November 5, 2024 • 18 mins
Khristina is joined by 9-time WNBA All-Star, 2016 WNBA Champion, and current WNBPA President Nneka Ogwumike. They discuss the importance of voting, the More Than a Vote Initiative, using her platform, and why the WNBA is a league of activism. Nneka also discusses her role as WNBPA President, the decision to opt out of the current CBA, and the most important gains she expects to make for the players.
They go back to the 2016 WNBA Finals and get Nneka’s take on the possible officiating controversy. Plus, Nneka talks about her free agency and what she is looking for before she signs a new contract.
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
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CREDITS
Executive Producers:
Nikki Ettore
Jessie Katz
Tyler Klang
Jonathan Strickland
Supervising Producer:
Peter Coughter
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
iheartwomen's sports production in partnership with Deep Blue Sports and Entertainment.
Welcome back to another edition of In Case You miss
It with Christino Williams, and I'm super excited about today's guests.
As you guys know, today's election day and so here
(00:24):
to break it all down for us is nine times
WNBA All Star and champion Mecca Agumacy. Hey, Mecca, welcome
to the show.
Speaker 2 (00:37):
Thanks for having me.
Speaker 1 (00:38):
Okay, so I want to just dive right into it.
Today's election day and you've obviously joined Lebron James's More
Than a Vote initiative, So can you just tell us
the story behind that collaboration.
Speaker 3 (00:50):
Well, I mean I was kind of, I guess called
upon in twenty twenty in the election concluding the bubble,
and of course we had a lot of initiatives going
on during the election, but that was when I was
first reached out to about how we as athletes can
use our platforms to ensure that people are voting, registering,
understanding how they can impact their communities and also use
(01:12):
their own platforms and also their own power to be
able to have a say.
Speaker 1 (01:16):
Why did you choose to have a focus or emphasis
on reproductive rights with this initiative.
Speaker 3 (01:22):
Well, that's definitely an issue that's front and center. It
definitely hits home for me and so many other women
athletes because we earn our living with our bodies and
to be able to have agency over our bodies, whether
it comes to how we earn our living, our health
and benefits and family planning. However it is that people
(01:43):
want to consider those things for themselves. I think it
is important to understand that it is our choice and
there's no business even the governments to be able to
make a decision on what we can do with our bodies.
Speaker 1 (01:55):
What are some ways that more than the Vote has
been able to engage voters in this time period and
what athletes have joined on to support the initiative.
Speaker 3 (02:04):
Yeah, so we have had a lot of different tour stops.
Of course, there's a lot of voting organizations, and we've
been able to collaborate with Get out the Vote when
we all vote, and so many others, and so along
these tour stops we try to meet people and communities
where they're at. You know, there's been block parties, there's
been course rides, there's been low rides, and so we've
had a lot of opportunity to be able to engage
(02:26):
with our community, celebrate the culture around democracy and voting,
and also empower those to understand just how impactful their
vote is and how you can also use their individual
platforms to impact their communities. And so I've had the
pleasure of being able to go to Arizona and low
(02:46):
ride to a voting location where they had a lot
of energy and excitement, especially on I think it was
Latin voters registration Day, either registration or voting day. I
don't want to misspeak on that, but I had the
opportunity to do that. I was able to go to
Atlanta and support Michelle Obama with her continued voting initiatives,
(03:07):
and so we were able to talk to HBCU students,
a lot of first time voters, and I've had a
lot of help with Diana and Maya and Beg They've
all been a part of this initiative in the key
swing states where we really want people to know.
Speaker 1 (03:21):
The power of the vote. The WNBA has always been
at the forefront of activism and social activism. Why is
it a natural fit for players like yourself, the Beg's,
the Maya Mores, the Diana Tarazzis to get active and
mobilize people.
Speaker 3 (03:36):
Well, I mean, I think that we're kind of born
into it. I think that, you know, being women, mostly
black women, queer women, I mean, there's just so many
intersectionalities that we just inherently exist in. And I think
that because it's something that we've always known, because it's
the space that we've always occupied, and you know, a
lot of our differences in communities that don't necessarily look
(03:58):
like us have brought us together. Being able to play
as a woman in sport, which is another part of
the intersectionality that brings us together to understand our differences,
but also the similar journey in the fight towards equality
and equity and value and worth. It's just inherent in
a lot of the women that end up playing in
the dub NBA, and it's very natural that our disposition
(04:22):
is not only to want better, but to want better
for everyone.
Speaker 1 (04:25):
In twenty twenty, we saw what happened when WNBA players
got together worked together to flip the Senate in Georgia,
and I feel like during this election cycle, there's still
that sense of urgency right to get people out and
engage to vote. But then there's people out there who
are saying sports and politics should not intersect. So what
do you say to those critics who feel like athletes
(04:47):
should stay out of politics.
Speaker 3 (04:49):
I don't see how it's possible, because we are citizens,
you know, So I think that those that don't want
sports and politics to intersect are those that want to
suppress the platforms that we do have, you know, outside
of politics, we would be remiss not to use our
platform for good and not to use our platform to
engage the fans that follow us in ways that I'm
(05:11):
sure a lot of them identify with. And albeit you know,
I say all the time, I wish we could just
shut up and dribble, but that we just simply can't.
And it's not something that we should do anyway, because
we see outside of sports, maybe even in entertainment, and
other experts in their field, other leaders in you know,
their respective careers using their platforms and sports is something
(05:33):
that creates a common ground for a lot of different
people to enter a space, and it's beautiful how you
can use that platform to extend the commonalities amongst so
many different people that just simply all love basketball in
this case.
Speaker 1 (05:48):
As election day unfolds today, what's your final message to
the voters.
Speaker 3 (05:54):
I mean, I think that the biggest message that I
can impart upon people is that your vote does matter.
You know, I can understand how people would think that, oh,
my one vote does not matter, but it takes many
singular votes to make a very big decision. And understanding
the power of being a part of that, the power
(06:16):
of having a say, the power of just being able
to represent yourself and your community and then using your
platform to engage others in the same way is incredibly important.
So your vote really does matter, and you can do
it with people who you care about. You can do
it with people who you're trying to influence as well.
(06:36):
And practicing this as a part of the beautiful culture
that is democracy, I think is incredibly important.
Speaker 1 (06:44):
As the w MVPA president and an active player as well.
What's your take on the recent decision to opt out
of the current WNBACBAH.
Speaker 3 (06:56):
I mean, I'm not incredibly surprised, you know, we were
able to get the vote back in and inform the
league and ultimately make the announcement. I'm not incredibly surprised,
and I think that the timing. The timing is right,
and the timing does matter. You know, we're seeing such
an incredible surge in women's sports, specifically women's basketball, and
our players want a piece of the business that is growing,
(07:21):
that has a lot to do, if not mostly to
do with the players. We want a piece of that
valuable business. And we know that we serve as the
foundation for where this league is going. And I'm excited
to see what we can yield from these negotiations.
Speaker 1 (07:39):
We met Terry Jackson on the show two weeks ago
and she kind of broke down like what the process
is starting to look like and this time around, she
said that everything is literally on the table compared to
the last negotiations in twenty twenty. So what's the ideal
outcome for the players and this next round of negotiations
over the next year.
Speaker 2 (07:59):
Well, I mean, I think the outcome.
Speaker 3 (08:00):
Ideal outcome is certainly being able to come to an
agreement before the twenty twenty sixth season, although I know
that our players are prepared. Ideally, we want people to
be incredibly informed and to address all the things that
are on the table. There's a lot of things that
are very important to the players. We just opted out,
so there's a lot of discussions to be had, but
I do anticipate negotiating more salary and compensation without a doubt,
(08:22):
you know, and having the player experience, player health and safety,
player value as it's reflected in contracts, to match the
experience that is clearly being shown in the DUBNBA as
we know it today.
Speaker 1 (08:38):
So you mentioned how players are you know, prepared for
twenty twenty six and how you want to get the
still done before the twenty twenty sixth season. What players
consider delaying the start of the twenty twenty sixth season
to secure a fair CBA deal.
Speaker 3 (08:52):
I mean, I think players are prepared, but it's not
something that we that's like the desired outcome. There's a
lot that needs to be discussed before we even get
to negotiation. So it's very hard to even anticipate how
negotiations will go. But right now we're prepared for twenty
twenty five season, I hopefully a collaborative negotiation, and then
going into twenty twenty six with historical news.
Speaker 1 (09:15):
I'm curious because you know, you are such a high
performing athlete, play some of your best basketballer season with Seattle.
But then you have so many responsibilities as the WMVPA president.
How have you been able to you know, balance those
demands together.
Speaker 3 (09:31):
I mean, I think in the beginning was there was
a lot of learning around the role of presidency. And
then there's been a lot of restructuring of the PA
staff and even the executive committee and our governance, and
that has helped a lot. We've grown so much, and
I don't want anyone thinking that I do this job alone.
It's definitely not what the role of a president is.
(09:54):
There's an incredible support staff and our players Association staff,
but the players aren't engage. We have an executive committee
that consists of seven members, and we have player reps
and alternate player reps, and those players communicate with their
teammates for us to be able to really understand how
we can move forward and progress in all the things
that we do. So I think now I kind of
(10:15):
had hit the groove of it.
Speaker 2 (10:16):
But I am.
Speaker 3 (10:18):
Hoping that this becomes a role that is more coveted,
I guess, or at least, you know, doesn't resort on
someone just running unopposed consistently. So I'm excited to see
how the growth of this role can impact the PA
and ultimately league missioner.
Speaker 1 (10:37):
Aguma, Kay, how does that sound to you? But seriously,
I watched Shatter Glass and I saw players like Brianna Stewart,
John called Jones kind of hyphen I'm saying that they
would vote for you if you wanted to, you know,
after your career be the commissioner of the w NBA.
Would you consider the opportunity if it ever presented itself.
Speaker 2 (10:56):
I mean, I think it's hard to say now.
Speaker 3 (10:58):
I don't close doors, but I definitely know that I
still want to be involved in sports when I'm done playing,
which I feel like I still have a few good
years left to play.
Speaker 1 (11:07):
What, in your opinion makes you appealing as a leader,
Because so many players, they always bring your name up
in as such a positive light as being a great leader.
What do you think is appealing to you to other people?
Speaker 2 (11:19):
I mean, I try to be approachable.
Speaker 3 (11:21):
I am the oldest of four daughters, and I'm Nigerian,
so I think that naturally I take care of people,
and I'm a cancer sign. So like it's just kind
of like a whole bunch of situations. Yeah, I cannot
escape it. But yeah, I think that I just try
my best to listen, and I do what I can
to not just listen, but to provide support in whatever
(11:44):
way is possible. So if I know the answer, I
give people an answer. If I don't know the answer,
I do my best to direct them to someone who does.
And I think that that starts with listening and ultimately
developing a disposition that makes people feel like I'm approachable.
Speaker 1 (12:01):
You were the number one pick in the twenty twelve draft,
drafted to the Sparks with teammates Atlanta Bear Christy Tolliver
Candas Parker, who's also a legend. What's your best story
from your rookie season.
Speaker 2 (12:12):
I think it was my rookie year.
Speaker 3 (12:13):
We were playing Seattle at home and I think I
hit a game winner, and so that was kind of exciting.
It was early on in the season.
Speaker 1 (12:20):
All right, So you brought up game winners in twenty
sixteen w NBA Finals. Candas Parker brought it up online
during the w NBA Finals this year about the shot clock.
Was it a shot clock violation? Oh?
Speaker 2 (12:32):
Yeah, it was.
Speaker 3 (12:34):
Okay, I'm not gonna lie, like the video is not
gonna lie.
Speaker 2 (12:38):
They missed it.
Speaker 1 (12:40):
They missed it, and you just live with it.
Speaker 2 (12:43):
It is what it is.
Speaker 3 (12:44):
Yeah, I mean, they missed a backcourt violation the game
before that, and at that time people were talking about
both calls. You know, Now, do we know if it
would change the outcome of either one of those games
or the series.
Speaker 2 (12:56):
We will never know. But it's a part of the game.
Speaker 3 (12:59):
Like, calls are missed all the time, and you know,
we saw in Game five, like there were a lot
of situations where people felt like calls could have gone
different ways.
Speaker 2 (13:07):
It's a part of basketball.
Speaker 3 (13:08):
But you know, no one can take away the fact
that I won a championship, So I'm not really going
to complain about it.
Speaker 1 (13:16):
Period love to see it. How would you sum up
your first season with the Seattle Storm.
Speaker 3 (13:22):
The word that comes to mind is renewed. You know,
I feel as though I feel renewed as a player
and as a person. I feel there's a re energizing
of me and my journey and my career in this league,
and I'm excited to see, you know where that can
take me.
Speaker 1 (13:39):
You're unrestricted free agent, and again, what will determine you
re signing with a Storm or looking for another opportunity elsewhere.
Speaker 3 (13:49):
I mean, right now, what's important to me is definitely ownership, engagement, coaching, staff, practice, facility,
and being competitive with teammates that provide a good locker room.
I'm entering a year fourteen, so I don't really have
time for the bus so I'm like trying to go
in there, have fun, you know, play when compete, but
(14:11):
do it also in a way where I feel supported
both physically and mentally, you know.
Speaker 2 (14:16):
So those are all the things. I mean, Seattle has
all those things, so.
Speaker 1 (14:21):
He'll keep our eye out for you in the off season. Mecca,
thank you so much for joining us this week on
in Case You Missed It with Christina Williams. Definitely a pleasure.
And to all of our listeners out there, please please
please don't forget to go out and vote today. Thank
you so much, Mecca, Yes.
Speaker 2 (14:38):
Thank you.
Speaker 1 (14:40):
We're going to take a quick break and when we
get back, it's time for the things that I loved
this week more on A Case You Mistic with Christina Williams.
When we get back, All right, y'all, it's time for
(15:01):
the things that I love this week. And I really
enjoyed attending the air series Jordan brand basketball run last week,
but it's going to be the thing that I love
this week. So I was invited along with some other
women in sports and media to Nike's headquarters in New
York City to wear tests their new shoe Air Series,
(15:23):
which is a new basketball shoe that takes insights from
the Jordan Brand female roster of athletes, and so we
were able to wear the shoe get some cool Jordan
brand gear to wear. We went through some skills and
drills and I'm not gonna lie, your girl is so
out of shape. I have not played basketball in forever.
Speaker 2 (15:41):
But it was cool.
Speaker 1 (15:42):
It was cool because the coaches that we had and
our hosts, Ashanti, they made us feel so good. So yeah,
they put us through the skills and drills and we
were going full court with everything. We were doing defensive slides,
we were doing full court layup drills, full court jumpshot drills.
I thought we were going to look cute, and it
was just like now, like y'all really came here to
(16:03):
work us out, and so we did that. We did
some one b one I'm gonna lie your girl was
the first call out on the steal the Bacon one
v one and you know, I got a rebound, I
crossed up my opponent and took it to the rim
and I had the first points for my team and
that was great. So that was fun. It was like
(16:24):
riding a bike. Everything just started coming back to me.
And then we had a scrimmage at the end. But
it was really dope to have a little reunion of
sorts with some of the women I do know already
in the basketball space, meet some new people. And I
actually enjoyed wearing a shoe. I think that. And this
is I'm not sponsored by them in any way, and
I'm not just saying this to say it, but it
was really a really comfortable shoe, Like it felt lightweight
(16:46):
on my foot. It was very comfortable, I felt cushioned,
I felt protected, so it gave me really great support
and the design was fire. I got a really cool
orange pier to take home with me. So I really, really,
do you know, believe that this could be the next
great basketball shoe. And the thing that I love the
most about it is that it really takes insights from
women and uses that science, I guess to design the shoe.
(17:11):
Whereas when you're in this space, you notice that a
lot of the basketball shoes performance shoes are designed and
the standard is based off measurements and insights from men.
So I love this new wave of women's basketball shoes
that are coming out. Obviously, the Subrindian Mascu shoes are
out already, A Stewart has her own shoe. Mulac cakes exist.
(17:31):
But it's really dope to see Jordan Brand just really
throw their hat in the game. They have a dope
lineup of rosters front to the show. Deerica Handby is
one of the athletes signed the Jordan Brand, So it
was really really dope to be able to attend that
weird test and YO, do my thing. Will I enjoy
ever playing basketball again? I don't know that's up for
(17:53):
debate because your girl's niece was hurting for about forty
eight hours. So yeah, that was probably like the first
and last I'm out engaged in some basketball activity. But
nonetheless I had a lot of fun. That's gonna do
it for the things that I love. This week, don't
forget to rate, review and subscribe to the podcast. And
next up we have WNBA legend Simone Augustus on the show,
(18:19):
so make sure you put your notifications on because you're
not gonna want to miss this. Peace in case you
missed it with Christina Williams 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 podcasts.
In Case You Missed It with Christina Williams is an
iheartwomen's sports production in partnership with Deep Blue Sports and Entertainment.
Welcome back to another edition of In Case You miss
It with Christino Williams, and I'm super excited about today's guests.
As you guys know, today's election day and so here
(00:24):
to break it all down for us is nine times
WNBA All Star and champion Mecca Agumacy. Hey, Mecca, welcome
to the show.
Speaker 2 (00:37):
Thanks for having me.
Speaker 1 (00:38):
Okay, so I want to just dive right into it.
Today's election day and you've obviously joined Lebron James's More
Than a Vote initiative, So can you just tell us
the story behind that collaboration.
Speaker 3 (00:50):
Well, I mean I was kind of, I guess called
upon in twenty twenty in the election concluding the bubble,
and of course we had a lot of initiatives going
on during the election, but that was when I was
first reached out to about how we as athletes can
use our platforms to ensure that people are voting, registering,
understanding how they can impact their communities and also use
(01:12):
their own platforms and also their own power to be
able to have a say.
Speaker 1 (01:16):
Why did you choose to have a focus or emphasis
on reproductive rights with this initiative.
Speaker 3 (01:22):
Well, that's definitely an issue that's front and center. It
definitely hits home for me and so many other women
athletes because we earn our living with our bodies and
to be able to have agency over our bodies, whether
it comes to how we earn our living, our health
and benefits and family planning. However it is that people
(01:43):
want to consider those things for themselves. I think it
is important to understand that it is our choice and
there's no business even the governments to be able to
make a decision on what we can do with our bodies.
Speaker 1 (01:55):
What are some ways that more than the Vote has
been able to engage voters in this time period and
what athletes have joined on to support the initiative.
Speaker 3 (02:04):
Yeah, so we have had a lot of different tour stops.
Of course, there's a lot of voting organizations, and we've
been able to collaborate with Get out the Vote when
we all vote, and so many others, and so along
these tour stops we try to meet people and communities
where they're at. You know, there's been block parties, there's
been course rides, there's been low rides, and so we've
had a lot of opportunity to be able to engage
(02:26):
with our community, celebrate the culture around democracy and voting,
and also empower those to understand just how impactful their
vote is and how you can also use their individual
platforms to impact their communities. And so I've had the
pleasure of being able to go to Arizona and low
(02:46):
ride to a voting location where they had a lot
of energy and excitement, especially on I think it was
Latin voters registration Day, either registration or voting day. I
don't want to misspeak on that, but I had the
opportunity to do that. I was able to go to
Atlanta and support Michelle Obama with her continued voting initiatives,
(03:07):
and so we were able to talk to HBCU students,
a lot of first time voters, and I've had a
lot of help with Diana and Maya and Beg They've
all been a part of this initiative in the key
swing states where we really want people to know.
Speaker 1 (03:21):
The power of the vote. The WNBA has always been
at the forefront of activism and social activism. Why is
it a natural fit for players like yourself, the Beg's,
the Maya Mores, the Diana Tarazzis to get active and
mobilize people.
Speaker 3 (03:36):
Well, I mean, I think that we're kind of born
into it. I think that, you know, being women, mostly
black women, queer women, I mean, there's just so many
intersectionalities that we just inherently exist in. And I think
that because it's something that we've always known, because it's
the space that we've always occupied, and you know, a
lot of our differences in communities that don't necessarily look
(03:58):
like us have brought us together. Being able to play
as a woman in sport, which is another part of
the intersectionality that brings us together to understand our differences,
but also the similar journey in the fight towards equality
and equity and value and worth. It's just inherent in
a lot of the women that end up playing in
the dub NBA, and it's very natural that our disposition
(04:22):
is not only to want better, but to want better
for everyone.
Speaker 1 (04:25):
In twenty twenty, we saw what happened when WNBA players
got together worked together to flip the Senate in Georgia,
and I feel like during this election cycle, there's still
that sense of urgency right to get people out and
engage to vote. But then there's people out there who
are saying sports and politics should not intersect. So what
do you say to those critics who feel like athletes
(04:47):
should stay out of politics.
Speaker 3 (04:49):
I don't see how it's possible, because we are citizens,
you know, So I think that those that don't want
sports and politics to intersect are those that want to
suppress the platforms that we do have, you know, outside
of politics, we would be remiss not to use our
platform for good and not to use our platform to
engage the fans that follow us in ways that I'm
(05:11):
sure a lot of them identify with. And albeit you know,
I say all the time, I wish we could just
shut up and dribble, but that we just simply can't.
And it's not something that we should do anyway, because
we see outside of sports, maybe even in entertainment, and
other experts in their field, other leaders in you know,
their respective careers using their platforms and sports is something
(05:33):
that creates a common ground for a lot of different
people to enter a space, and it's beautiful how you
can use that platform to extend the commonalities amongst so
many different people that just simply all love basketball in
this case.
Speaker 1 (05:48):
As election day unfolds today, what's your final message to
the voters.
Speaker 3 (05:54):
I mean, I think that the biggest message that I
can impart upon people is that your vote does matter.
You know, I can understand how people would think that, oh,
my one vote does not matter, but it takes many
singular votes to make a very big decision. And understanding
the power of being a part of that, the power
(06:16):
of having a say, the power of just being able
to represent yourself and your community and then using your
platform to engage others in the same way is incredibly important.
So your vote really does matter, and you can do
it with people who you care about. You can do
it with people who you're trying to influence as well.
(06:36):
And practicing this as a part of the beautiful culture
that is democracy, I think is incredibly important.
Speaker 1 (06:44):
As the w MVPA president and an active player as well.
What's your take on the recent decision to opt out
of the current WNBACBAH.
Speaker 3 (06:56):
I mean, I'm not incredibly surprised, you know, we were
able to get the vote back in and inform the
league and ultimately make the announcement. I'm not incredibly surprised,
and I think that the timing. The timing is right,
and the timing does matter. You know, we're seeing such
an incredible surge in women's sports, specifically women's basketball, and
our players want a piece of the business that is growing,
(07:21):
that has a lot to do, if not mostly to
do with the players. We want a piece of that
valuable business. And we know that we serve as the
foundation for where this league is going. And I'm excited
to see what we can yield from these negotiations.
Speaker 1 (07:39):
We met Terry Jackson on the show two weeks ago
and she kind of broke down like what the process
is starting to look like and this time around, she
said that everything is literally on the table compared to
the last negotiations in twenty twenty. So what's the ideal
outcome for the players and this next round of negotiations
over the next year.
Speaker 2 (07:59):
Well, I mean, I think the outcome.
Speaker 3 (08:00):
Ideal outcome is certainly being able to come to an
agreement before the twenty twenty sixth season, although I know
that our players are prepared. Ideally, we want people to
be incredibly informed and to address all the things that
are on the table. There's a lot of things that
are very important to the players. We just opted out,
so there's a lot of discussions to be had, but
I do anticipate negotiating more salary and compensation without a doubt,
(08:22):
you know, and having the player experience, player health and safety,
player value as it's reflected in contracts, to match the
experience that is clearly being shown in the DUBNBA as
we know it today.
Speaker 1 (08:38):
So you mentioned how players are you know, prepared for
twenty twenty six and how you want to get the
still done before the twenty twenty sixth season. What players
consider delaying the start of the twenty twenty sixth season
to secure a fair CBA deal.
Speaker 3 (08:52):
I mean, I think players are prepared, but it's not
something that we that's like the desired outcome. There's a
lot that needs to be discussed before we even get
to negotiation. So it's very hard to even anticipate how
negotiations will go. But right now we're prepared for twenty
twenty five season, I hopefully a collaborative negotiation, and then
going into twenty twenty six with historical news.
Speaker 1 (09:15):
I'm curious because you know, you are such a high
performing athlete, play some of your best basketballer season with Seattle.
But then you have so many responsibilities as the WMVPA president.
How have you been able to you know, balance those
demands together.
Speaker 3 (09:31):
I mean, I think in the beginning was there was
a lot of learning around the role of presidency. And
then there's been a lot of restructuring of the PA
staff and even the executive committee and our governance, and
that has helped a lot. We've grown so much, and
I don't want anyone thinking that I do this job alone.
It's definitely not what the role of a president is.
(09:54):
There's an incredible support staff and our players Association staff,
but the players aren't engage. We have an executive committee
that consists of seven members, and we have player reps
and alternate player reps, and those players communicate with their
teammates for us to be able to really understand how
we can move forward and progress in all the things
that we do. So I think now I kind of
(10:15):
had hit the groove of it.
Speaker 2 (10:16):
But I am.
Speaker 3 (10:18):
Hoping that this becomes a role that is more coveted,
I guess, or at least, you know, doesn't resort on
someone just running unopposed consistently. So I'm excited to see
how the growth of this role can impact the PA
and ultimately league missioner.
Speaker 1 (10:37):
Aguma, Kay, how does that sound to you? But seriously,
I watched Shatter Glass and I saw players like Brianna Stewart,
John called Jones kind of hyphen I'm saying that they
would vote for you if you wanted to, you know,
after your career be the commissioner of the w NBA.
Would you consider the opportunity if it ever presented itself.
Speaker 2 (10:56):
I mean, I think it's hard to say now.
Speaker 3 (10:58):
I don't close doors, but I definitely know that I
still want to be involved in sports when I'm done playing,
which I feel like I still have a few good
years left to play.
Speaker 1 (11:07):
What, in your opinion makes you appealing as a leader,
Because so many players, they always bring your name up
in as such a positive light as being a great leader.
What do you think is appealing to you to other people?
Speaker 2 (11:19):
I mean, I try to be approachable.
Speaker 3 (11:21):
I am the oldest of four daughters, and I'm Nigerian,
so I think that naturally I take care of people,
and I'm a cancer sign. So like it's just kind
of like a whole bunch of situations. Yeah, I cannot
escape it. But yeah, I think that I just try
my best to listen, and I do what I can
to not just listen, but to provide support in whatever
(11:44):
way is possible. So if I know the answer, I
give people an answer. If I don't know the answer,
I do my best to direct them to someone who does.
And I think that that starts with listening and ultimately
developing a disposition that makes people feel like I'm approachable.
Speaker 1 (12:01):
You were the number one pick in the twenty twelve draft,
drafted to the Sparks with teammates Atlanta Bear Christy Tolliver
Candas Parker, who's also a legend. What's your best story
from your rookie season.
Speaker 2 (12:12):
I think it was my rookie year.
Speaker 3 (12:13):
We were playing Seattle at home and I think I
hit a game winner, and so that was kind of exciting.
It was early on in the season.
Speaker 1 (12:20):
All right, So you brought up game winners in twenty
sixteen w NBA Finals. Candas Parker brought it up online
during the w NBA Finals this year about the shot clock.
Was it a shot clock violation? Oh?
Speaker 2 (12:32):
Yeah, it was.
Speaker 3 (12:34):
Okay, I'm not gonna lie, like the video is not
gonna lie.
Speaker 2 (12:38):
They missed it.
Speaker 1 (12:40):
They missed it, and you just live with it.
Speaker 2 (12:43):
It is what it is.
Speaker 3 (12:44):
Yeah, I mean, they missed a backcourt violation the game
before that, and at that time people were talking about
both calls. You know, Now, do we know if it
would change the outcome of either one of those games
or the series.
Speaker 2 (12:56):
We will never know. But it's a part of the game.
Speaker 3 (12:59):
Like, calls are missed all the time, and you know,
we saw in Game five, like there were a lot
of situations where people felt like calls could have gone
different ways.
Speaker 2 (13:07):
It's a part of basketball.
Speaker 3 (13:08):
But you know, no one can take away the fact
that I won a championship, So I'm not really going
to complain about it.
Speaker 1 (13:16):
Period love to see it. How would you sum up
your first season with the Seattle Storm.
Speaker 3 (13:22):
The word that comes to mind is renewed. You know,
I feel as though I feel renewed as a player
and as a person. I feel there's a re energizing
of me and my journey and my career in this league,
and I'm excited to see, you know where that can
take me.
Speaker 1 (13:39):
You're unrestricted free agent, and again, what will determine you
re signing with a Storm or looking for another opportunity elsewhere.
Speaker 3 (13:49):
I mean, right now, what's important to me is definitely ownership, engagement, coaching, staff, practice, facility,
and being competitive with teammates that provide a good locker room.
I'm entering a year fourteen, so I don't really have
time for the bus so I'm like trying to go
in there, have fun, you know, play when compete, but
(14:11):
do it also in a way where I feel supported
both physically and mentally, you know.
Speaker 2 (14:16):
So those are all the things. I mean, Seattle has
all those things, so.
Speaker 1 (14:21):
He'll keep our eye out for you in the off season. Mecca,
thank you so much for joining us this week on
in Case You Missed It with Christina Williams. Definitely a pleasure.
And to all of our listeners out there, please please
please don't forget to go out and vote today. Thank
you so much, Mecca, Yes.
Speaker 2 (14:38):
Thank you.
Speaker 1 (14:40):
We're going to take a quick break and when we
get back, it's time for the things that I loved
this week more on A Case You Mistic with Christina Williams.
When we get back, All right, y'all, it's time for
(15:01):
the things that I love this week. And I really
enjoyed attending the air series Jordan brand basketball run last week,
but it's going to be the thing that I love
this week. So I was invited along with some other
women in sports and media to Nike's headquarters in New
York City to wear tests their new shoe Air Series,
(15:23):
which is a new basketball shoe that takes insights from
the Jordan Brand female roster of athletes, and so we
were able to wear the shoe get some cool Jordan
brand gear to wear. We went through some skills and
drills and I'm not gonna lie, your girl is so
out of shape. I have not played basketball in forever.
Speaker 2 (15:41):
But it was cool.
Speaker 1 (15:42):
It was cool because the coaches that we had and
our hosts, Ashanti, they made us feel so good. So yeah,
they put us through the skills and drills and we
were going full court with everything. We were doing defensive slides,
we were doing full court layup drills, full court jumpshot drills.
I thought we were going to look cute, and it
was just like now, like y'all really came here to
(16:03):
work us out, and so we did that. We did
some one b one I'm gonna lie your girl was
the first call out on the steal the Bacon one
v one and you know, I got a rebound, I
crossed up my opponent and took it to the rim
and I had the first points for my team and
that was great. So that was fun. It was like
(16:24):
riding a bike. Everything just started coming back to me.
And then we had a scrimmage at the end. But
it was really dope to have a little reunion of
sorts with some of the women I do know already
in the basketball space, meet some new people. And I
actually enjoyed wearing a shoe. I think that. And this
is I'm not sponsored by them in any way, and
I'm not just saying this to say it, but it
was really a really comfortable shoe, Like it felt lightweight
(16:46):
on my foot. It was very comfortable, I felt cushioned,
I felt protected, so it gave me really great support
and the design was fire. I got a really cool
orange pier to take home with me. So I really, really,
do you know, believe that this could be the next
great basketball shoe. And the thing that I love the
most about it is that it really takes insights from
women and uses that science, I guess to design the shoe.
(17:11):
Whereas when you're in this space, you notice that a
lot of the basketball shoes performance shoes are designed and
the standard is based off measurements and insights from men.
So I love this new wave of women's basketball shoes
that are coming out. Obviously, the Subrindian Mascu shoes are
out already, A Stewart has her own shoe. Mulac cakes exist.
(17:31):
But it's really dope to see Jordan Brand just really
throw their hat in the game. They have a dope
lineup of rosters front to the show. Deerica Handby is
one of the athletes signed the Jordan Brand, So it
was really really dope to be able to attend that
weird test and YO, do my thing. Will I enjoy
ever playing basketball again? I don't know that's up for
(17:53):
debate because your girl's niece was hurting for about forty
eight hours. So yeah, that was probably like the first
and last I'm out engaged in some basketball activity. But
nonetheless I had a lot of fun. That's gonna do
it for the things that I love. This week, don't
forget to rate, review and subscribe to the podcast. And
next up we have WNBA legend Simone Augustus on the show,
(18:19):
so make sure you put your notifications on because you're
not gonna want to miss this. Peace in case you
missed it with Christina Williams 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 podcasts.
Host
Khristina Williams
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