point challenge, like I'm doing that after the skills change.
So I'm like, okay, well, I don't know what my
fatigue is gonna be. But old ROMs just don't have fun.
So then once JJ got around that corner, I'm like
it started getting just a little tight. I'm like, oh gosh,
(16:33):
And then she missed that last shot. I was like,
I ain't no, what of these people just then win
both both of these competitions. I mean, it was a
fun weekend, but I think that all start we can
really change my life, cause I feel like that's how
people like found out about me and got to know me.
Speaker 1 (16:52):
Listen, I'm not counting your pockets, but you also walked
home with one hundred thousand dollars, So what was the
first thing you sclurged on a receiving that huge prize.
Speaker 3 (17:02):
I don't. I don't splur I'm cheap. I don't. I
don't spend my money. If anything, I invest my money
or it just I invest my money. I'm invested. I
was looking for new ways to grow my money. But
I really slurred, like I'm probably one of the cheapest
people on the planet. Like if you have to squeeze
the doll out of me.
Speaker 1 (17:22):
Right, But you mentioned the word investment in outside of basketball,
you obviously are a hustler. As you said, you like
to reinvest your money and build it up. So you're
the owner of the w n B Factory alongside your
boyfriend and your brother. What made you dive into the
restaurant business?
Speaker 3 (17:41):
Uh? I always had a goal of investing in a
franchise or on a franchise. So it's crazy because my brother,
like he was going to win. He stop and when
he stops closed and across the streets a WNB factory
and he went there and he was the oldest schools
been like y'all need to try it. And it was
like like this song, we can invest it. So we
(18:03):
look up like the franchise fees and the costs and
all that stuff to take to build it, and here
we are.
Speaker 1 (18:10):
What have you learned about being a business owner that
you sort of take with you?
Speaker 3 (18:17):
Uh, it's not easy. It has its challenges, but once
you figure it out, like you could pretty much do anything.
I mean, it allows me to go into a world
and see a side of things that like I will
never see as a basketball player like it just talked.
It just teaches me a lot of things, like how
to handle people, even be a people's person, because when
I'm in a restaurant, you gotta have great custom service.
(18:40):
You gotta know how to treat your employees and things
like that. So I think it taught me a lot
of things.
Speaker 1 (18:46):
I'm curious, what's your go to wing order? Because you're
in Atlanta, the restaurant is in Georgia, So what's your
go to wing order? And please don't say Living Pepper.
Oh I don't like it, Okay, so we have to
say page Living Pepper is absolutely grass.
Speaker 3 (19:02):
I'm a honey mile all flat extra Christie.
Speaker 1 (19:08):
Right, all flat, all flat.
Speaker 3 (19:10):
Only if you can't give me all flat, it's christy.
I'm not eating.
Speaker 1 (19:16):
I agree, I agree, all right, y'all. We gotta pay
some bills real quick. So when we come back, we'll
have more from this conversation with Alisha Gray. So searching
(19:36):
gears again. You were part of the historic South Carolina
team that won the program's first championship in twenty seventeen.
Looking back at that moment in your career, what stands
out to you the most about that particular season and
the way it shaped your career. I'll say being able
to achieve the reason I went to South Carolina. I
(20:00):
just knew when I decided to transfer, not only did
I want to transfer to a concept was closer to
my family, but also being able to compete for a championship.
And it's crazy because I wish I would have been
able to play more than one year at South Carolina,
but I am blessed and thankful.
Speaker 3 (20:19):
For the year that I did get to play. But
I mean, I just say, yeah, I mean I learned
a lot with them playing on the Coach State. I
mean she's a pro, Like if you want to be
a pro, like you play for Coastagi because she runs
the program like you're pro, and it's just like I
look back now, like be like, dang, Like that's what
Coach State was talking about. She to SOUF because we're
(20:39):
young and don't want to listen, and it's like like
I hear you, but it going one and out the other.
But as a pro, as a pro, like when she
tells you things like it's like, oh, that's that's what
she's talking about.
Speaker 1 (20:52):
You definitely see it manifest itself through the success of
players of the w n B A. I mean you
also played with Asian Wilson during that time of that
great run in South Carolina. What was it like just
sharing that championship moment with her? Watching now watching her
bedominant in the w NBA as well, Like all of
you are now like kind of in your primes at
(21:13):
the same time and just dominating the w NBA right now.
Speaker 3 (21:18):
It's great. Like I'm so proud of Agent and all
the things she accomplished, because like it's cool because she's
always been this person that she is. But it's just
like she has cameras in her face now, But I
mean she always been this genuine, sweet person, like really
cares for you, and like she's just a great, great
friend to have. And I'm lucky and blessed for her
(21:38):
to be my best friend. And it may even suit
of being able to help her win for her hometown
because I mean, she she was known crud in her class.
She could win anywhere in the country, but she decided
to stay on Place Soudecline and help change that program.
So I'm just glad I was able to come in
and help her achieve that goal of winning a Na's Cha,
(22:00):
not You've a freaking rock star, Krady.
Speaker 1 (22:03):
You are too in your own right with everything that
you've accomplished. I mean, what are some of your goals
for the rest of your care I mean, obviously, I
know every athlete wants to win a championship, but you've
been a part of a lot of first and making
history in your career. So what keeps you inspired and motivated?
And also what are your goals moving forward?
Speaker 3 (22:23):
Oh? Can you inspiring? Motivating? It's just just how hard
I work, Like I worked so hard in the outsets
have myself to upcome season. So it's just like I
don't like to waste my time, Like I really like
to diaload and be serious because like you can't play
basketball for like one day, the ball's gonna stop dribbing.
(22:43):
So the big same of me is just cherishing every
moment and taking every moment serious because you never know
when is your last of the game to be taken
away from you and the staff of a finger. So
I think that's what inspires me the most. And some
of my goals, of course, I think, Yeah, my biggest
guard now I don't is the win a w championship.
I mean, I feel like that's one of the last
(23:05):
things on my checklist that I want to achieve, and
I can not saying I'll sit back and just be like, Okay,
now I cheat the thing, like I'll stop working. Like
it's one of the things where it's like societally fly
cheat everything on my checklist, and like I've got to
taste everything because I got to taste of being an
All Star, and it's I want more of being an
(23:26):
All Star, and I just want to taste a feeling
what a w champion feel like. Then it's okay, I
want I want to taste the more of that too.
Speaker 1 (23:34):
Lots to look forward to you in twenty twenty five
for the dream. Obviously, they just hired a new head
coach in the off season. What can fans expect to
see from you all this upcoming season.
Speaker 3 (23:47):
I'm super excited. I mean, I'm just decided on what
car can bring to the organization and how he'll like
utilize us and put us in the best position to
be great. I know he loves the three point bottle,
loves the shooting that's right down my alley, So I
think it's gonna be really fun.
Speaker 1 (24:08):
I can't wait, all right, Lech so we're looking forward
to seeing you at Unrival for the rest of the
season with the Lunar Owls and of course with the
Atlanta Dream in twenty twenty five. Thank you so much
for joining us this week on In Case You Missed
It with Christina Williams. Thanks for having me, all right, y'all,
I just want to thank Flexi and Alicia Gray again
(24:30):
for pulling up to the show this week. That's gonna
do it for this week's edition of In Case You
Missed It with Christina Williams here on iHeartRadio. If you
like the show, make sure you like, review and subscribe
to the podcast, and we'll be back next week with
the latest. In Case You Missed It with Christina Williams
(24:51):
is an iHeart women's sports production in partnership with Deep
Blue Sports and Entertainment. You can find us on the
iHeartRadio app, Apple podcast, or wherever you get your podcast
In Case You Missed It with Christina Williams is an
iHeart women's sports production in partnership with Deep Blue Sports
and Entertainment. Welcome to another edition of In Case You
Missed It with Christina Williams. And for the headlines, we
have Indiana Fevers Lexi Hall joining us for a special announcement,
(00:24):
so you want to stick around for that. And later
in the show, we have Alicia Gray joining us to
talk all things unrivaled basketball, so you want to stick
around for that as well. But before we get into
all of that, let's break down the latest in WNBA
free agency. Sources have confirmed that the Seattle Store of
Las Vegas Aces and Los Angeles Sparks have agreed to
a three team trade deal. Seattle will acquire number two
(00:47):
overall pick and Lee Yuru from LA, while the Aces
acquired Guloid from Seattle and the number thirteen overall pick
from LA. And this deal, the Sparks get Kelsey Plump
from Las Vegas and the number nine overall pick from Seattle. Now,
I think that each team gets better with this trade.
Obviously for Seattle they will be in a rebuild mode
(01:09):
and it seems like they're high up on keeping Gabby
Williams around with the move of cooring her prior to
the negotiations starting. And I like Juloyd with the Aces.
She gets to team up with Asia Wilson, Jackie Young,
Chelsea Gray and that number thirteen pick. Now we know
that last year the WNBA took away the number nine
(01:32):
pick from LA due to the case with deer Can Hampy,
and so now they get back into the ballgame for
the twenty twenty five draft by acquiring the number thirteen
overall pick from LA and then Kelsey Plumb. She gets
a fresh start in Los Angeles. This is a team
that's young. They have the key of Jackson, Cameron Brink,
and they want to compete. So I love seeing her
(01:53):
not only help this young core, but also to team
back up with her old teammate and deer Can Hampy.
So I like that three team trade deal. And then
they also get the number nine pick from Seattle. So
while they had to give up that number two pick,
I think that the twenty twenty five draft class is
so deep that even having the number nine pick with
the thought of maybe using that as a trade asset
(02:17):
to get a veteran experienced guard or why not just
draft someone within the twenty twenty five class and continue
to build their young core. There are lots of talented
guards coming out of college this year, so I'm excited
to see what the Spark to do in terms of
doing that. Now. Also in WNBA Free agency News, Washington
(02:38):
Posts reporter Kareem Copeland has reported that Shatori Walker Kimbro
intends to sign a one year deal with the Atlanta
Dream once players can officially sign on Saturday. We know
that Shatari Walker Kimbro, you spent seven non consecutive seasons
with the Mystics, and she had arguably one of her
(02:58):
best seasons last year, and so she goes to Atlanta
to get a fresh start there. All right, And now
for one of the biggest stories of the week in
free agency, It's being reported that Alyssa Thomas is being
dealt to the Phoenix Mercury and a sign in trade deal,
and it's being reported that in exchange, the Phoenix Mercury
(03:21):
will send over Natasha Cloud, Rebecca Allen and the number
twelve overall pick. I'm also told that in that deal,
potentially Ty Harris can be dealt from Connecticut as a
package with Alyssa Thomas and that sign in trade to
the Phoenix Mercury. Now, is it shocking that the Phoenix
(03:43):
Mercury are deciding to potentially trade Natasha Cloud after signing
her last year. I think that it is absolutely shocking,
but it makes sense in the biggest realm of things
because they both play the same position. Alyssa Thomas is
point guard, she can play defense. I didn't really see
(04:03):
how it would work out with those two, so it
makes sense. And also for Connecticut, if you're going to
give up your MVP type candidate Elsa Thomas has been
in the MVP runnings for the last couple of seasons,
you have to give up something, and so I think
that for that package, I think that the numbers kind
of make sense in terms of being able to make
(04:24):
that swap. I do see or maybe want to predict
that maybe Dowanabonna will also as an unrestricted free agent
signed to the Phoenix Murcery because they've now cleared so
much cap space with Because they've now cleared so much
cap space with trading Cloud and the pick and Rebecca Allen,
(04:44):
you now have more cap space to sign a bigger contract.
And also it was reported early on that Diana ta
Rossi will retire and Brittany Grinder potentially wants to play elsewhere.
So you have all this cap space, but now you have,
you know, more room to sign big name stars or
more role players to fill that role. So I do
like this trade for Phoenix, and I'm excited to see
(05:06):
what happens next. All right, that's gonna do it for
the latest pre agency news. Make sure you tune into
the in Case You missed It with Christina Williams social
media channels for all of the latest and WNBA Free Agency.
Now let's get into this conversation with Indiana Fever's Lexi
Hall for her big announcement. Welcome to a bonus edition
(05:35):
of In Case You missed It with Christina Williams here
on iHeartRadio, and I'm super excited for today's guest. There's
a huge announcement and so without further ado, I want
to welcome in Lexi Hall of the Indie Anda Fever. Lexi,
Welcome to the show.
Speaker 2 (05:52):
Hi, thank you excited to be here.
Speaker 1 (05:53):
So Lexi, I understand that there's a huge announcement today,
so I'll let you do the honors and tell all
the listeners. What's new with you?
Speaker 2 (06:03):
So I am part of Unrivaled obviously, but also more
exciting being part of Athleta. I'm a partnership that I'm
really excited about.
Speaker 1 (06:11):
And so you just announced that you're a part of Athleta.
What does it mean to you to not only be
a part of the Power of She collective, but how
do you think joining this collective influences the next generation
of young female athletes.
Speaker 2 (06:26):
I mean, it's it's a great honor to be part
of it, and I'm super excited about the opportunity. The
Power of She just inspires women and girls to gain
confidence and empowers them to really be whoever they want
to be. So to be part of that group and
joining incredible athletes and an incredible brand that supports them,
i''m truly honored.
Speaker 1 (06:46):
We just spoke on how it focuses on empower women
in the next generation. What's your personal connection to that?
Speaker 2 (06:56):
Hopefully you know, I'm excited about the initiatives that the
Power of She is putting in place and the way
that they're able to help young girls in sports and
at every stage of their careers. So just excited to
be you know, part of those activations, part of those
things coming up in the future.
Speaker 1 (07:16):
Part of this huge announcement is Athleta making a donation
to Girls Inc. To support girls and underserved communities. So
how does it feel to be able to not only
partner with Athleta, but to be able to use your
platform to create these opportunities to inspire young girls.
Speaker 2 (07:33):
Yeah, so some of those girls got to come to
the Unrivaled game yesterday, and it's just really great to
be able to have an impact on different communities and
especially the Miami chapter here being able to see, you know,
those girls having a great time in the game and
hopefully inspire them to really just chase whatever dreams that
they have because everything's possible.
Speaker 1 (07:51):
You're joining a long list of athletes like Simon vows
Kately Bladecki as part of this collective. What does it
mean for you to be, you know, part of a
group where top tier athletes are just making that impact
on the next generation.
Speaker 2 (08:05):
I mean it's pretty incredible. I mean those two names
alone are incredible athletes, incredible people, and they're doing so
much outside of their sport, which is so inspiring to me.
And so to be able to be a name amongst
them and be able to have an impact on girls
across the world. That's just such an honor and so
exciting to be part of that.
Speaker 1 (08:23):
I love that, you know, Unrivaled is a part of
this initiative. What has it been like for you just
being able to be down in Miami and being a
part of the inaugural season of unrivorled.
Speaker 2 (08:33):
Again, it's you know, I'm just so happy to be here.
And I think you see just the amount of attention
that the league is getting and how good it's going
to be for the WNBA and how good it's going
to be for the sport of women's basketball. I think
to be part of that inaugural season, it's it's definitely
a privilege. So just excited to see, you know, the
growth that this will have in every aspect of the sport.
Speaker 1 (08:56):
A Lexi, thank you so much for joining us this
week on in case you missed it. Congrats on your
new athletic partnership, and also we look forward to seeing
you the rest of the season at Unrivaled in Miami
and of course with the Indiana Fever in twenty twenty five.
Speaker 2 (09:10):
Thank you.
Speaker 1 (09:11):
All right, We're gonna take a quick little break and
when we get back. Alicia Gray joins the show. Welcome
back to in case you missed it with Christina Williams,
(09:34):
and I'm super excited about our next guest. Listen, y'all
know on this show we do it big. So without
further ado, please welcome to the show. Two time WNBA
All Star, twenty twenty four WNBA Skills and three point
Competition Champion, she won Athletes Unlimited Championship in twenty twenty four.
(09:57):
She's an NCUBLEA Champion, a seventeen Rookie of the Year,
and they call her Gold Medal Leash. Please welcome to
this show, Alisha Gray, for having me so we unrivaled
has been going on for the past few weeks. What's
the thing that made you want to join this season?
Speaker 3 (10:19):
I mean it's a new league. I mean the way
it was pitched to me, it sounded amazing. The amenities,
how we're living, how we have excess to things like
the equity within the league like it. It was like
appeal to me. And also during the off season, getting
to compete every day with the top players in the
(10:39):
w I mean it was something that I couldn't pass up.
Speaker 1 (10:43):
The lunar owls have been taken unrivaled by storm. You
all are still undefeated through week two. What would you
say is the most surprising or fun thing about playing
with such a diverse group of athletes.
Speaker 3 (10:57):
It's fun because I mean we all just jail so well.
I mean we're all I don't know, like we understand
our role within the team, Like we don't take bad shots.
We get each other, like we support each other, motivate
each other. It's almost crazy because normally getting yelled at
for shooting too much, and we yell each other like
that's your shot, take that shot. So we just got
a great I don't know, just the chemistry, like we
(11:19):
still mission still learn each other. But I mean you
will never notice on how we play. But I mean
it's just a fun group to play with.
Speaker 1 (11:28):
You feel like you have an advantage over the other
players here because you have that three x three experience
from being at the Olympics, And how have you applied
that to the style of unrifle, because I know it's
different than the fever three x three.
Speaker 3 (11:43):
I don't say I have an advantage because, like you said,
it is a different like pace where three x three
fevers and pace pace pace where here you take the
ball like it's a different type pace. So it's just
like you're playing five and five, just missing the two
extra putes. So I wouldn't say it's advantaged, but I
mean overall, I mean it's something new. It's cool, like
(12:05):
you get to show your game. I mean, you're on
an island because defensively, like you have no help. So
it just allows you to get in your bag a
little more and have a little more freedom and be
able to cook more.
Speaker 1 (12:17):
This week coming up one of the most anticipated matches
between Lunar Isles and Laces, both undefeated teams throughout the
first couple of weeks of unrival what's the key to
keeping that going to have the perfect record?
Speaker 3 (12:32):
Just for us to keep doing what we're doing. I mean,
we don't want to play different just because the team
that we're playing. I mean, what we've been doing has
kept us undefeated, undefeated this far. Excuse me, but I
mean we just got to go out there and hoop.
And I mean the Lasers they're a great team. I
mean they have they seem like they messed together well also,
(12:53):
so I mean the biggest thing, we just got to
continue doing what we're doing and play at our level.
Speaker 1 (12:59):
Okay, so off the or. I think that the fans
could appreciate all of the Leash and Ryan Howard content.
I've seen them on TikTok. You both have become sort
of food critics lately, which has been hilarious to watch
from from this point of view. How did that become
your thing? And what's the funniest food combo you tried
to kept together?
Speaker 3 (13:19):
I mean, we we seen like the crumble cookie thing
on TikTok. We was like, I don't know the cookies,
like it can't be that bad. So then we tried
the cookies and then it just became a thing like
we saw we see something like we never seen before,
Like let's just make a TikTok and tried because we
found the them sodas. The sodas we tried and the
(13:40):
skill dress trophy happen to be in a candy store
one day. It was like you want to try that?
We was gonna try, and then we just decided to
make a TikTok out of like we didn't even planning
to make a TikTok, like me and Rod never playing,
so we just do it. So I mean, but it's
cool though. We got something something else that we're gonna
try and on speal the bees, we gonna try something
else as well. But I mean it's fun overall.
Speaker 1 (14:04):
I think the fans can appreciate seeing that side of
the both of you, and I think that sponsors need
to get on and give you all your own show
about you trying to do things. I think people will
appreciate that. In addition to just like the food reviews
this week, that handshake that went viral between you and
Ryan when you checked into the games, fans are dying
to know what's the deal with the glasses? Is that
(14:25):
a part of the handshake or did you both do that?
And the sense of the moment.
Speaker 3 (14:30):
Uh, it's gone dam I mean we've done that handshake before.
I guess it's just never been caught on camera, like
that's our handshake, So I mean it's all a part
of it.
Speaker 1 (14:42):
You got a few nicknames, Gold Medal, Leash, Google, Leash,
big Al. Which one do you get the most? Love for?
Speaker 3 (14:53):
All of them?
Speaker 2 (14:55):
All?
Speaker 3 (14:55):
Love them all, love them?
Speaker 1 (15:00):
What's the story behind the goggles and how did that
become your part of your signature?
Speaker 3 (15:03):
Look, I was actually playing three x three and I
had got poked in the eye, and like I was,
I don't know, I had trouble like seeing out in
my eyes. So I just wore the goggless to like
protect me and and I really liked them, so I
just just a team when it just became part of
(15:24):
my wardrobe. But I did have an eye and that's
why I wear right.
Speaker 1 (15:28):
I want to switch gears a little bit. This summer,
we all witness you make history becoming the first w
NBA player in history to win both the Skills Challenge
and the Three Point Contests. So just take us through
what that weekend went like, what's like for you? What
was going through your head as everything kind of unfolded.
Speaker 3 (15:48):
I mean it was wild. I still say that all
start basically changed my life. I feel like people got
to I mean I always been the same person. Just
the cameras in my face and I'm really authentic, Like
what you see is what you get on switch up
for nobody in I don't know. It just was like
my really my main focus was to win the Skills Show.
(16:11):
Of course you think you're gonna win both, but I'm like, okay,
the Skills Challenge, like that's my main goal, and a
three point challenge, like I'm doing that after the skills change.
So I'm like, okay, well, I don't know what my
fatigue is gonna be. But old ROMs just don't have fun.
So then once JJ got around that corner, I'm like
it started getting just a little tight. I'm like, oh gosh,
(16:33):
And then she missed that last shot. I was like,
I ain't no, what of these people just then win
both both of these competitions. I mean, it was a
fun weekend, but I think that all start we can
really change my life, cause I feel like that's how
people like found out about me and got to know me.
Speaker 1 (16:52):
Listen, I'm not counting your pockets, but you also walked
home with one hundred thousand dollars, So what was the
first thing you sclurged on a receiving that huge prize.
Speaker 3 (17:02):
I don't. I don't splur I'm cheap. I don't. I
don't spend my money. If anything, I invest my money
or it just I invest my money. I'm invested. I
was looking for new ways to grow my money. But
I really slurred, like I'm probably one of the cheapest
people on the planet. Like if you have to squeeze
the doll out of me.
Speaker 1 (17:22):
Right, But you mentioned the word investment in outside of basketball,
you obviously are a hustler. As you said, you like
to reinvest your money and build it up. So you're
the owner of the w n B Factory alongside your
boyfriend and your brother. What made you dive into the
restaurant business?
Speaker 3 (17:41):
Uh? I always had a goal of investing in a
franchise or on a franchise. So it's crazy because my brother,
like he was going to win. He stop and when
he stops closed and across the streets a WNB factory
and he went there and he was the oldest schools
been like y'all need to try it. And it was
like like this song, we can invest it. So we
(18:03):
look up like the franchise fees and the costs and
all that stuff to take to build it, and here
we are.
Speaker 1 (18:10):
What have you learned about being a business owner that
you sort of take with you?
Speaker 3 (18:17):
Uh, it's not easy. It has its challenges, but once
you figure it out, like you could pretty much do anything.
I mean, it allows me to go into a world
and see a side of things that like I will
never see as a basketball player like it just talked.
It just teaches me a lot of things, like how
to handle people, even be a people's person, because when
I'm in a restaurant, you gotta have great custom service.
(18:40):
You gotta know how to treat your employees and things
like that. So I think it taught me a lot
of things.
Speaker 1 (18:46):
I'm curious, what's your go to wing order? Because you're
in Atlanta, the restaurant is in Georgia, So what's your
go to wing order? And please don't say Living Pepper.
Oh I don't like it, Okay, so we have to
say page Living Pepper is absolutely grass.
Speaker 3 (19:02):
I'm a honey mile all flat extra Christie.
Speaker 1 (19:08):
Right, all flat, all flat.
Speaker 3 (19:10):
Only if you can't give me all flat, it's christy.
I'm not eating.
Speaker 1 (19:16):
I agree, I agree, all right, y'all. We gotta pay
some bills real quick. So when we come back, we'll
have more from this conversation with Alisha Gray. So searching
(19:36):
gears again. You were part of the historic South Carolina
team that won the program's first championship in twenty seventeen.
Looking back at that moment in your career, what stands
out to you the most about that particular season and
the way it shaped your career. I'll say being able
to achieve the reason I went to South Carolina. I
(20:00):
just knew when I decided to transfer, not only did
I want to transfer to a concept was closer to
my family, but also being able to compete for a championship.
And it's crazy because I wish I would have been
able to play more than one year at South Carolina,
but I am blessed and thankful.
Speaker 3 (20:19):
For the year that I did get to play. But
I mean, I just say, yeah, I mean I learned
a lot with them playing on the Coach State. I
mean she's a pro, Like if you want to be
a pro, like you play for Coastagi because she runs
the program like you're pro, and it's just like I
look back now, like be like, dang, Like that's what
Coach State was talking about. She to SOUF because we're
(20:39):
young and don't want to listen, and it's like like
I hear you, but it going one and out the other.
But as a pro, as a pro, like when she
tells you things like it's like, oh, that's that's what
she's talking about.
Speaker 1 (20:52):
You definitely see it manifest itself through the success of
players of the w n B A. I mean you
also played with Asian Wilson during that time of that
great run in South Carolina. What was it like just
sharing that championship moment with her? Watching now watching her
bedominant in the w NBA as well, Like all of
you are now like kind of in your primes at
(21:13):
the same time and just dominating the w NBA right now.
Speaker 3 (21:18):
It's great. Like I'm so proud of Agent and all
the things she accomplished, because like it's cool because she's
always been this person that she is. But it's just
like she has cameras in her face now, But I
mean she always been this genuine, sweet person, like really
cares for you, and like she's just a great, great
friend to have. And I'm lucky and blessed for her
(21:38):
to be my best friend. And it may even suit
of being able to help her win for her hometown
because I mean, she she was known crud in her class.
She could win anywhere in the country, but she decided
to stay on Place Soudecline and help change that program.
So I'm just glad I was able to come in
and help her achieve that goal of winning a Na's Cha,
(22:00):
not You've a freaking rock star, Krady.
Speaker 1 (22:03):
You are too in your own right with everything that
you've accomplished. I mean, what are some of your goals
for the rest of your care I mean, obviously, I
know every athlete wants to win a championship, but you've
been a part of a lot of first and making
history in your career. So what keeps you inspired and motivated?
And also what are your goals moving forward?
Speaker 3 (22:23):
Oh? Can you inspiring? Motivating? It's just just how hard
I work, Like I worked so hard in the outsets
have myself to upcome season. So it's just like I
don't like to waste my time, Like I really like
to diaload and be serious because like you can't play
basketball for like one day, the ball's gonna stop dribbing.
(22:43):
So the big same of me is just cherishing every
moment and taking every moment serious because you never know
when is your last of the game to be taken
away from you and the staff of a finger. So
I think that's what inspires me the most. And some
of my goals, of course, I think, Yeah, my biggest
guard now I don't is the win a w championship.
I mean, I feel like that's one of the last
(23:05):
things on my checklist that I want to achieve, and
I can not saying I'll sit back and just be like, Okay,
now I cheat the thing, like I'll stop working. Like
it's one of the things where it's like societally fly
cheat everything on my checklist, and like I've got to
taste everything because I got to taste of being an
All Star, and it's I want more of being an
(23:26):
All Star, and I just want to taste a feeling
what a w champion feel like. Then it's okay, I
want I want to taste the more of that too.
Speaker 1 (23:34):
Lots to look forward to you in twenty twenty five
for the dream. Obviously, they just hired a new head
coach in the off season. What can fans expect to
see from you all this upcoming season.
Speaker 3 (23:47):
I'm super excited. I mean, I'm just decided on what
car can bring to the organization and how he'll like
utilize us and put us in the best position to
be great. I know he loves the three point bottle,
loves the shooting that's right down my alley, So I
think it's gonna be really fun.
Speaker 1 (24:08):
I can't wait, all right, Lech so we're looking forward
to seeing you at Unrival for the rest of the
season with the Lunar Owls and of course with the
Atlanta Dream in twenty twenty five. Thank you so much
for joining us this week on In Case You Missed
It with Christina Williams. Thanks for having me, all right, y'all,
I just want to thank Flexi and Alicia Gray again
(24:30):
for pulling up to the show this week. That's gonna
do it for this week's edition of In Case You
Missed It with Christina Williams here on iHeartRadio. If you
like the show, make sure you like, review and subscribe
to the podcast, and we'll be back next week with
the latest. In Case You Missed It with Christina Williams
(24:51):
is an iHeart women's sports production in partnership with Deep
Blue Sports and Entertainment. You can find us on the
iHeartRadio app, Apple podcast, or wherever you get your podcast
Host
Khristina Williams
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