February 5, 2025 • 31 mins
This week Khristina breaks down two of the biggest storylines in women’s basketball. First, UConn Huskies guard KK Arnold joins the show to talk about her freshman season, stepping up for the Huskies, and their push for a national title. Then, Emmy-winning broadcaster Ros Gold-Onwude stops by to break down all the latest moves in WNBA free agency, which teams are making the biggest splashes, and what it all means for the upcoming season.
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.
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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 y'all. Last week, free
agency shook up the women's basketball world, and so you
(00:23):
know we have to break it all down. In Joining
me this week to break down all of the latest
in women's basketball is one of my good friends, Roz
golden Wood, a former Stanford women's basketball who, perturned broadcaster
and now the co host of the Good follow Show. Roz,
thank you for being here.
Speaker 2 (00:40):
Thank you for having me girl. I'm so honored to
be on your show.
Speaker 1 (00:43):
You know, I am like so proud, thank you, And
I'm proud of you too. I'm proud of you too.
All right, let's dive straight into WNBA free agency. There
were a lot of big moves in and around the league.
Can you tell us what surprised you the most about
twenty twenty five WNBA free agency.
Speaker 2 (01:00):
I think the one move that finally made me feel like, Okay,
I'm officially overwhelmed was Douanna Bonner to the Indiana Fever
because we knew Kelsey Plumb, you know, could move. That
was a big discussion point. We weren't like all these
different moves. But I think it was in secession where
it was like Luca to the Lakers, Beyonce drops a tour,
(01:23):
Dowana Bonner goes to Indiana, and that was like my
moment of like, okay, I'm overstimulated, and I think, you know,
we were all kind of waiting for the other shoe
to drop because Alissa Thomas goes to Phoenix and we
were wondering would that be a package deal. You know,
they have a family that together could be CDB stay
in Connecticut when we see her go to Phoenix and
(01:44):
instead she goes to the Fever. And while the Fever
had been steadily making like nice moves, whether it was
you know, re signing Kelsey Mitchell huge right, or bringing
in Natasha Howard. All right, now you've got you know,
a veteran to help out Aliah Boston or tag team that,
or you've got Stephanie White new coach. Sure you've got
returning stars. And then it was dB to Indiana where
(02:07):
I was like, nah, they're a serious contender, you know,
like this is Realt and don't forget don't forget Caitlyn
Clark now coming back in generational talent with now a
whole offseason, and then Sophie Cunningham. I even like the
addition there. I think Sophie brings some attitude and she's
a really productive VET. So they've got a really nice
(02:30):
squad of like weapons to support Kaitlyn Clark and her evolution.
Speaker 1 (02:33):
Yeah, I absolutely agree. I think that the Indiana Fever
are now a championship contending team. We saw last year
they made a postseason birth the first time since twenty sixteen,
by the way, with Kitlyn Clark at the helm. But
now you add more balanced scoring, you add more veteran presents,
people who know what it takes to win in a
three time champion like Natasha Howard, and then of course
(02:54):
you add dB. I think that that's a recipe for success.
And Amber Cox has been in front of this show.
I think that the first piece that fell with that
was the priority of re signing Kelsey Mitchell and keeping
that duo together. And we didn't even talk about a
Leah Boston. How she's returning right, and you add Sophie Cunningham,
She's an enforcer, that enforcer that everyone's like, oh, the
(03:14):
fever needs an enforcer. Well, now you have Sophie Cunningham
coming on board to kind of enforce. And then I'm
super excited about the development continuously of Lexi Hall, a
good three and D player. She's down at unrivaled in
Miami right now, but I've been having a pleasure of
watching her career develop.
Speaker 2 (03:30):
I'm personally really excited to see the two man get
the two player game between a Leah Boston and Caitlin
Clark continue to develop. By the end of last season,
the chemistry was really like exciting to watch grow, and
I think it'll be devastating by next season those two together.
Speaker 1 (03:44):
Yeah, And there were also a lot of other big
moves around the league, Brittany grind and Brianna Jones going
to Atlanta, the Dallas Wings kind of resetting with signing
dj A Carrington and Melissa Smith, Ty Harris for turning
to Dallas. When we see all of these different moves
the off season, how do you think they impact the
league's overall competitive balance.
Speaker 2 (04:05):
Yeah, So I've already had to like kind of list
out like sort of my new kind of power rankings
I still think, you know, this thing has to go
through the reigning champs in the New York Liberty. I
think the lengths are only going to elevate because Nafisa
Collier is playing at an unheard of level now and
also so is Kaylen McBride, you know, so that team
continues to raise. I still put the Aces in that
(04:28):
upper echelona talent. You know, while all these teams are
figuring out chemistry and new plays and getting comfortable, you know,
continuity and chemistry goes a long way. And for me
with the Aces, one of the you know, movements that
I think are going to be impactful will be for
Jewel Lloyd. You know, she's going to go to the
Aces and not have to be the number one option.
(04:48):
And I think when she's been at her best in
her career, she just had a little less responsibility on
her shoulders and she'll have an opportunity to go there.
She's been talking about while she's had unrivaled I'm here
in Miami and we so she's really been focusing on
her joy and you know, getting back to feeling like herself,
and she got away from that and she's been working
with her coach and Phil Handy here on like the
(05:10):
mental side of the game, and there's actually been synergy
between you know, Phil Handy and the work she's doing unrivaled.
And also now that she knows she's going to Vegas,
what the conversations she's having with Becky Hammond. So she
said she's spoken to Becky. Becky'll share what she needs
from you know, Jewel this season, and then Jewel will
communicate that to Phil Handy, who's one of the best
(05:32):
player development and skill developers in the world. Men's are
women's and they're working on that here in Miami. So
you know, I think that we could see a rebirth,
a rejuvenation of Jewel's career there. And I think for
the Aces, some fresh blood is healthy. You know, it's
hard to just keep knocking at the door of a
championship or winning championships like.
Speaker 3 (05:53):
And last year.
Speaker 2 (05:54):
I just think not only were they physically banged up,
but also just mentally and emotionally, And now here is
like a new chapter where they can re emerge and
support Asia Wilson, who's been the best player in the world.
Speaker 1 (06:04):
And you kind of leaned into the next question about
which players you think will have sort of a breakout
season based off the off season changes and moves. Obviously
the resurgence of Jeweloyd. I think people have forgot that
Juloyd is a WNBA champion, gold medalist, multi time All Star.
She's a great player, and I agree her responsibility was
less in Seattle when she had Randa Stewart and Super
(06:25):
on our team and she was like the third option.
So I'm excited to see her alongside you know, Asia Wilson,
Chelsea Gray, Jackie Young, and I love that she gets
to build that chemistry already in Miami because, as you mentioned,
continuity is going to be super important, at least for
the champions. In New York Liberty, we saw how through
the first season and into the second season how that
continuity and chemistry helped with the production on the court.
(06:48):
So I'm excited to see that. But back to the
question of any players you think that will have a
breakout season based off the off season moves.
Speaker 2 (06:55):
I mean, I'm down here in Miami at Unrivaled, you know,
reporting on these games, and I'm watching these players of close.
I actually really excited for Britney Griner. I think you
know her move to Atlanta. You know makes Atlanta very exciting.
Either you could play them in tandem or you know,
together or for one another. You have Brianna Jones coming in,
suddenly you got this influx of a lot of size
(07:16):
and veteran skill as Tina Charles leaves there. And I
think that guard group of like Ryan Howard, Jordan Canada,
Ali Shah Gray, they're all doing this, you know. And
I spoke with Beg and she said Atlanta was a
great landing spot for her because it made sense for
her family. It was really about the locker room for Beg,
(07:36):
like she was just thinking about what the next chapter
of her life and career looks like. And she was
like the players, there's no drama, like she just is
in like looking for peace, which makes a lot of sense.
And she even like these are her words, she said,
you know, I also I'm excited to get back to
my southern roots, like she's from the South, and you
(07:57):
know that really appealed to her and was important as
far as like finding a new home. And so she's
really excited about Atlanta. I think also remember like all
that physically and mentally and emotionally that comes from her,
like coming out of the you know, wrongful detainment in
Russia and then like resettling back into the game she
hasn't been, you know, going back overseas well, here's a
(08:18):
season of Unrivaled where she's conditioned and you know, motivated
and excited. So I think, you know, we'll see like
a really high level version of Britney Griner in Atlanta
as well. So I'm excited about that move. I'm excited
about Rakia Jackson. I think Rikia is that girl. And
you know, again she has the opportunity to work with
(08:39):
Phil Handy down here in Miami, and I think you
know that in combination with the veteran leadership of Deerka
Hanaby and Kelsey Plum coming in, I'm excited to see
Kelsey Plum as a number one option. Kelsey has dutifully
and humbly and honorably played a very important role for
the Aces as they want a championship, and now now
(09:00):
she has the chance to be a number one option
in a face of a franchise. And not only do
I think she's ready and capable of that, I know
she's excited about it and so many storylines to follow, you.
Speaker 1 (09:11):
Know, No, I agree, I think I personally am excited
to see the reset of the Dallas Wings, especially because
they have that number one pick, And I know a
lot of discussion has been around will they draft Page
Beckers or Olivia Mouse. I think either way, this is
going to be a fine team, whether they draft Olivia
or Page. Just with the pieces that they've added in
the off season and the coaching changes in front office personnel,
(09:34):
I think that is a new day and people are
going to look at the Dallas Wings organization differently moving
forward compared to how they previously have viewed the Wings organization.
Speaker 2 (09:43):
Yeah, And I don't know if you're feeling like this
topic is bubbling up as far as like one that
the trenches of women's basketball are talking about. But who's
going to be the best player in the WNBA this
season is starting to come up, because you know, I
think last season, for me, it was very clear that
(10:05):
the two best players in the world were Asia Wilson
and Brianna Stewart, and then Asia deservedly winning MVP. But
like if you watch the Olympic Games, I was like, Okay,
it's these two women's world But the FISA Collier has
come through the w NBA finals and emerged in that
like from stardom into like, okay, she's about to be
(10:25):
a superstar. She has the potential for that, and now
in Unrivaled, it's really clear that there's a separation in
her game that she has absolutely gotten better and it's
not just with what she's doing in like points and stats,
like are you listening to any interviews and the FISA's
doing she's talking at.
Speaker 3 (10:42):
Top like yeah, like yes she is.
Speaker 4 (10:45):
She too believes she's the one like she and good
for her actions are showing it up and she believes,
like she'll say it, I'm one of the best players
in the world, if not, you know, the best.
Speaker 2 (10:55):
But here's the one thing I want to be careful
of because as I find myself analyzing the fesa's incredible
basketball play that is clearly on display during Unrivaled, and
she is deserving of every shouting from the rooftop that
I have given her, I want to be clear, like
it's not necessarily fair to pass the torch because Asia
(11:18):
Wilson isn't playing in the same league. There is no
direct comparison she It's like you got somebody who's who's
getting the chance to showcase what they do any of
the other one is taking down times. I think what
more sets the stage for is like when everybody gets
back to w and everybody's playing, It's like, Okay, let's
see what happens. You know, who's going to take the
crown in this upcoming season.
Speaker 1 (11:37):
Well, I'm certainly looking forward to watching the emergence of
the Thesa Collier and I think that she does have
some resentment because of that loss in the finals the
New York Liberty, So I'm exciting to see how she
decides to run it back. Well, yeah, she podcast with Taylor.
Speaker 2 (11:57):
Yeah, she said, I'm a sore loser. I get sore
about losing. And then I was like damn. And then
she I asked her the whole way at arrivaled. I
was like, is this your villain origin story?
Speaker 3 (12:08):
Like is this it?
Speaker 2 (12:09):
And she's like maybe, you know, I love Spicy me.
I'm happy for her. Like when she first started her career,
she came into the Links and you know, that was
Sylvia Fowls team and she was in a legacy franchise
and you know, really just like had to learn and
then she like took on the star role there. Then
you know, she became, you know, became an Olympian accolade,
(12:30):
start stacking up. Then you become a mom, then you
become you know, the founder of unrivaled, and then you
just with oh, you know how it is. You get
older as a woman, you get more mature, and it's
just more like, all right, I am who I think
I am, and you're willing to say and do that,
and the actions are backing that up. So I've really
enjoyed seeing the confidence flow out of her, and I
(12:51):
think all of this is just building up again to
a very like this WNBA season's gonna be insane soon.
Speaker 1 (12:57):
I'm here for all of the mess for this season,
and Spicy is all right, y'all. We're gonna pause the
conversation right here and when we get back. More of
the headlines from this week in women's basketball, with Rod's
gold unwooding all right, Rob So. Also in women's basketball
(13:20):
headlines in and around the league Asia Wilson. This week
she released the design for her new shoe, the A
one by Nike, and also her collection, which is set
to debut May twenty twenty five. So what was your
initial reactions to Asia Wilson's shoes?
Speaker 3 (13:39):
First?
Speaker 2 (13:39):
Of all, I think the design is clean, it's a
beautiful shoe. Asia sneaker has the potential to do with
Sabrina and Escu's has done where NBA players, It'll cross genders,
people of all sports will be wearing this shoe because
the shoe is a nice shoe, Like it's very clean,
the shoe comfortable. I haven't put it on, but it
(14:01):
also looks like it performs at a high level. It's
very Asia too, Like it's pretty, it's it's fun, it's cute,
and it's not just the sneaker. There's like slides, I
mean the attention to detail. As a consumer and as
a fan, I appreciate, like satin lined hoodie I think
I saw and then there's.
Speaker 1 (14:18):
Like yes, I was just about to say, the satin
line hoodies she considered.
Speaker 2 (14:22):
The girlies who need to protect the hair, you know
what I mean. And it's very thoughtful and it's very Asia.
Speaker 3 (14:29):
You know, that's who she is.
Speaker 2 (14:31):
And I just think she's like really in her bag.
She's in a really beautiful place in her life where
you know, a lot of things are aligned, and it really,
to me feels like she's just getting started. She's in
her like late twenties. You know, I kind of feel like,
what a beautiful time in her life, Like I just
really feel happy for her.
Speaker 3 (14:48):
You know.
Speaker 1 (14:50):
Yeah, No, certainly I love seeing you know, Asia continue
to soar in every aspect of her career. And I'm
looking forward to seeing the a ones this coming spring.
Speaker 3 (15:00):
All right.
Speaker 1 (15:00):
So, also in the headlines, obviously everyone's talking about Kaitlyn
Clark declining the invitation to participate in the NBA All
Star three point Contest. Now, there was a lot of
controversy surrounding this news. I heard some people were happy
about it in terms of the fans, and then I
heard some fans say, well, you know, why wouldn't she
want to participate and help the NBA. So, Roz, how
(15:23):
do you feel about Kaitlyn Clark declining that invitation? And
I do want to say, she said instead she wants
her first three point contest to be at w NBA
All Star in Indianapolis this year.
Speaker 2 (15:34):
So what I love the concept of, like, Hey, I'm
going to do this for the hometown crowd in nd. Hey,
let's empower and you know, make important w All Star.
Let's bring eyeballs, you know, to the woman's side. I
think it would have been a lot of fun to
see Kaitlyn participate against you know, the best in the world,
(15:54):
and potentially, you know, if you went, I do think
that could have better fitted Caitlin's status and business like
you could have like put her into a whole nother stratosphere,
and her stratos spere is already high. Right. The reason
she can turn this down is because she doesn't need
much most people need. Caitlin's like star power. You know,
(16:16):
she turned down unrivaled. She's turned down like she's not
just doing anything right, and she understands that. So, like
I think from a business perspective, you think, what does
she gain from winning? What does she gain from losing?
What does she what is that risk?
Speaker 3 (16:28):
Either way?
Speaker 2 (16:29):
I don't think anything negative would happen from losing. Like
you know, Sabrina loss last year, but it was close,
and I think that it was a very brand enhancing
moment for Sabrinio Andescue right and cool for all of basketball.
The same thing for Caitlin. I think Caitlyn comes in
here and busts things offen and wins new.
Speaker 3 (16:47):
Levels of superstardom.
Speaker 2 (16:48):
I mean, like she should be sitting down with like presidents,
you know, like from a branding and marketing perspective, and
how big she is. So I think just really what
it showcases is Caitlyn and her team understanding of her value,
her eyeballs, you know, the impact she makes on anything
she shows up to, and you know, I think there
(17:09):
is something genuine to be said about, like hey, we
want to do this for Indie and the W But
I also think too maybe just like protecting space and
peace and you know, minimizing risk, and you know, also
just saying like I want to take some pressure off
of myself. Perhaps that's another side of this, like I'd
rather just not do it. And maybe they just have
a philosophy too of like you know, we're the ones
(17:30):
that move the needle, so we don't do anything unless
like it's maybe like it's really an ownership thing too,
like we do what we own because you want a
piece of this. So either way, I think the decision
is empowered. The decision is empowered. But I think as
like basketball fans, I was kind.
Speaker 5 (17:46):
Of like, ah, damn, that would have been cool, like boo,
like I would have loved to see it, But as
like somebody who's evaluating like upside or downside to a
brand and business portfolio.
Speaker 2 (17:58):
I was like, oh cool, good for her.
Speaker 1 (18:01):
One thing that is gonna be good. Coming out of
the NBA All Star Weekend, we have WNBA Champion Kayla
Thornton of the Golden State Valkyries participating in a celebrity
game alongside Alisha Gray. So Alisha Gray, for those of
you who don't know, she won the skills and three
point competition in the WNBA last summer, and so I'm
looking forward to seeing those who participate at the NBA
(18:22):
All Star Celebrity Game on Friday night. And I just
want to thank my friend Roz again for coming through
to talk about this week's headlines in and around women's basketball.
Appreciate you so much, Roz.
Speaker 2 (18:35):
Of course, if anytime, I'm just really honored to be
on your show.
Speaker 1 (18:39):
All Right, y'all, we're gonna take another quick break, and
when we get back, KK Arnold joins the show, stay
with us. Welcome back to another edition of In Case
you missed it with Christina Williams. Here on iHeart and
(19:01):
women's basketball fans. You all are in for a special
treat this week, especially if you are a Yukon Husky
fan because joining me today is softomare Guard from the
University of Connecticut. Please welcome to the show. Kk Arnold, Hey,
kk Hi. So I want to start this thing right
(19:21):
off with a little bit of an icebreaker. Everyone has
that one game moment or memory that helped shape their
love for the game, So I want to know what's yours.
Speaker 6 (19:31):
I'll say last year, my most fun moment was definitely
have to be against Syracuse the three front China made
for US Today events, but just to put the game
away as well, I was like a big fun moment
home crowd advantage.
Speaker 1 (19:43):
So I'm curious. So you're at the University of Connecticut
and you're in your second year.
Speaker 3 (19:47):
What's your earliest.
Speaker 1 (19:48):
Memory of you feeling like Yukon was the school that
you wanted.
Speaker 6 (19:52):
To go to growing up. I'll say, like the feeling
of like just like watching Yukon grow up. I usually
watch like Maria Jefferson all those regards when they were
still here when I was very young, and I just
remember having like plastered all over my room like Yukon
big heads, like stickers and everything, and I was like
I fell in the gate, like fell in love with them.
Since then, and the Mind Wars and everybody like that
went through this whole program.
Speaker 3 (20:13):
I've watched and seen.
Speaker 1 (20:15):
I've heard a special story about your parents decorating your
room when you were younger and all Yukon. What was
that moment like for you? And does it feel full
circle now that you're actually playing at the school.
Speaker 6 (20:24):
It definitely does feel full circle. And I remember when
they first did it. I walked in my room because
I didn't expect anything. I had like minor pictures up before.
I really didn't have it decorated, and when I walked in,
I was like, I see a big head of like
Rian Jefferson, and I see like Yukon stick because I'm like,
wait a minute, y'all did this.
Speaker 3 (20:40):
So it was just kind of like a fun moment.
Speaker 1 (20:42):
How do you handle the pressure and expectations that come
with playing for a powerhouse like Yukon.
Speaker 6 (20:48):
I don't like try to think about it that way.
I just kind of think about it as like this
is like the moment I've been dreaming of and just
kind of staying in the moment and being grateful to
be here, but also just knowing what type of program
this was before coming in here, what type of which
you know is and all the coaching staff and how
hard they are and the type of coaching staff that
I wanted behind me, and the teammates around me make
it even better each and every day, just kind of
(21:09):
being here in the process of like learning from them,
the upperclassmen, and just kind of what type of player
I wanted to be getting out of these four years
here at college.
Speaker 1 (21:18):
Now, if you had that that fool year under your belt,
what's something about you as a player or person that
you feel like you've learned or as different from the
moment that you stepped on the campus. In retrospect, how
do you think that you've changed year one versus your two.
Speaker 6 (21:31):
I feel like learning how much of an impact I
am on the court in terms of like my energy
and everything. I feel like that has shown this year
a lot, just me coming off the bench bringing that
defensive intensity that I need to bring each and every game.
I feel like last year, of course you see like
glimpse and everything. I was like a defensive minuce last year,
but just kind of this year, like just seeing how
(21:51):
much energy it brings to our team and what it,
you know, can you know, lead to on the offensive end.
I feel like that's one thing that has shown as well,
and just how much more or cable I am. I'm
the offensive van and it's just just the type of
leader I can be.
Speaker 1 (22:05):
And so you said you bring the energy on the court,
but you definitely also bring the energy off the court.
I have spilled through your TikTok allion times. Just looking
at all of the fun videos with you page, I
want to know, like what has it been like to
build that chemistry and also how have you convinced Coach
Gino to participate in some of the stuff that.
Speaker 3 (22:24):
You do on social media. I don't know.
Speaker 6 (22:27):
I definitely like when I first I came in and
I was just like, goofy person. I mean they all
knew like what type of energy I will feel with
But just like that TikTok dance and energy, I mean
everybody had it in them. I just had to figure
out one way to you know, introduce it to him
or bring some them. But coach I try to get
a glimpse of him and videos. I think there's like
one video of him he's probably like I think he
(22:47):
was like what are you doing?
Speaker 3 (22:48):
Like what's wrong with you?
Speaker 6 (22:50):
In the video, But you know you see a little glimpse
of him, and then like that interview I did when
we got landing in Cleveland, he tried to like roast me.
Speaker 3 (22:57):
I mean, he did get me pretty good. But besides that,
keep it here and there, here and there, I gotta
split it up. We gotta do it.
Speaker 1 (23:03):
I feel like Coachchino has like this reputation of being
such a tough cookie.
Speaker 3 (23:07):
But I feel like.
Speaker 1 (23:08):
As the years go on, and do you know athletes
come through the UKON program, you guys are kind of
breaking him down to be like this soft person.
Speaker 6 (23:16):
We definitely are breaking him down, but he never changes
who he is, which is what we love about him.
How hard he is as a coach, but he definitely
has his moments where he's just a little soft and everything.
Speaker 1 (23:25):
So also, fans want to know where did the nickname
that you came up with? Page page boogers?
Speaker 3 (23:32):
Is that the nickname? Yeah?
Speaker 1 (23:34):
Someone is like you have to ask her this question,
like where did that nickname come from?
Speaker 6 (23:38):
It just like came up, Like she always called me camera.
So we just have like back and forth, and I
was like and one day I was just like Page Boggers.
Speaker 3 (23:45):
I was like pay Boogers, like like that.
Speaker 6 (23:48):
So just like goofy nicknames I just came about, it
wasn't really no thought process behind it.
Speaker 1 (23:52):
I think fans can appreciate that team chemistry. And also,
I mean, this could potentially be her last year, So
what have you been taken in as a guard who's
dobe to be the next one up after she leaves
to go to the.
Speaker 6 (24:04):
W Definitely something that she brings to the tables, how
she leaves by example, and something that I'm trying to
take on as well, and her leadership style and just
how she portrays herself on and off the court. It's
something that I just want to take with me after
she leaves, just like taking it one day at a
time with her, still having these moments with her and
not trying to think ahead like I've been telling her
like every day I'm like, dang, like this is really
(24:24):
your last year, and different things like that, but just
how she leaves by example on the court and different
things that she does, and trying to pick her brain about,
like how she sees different things on the court, like
how she finds her spots easily, how she knows, like
you know, different plays to call, how to put people
in a position and just trying to be a better
guard and trying to get my IQ better.
Speaker 1 (24:41):
Looking back at your freshman season, obviously you saw thirty
three starts, and your freshman year you saw your first
final four experience. That what's one moment from that Final
four that's stuck with you and that you're using as
motivation with your team to come out and try to
keep the job done this year, potentially.
Speaker 6 (25:00):
Knowing that we're capable of reaching that game again. Just
looking back at it is like we wanted to get
further then of course he did, and of course we
got further than what people were expected. So just keeping
that little chipped on our shoulders, I'll say, especially on
my shoulder, that you know, we can do all things
possible with our team, just taking one game by the
time and just learn from each other something that we
did last year as well. But just knowing the type
(25:20):
of ball we play could get us far along. But
just saying like that last game is not how we
want to go and just kind of keeping that in
the back of our head and keeping it going from there.
Speaker 1 (25:28):
So as a player, what does that game talk to
you about dealing with adversity?
Speaker 6 (25:33):
I'll say it definitely hit hard, but just how we
got through it. Honestly, the trials and tribulations that we
went through last year with all the injuries and everybody
going out, how far we got through everything, through every
battle that we faced was kind of just like a
eye opener that you know, we can do anything, and
that of course you have a new team this year.
We're just kind of keeping that team in the back
of my head about how far we got that year
(25:54):
and just this year, just kind of keeping it forward
and you know, keeping a bright light of how far
we can't get with this great team that we had
this year.
Speaker 3 (26:00):
So I tend to.
Speaker 1 (26:01):
Ask a lot of w NBA players this question, but
I want to know from you. We usually call it
the welcome to the w moment? What was your welcome
to colleagues? Were welcome to yukon moment?
Speaker 3 (26:11):
It started in practice.
Speaker 6 (26:14):
We were like playing against each other of course, like
playing pick up and everything, and this is like my
real life first time having to guard like like Page
and everybody like won't be one style, like different things
like that, like doing different drills and like I'm guarding her,
I'm like all right, all right, Like I'm locked in
I'm locked in. She'd be like she'd be like like
a mean like jab cross and then step back and
(26:35):
mind you. Like I've seen like everything like on TV
and everything like videos of her, like I've never played
against her. So she hit with them like wait a minute,
wait a minute, it's like hit me what it made
the shot and she just went back to the top
of the key like all right, next offend.
Speaker 3 (26:47):
I'm like, all right, dang, Like it's like that I got.
Speaker 6 (26:51):
I got a long career ahead of me, different guards
like her. But I definitely say I was like my
like my key moment I had like first coming in
like first practice, freshman straight friend.
Speaker 1 (27:00):
So one of the things that I learned about you
that I find really intriguing is that you have your
own brand called girly Pop. So talk to us about
your brand.
Speaker 6 (27:09):
My brand, Girly Pops started off just like a I say,
start off social media and it grew from there, and
me personally, I didn't realize how big of like a
fan base I really had until they really start like
getting in tune with like girly Pop. Okay, so boom,
like different things like that that were just like a
little empowerment to you know, bring everybody together and just
like my goofy word that everybody knows, you know, girly Pop,
heyd girlly Pops just kind of you can reach out.
Speaker 3 (27:31):
To me and say anything and just say hey, and
different things like that.
Speaker 6 (27:34):
So my brand started with different sweatshirts and everybody swishow
shirts and different things like that that people can wear
to represent my brand and everything else like that.
Speaker 1 (27:43):
So just staying with girly Pop, you talked about the
encouraging words and empowering people. What's a model that you
choose to live by.
Speaker 6 (27:52):
I always just think about it. It's just trying to
bring joy to people's life, Like be joyful, be that
joyful person. You don't know what anybody's going through, so
just like me, like smile and even you know a
little smile can brighten up somebody's day. Just being that
you know, brightening person, that learning person that I am
for my team as well, that you know they I'm
a person that they need sometimes on a bad day
or a bad practice, something's going on, I got to,
(28:13):
you know, uplift the energy. So just be joyful and
honestly be mindful of people around so it's kind of
just something I go by as well, just knowing that
how much of an impact that I have on people's lives,
either fans, my teammates, coaches, or anybody around me, my family.
Speaker 1 (28:28):
Yukon is a university where there are so many Hall
of famers future hall of famers. How do you see
your legacy being cemented in that history?
Speaker 6 (28:37):
I'll say, like I'll use it for example, like Muri Jefferson,
Like the type of guard she was is kind of
what I want to lead by example and leave here with.
Speaker 3 (28:44):
But just be myself, honestly.
Speaker 6 (28:46):
You know, they have their own thing about what made
them a great player, and just kind of keeping it
myself what makes me a great player and my defensive
intacity on the court as well, my energy, my leadership
is something that I just want to leave here with
and I want to be like a polished player by
the time I leave here and every year getting better
and progressing.
Speaker 1 (29:02):
You brought up Mariah's epicend twice so far.
Speaker 3 (29:04):
Definitely my favorite.
Speaker 1 (29:05):
What about Mariah makes her your favorite player or what
stands out to you about her?
Speaker 4 (29:11):
With her?
Speaker 6 (29:11):
I think, in my opinion, it was always like herd
oversize how small of a guard she was. But also
it's kind of she was kind of in my shoes
as well, in terms of she brought defensive intensity, the
kind of point guard she was, leadership, how everybody on
the court respected her, Her IQ was very high level.
Speaker 3 (29:26):
Watching her as I was younger.
Speaker 6 (29:28):
I've seen different things that she did at that height
of hers was something that you know, motivated me because
in my opinion, even you can ask my parents, they
didn't think I was gonna get.
Speaker 3 (29:36):
Any taller than I am right now.
Speaker 6 (29:38):
So just kind of being like a small guard, just
looking at her and how she persevered and now she
got through adversity herself through this program and when she
plays against top competition with something I always admired about her.
Speaker 1 (29:49):
She's someone that you is mentored by today.
Speaker 6 (29:51):
Or definitely yeah, definitely. She's always said like she's always
one text or one call away. I'll hit her up
with questions about you know, maybe like a hard practice,
how she got through here, you know, different things like
that kind of get through this process of mind.
Speaker 1 (30:05):
To wrap this all up, let's look ahead to this
twenty twenty five season. Obviously, we're so close to March
and it's almost that time again, what can fans expect
to see from not only you, but the Yukon Huskies
this season.
Speaker 6 (30:19):
Our same intensity that they will bring, Our loving energy
on the court, humble energy. But also we're gonna make
it far. That's one thing that we promised. But we
kind of keep our levelheaded, kind of stay down here,
one game at a time and you know, expect a
good run in that future.
Speaker 3 (30:34):
So got to take it one game at a time though.
Speaker 1 (30:36):
Okay, thank you so much for joining us this week
on In Case you missed it with Christina Williams here
on iHeartRadio. It was such a blast to get to
know you and to chat with you and best of
luck this season.
Speaker 3 (30:48):
Thank you, thank you for having me.
Speaker 1 (30:50):
All Right, y'all, I just want to thank KK and
Roz again for coming through to the show this week.
Don't forget to rate, review and subscribe to the podcast.
And next week we're coming to you live from the
Bay at NBA All Star, so you don't want to
miss that, all right, y'all. Peace. In Case you missed
(31:12):
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
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 y'all. Last week, free
agency shook up the women's basketball world, and so you
(00:23):
know we have to break it all down. In Joining
me this week to break down all of the latest
in women's basketball is one of my good friends, Roz
golden Wood, a former Stanford women's basketball who, perturned broadcaster
and now the co host of the Good follow Show. Roz,
thank you for being here.
Speaker 2 (00:40):
Thank you for having me girl. I'm so honored to
be on your show.
Speaker 1 (00:43):
You know, I am like so proud, thank you, And
I'm proud of you too. I'm proud of you too.
All right, let's dive straight into WNBA free agency. There
were a lot of big moves in and around the league.
Can you tell us what surprised you the most about
twenty twenty five WNBA free agency.
Speaker 2 (01:00):
I think the one move that finally made me feel like, Okay,
I'm officially overwhelmed was Douanna Bonner to the Indiana Fever
because we knew Kelsey Plumb, you know, could move. That
was a big discussion point. We weren't like all these
different moves. But I think it was in secession where
it was like Luca to the Lakers, Beyonce drops a tour,
(01:23):
Dowana Bonner goes to Indiana, and that was like my
moment of like, okay, I'm overstimulated, and I think, you know,
we were all kind of waiting for the other shoe
to drop because Alissa Thomas goes to Phoenix and we
were wondering would that be a package deal. You know,
they have a family that together could be CDB stay
in Connecticut when we see her go to Phoenix and
(01:44):
instead she goes to the Fever. And while the Fever
had been steadily making like nice moves, whether it was
you know, re signing Kelsey Mitchell huge right, or bringing
in Natasha Howard. All right, now you've got you know,
a veteran to help out Aliah Boston or tag team that,
or you've got Stephanie White new coach. Sure you've got
returning stars. And then it was dB to Indiana where
(02:07):
I was like, nah, they're a serious contender, you know,
like this is Realt and don't forget don't forget Caitlyn
Clark now coming back in generational talent with now a
whole offseason, and then Sophie Cunningham. I even like the
addition there. I think Sophie brings some attitude and she's
a really productive VET. So they've got a really nice
(02:30):
squad of like weapons to support Kaitlyn Clark and her evolution.
Speaker 1 (02:33):
Yeah, I absolutely agree. I think that the Indiana Fever
are now a championship contending team. We saw last year
they made a postseason birth the first time since twenty sixteen,
by the way, with Kitlyn Clark at the helm. But
now you add more balanced scoring, you add more veteran presents,
people who know what it takes to win in a
three time champion like Natasha Howard, and then of course
(02:54):
you add dB. I think that that's a recipe for success.
And Amber Cox has been in front of this show.
I think that the first piece that fell with that
was the priority of re signing Kelsey Mitchell and keeping
that duo together. And we didn't even talk about a
Leah Boston. How she's returning right, and you add Sophie Cunningham,
She's an enforcer, that enforcer that everyone's like, oh, the
(03:14):
fever needs an enforcer. Well, now you have Sophie Cunningham
coming on board to kind of enforce. And then I'm
super excited about the development continuously of Lexi Hall, a
good three and D player. She's down at unrivaled in
Miami right now, but I've been having a pleasure of
watching her career develop.
Speaker 2 (03:30):
I'm personally really excited to see the two man get
the two player game between a Leah Boston and Caitlin
Clark continue to develop. By the end of last season,
the chemistry was really like exciting to watch grow, and
I think it'll be devastating by next season those two together.
Speaker 1 (03:44):
Yeah, And there were also a lot of other big
moves around the league, Brittany grind and Brianna Jones going
to Atlanta, the Dallas Wings kind of resetting with signing
dj A Carrington and Melissa Smith, Ty Harris for turning
to Dallas. When we see all of these different moves
the off season, how do you think they impact the
league's overall competitive balance.
Speaker 2 (04:05):
Yeah, So I've already had to like kind of list
out like sort of my new kind of power rankings
I still think, you know, this thing has to go
through the reigning champs in the New York Liberty. I
think the lengths are only going to elevate because Nafisa
Collier is playing at an unheard of level now and
also so is Kaylen McBride, you know, so that team
continues to raise. I still put the Aces in that
(04:28):
upper echelona talent. You know, while all these teams are
figuring out chemistry and new plays and getting comfortable, you know,
continuity and chemistry goes a long way. And for me
with the Aces, one of the you know, movements that
I think are going to be impactful will be for
Jewel Lloyd. You know, she's going to go to the
Aces and not have to be the number one option.
(04:48):
And I think when she's been at her best in
her career, she just had a little less responsibility on
her shoulders and she'll have an opportunity to go there.
She's been talking about while she's had unrivaled I'm here
in Miami and we so she's really been focusing on
her joy and you know, getting back to feeling like herself,
and she got away from that and she's been working
with her coach and Phil Handy here on like the
(05:10):
mental side of the game, and there's actually been synergy
between you know, Phil Handy and the work she's doing unrivaled.
And also now that she knows she's going to Vegas,
what the conversations she's having with Becky Hammond. So she
said she's spoken to Becky. Becky'll share what she needs
from you know, Jewel this season, and then Jewel will
communicate that to Phil Handy, who's one of the best
(05:32):
player development and skill developers in the world. Men's are
women's and they're working on that here in Miami. So
you know, I think that we could see a rebirth,
a rejuvenation of Jewel's career there. And I think for
the Aces, some fresh blood is healthy. You know, it's
hard to just keep knocking at the door of a
championship or winning championships like.
Speaker 3 (05:53):
And last year.
Speaker 2 (05:54):
I just think not only were they physically banged up,
but also just mentally and emotionally, And now here is
like a new chapter where they can re emerge and
support Asia Wilson, who's been the best player in the world.
Speaker 1 (06:04):
And you kind of leaned into the next question about
which players you think will have sort of a breakout
season based off the off season changes and moves. Obviously
the resurgence of Jeweloyd. I think people have forgot that
Juloyd is a WNBA champion, gold medalist, multi time All Star.
She's a great player, and I agree her responsibility was
less in Seattle when she had Randa Stewart and Super
(06:25):
on our team and she was like the third option.
So I'm excited to see her alongside you know, Asia Wilson,
Chelsea Gray, Jackie Young, and I love that she gets
to build that chemistry already in Miami because, as you mentioned,
continuity is going to be super important, at least for
the champions. In New York Liberty, we saw how through
the first season and into the second season how that
continuity and chemistry helped with the production on the court.
(06:48):
So I'm excited to see that. But back to the
question of any players you think that will have a
breakout season based off the off season moves.
Speaker 2 (06:55):
I mean, I'm down here in Miami at Unrivaled, you know,
reporting on these games, and I'm watching these players of close.
I actually really excited for Britney Griner. I think you
know her move to Atlanta. You know makes Atlanta very exciting.
Either you could play them in tandem or you know,
together or for one another. You have Brianna Jones coming in,
suddenly you got this influx of a lot of size
(07:16):
and veteran skill as Tina Charles leaves there. And I
think that guard group of like Ryan Howard, Jordan Canada,
Ali Shah Gray, they're all doing this, you know. And
I spoke with Beg and she said Atlanta was a
great landing spot for her because it made sense for
her family. It was really about the locker room for Beg,
(07:36):
like she was just thinking about what the next chapter
of her life and career looks like. And she was
like the players, there's no drama, like she just is
in like looking for peace, which makes a lot of sense.
And she even like these are her words, she said,
you know, I also I'm excited to get back to
my southern roots, like she's from the South, and you
(07:57):
know that really appealed to her and was important as
far as like finding a new home. And so she's
really excited about Atlanta. I think also remember like all
that physically and mentally and emotionally that comes from her,
like coming out of the you know, wrongful detainment in
Russia and then like resettling back into the game she
hasn't been, you know, going back overseas well, here's a
(08:18):
season of Unrivaled where she's conditioned and you know, motivated
and excited. So I think, you know, we'll see like
a really high level version of Britney Griner in Atlanta
as well. So I'm excited about that move. I'm excited
about Rakia Jackson. I think Rikia is that girl. And
you know, again she has the opportunity to work with
(08:39):
Phil Handy down here in Miami, and I think you
know that in combination with the veteran leadership of Deerka
Hanaby and Kelsey Plum coming in, I'm excited to see
Kelsey Plum as a number one option. Kelsey has dutifully
and humbly and honorably played a very important role for
the Aces as they want a championship, and now now
(09:00):
she has the chance to be a number one option
in a face of a franchise. And not only do
I think she's ready and capable of that, I know
she's excited about it and so many storylines to follow, you.
Speaker 1 (09:11):
Know, No, I agree, I think I personally am excited
to see the reset of the Dallas Wings, especially because
they have that number one pick, And I know a
lot of discussion has been around will they draft Page
Beckers or Olivia Mouse. I think either way, this is
going to be a fine team, whether they draft Olivia
or Page. Just with the pieces that they've added in
the off season and the coaching changes in front office personnel,
(09:34):
I think that is a new day and people are
going to look at the Dallas Wings organization differently moving
forward compared to how they previously have viewed the Wings organization.
Speaker 2 (09:43):
Yeah, And I don't know if you're feeling like this
topic is bubbling up as far as like one that
the trenches of women's basketball are talking about. But who's
going to be the best player in the WNBA this
season is starting to come up, because you know, I
think last season, for me, it was very clear that
(10:05):
the two best players in the world were Asia Wilson
and Brianna Stewart, and then Asia deservedly winning MVP. But
like if you watch the Olympic Games, I was like, Okay,
it's these two women's world But the FISA Collier has
come through the w NBA finals and emerged in that
like from stardom into like, okay, she's about to be
(10:25):
a superstar. She has the potential for that, and now
in Unrivaled, it's really clear that there's a separation in
her game that she has absolutely gotten better and it's
not just with what she's doing in like points and stats,
like are you listening to any interviews and the FISA's
doing she's talking at.
Speaker 3 (10:42):
Top like yeah, like yes she is.
Speaker 4 (10:45):
She too believes she's the one like she and good
for her actions are showing it up and she believes,
like she'll say it, I'm one of the best players
in the world, if not, you know, the best.
Speaker 2 (10:55):
But here's the one thing I want to be careful
of because as I find myself analyzing the fesa's incredible
basketball play that is clearly on display during Unrivaled, and
she is deserving of every shouting from the rooftop that
I have given her, I want to be clear, like
it's not necessarily fair to pass the torch because Asia
(11:18):
Wilson isn't playing in the same league. There is no
direct comparison she It's like you got somebody who's who's
getting the chance to showcase what they do any of
the other one is taking down times. I think what
more sets the stage for is like when everybody gets
back to w and everybody's playing, It's like, Okay, let's
see what happens. You know, who's going to take the
crown in this upcoming season.
Speaker 1 (11:37):
Well, I'm certainly looking forward to watching the emergence of
the Thesa Collier and I think that she does have
some resentment because of that loss in the finals the
New York Liberty, So I'm exciting to see how she
decides to run it back. Well, yeah, she podcast with Taylor.
Speaker 2 (11:57):
Yeah, she said, I'm a sore loser. I get sore
about losing. And then I was like damn. And then
she I asked her the whole way at arrivaled. I
was like, is this your villain origin story?
Speaker 3 (12:08):
Like is this it?
Speaker 2 (12:09):
And she's like maybe, you know, I love Spicy me.
I'm happy for her. Like when she first started her career,
she came into the Links and you know, that was
Sylvia Fowls team and she was in a legacy franchise
and you know, really just like had to learn and
then she like took on the star role there. Then
you know, she became, you know, became an Olympian accolade,
(12:30):
start stacking up. Then you become a mom, then you
become you know, the founder of unrivaled, and then you
just with oh, you know how it is. You get
older as a woman, you get more mature, and it's
just more like, all right, I am who I think
I am, and you're willing to say and do that,
and the actions are backing that up. So I've really
enjoyed seeing the confidence flow out of her, and I
(12:51):
think all of this is just building up again to
a very like this WNBA season's gonna be insane soon.
Speaker 1 (12:57):
I'm here for all of the mess for this season,
and Spicy is all right, y'all. We're gonna pause the
conversation right here and when we get back. More of
the headlines from this week in women's basketball, with Rod's
gold unwooding all right, Rob So. Also in women's basketball
(13:20):
headlines in and around the league Asia Wilson. This week
she released the design for her new shoe, the A
one by Nike, and also her collection, which is set
to debut May twenty twenty five. So what was your
initial reactions to Asia Wilson's shoes?
Speaker 3 (13:39):
First?
Speaker 2 (13:39):
Of all, I think the design is clean, it's a
beautiful shoe. Asia sneaker has the potential to do with
Sabrina and Escu's has done where NBA players, It'll cross genders,
people of all sports will be wearing this shoe because
the shoe is a nice shoe, Like it's very clean,
the shoe comfortable. I haven't put it on, but it
(14:01):
also looks like it performs at a high level. It's
very Asia too, Like it's pretty, it's it's fun, it's cute,
and it's not just the sneaker. There's like slides, I
mean the attention to detail. As a consumer and as
a fan, I appreciate, like satin lined hoodie I think
I saw and then there's.
Speaker 1 (14:18):
Like yes, I was just about to say, the satin
line hoodies she considered.
Speaker 2 (14:22):
The girlies who need to protect the hair, you know
what I mean. And it's very thoughtful and it's very Asia.
Speaker 3 (14:29):
You know, that's who she is.
Speaker 2 (14:31):
And I just think she's like really in her bag.
She's in a really beautiful place in her life where
you know, a lot of things are aligned, and it really,
to me feels like she's just getting started. She's in
her like late twenties. You know, I kind of feel like,
what a beautiful time in her life, Like I just
really feel happy for her.
Speaker 3 (14:48):
You know.
Speaker 1 (14:50):
Yeah, No, certainly I love seeing you know, Asia continue
to soar in every aspect of her career. And I'm
looking forward to seeing the a ones this coming spring.
Speaker 3 (15:00):
All right.
Speaker 1 (15:00):
So, also in the headlines, obviously everyone's talking about Kaitlyn
Clark declining the invitation to participate in the NBA All
Star three point Contest. Now, there was a lot of
controversy surrounding this news. I heard some people were happy
about it in terms of the fans, and then I
heard some fans say, well, you know, why wouldn't she
want to participate and help the NBA. So, Roz, how
(15:23):
do you feel about Kaitlyn Clark declining that invitation? And
I do want to say, she said instead she wants
her first three point contest to be at w NBA
All Star in Indianapolis this year.
Speaker 2 (15:34):
So what I love the concept of, like, Hey, I'm
going to do this for the hometown crowd in nd. Hey,
let's empower and you know, make important w All Star.
Let's bring eyeballs, you know, to the woman's side. I
think it would have been a lot of fun to
see Kaitlyn participate against you know, the best in the world,
(15:54):
and potentially, you know, if you went, I do think
that could have better fitted Caitlin's status and business like
you could have like put her into a whole nother stratosphere,
and her stratos spere is already high. Right. The reason
she can turn this down is because she doesn't need
much most people need. Caitlin's like star power. You know,
(16:16):
she turned down unrivaled. She's turned down like she's not
just doing anything right, and she understands that. So, like
I think from a business perspective, you think, what does
she gain from winning? What does she gain from losing?
What does she what is that risk?
Speaker 3 (16:28):
Either way?
Speaker 2 (16:29):
I don't think anything negative would happen from losing. Like
you know, Sabrina loss last year, but it was close,
and I think that it was a very brand enhancing
moment for Sabrinio Andescue right and cool for all of basketball.
The same thing for Caitlin. I think Caitlyn comes in
here and busts things offen and wins new.
Speaker 3 (16:47):
Levels of superstardom.
Speaker 2 (16:48):
I mean, like she should be sitting down with like presidents,
you know, like from a branding and marketing perspective, and
how big she is. So I think just really what
it showcases is Caitlyn and her team understanding of her value,
her eyeballs, you know, the impact she makes on anything
she shows up to, and you know, I think there
(17:09):
is something genuine to be said about, like hey, we
want to do this for Indie and the W But
I also think too maybe just like protecting space and
peace and you know, minimizing risk, and you know, also
just saying like I want to take some pressure off
of myself. Perhaps that's another side of this, like I'd
rather just not do it. And maybe they just have
a philosophy too of like you know, we're the ones
(17:30):
that move the needle, so we don't do anything unless
like it's maybe like it's really an ownership thing too,
like we do what we own because you want a
piece of this. So either way, I think the decision
is empowered. The decision is empowered. But I think as
like basketball fans, I was kind.
Speaker 5 (17:46):
Of like, ah, damn, that would have been cool, like boo,
like I would have loved to see it, But as
like somebody who's evaluating like upside or downside to a
brand and business portfolio.
Speaker 2 (17:58):
I was like, oh cool, good for her.
Speaker 1 (18:01):
One thing that is gonna be good. Coming out of
the NBA All Star Weekend, we have WNBA Champion Kayla
Thornton of the Golden State Valkyries participating in a celebrity
game alongside Alisha Gray. So Alisha Gray, for those of
you who don't know, she won the skills and three
point competition in the WNBA last summer, and so I'm
looking forward to seeing those who participate at the NBA
(18:22):
All Star Celebrity Game on Friday night. And I just
want to thank my friend Roz again for coming through
to talk about this week's headlines in and around women's basketball.
Appreciate you so much, Roz.
Speaker 2 (18:35):
Of course, if anytime, I'm just really honored to be
on your show.
Speaker 1 (18:39):
All Right, y'all, we're gonna take another quick break, and
when we get back, KK Arnold joins the show, stay
with us. Welcome back to another edition of In Case
you missed it with Christina Williams. Here on iHeart and
(19:01):
women's basketball fans. You all are in for a special
treat this week, especially if you are a Yukon Husky
fan because joining me today is softomare Guard from the
University of Connecticut. Please welcome to the show. Kk Arnold, Hey,
kk Hi. So I want to start this thing right
(19:21):
off with a little bit of an icebreaker. Everyone has
that one game moment or memory that helped shape their
love for the game, So I want to know what's yours.
Speaker 6 (19:31):
I'll say last year, my most fun moment was definitely
have to be against Syracuse the three front China made
for US Today events, but just to put the game
away as well, I was like a big fun moment
home crowd advantage.
Speaker 1 (19:43):
So I'm curious. So you're at the University of Connecticut
and you're in your second year.
Speaker 3 (19:47):
What's your earliest.
Speaker 1 (19:48):
Memory of you feeling like Yukon was the school that
you wanted.
Speaker 6 (19:52):
To go to growing up. I'll say, like the feeling
of like just like watching Yukon grow up. I usually
watch like Maria Jefferson all those regards when they were
still here when I was very young, and I just
remember having like plastered all over my room like Yukon
big heads, like stickers and everything, and I was like
I fell in the gate, like fell in love with them.
Since then, and the Mind Wars and everybody like that
went through this whole program.
Speaker 3 (20:13):
I've watched and seen.
Speaker 1 (20:15):
I've heard a special story about your parents decorating your
room when you were younger and all Yukon. What was
that moment like for you? And does it feel full
circle now that you're actually playing at the school.
Speaker 6 (20:24):
It definitely does feel full circle. And I remember when
they first did it. I walked in my room because
I didn't expect anything. I had like minor pictures up before.
I really didn't have it decorated, and when I walked in,
I was like, I see a big head of like
Rian Jefferson, and I see like Yukon stick because I'm like,
wait a minute, y'all did this.
Speaker 3 (20:40):
So it was just kind of like a fun moment.
Speaker 1 (20:42):
How do you handle the pressure and expectations that come
with playing for a powerhouse like Yukon.
Speaker 6 (20:48):
I don't like try to think about it that way.
I just kind of think about it as like this
is like the moment I've been dreaming of and just
kind of staying in the moment and being grateful to
be here, but also just knowing what type of program
this was before coming in here, what type of which
you know is and all the coaching staff and how
hard they are and the type of coaching staff that
I wanted behind me, and the teammates around me make
it even better each and every day, just kind of
(21:09):
being here in the process of like learning from them,
the upperclassmen, and just kind of what type of player
I wanted to be getting out of these four years
here at college.
Speaker 1 (21:18):
Now, if you had that that fool year under your belt,
what's something about you as a player or person that
you feel like you've learned or as different from the
moment that you stepped on the campus. In retrospect, how
do you think that you've changed year one versus your two.
Speaker 6 (21:31):
I feel like learning how much of an impact I
am on the court in terms of like my energy
and everything. I feel like that has shown this year
a lot, just me coming off the bench bringing that
defensive intensity that I need to bring each and every game.
I feel like last year, of course you see like
glimpse and everything. I was like a defensive minuce last year,
but just kind of this year, like just seeing how
(21:51):
much energy it brings to our team and what it,
you know, can you know, lead to on the offensive end.
I feel like that's one thing that has shown as well,
and just how much more or cable I am. I'm
the offensive van and it's just just the type of
leader I can be.
Speaker 1 (22:05):
And so you said you bring the energy on the court,
but you definitely also bring the energy off the court.
I have spilled through your TikTok allion times. Just looking
at all of the fun videos with you page, I
want to know, like what has it been like to
build that chemistry and also how have you convinced Coach
Gino to participate in some of the stuff that.
Speaker 3 (22:24):
You do on social media. I don't know.
Speaker 6 (22:27):
I definitely like when I first I came in and
I was just like, goofy person. I mean they all
knew like what type of energy I will feel with
But just like that TikTok dance and energy, I mean
everybody had it in them. I just had to figure
out one way to you know, introduce it to him
or bring some them. But coach I try to get
a glimpse of him and videos. I think there's like
one video of him he's probably like I think he
(22:47):
was like what are you doing?
Speaker 3 (22:48):
Like what's wrong with you?
Speaker 6 (22:50):
In the video, But you know you see a little glimpse
of him, and then like that interview I did when
we got landing in Cleveland, he tried to like roast me.
Speaker 3 (22:57):
I mean, he did get me pretty good. But besides that,
keep it here and there, here and there, I gotta
split it up. We gotta do it.
Speaker 1 (23:03):
I feel like Coachchino has like this reputation of being
such a tough cookie.
Speaker 3 (23:07):
But I feel like.
Speaker 1 (23:08):
As the years go on, and do you know athletes
come through the UKON program, you guys are kind of
breaking him down to be like this soft person.
Speaker 6 (23:16):
We definitely are breaking him down, but he never changes
who he is, which is what we love about him.
How hard he is as a coach, but he definitely
has his moments where he's just a little soft and everything.
Speaker 1 (23:25):
So also, fans want to know where did the nickname
that you came up with? Page page boogers?
Speaker 3 (23:32):
Is that the nickname? Yeah?
Speaker 1 (23:34):
Someone is like you have to ask her this question,
like where did that nickname come from?
Speaker 6 (23:38):
It just like came up, Like she always called me camera.
So we just have like back and forth, and I
was like and one day I was just like Page Boggers.
Speaker 3 (23:45):
I was like pay Boogers, like like that.
Speaker 6 (23:48):
So just like goofy nicknames I just came about, it
wasn't really no thought process behind it.
Speaker 1 (23:52):
I think fans can appreciate that team chemistry. And also,
I mean, this could potentially be her last year, So
what have you been taken in as a guard who's
dobe to be the next one up after she leaves
to go to the.
Speaker 6 (24:04):
W Definitely something that she brings to the tables, how
she leaves by example, and something that I'm trying to
take on as well, and her leadership style and just
how she portrays herself on and off the court. It's
something that I just want to take with me after
she leaves, just like taking it one day at a
time with her, still having these moments with her and
not trying to think ahead like I've been telling her
like every day I'm like, dang, like this is really
(24:24):
your last year, and different things like that, but just
how she leaves by example on the court and different
things that she does, and trying to pick her brain about,
like how she sees different things on the court, like
how she finds her spots easily, how she knows, like
you know, different plays to call, how to put people
in a position and just trying to be a better
guard and trying to get my IQ better.
Speaker 1 (24:41):
Looking back at your freshman season, obviously you saw thirty
three starts, and your freshman year you saw your first
final four experience. That what's one moment from that Final
four that's stuck with you and that you're using as
motivation with your team to come out and try to
keep the job done this year, potentially.
Speaker 6 (25:00):
Knowing that we're capable of reaching that game again. Just
looking back at it is like we wanted to get
further then of course he did, and of course we
got further than what people were expected. So just keeping
that little chipped on our shoulders, I'll say, especially on
my shoulder, that you know, we can do all things
possible with our team, just taking one game by the
time and just learn from each other something that we
did last year as well. But just knowing the type
(25:20):
of ball we play could get us far along. But
just saying like that last game is not how we
want to go and just kind of keeping that in
the back of our head and keeping it going from there.
Speaker 1 (25:28):
So as a player, what does that game talk to
you about dealing with adversity?
Speaker 6 (25:33):
I'll say it definitely hit hard, but just how we
got through it. Honestly, the trials and tribulations that we
went through last year with all the injuries and everybody
going out, how far we got through everything, through every
battle that we faced was kind of just like a
eye opener that you know, we can do anything, and
that of course you have a new team this year.
We're just kind of keeping that team in the back
of my head about how far we got that year
(25:54):
and just this year, just kind of keeping it forward
and you know, keeping a bright light of how far
we can't get with this great team that we had
this year.
Speaker 3 (26:00):
So I tend to.
Speaker 1 (26:01):
Ask a lot of w NBA players this question, but
I want to know from you. We usually call it
the welcome to the w moment? What was your welcome
to colleagues? Were welcome to yukon moment?
Speaker 3 (26:11):
It started in practice.
Speaker 6 (26:14):
We were like playing against each other of course, like
playing pick up and everything, and this is like my
real life first time having to guard like like Page
and everybody like won't be one style, like different things
like that, like doing different drills and like I'm guarding her,
I'm like all right, all right, Like I'm locked in
I'm locked in. She'd be like she'd be like like
a mean like jab cross and then step back and
(26:35):
mind you. Like I've seen like everything like on TV
and everything like videos of her, like I've never played
against her. So she hit with them like wait a minute,
wait a minute, it's like hit me what it made
the shot and she just went back to the top
of the key like all right, next offend.
Speaker 3 (26:47):
I'm like, all right, dang, Like it's like that I got.
Speaker 6 (26:51):
I got a long career ahead of me, different guards
like her. But I definitely say I was like my
like my key moment I had like first coming in
like first practice, freshman straight friend.
Speaker 1 (27:00):
So one of the things that I learned about you
that I find really intriguing is that you have your
own brand called girly Pop. So talk to us about
your brand.
Speaker 6 (27:09):
My brand, Girly Pops started off just like a I say,
start off social media and it grew from there, and
me personally, I didn't realize how big of like a
fan base I really had until they really start like
getting in tune with like girly Pop. Okay, so boom,
like different things like that that were just like a
little empowerment to you know, bring everybody together and just
like my goofy word that everybody knows, you know, girly Pop,
heyd girlly Pops just kind of you can reach out.
Speaker 3 (27:31):
To me and say anything and just say hey, and
different things like that.
Speaker 6 (27:34):
So my brand started with different sweatshirts and everybody swishow
shirts and different things like that that people can wear
to represent my brand and everything else like that.
Speaker 1 (27:43):
So just staying with girly Pop, you talked about the
encouraging words and empowering people. What's a model that you
choose to live by.
Speaker 6 (27:52):
I always just think about it. It's just trying to
bring joy to people's life, Like be joyful, be that
joyful person. You don't know what anybody's going through, so
just like me, like smile and even you know a
little smile can brighten up somebody's day. Just being that
you know, brightening person, that learning person that I am
for my team as well, that you know they I'm
a person that they need sometimes on a bad day
or a bad practice, something's going on, I got to,
(28:13):
you know, uplift the energy. So just be joyful and
honestly be mindful of people around so it's kind of
just something I go by as well, just knowing that
how much of an impact that I have on people's lives,
either fans, my teammates, coaches, or anybody around me, my family.
Speaker 1 (28:28):
Yukon is a university where there are so many Hall
of famers future hall of famers. How do you see
your legacy being cemented in that history?
Speaker 6 (28:37):
I'll say, like I'll use it for example, like Muri Jefferson,
Like the type of guard she was is kind of
what I want to lead by example and leave here with.
Speaker 3 (28:44):
But just be myself, honestly.
Speaker 6 (28:46):
You know, they have their own thing about what made
them a great player, and just kind of keeping it
myself what makes me a great player and my defensive
intacity on the court as well, my energy, my leadership
is something that I just want to leave here with
and I want to be like a polished player by
the time I leave here and every year getting better
and progressing.
Speaker 1 (29:02):
You brought up Mariah's epicend twice so far.
Speaker 3 (29:04):
Definitely my favorite.
Speaker 1 (29:05):
What about Mariah makes her your favorite player or what
stands out to you about her?
Speaker 4 (29:11):
With her?
Speaker 6 (29:11):
I think, in my opinion, it was always like herd
oversize how small of a guard she was. But also
it's kind of she was kind of in my shoes
as well, in terms of she brought defensive intensity, the
kind of point guard she was, leadership, how everybody on
the court respected her, Her IQ was very high level.
Speaker 3 (29:26):
Watching her as I was younger.
Speaker 6 (29:28):
I've seen different things that she did at that height
of hers was something that you know, motivated me because
in my opinion, even you can ask my parents, they
didn't think I was gonna get.
Speaker 3 (29:36):
Any taller than I am right now.
Speaker 6 (29:38):
So just kind of being like a small guard, just
looking at her and how she persevered and now she
got through adversity herself through this program and when she
plays against top competition with something I always admired about her.
Speaker 1 (29:49):
She's someone that you is mentored by today.
Speaker 6 (29:51):
Or definitely yeah, definitely. She's always said like she's always
one text or one call away. I'll hit her up
with questions about you know, maybe like a hard practice,
how she got through here, you know, different things like
that kind of get through this process of mind.
Speaker 1 (30:05):
To wrap this all up, let's look ahead to this
twenty twenty five season. Obviously, we're so close to March
and it's almost that time again, what can fans expect
to see from not only you, but the Yukon Huskies
this season.
Speaker 6 (30:19):
Our same intensity that they will bring, Our loving energy
on the court, humble energy. But also we're gonna make
it far. That's one thing that we promised. But we
kind of keep our levelheaded, kind of stay down here,
one game at a time and you know, expect a
good run in that future.
Speaker 3 (30:34):
So got to take it one game at a time though.
Speaker 1 (30:36):
Okay, thank you so much for joining us this week
on In Case you missed it with Christina Williams here
on iHeartRadio. It was such a blast to get to
know you and to chat with you and best of
luck this season.
Speaker 3 (30:48):
Thank you, thank you for having me.
Speaker 1 (30:50):
All Right, y'all, I just want to thank KK and
Roz again for coming through to the show this week.
Don't forget to rate, review and subscribe to the podcast.
And next week we're coming to you live from the
Bay at NBA All Star, so you don't want to
miss that, all right, y'all. Peace. In Case you missed
(31:12):
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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