April 24, 2025 • 38 mins
On this episode of Levels to This, hosts Sheryl Swoopes and Terrika Foster-Brasby discuss all things 2025 WNBA draft. They dive into the draft's standout moments, including the event's impressive fan engagement, stunning player outfits, and surprising picks. The hosts share their thoughts on second chances, highlight the impact of the transfer portal on draft stock, and express their disappointment over overlooked talents from HBCUs. They conclude with encouraging words for undrafted players, emphasizing opportunities beyond the draft.
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 (00:00):
Levels to.
Speaker 2 (00:00):
This is an iHeart women's sports production in partnership with
Deep Blue Sports and Entertainment. You can find us on
the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Speaker 1 (00:15):
Hey, what's going on? Everybody? It's your girl, Srica Foster Brassby,
what's up, y'all? It's your girl, Cheryl Swoops And this
is the levels to this podcast.
Speaker 3 (00:24):
This is the show where we share that it's levels
to the shit that women go through. And I love
today's episode. We are definitely gonna talk about the WNBA Draft,
so much.
Speaker 1 (00:37):
Going on around that. But first, what's up, Cheryl? What's
going on? Girl?
Speaker 3 (00:42):
I mean, you know what it means when it's draft time.
Draft time means and that I do. The season is
here right around the Kona.
Speaker 1 (00:51):
So let me just tell you.
Speaker 2 (00:53):
I'm glad that the draft happened like when it did
because I'm needing some basketball in my life.
Speaker 1 (01:00):
After the NCUBLEA Final four. I don't know if we
talked about this in great depth.
Speaker 2 (01:06):
I was hoping for a bit more out of the
final four, and so because I didn't get everything that
I wanted, I need some more basketball action.
Speaker 1 (01:14):
In my life. So the draft came right on top.
Speaker 3 (01:19):
I love that, and I get what you mean. I
think I was expecting and you know, we just had
a show about the NCAA Championship. But I too was
hoping for a little bit more as it relates to
the game action. But what I will say is I
attended the draft, and just from the layout as it
(01:40):
relates to the space, the location, I think the WNBA
nailed it. The location was beautiful. The Shed is a
very nice venue. There was different levels for everything. There
was so much space on the floor for fans. There
was space back where you could see the ESPN set,
(02:03):
you could see where the draftees were going, and then
there was a balcony upper level. Like it was giving
what I get when I'm looking at like an NFL
draft or the NBA Draft.
Speaker 1 (02:15):
Other than the fact that it's not.
Speaker 3 (02:18):
Like a theater or like an arena venue, which I
actually prefer. I'm glad they don't do the draft at
like of arena type venue like the other sports. But
this year just really felt like the fan activations were
really nice. The orange carpet and we can talk about
how they was killing the game on that orange cart Yeah,
(02:39):
because they was bringing it. But it's just I was
just really proud of the product that they put forth
this year as it relates to the WNBA Draft. And
I don't think people realize how far the draft has come,
because I remember when I first covered to the draft.
They was in a little room in ESPN and Studio E.
That's the first draft.
Speaker 2 (02:59):
Listen, I'm glad you said that because I was going
to say this. I try not to live my life
like having any regrets or any of the things. Yep,
but I will tell you this and it's not a regret.
The one thing I do miss about my draft experience
(03:19):
or non draft experience is just that being in the.
Speaker 1 (03:24):
Room with your friends, your family and waiting to hear
your name call.
Speaker 2 (03:28):
And I don't care if that's the first player or
the thirty eighth player, but waiting to hear your name call,
like as a kid growing up, and especially one who
plays sports and you want to go play professionally, Like
that's a dream of yours to someday hear your name
being called with the first pick in the twenty.
Speaker 1 (03:46):
Twenty five draft.
Speaker 2 (03:47):
Yes, the Houston comments select out of Texas Tech University. Yeah, Like,
I so miss that I didn't get to experience that,
and I love this for all the players.
Speaker 1 (04:05):
And to your point, the draft has come.
Speaker 2 (04:08):
A long way from the venue to where it's being held.
And yeah, let's just say it like it is. The
outfits have come a long, long way.
Speaker 1 (04:22):
Long way, Okay, long way.
Speaker 3 (04:25):
The WNBA did a video where they did the first
pick of the draft starting with Tina all the way
down to last year, and you could see, first of all,
just the fact that some of these outfits look like
business suits.
Speaker 1 (04:41):
Like I know, I know it was like they were
business suits. Like they like, they didn't go hard tee.
Speaker 3 (04:47):
That's how we dress, That's how we had to dress
back the cop and I know, and you know what
I we we need to have a show about this
because obviously, as someone who was a part of the
w and someone who has been a fan of and
around the w.
Speaker 1 (05:02):
Sins inception, I know the truth. You know what I'm saying,
Like I know why and how, and you know not.
Speaker 3 (05:10):
As well as you obviously, but I understand the reason
that some things y'all had to do y'all had to do,
And even though I might not agree with the reason,
I do know why that existed, right, But now players
get to really just do them. They get to wear
what they want to wear, pop out the way they
want to pop out, and that's they do. They pop
(05:31):
They popped out this year, y'all. So, first of all,
Rakia Jackson was hosting. Y'all know, Rakia was a twenty
twenty four dress. Yeah, so Rakia was hosting and she
had this slow black dress on.
Speaker 1 (05:44):
It was lace with the gloves. It is the gloves.
It is one hundred percent unfair for someone to look
that good in a dress. She is just gorgeous and
it's dropped. She just dropped dead, just gorgeous.
Speaker 3 (06:03):
Yeah, and you walk in a room and you're like,
I don't see anybody else here at this moment because
the first thing that I did is go straight to key.
Speaker 2 (06:11):
It's so crazy what I just first of all, and
her personality makes her that much more gorgeous.
Speaker 1 (06:20):
Love so love, love love.
Speaker 2 (06:22):
But before we take it to the next level, can
we just talk about the outfits a little bit?
Speaker 1 (06:27):
Yes, what was your faith? Who was your fade? So
I had a couple at a couple?
Speaker 3 (06:33):
I can't lie I didn't have one. I had a
couple me too, So Kiki Eria finn baby. She brought
Nigeria to into York, didn't she? She bought Nigeria to
New York.
Speaker 1 (06:43):
Fast dress, the hair, the embellishments, like totally.
Speaker 2 (06:49):
So the designer of her dress is the same person
that designed SNE's wedding dress.
Speaker 1 (06:55):
Oh my god. And I was at SNE's wedding.
Speaker 2 (06:58):
Yes, yes, that everything about it and she represented her
culture to the fullest about Kiki, I love it and
who was your second?
Speaker 3 (07:11):
I also because I can't rank them, but exactly I
can't rank them.
Speaker 1 (07:16):
They were just so good.
Speaker 3 (07:17):
Yeah, I thought page looked amazing and she switched the
fit between the carpet.
Speaker 1 (07:22):
And the switched the fi. I got a shout out Russell.
Speaker 3 (07:26):
Westbrook because designs for Georgia with bananaus the embellishness was dope.
Speaker 1 (07:34):
T you said, too, You're that's already three. I know.
I'm sorry. Like they looked good, Like they looked good
what I said, No, I think this was for me.
Speaker 2 (07:43):
This was the first year, like in probably the past
four or five years, that I thought every drafty like
brought it.
Speaker 1 (07:53):
There wasn't a one where I was like, oh boo,
that ain't it me saying I loved it. So I'm
a there with you. It's the same for me. I'm
not ranking them, but Kiki just brought it.
Speaker 2 (08:05):
She looked gorgeous, representing her culture. The fit was fitting,
the dress was dressing, all the things. I'm there with
you on page. But I'm gonna go with Aziah James.
Aziah was fresh.
Speaker 1 (08:20):
That was it. It was just fresh.
Speaker 2 (08:23):
But you know I have okay, So I was talking
to Jordan Robinson earlier about this, and so I want
to have this conversation with you.
Speaker 1 (08:34):
There was one thing though, that did.
Speaker 2 (08:37):
Bother me, okay about Aziah's fit. No, not Aziah. There
were four of them. It was I'm gonna give you
the names and maybe you can tell me what they
all had in common.
Speaker 1 (08:46):
This is so Paige's second outfit.
Speaker 2 (08:48):
Aziah James, uh huh, Sonya Citron Okay, Madison Scott. I
think it was Madison Scott. Do you know what they
all had in common? Because they all had on black suits. No,
they did have auits, but Jordan called it the booths
and blazers. Oh yeah, because they all had like the
blazer on and it was like, no, see, that's what
(09:10):
you can do because because we're because we're gonna just
say it.
Speaker 1 (09:13):
But I'm gonna tell you why.
Speaker 2 (09:14):
I love the look. But if you're going to wear it,
own all of it. The thing that bothered me, that
made it uncomfortable was all of them kept their hands
up to their chests. Oh really Yeah, Like when Paige
went to go hug whoever, and when she got up
from the table, she had her hand like like holding
(09:36):
it together because she didn't want anything to fall out
or come off. Azaiah did the same thing, Madison Scott
did the same thing, and Sonya.
Speaker 1 (09:44):
They all had their hand. Okay, do you know what
I mean?
Speaker 3 (09:47):
I know, I know, I know what you am here
for it, but own it, So I know what you mean.
But I didn't see that because after I was gonna
say but my job at the draft was after all
that the drafties were drafted, they would come to the
media circuit and then they would do an interview with
me and my partner Erica Ayala. So I interviewed all
(10:09):
of them and when they were talking to me, they
were comfortable. So I don't know, maybe it was the
hug thing, and like maybe when they were standing steel
they felt more comfortable.
Speaker 1 (10:17):
So when they were talking to me, they owned it
like they had.
Speaker 2 (10:19):
The I don't know because even when they were walking
up the steps, it was like, oh, let me hold
this because I don't want nothing to fall out.
Speaker 1 (10:25):
Oh yeah, see, I ain't see. I ain't see that
part they were.
Speaker 3 (10:28):
They were pretty comfortable. But I get what you're saying.
If you're gonna do it like go all out. Also,
that's also some shit that little titty girls can do,
because I can't.
Speaker 1 (10:35):
You ain't lying about that, girl, You ain't lying about that.
Put on a blazer. God, that blazer. It's like like that.
It ain't gonna say it like that.
Speaker 3 (10:45):
If even a single button pop on that blazer. Girl,
charger girl, it's an all piece show. At that point,
they better pay me forty nine ninety nine stupid.
Speaker 2 (10:59):
And the last thing I will say it did seem
with the exception of Kiki and.
Speaker 3 (11:06):
Oh hold on, we got to shout out Snaya Rivers
because she had the white one with the bag and
the bag was like ben popping.
Speaker 2 (11:13):
Popping all of that. She yes, yes, did it. But
overall I thought every drafty that came through there, I like.
Speaker 1 (11:26):
Leather. Yes, And let me tell you.
Speaker 2 (11:29):
I thought Hayley van Lyst looked just dropped dead gorgeous.
Speaker 1 (11:33):
She snapped.
Speaker 3 (11:34):
She I heard her say pre game she wanted to
give like a Marilyn Monroe kind of with the hair.
Speaker 1 (11:41):
She knel it, she knowed it beautiful. I did. I
loved it. I love everybody that walked on that orange carpet.
Speaker 3 (11:49):
It was a vibe for sure. Shout shout out to
Azy Fudd too. It wasn't her draft night, but she
looked great. You should see the dress that she had on,
and we're so used to seeing the corn rows.
Speaker 1 (11:59):
I was seeing the hair. She had the hair down
and then I said, oh, okay, Azy. For a minute,
I was like, who is that? I didn't who was.
Speaker 3 (12:09):
Everybody looked so beautiful, So shout out to all of them.
But outside of how they looked on the orange carpet,
the night was about what they looked like on the court,
and names were called based upon how every team felt
like their skills and ability would be an asset to
their teams. And we want to take a moment to
(12:30):
talk about that too. So let's just go ahead and
take this into the next level. So every time there
is a draft, we always have to do the who
(12:52):
is your biggest winner, who is your biggest loser, Who's.
Speaker 1 (12:54):
Your biggest surprise?
Speaker 3 (12:55):
And it always irks my nerves right because I don't
tend to think that there are quote unquote winners or losers.
And I know I have to do it for work,
so I mean I have it for work whatever. But
I do think that some teams get a right and
some teams maybe make some questionable decisions. But I never
want to call the team a loser unless you're Phoenix, then.
Speaker 1 (13:15):
You ain't have no draft picks. There are some losers,
some like you know U. You can't really win if
you ain't never in the game.
Speaker 2 (13:25):
But that's why Phoenix had to try and make some
lose in free agency because they knew they didn't had
no draft picks. But anyway, but I will say if
it were me picking my winners of the drafts, if
it were me picking who I think the top three
best teams or teams that got significantly better in this draft,
(13:47):
the obvious answer is Dallas, because Dallas and Page and
everybody else that it's obvious answer. But I think Washington
nailed it, nailed it. They had three picks in the
top ten, three four and six, and I think they
did a hell of a job of ensuring that they
(14:10):
could get versatile players at different positions to secure different needs.
They needed guards, they got Sonya. They needed a body
in a post to play alongside of Leah Edwards. They
got Kiki eriea Fen and then because they needed a shooter,
they got Georgia Amore. And I was just like, I'm
not even mad at y'all, Like, y'all did what needed
(14:30):
to be done. Sydney and the gender new general manager,
y'all did what needed to be done.
Speaker 1 (14:34):
In that first round.
Speaker 3 (14:36):
And I think they, to me, were the real winners
outside of Dallas in this draft.
Speaker 1 (14:42):
And then if I had.
Speaker 3 (14:44):
To do a top three, my three would be Connecticut.
You got a Mesa and Sinaya Rifvers.
Speaker 1 (14:48):
One hundred percent, Yeah, one hundred percent.
Speaker 2 (14:51):
Those those are absolutely my picks, you know, to your
point with Dallas, yeah, of course, adding page you automatically
get better immediately. But I'll tell you, I feel like
they got to steal at number twelve with Asiah James.
Speaker 1 (15:06):
I love her game, I love her athleticism, like she
can just score.
Speaker 2 (15:12):
Putting her in the mix with Irique and Paige, I
just I like that pick for Dallas and also Madison
Scott from Ole Miss.
Speaker 1 (15:21):
Absolutely.
Speaker 2 (15:22):
I think Dallas also made some noise in the draft,
but I wholeheartedly agree with you with the mystics.
Speaker 1 (15:30):
I don't know what they could have done differently. You're
absolutely right.
Speaker 2 (15:34):
You get Citron, you get Area Fin, you get Georgia Amore,
who's gonna probably be your starting point.
Speaker 1 (15:40):
Guard y and she's a shooter.
Speaker 2 (15:43):
I yeah, Washington in addition to the pieces that they
have right right, I think Washington might surprise some people
this season.
Speaker 1 (15:53):
They just might.
Speaker 2 (15:54):
And no question, Connecticut, I mean you got Anissa Morrow
and Snaia Rivers, both of them. I love their competitive spirit,
I love how hard they play and listen, no, Anissa
Morrow is not Alyssa Thomas, but she's an undersized post player.
Speaker 1 (16:13):
Yeap, that is going to rebound the ball.
Speaker 2 (16:16):
She's gonna compete, she's gonna play hard, she's gonna defend,
she's gonna give you all the things that an Alyssa
Thomas gave you right as far as.
Speaker 1 (16:25):
Her ability to compete and play hard.
Speaker 2 (16:28):
Like, I don't think you can go wrong with adding
a player like an Anissa Morrow to your team and
my mom just to say, quiet is it's kep. I
think some people sleeping on Senaya rivers. Mama, Si, quiet
as it's kept. I think some of y'all are sleeping
on Senaya rivers.
Speaker 1 (16:47):
That kid is nice. She's going to be a hell
of a pro yop. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (16:55):
I liked her when she was at South Carolina right
and then when she left to go to in T State, Like,
it is what it is. But I love me some
Snaya rivers, I do, I do.
Speaker 1 (17:07):
I love it, I love it.
Speaker 3 (17:09):
I was talking to Sonaya after the draft and I said,
you know, you're going to a team that is in
rebuild mode, but you got players like Tina Charles that
you can learn from. And she countered and was like,
you know, this isn't unfamiliar to me because when I
got to NC State, all of their starters had left,
(17:31):
and little did people know, the very next year we
went to the Final four.
Speaker 1 (17:37):
So that is true.
Speaker 3 (17:38):
Maybe in a situation like Connecticut where all of their
starters I've left, all of their stars have gone. But
who's to say that we can't make some magic happen
with what we got. You know, she seemed very excited
to play with Tina very excited to play with Anissa,
who she's played with previously. She said, you know, I
was mentored by Diamond Dashields. She's one of the people
(18:00):
who poured into me. So I think that there's a
lot that can be learned. But I also feel like
she's going to bring to me instantly a starter.
Speaker 1 (18:10):
To me instantly, a starter, Oh gosh. Yes.
Speaker 2 (18:12):
And it's all about where you go, right like the
fit her going to Connecticut.
Speaker 1 (18:17):
Great fit, great place, great opportunity.
Speaker 3 (18:20):
I agree with you, you got nothing to lose at this point.
Speaker 1 (18:23):
Nothing to lose.
Speaker 3 (18:24):
It's a new coach, it's your system, it's a it's
a new day. So you really have absolutely nothing to
lose at this point. So yes, now I'm gonna look
ahead to some teams who I thought could have did
some things differently, And the one team that comes to
mind first to me was the Golden State Valkyries.
Speaker 1 (18:46):
It's your first drafts.
Speaker 3 (18:48):
It's yours, it's your first opportunity to grab yourself a young,
bona fide star. And I'm looking at this draft board
and when I heard a name that was not Anissa Morrow,
because it doesn't matter who you picked, it was the
fact that you didn't pick Anissa kind of blew me away.
(19:10):
I was expecting somebody, as you just you know, alluded
to with.
Speaker 1 (19:15):
Her ability to play inside. She's a walking double double.
Speaker 3 (19:19):
I strongly think she's gonna lead the league in double
doubles as it relates to rookies. And this is an
opportunity for you to add that and learn alongside of
Kayla Thornton and a Mobile and like just just be,
just be a dog.
Speaker 1 (19:35):
I was surprised, and.
Speaker 2 (19:37):
I am too, because when you look at the players
they got an expansion draft like Anissa to me, would
a fit right along based off of what it looks
like your identity is gonna be.
Speaker 1 (19:48):
Do you know what I mean?
Speaker 2 (19:50):
And yeah, a Mobilings, a Kayla Thornton, even a Kate Martin,
like an Anissa Morrow, like those are all dogs that
are just gonna compete every single play.
Speaker 1 (20:03):
And it's not to take anything away from I don't
know what hers her name.
Speaker 3 (20:06):
It's you stay Yoyssete, you stay yoyste. I had to
go get the draft pronunciation guy.
Speaker 2 (20:12):
Like, it's not to take anything away from her. I
just I agree with you, Anissa Morrow could have been
I mean, but you know, Tee. The other thing I
look at is I also know the Valkyries, with the
addition of their draft pick, they have ten international players,
so maybe they're just trying to go with the whole
(20:33):
international flavor.
Speaker 1 (20:35):
I'm not sure, but we'll see.
Speaker 3 (20:39):
So yeah, I was quite surprised, but I did like
their pickup of Caitlyn Chin. I've always liked her game,
even when she was playing in Princeton. She definitely got
a chance to make a name for herself in the
NCAA's Tournament when playing for Connecticut, so I think that
was a good pickup for them. And again, Chyenne Sellers
is going to be Chyenne Sellers. I would have been
cool with seeing Chyanne in Washington. I just thought it
(21:01):
would have been dope for none other than the fact
that she went to Maryland kind of would have you know,
been a hometown kid, would have bring a lot of energy.
Speaker 1 (21:08):
So there was that.
Speaker 3 (21:09):
But I was just really surprised at Golden State. And
I also think that I was a bit shocked at
where Minnesota went in the drafts. I know that they
just came back from playing in the WNBA finals, so
maybe they feel, you know, maybe Schryl feels like, hey,
everything is everything. We're going to pretty much try to
(21:31):
keep our core and just you know, stack some pieces,
but I know that they could use a center. And
then I realized at the end of the draft that
Sadonah Prince was still sitting there, and.
Speaker 1 (21:41):
A part of me is like, Okay, maybe I get.
Speaker 3 (21:43):
It right, Like Sadona got some shit with her right
now and people not really messing with her. Had some
allegations come out recently, some intimate partner violence allegations, horrible
things that were alleged and I'm using the word alleged
because she was never charged, she was never convicted, So
horrible things that she allegedly did, and people ain't really
(22:04):
rocking with her, And I get it. I respect it,
I ain't really you know, but I was surprised that
Minnesota didn't go that route.
Speaker 1 (22:12):
Were you? I was? I was not.
Speaker 2 (22:16):
And here's to that point, right, Yes, they're allegations. Sadona
Prince has denied all allegations. I'm gonna approach it from
a different lens. If you treat one player like that,
you gotta treat them all that way. My point being, babe,
is not in the league because of domestic violence issues, right,
(22:38):
And I don't even want to get into all of
her stuff. But my point is it is wrong, right.
It shouldn't be tolerated anywhere. I don't care where you are,
what league, what's for any of that. It shouldn't be tolerated.
So if if we're not going to overlook baby's situation,
(22:59):
then we can't do Itona and I know they're allegations, right,
but it is what it is. And I get GMS
just for like, I don't want to touch it. I
don't want to. I don't want to do it. I
don't want to touch it. Let's just leave it alone. Also,
the other thing t is, it wasn't just the allegations,
like you heard gms say a couple of things. Want
(23:21):
her age, what is Sadona twenty five?
Speaker 1 (23:23):
Yes? Yes? Her age and her injuries? Yes? And so
here's the thing.
Speaker 2 (23:28):
You're twenty five, like you should be really dominating your
opponents in college, and she really didn't.
Speaker 1 (23:37):
Right.
Speaker 2 (23:37):
So I think a lot of gms are like, listen,
you got these allegations out there, you're twenty five, you're
prone to injuries. We just don't want to touch it,
you know, what I mean, and so that just kind
of left her out there like that. But I want
to ask you a question. And I'm asking this question
because I read it on social media. So somebody said
(23:59):
they're there's no way in hell Sadona Prince is gonna
get drafted with all the things, all the allegations against her,
and Kennedy Carter's not getting another shot, right.
Speaker 1 (24:10):
I read that.
Speaker 2 (24:11):
Here's my response to that. I get it, and I
probably tend to agree. You know, I felt like Kennedy
Carter's second chance in the WNBA was last year with Spoon. Right,
Spoon was the only coach that was like, Nah, I'm
gonna bring her back. I'm gonna give her a shot.
And let me rewind and be very very very clear
on something. Kennedy Carter is a top five guard.
Speaker 1 (24:33):
In the WNBA.
Speaker 2 (24:34):
So does she deserve to be in the WNBA one
hundred percent? Yeah, Why isn't she in the league?
Speaker 3 (24:39):
Well, I think it's reputation more than anything, right, Because
keep in mind, I had the same question and conversation
years ago after Courtney Williams between her and Crystal Grafford.
Speaker 1 (24:53):
Yes, yeah, so I remember having a conversation.
Speaker 3 (24:55):
With Courtney after that, and like, I don't mean it
had none to do Accordy. The situation obviously did, but
I mean, like that was one situation.
Speaker 1 (25:04):
But I agree with you on that.
Speaker 3 (25:05):
Courtney has an entire individual and Crystal as an entire individual,
were labeled and there was a reputation out now and
there was this whole thing because they talk a certain way,
and they dressed a certain way, or they act a
certain way, or they you know, all of that played
into well, you know she got into a fight, blah
blah blah blah, and you know they did this, and
it was just like that was one incident.
Speaker 1 (25:27):
Fact, that's not the fact.
Speaker 3 (25:29):
Like that's just one thing, and that one thing ran forever.
And so I know that there may have been multiple
situations where people would say, well, she didn't get love
in La, she didn't get love in Atlanta.
Speaker 1 (25:41):
I will say this, there's more than one side to
a story.
Speaker 3 (25:44):
But I know a few sides to some things that
happened in one of those stops, And honestly commend Kennedy
for keeping her mouth shut and keep on some things
that she could have blasted some folks for. But with
all of that being said, though I don't think that
Kennedy did herself any harm last year. I think that
number one, folks were overly sensitive because the one thing
(26:06):
that she did get into was the collision with Caitlyn Clark.
Speaker 1 (26:10):
Now I agree with you on that.
Speaker 3 (26:11):
Yeah, folks got pissed about it. I don't think that
she did any harm to herself. I think her reputation
has people shook and it shouldn't be.
Speaker 1 (26:18):
And Spoon was the one person that was willing to
take a chance on it because she understood.
Speaker 3 (26:23):
She understood what she was doing and I don't know
what these gms are doing. So now have Kennedy on
the roster because Kennedy instantly makes her team better.
Speaker 1 (26:30):
She does without question.
Speaker 2 (26:32):
I personally didn't see anything wrong with my own eyes
that Kennedy Carter did that would warrant her not being
in the WNBA. So I guess when I bring that up,
I'm talking about, you know, just things that you hear
and you read about how she was an issue in
the locker room and things like that. I don't know
(26:53):
that because I wasn't there. But my point being, if
gms are willing to overlook the these Sedona Prince allegations
and say, yes, she should be playing, then damn it,
Kennedy Carter should be playing too.
Speaker 1 (27:08):
Yeah, Nope, that's all I'm saying. I totally understand your point,
and it's a very valid point.
Speaker 3 (27:13):
It's a point well taken. Again, I'm always surprised because
if I'm keep it a buck, as I always do
on this show, white players don't always get the same
treatment as black players, and a lot of shit get
overlooked from white players that don't get overlooked from black players.
So it did surprise me that people were not willing.
And I'm not saying that I don't disagree with them
(27:33):
for it, because I think you're absolutely spot on.
Speaker 1 (27:34):
If you're gonna treat one player one way, treat them
all that way. But you're right.
Speaker 3 (27:38):
But I do know there's a history of certain players
getting a little bit more leeway than other kinds of players.
Speaker 1 (27:46):
So I was surprised by it.
Speaker 3 (27:47):
But when we come back, we will continue to talk
about the WNBA draft, and I got something else that
surprised Mi Chael, So stay with us, you know, Cheryl,
I was also surprised.
Speaker 1 (28:07):
You know what.
Speaker 3 (28:07):
Let me preface this by saying this, I love the
fact that players have an ability to hit the transfer portal.
We talked about this before in our last episode and
just be able to like kind of do what they
feel is best for them in their careers.
Speaker 1 (28:20):
But I do think there may be a time where
sometimes I already know where you hit it.
Speaker 3 (28:25):
I think sis, but there may be a time because
there's always an exception to the rule where maybe transferring
ain't always the best. Sometimes staying where you are, persevering
through that final year maybe what's best for your career.
(28:46):
And that could have been the case for Dejah Kelly.
I was sure that Dejah Kelly was going to be
drafted on draft Day, but then I looked back over
the impact. Great player, incredible in the communications space. She's
definitely going to own being a reporter whatever she does.
But I was sure she was someone who has a
(29:09):
skill set that can translate into the WNBA. But I
think that there may have been gms and coaches who
looked at her career with North Carolina versus the year
she spent at Oregon and didn't quite feel the same,
And in my head I just kept thinking, what would
have happened had you stayed at UNC.
Speaker 1 (29:26):
I agree with you. I was.
Speaker 2 (29:29):
I was shocked when maybe not shocked, but I was
surprised that I didn't hear her name.
Speaker 1 (29:35):
And then I immediately thought the same thing.
Speaker 2 (29:39):
Did her transferring to Oregon affect her draft stock? Yeah,
because I'll also be honest with you, T I heard
more talk and conversation about Dejah Kelly when she was
at North Carolina than I did with her being in Oregon.
Speaker 1 (29:54):
I didn't really hear a lot of.
Speaker 2 (29:56):
People talking about Dejah Kelly this past season.
Speaker 1 (29:59):
Yeah, And so that's when I, you know, I asked
the question.
Speaker 2 (30:03):
Of to your point, be careful, right, like, be careful
when you're making decisions in the moment to transfer whatever
it is you're gonna do, because you don't know how
that's gonna affect you long term.
Speaker 1 (30:16):
Now, well, someone invite her to a training camp.
Speaker 2 (30:19):
I'm sure, I'm sure she'll get invited to training camp,
but absolutely, I don't know. I was surprised that I
did not hear her name get called.
Speaker 1 (30:27):
Yeah, I was surprised at that as well. Was she there, Yes,
I believe Danjiel was there. Wow, I believe she was
at the drafts. But yeah, I didn't hear her name called,
and that surprised me.
Speaker 3 (30:37):
But yeah, let me just also say this though, and
this is something that you know, for those who did
not get drafted, that does not necessarily mean that your
career is over. There are so many incredible players. I mean,
look at Becky Hammond, look at you know, Erica Wheeler.
Just there are so many players that have an opportunity
(30:57):
to play at the next level and play incredibly well
without ever being drafted. They make a training camp roster,
they battle it out, they fill in, and the next
thing you know, they're on a spot, they're on a roster,
they're on a team. So I don't want anybody out
there listening who may have a friend, a sister, a
soor more, a brother or whoever, and your girl did
(31:18):
not get her name called on draft night, don't think
that your dreams are over because you can very well
still play at the next level in the WNBA as
an undrafted free agent.
Speaker 1 (31:29):
So just keep working. It absolutely doesn't mean that it's over.
Speaker 2 (31:32):
But can I just bring up one point and I
ain't gonna say surprise, I'm gonna say disappointed in this one.
And for those who don't know and maybe didn't watch
Diamond Johnson from Norfolk State. Yes, that kid deserved to
have heard her name called at the draft. So to me,
it raises the question of did you not draft her
(31:54):
because she went to an HBCU. It's a question I
don't know because don't talk to me her high. Talk
to me about how she gets buckets and how good
she is and how competitive she is. That one disappointed me,
and especially when I look at this. Isn't to take
anything away from the players who were drafted, but you
can't tell me that there were thirty seven players that
(32:16):
got drafted that are better than this kid.
Speaker 1 (32:19):
I won one hundred percent agree, and to me, raised
her draft stock with her performance against Dylan And yes, yes,
like did y'all not see that?
Speaker 3 (32:29):
I was completely shocked, And honestly, I don't think there
was only but one HBCU player who was drafted. And
when I say one, it wasn't even that she was
drafted from an HBCU. She graduated from an HBCU and
then went to Alabama as a graduate transfer and was
drafted in the third round I believe from Alabama, So
(32:50):
her credit ain't even going to.
Speaker 1 (32:51):
Be the HBCU.
Speaker 2 (32:53):
You know, No, But isn't that the case with Diamond Johnson.
I don't want to get the school wrong, but didn't
she go to.
Speaker 1 (32:59):
Rukers? Yeah, she transferred to to Norfolk State.
Speaker 2 (33:02):
Right, she transferred from a Power five to at HBCU.
Speaker 3 (33:07):
Now this is a whole different conversation for a different day, Errol,
because I could go all day.
Speaker 2 (33:13):
But I needed to bring it up because I'm in
my feelings about it, and I almost say to.
Speaker 1 (33:17):
Diamond Johnson, I don't know if you're gonna.
Speaker 2 (33:19):
Ever hear this podcast, this episode, but I just want
to say to you, keep doing what you're doing. Keep
your head up because somebody is going to find you.
See you, recognize your talent and your basketball career and
journey is not over.
Speaker 1 (33:35):
So keep doing what you doing.
Speaker 3 (33:36):
Since absolutely agree with that one hundred percent love it,
and I mean literally for all of you, you know,
for most of you, let me say, oh, for most
of you who were undrafted, who were snubbed, use that
as fuel. Like a journey does not end just because
you don't hear your name called on draft night. I
believe that, and I just think there are so many
(33:57):
talented women who can still play in this league if
given the opportunity.
Speaker 1 (34:01):
So just keep working and keep grinding.
Speaker 3 (34:03):
But for the most part, I'm excited to see what
the WNBA is gonna look like. In twenty twenty five,
it was a fun night. Everybody looked good. So yeah,
I'm gonna go ahead and just say that I still
think that I have no idea who's gonna win the
WNBA Championship. I ain't ready to go that far yet.
Draft Day and Draft Night ain't changed my mind on nothing.
I still ain't ready to say nobody's doing nothing in
(34:26):
twenty twenty five. Holl let me on May sixteenth, when
the season started, I might have something.
Speaker 2 (34:30):
Then I agree with you on that one. I just
think it's up for grabs right now. When you look
at all the different moves that teams made in free agency,
and then you look at the draft and the other
pieces that they added, and you know, t at the
end of the day, there are two things that always
has to happen.
Speaker 1 (34:45):
You gotta have a little luck and you gotta stay
injury free. Yep, that's it.
Speaker 2 (34:50):
So that's gonna be a big reason why team succeed
and why they don't.
Speaker 1 (34:56):
So I'm there with you.
Speaker 2 (34:57):
I ain't ready to call it either, but I probably
got a few teams in mind, but I am college.
Speaker 3 (35:03):
Yeah, same saying, well, when we come back, we will
level our show on out with some words from our
good homie Shirl.
Speaker 1 (35:12):
She always got some gems that she drops at the
end of the show, So I try, I try.
Speaker 3 (35:22):
I really enjoyed this episode, Cheryl, because I really cannot wait.
Like I always feel happier than maybe I should.
Speaker 1 (35:30):
I know, as a reporter, I'm supposed to be kind.
Speaker 3 (35:32):
Of neutral and like not having a favorite and all
that other stuff, but like, I genuinely am happy for
these young ladies, for the opportunity that's presented for them.
Speaker 1 (35:41):
I guess so excited.
Speaker 3 (35:44):
Like I get so excited for them just seeing their faces,
seeing their families, the coaches that show up to support them.
And then now since they've added the fan element, you
can see the fans getting a hats and bringing in
the jerseys and everything, like they're just really so ready
for these young girls. And then when we're seeing them
play in college and we've covered them for years, it
(36:06):
just feels like it feels like one.
Speaker 1 (36:08):
Of your own. It's like moving on to the next part.
Speaker 3 (36:10):
So I'm really excited to see like how they make
the best of this opportunity moving into the WNBA.
Speaker 1 (36:16):
Me too, I can't wait.
Speaker 2 (36:17):
I'm excited for all the players that were drafted, but
I'm also excited for the players who will get their
invites to training camp, because even if you don't make
a team, there are so many other opportunities for you
to still play. Going overseas, you got athletes unlimited, you
got to unrival But just getting that opportunity to be
(36:39):
in a professional training camp will give you that experience
that you need.
Speaker 1 (36:44):
So I'm excited, and my.
Speaker 2 (36:47):
Quote for today hopefully will touch some of these young
ladies who didn't hear their names called in the draft.
You might be feeling down a little bit, so hopefully
this will uplift you a little bit. And also even if
you're not playing sports, hopefully if you're feeling some type
of way, this will uplift you. This is a good
one for me, and it's from Henry Ford, and it says,
(37:07):
when everything seems to be going against you, remember that
the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it.
Speaker 1 (37:18):
I love that like that.
Speaker 2 (37:20):
I like to love that perseverance regardless of what's coming
or going against you. As long as you persevere, you
keep going, don't give up. You two can get to
where your destination is. So keep going.
Speaker 3 (37:35):
Absolutely love that. That is a perfect way to end
today's show. So thank you all everybody for listening to
this week's episode of Levels to This. We will be
back next week with more next level conversations, just talking
about the real shit that we go through as women.
And remember that this just isn't our show, it's our show,
and so we want.
Speaker 1 (37:54):
To hear from you.
Speaker 3 (37:55):
Leave us a review an Apple podcast, or email us
at Levels to This Podcast at gmail dot com. Tell
us what you thought of this week's show, maybe what
you want to talk about next. We love getting topics, recommendations,
and suggestions.
Speaker 1 (38:08):
We see you on Instagram.
Speaker 3 (38:10):
Yes, follow us on Instagram at lttpod So until then,
keep your mentals ground level and we will be back
next week.
Speaker 2 (38:18):
Bas Listen to Levels to This on America's number one
podcast network, iHeart. Open your free iHeart app and search
Levels to This with Cheryl Swoops and Treka Foster Brasby
and start listening
Levels to.
Speaker 2 (00:00):
This is an iHeart women's sports production in partnership with
Deep Blue Sports and Entertainment. You can find us on
the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Speaker 1 (00:15):
Hey, what's going on? Everybody? It's your girl, Srica Foster Brassby,
what's up, y'all? It's your girl, Cheryl Swoops And this
is the levels to this podcast.
Speaker 3 (00:24):
This is the show where we share that it's levels
to the shit that women go through. And I love
today's episode. We are definitely gonna talk about the WNBA Draft,
so much.
Speaker 1 (00:37):
Going on around that. But first, what's up, Cheryl? What's
going on? Girl?
Speaker 3 (00:42):
I mean, you know what it means when it's draft time.
Draft time means and that I do. The season is
here right around the Kona.
Speaker 1 (00:51):
So let me just tell you.
Speaker 2 (00:53):
I'm glad that the draft happened like when it did
because I'm needing some basketball in my life.
Speaker 1 (01:00):
After the NCUBLEA Final four. I don't know if we
talked about this in great depth.
Speaker 2 (01:06):
I was hoping for a bit more out of the
final four, and so because I didn't get everything that
I wanted, I need some more basketball action.
Speaker 1 (01:14):
In my life. So the draft came right on top.
Speaker 3 (01:19):
I love that, and I get what you mean. I
think I was expecting and you know, we just had
a show about the NCAA Championship. But I too was
hoping for a little bit more as it relates to
the game action. But what I will say is I
attended the draft, and just from the layout as it
(01:40):
relates to the space, the location, I think the WNBA
nailed it. The location was beautiful. The Shed is a
very nice venue. There was different levels for everything. There
was so much space on the floor for fans. There
was space back where you could see the ESPN set,
(02:03):
you could see where the draftees were going, and then
there was a balcony upper level. Like it was giving
what I get when I'm looking at like an NFL
draft or the NBA Draft.
Speaker 1 (02:15):
Other than the fact that it's not.
Speaker 3 (02:18):
Like a theater or like an arena venue, which I
actually prefer. I'm glad they don't do the draft at
like of arena type venue like the other sports. But
this year just really felt like the fan activations were
really nice. The orange carpet and we can talk about
how they was killing the game on that orange cart Yeah,
(02:39):
because they was bringing it. But it's just I was
just really proud of the product that they put forth
this year as it relates to the WNBA Draft. And
I don't think people realize how far the draft has come,
because I remember when I first covered to the draft.
They was in a little room in ESPN and Studio E.
That's the first draft.
Speaker 2 (02:59):
Listen, I'm glad you said that because I was going
to say this. I try not to live my life
like having any regrets or any of the things. Yep,
but I will tell you this and it's not a regret.
The one thing I do miss about my draft experience
(03:19):
or non draft experience is just that being in the.
Speaker 1 (03:24):
Room with your friends, your family and waiting to hear
your name call.
Speaker 2 (03:28):
And I don't care if that's the first player or
the thirty eighth player, but waiting to hear your name call,
like as a kid growing up, and especially one who
plays sports and you want to go play professionally, Like
that's a dream of yours to someday hear your name
being called with the first pick in the twenty.
Speaker 1 (03:46):
Twenty five draft.
Speaker 2 (03:47):
Yes, the Houston comments select out of Texas Tech University. Yeah, Like,
I so miss that I didn't get to experience that,
and I love this for all the players.
Speaker 1 (04:05):
And to your point, the draft has come.
Speaker 2 (04:08):
A long way from the venue to where it's being held.
And yeah, let's just say it like it is. The
outfits have come a long, long way.
Speaker 1 (04:22):
Long way, Okay, long way.
Speaker 3 (04:25):
The WNBA did a video where they did the first
pick of the draft starting with Tina all the way
down to last year, and you could see, first of all,
just the fact that some of these outfits look like
business suits.
Speaker 1 (04:41):
Like I know, I know it was like they were
business suits. Like they like, they didn't go hard tee.
Speaker 3 (04:47):
That's how we dress, That's how we had to dress
back the cop and I know, and you know what
I we we need to have a show about this
because obviously, as someone who was a part of the
w and someone who has been a fan of and
around the w.
Speaker 1 (05:02):
Sins inception, I know the truth. You know what I'm saying,
Like I know why and how, and you know not.
Speaker 3 (05:10):
As well as you obviously, but I understand the reason
that some things y'all had to do y'all had to do,
And even though I might not agree with the reason,
I do know why that existed, right, But now players
get to really just do them. They get to wear
what they want to wear, pop out the way they
want to pop out, and that's they do. They pop
(05:31):
They popped out this year, y'all. So, first of all,
Rakia Jackson was hosting. Y'all know, Rakia was a twenty
twenty four dress. Yeah, so Rakia was hosting and she
had this slow black dress on.
Speaker 1 (05:44):
It was lace with the gloves. It is the gloves.
It is one hundred percent unfair for someone to look
that good in a dress. She is just gorgeous and
it's dropped. She just dropped dead, just gorgeous.
Speaker 3 (06:03):
Yeah, and you walk in a room and you're like,
I don't see anybody else here at this moment because
the first thing that I did is go straight to key.
Speaker 2 (06:11):
It's so crazy what I just first of all, and
her personality makes her that much more gorgeous.
Speaker 1 (06:20):
Love so love, love love.
Speaker 2 (06:22):
But before we take it to the next level, can
we just talk about the outfits a little bit?
Speaker 1 (06:27):
Yes, what was your faith? Who was your fade? So
I had a couple at a couple?
Speaker 3 (06:33):
I can't lie I didn't have one. I had a
couple me too, So Kiki Eria finn baby. She brought
Nigeria to into York, didn't she? She bought Nigeria to
New York.
Speaker 1 (06:43):
Fast dress, the hair, the embellishments, like totally.
Speaker 2 (06:49):
So the designer of her dress is the same person
that designed SNE's wedding dress.
Speaker 1 (06:55):
Oh my god. And I was at SNE's wedding.
Speaker 2 (06:58):
Yes, yes, that everything about it and she represented her
culture to the fullest about Kiki, I love it and
who was your second?
Speaker 3 (07:11):
I also because I can't rank them, but exactly I
can't rank them.
Speaker 1 (07:16):
They were just so good.
Speaker 3 (07:17):
Yeah, I thought page looked amazing and she switched the
fit between the carpet.
Speaker 1 (07:22):
And the switched the fi. I got a shout out Russell.
Speaker 3 (07:26):
Westbrook because designs for Georgia with bananaus the embellishness was dope.
Speaker 1 (07:34):
T you said, too, You're that's already three. I know.
I'm sorry. Like they looked good, Like they looked good
what I said, No, I think this was for me.
Speaker 2 (07:43):
This was the first year, like in probably the past
four or five years, that I thought every drafty like
brought it.
Speaker 1 (07:53):
There wasn't a one where I was like, oh boo,
that ain't it me saying I loved it. So I'm
a there with you. It's the same for me. I'm
not ranking them, but Kiki just brought it.
Speaker 2 (08:05):
She looked gorgeous, representing her culture. The fit was fitting,
the dress was dressing, all the things. I'm there with
you on page. But I'm gonna go with Aziah James.
Aziah was fresh.
Speaker 1 (08:20):
That was it. It was just fresh.
Speaker 2 (08:23):
But you know I have okay, So I was talking
to Jordan Robinson earlier about this, and so I want
to have this conversation with you.
Speaker 1 (08:34):
There was one thing though, that did.
Speaker 2 (08:37):
Bother me, okay about Aziah's fit. No, not Aziah. There
were four of them. It was I'm gonna give you
the names and maybe you can tell me what they
all had in common.
Speaker 1 (08:46):
This is so Paige's second outfit.
Speaker 2 (08:48):
Aziah James, uh huh, Sonya Citron Okay, Madison Scott. I
think it was Madison Scott. Do you know what they
all had in common? Because they all had on black suits. No,
they did have auits, but Jordan called it the booths
and blazers. Oh yeah, because they all had like the
blazer on and it was like, no, see, that's what
(09:10):
you can do because because we're because we're gonna just
say it.
Speaker 1 (09:13):
But I'm gonna tell you why.
Speaker 2 (09:14):
I love the look. But if you're going to wear it,
own all of it. The thing that bothered me, that
made it uncomfortable was all of them kept their hands
up to their chests. Oh really Yeah, Like when Paige
went to go hug whoever, and when she got up
from the table, she had her hand like like holding
(09:36):
it together because she didn't want anything to fall out
or come off. Azaiah did the same thing, Madison Scott
did the same thing, and Sonya.
Speaker 1 (09:44):
They all had their hand. Okay, do you know what
I mean?
Speaker 3 (09:47):
I know, I know, I know what you am here
for it, but own it, So I know what you mean.
But I didn't see that because after I was gonna
say but my job at the draft was after all
that the drafties were drafted, they would come to the
media circuit and then they would do an interview with
me and my partner Erica Ayala. So I interviewed all
(10:09):
of them and when they were talking to me, they
were comfortable. So I don't know, maybe it was the
hug thing, and like maybe when they were standing steel
they felt more comfortable.
Speaker 1 (10:17):
So when they were talking to me, they owned it
like they had.
Speaker 2 (10:19):
The I don't know because even when they were walking
up the steps, it was like, oh, let me hold
this because I don't want nothing to fall out.
Speaker 1 (10:25):
Oh yeah, see, I ain't see. I ain't see that
part they were.
Speaker 3 (10:28):
They were pretty comfortable. But I get what you're saying.
If you're gonna do it like go all out. Also,
that's also some shit that little titty girls can do,
because I can't.
Speaker 1 (10:35):
You ain't lying about that, girl, You ain't lying about that.
Put on a blazer. God, that blazer. It's like like that.
It ain't gonna say it like that.
Speaker 3 (10:45):
If even a single button pop on that blazer. Girl,
charger girl, it's an all piece show. At that point,
they better pay me forty nine ninety nine stupid.
Speaker 2 (10:59):
And the last thing I will say it did seem
with the exception of Kiki and.
Speaker 3 (11:06):
Oh hold on, we got to shout out Snaya Rivers
because she had the white one with the bag and
the bag was like ben popping.
Speaker 2 (11:13):
Popping all of that. She yes, yes, did it. But
overall I thought every drafty that came through there, I like.
Speaker 1 (11:26):
Leather. Yes, And let me tell you.
Speaker 2 (11:29):
I thought Hayley van Lyst looked just dropped dead gorgeous.
Speaker 1 (11:33):
She snapped.
Speaker 3 (11:34):
She I heard her say pre game she wanted to
give like a Marilyn Monroe kind of with the hair.
Speaker 1 (11:41):
She knel it, she knowed it beautiful. I did. I
loved it. I love everybody that walked on that orange carpet.
Speaker 3 (11:49):
It was a vibe for sure. Shout shout out to
Azy Fudd too. It wasn't her draft night, but she
looked great. You should see the dress that she had on,
and we're so used to seeing the corn rows.
Speaker 1 (11:59):
I was seeing the hair. She had the hair down
and then I said, oh, okay, Azy. For a minute,
I was like, who is that? I didn't who was.
Speaker 3 (12:09):
Everybody looked so beautiful, So shout out to all of them.
But outside of how they looked on the orange carpet,
the night was about what they looked like on the court,
and names were called based upon how every team felt
like their skills and ability would be an asset to
their teams. And we want to take a moment to
(12:30):
talk about that too. So let's just go ahead and
take this into the next level. So every time there
is a draft, we always have to do the who
(12:52):
is your biggest winner, who is your biggest loser, Who's.
Speaker 1 (12:54):
Your biggest surprise?
Speaker 3 (12:55):
And it always irks my nerves right because I don't
tend to think that there are quote unquote winners or losers.
And I know I have to do it for work,
so I mean I have it for work whatever. But
I do think that some teams get a right and
some teams maybe make some questionable decisions. But I never
want to call the team a loser unless you're Phoenix, then.
Speaker 1 (13:15):
You ain't have no draft picks. There are some losers,
some like you know U. You can't really win if
you ain't never in the game.
Speaker 2 (13:25):
But that's why Phoenix had to try and make some
lose in free agency because they knew they didn't had
no draft picks. But anyway, but I will say if
it were me picking my winners of the drafts, if
it were me picking who I think the top three
best teams or teams that got significantly better in this draft,
(13:47):
the obvious answer is Dallas, because Dallas and Page and
everybody else that it's obvious answer. But I think Washington
nailed it, nailed it. They had three picks in the
top ten, three four and six, and I think they
did a hell of a job of ensuring that they
(14:10):
could get versatile players at different positions to secure different needs.
They needed guards, they got Sonya. They needed a body
in a post to play alongside of Leah Edwards. They
got Kiki eriea Fen and then because they needed a shooter,
they got Georgia Amore. And I was just like, I'm
not even mad at y'all, Like, y'all did what needed
(14:30):
to be done. Sydney and the gender new general manager,
y'all did what needed to be done.
Speaker 1 (14:34):
In that first round.
Speaker 3 (14:36):
And I think they, to me, were the real winners
outside of Dallas in this draft.
Speaker 1 (14:42):
And then if I had.
Speaker 3 (14:44):
To do a top three, my three would be Connecticut.
You got a Mesa and Sinaya Rifvers.
Speaker 1 (14:48):
One hundred percent, Yeah, one hundred percent.
Speaker 2 (14:51):
Those those are absolutely my picks, you know, to your
point with Dallas, yeah, of course, adding page you automatically
get better immediately. But I'll tell you, I feel like
they got to steal at number twelve with Asiah James.
Speaker 1 (15:06):
I love her game, I love her athleticism, like she
can just score.
Speaker 2 (15:12):
Putting her in the mix with Irique and Paige, I
just I like that pick for Dallas and also Madison
Scott from Ole Miss.
Speaker 1 (15:21):
Absolutely.
Speaker 2 (15:22):
I think Dallas also made some noise in the draft,
but I wholeheartedly agree with you with the mystics.
Speaker 1 (15:30):
I don't know what they could have done differently. You're
absolutely right.
Speaker 2 (15:34):
You get Citron, you get Area Fin, you get Georgia Amore,
who's gonna probably be your starting point.
Speaker 1 (15:40):
Guard y and she's a shooter.
Speaker 2 (15:43):
I yeah, Washington in addition to the pieces that they
have right right, I think Washington might surprise some people
this season.
Speaker 1 (15:53):
They just might.
Speaker 2 (15:54):
And no question, Connecticut, I mean you got Anissa Morrow
and Snaia Rivers, both of them. I love their competitive spirit,
I love how hard they play and listen, no, Anissa
Morrow is not Alyssa Thomas, but she's an undersized post player.
Speaker 1 (16:13):
Yeap, that is going to rebound the ball.
Speaker 2 (16:16):
She's gonna compete, she's gonna play hard, she's gonna defend,
she's gonna give you all the things that an Alyssa
Thomas gave you right as far as.
Speaker 1 (16:25):
Her ability to compete and play hard.
Speaker 2 (16:28):
Like, I don't think you can go wrong with adding
a player like an Anissa Morrow to your team and
my mom just to say, quiet is it's kep. I
think some people sleeping on Senaya rivers. Mama, Si, quiet
as it's kept. I think some of y'all are sleeping
on Senaya rivers.
Speaker 1 (16:47):
That kid is nice. She's going to be a hell
of a pro yop. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (16:55):
I liked her when she was at South Carolina right
and then when she left to go to in T State, Like,
it is what it is. But I love me some
Snaya rivers, I do, I do.
Speaker 1 (17:07):
I love it, I love it.
Speaker 3 (17:09):
I was talking to Sonaya after the draft and I said,
you know, you're going to a team that is in
rebuild mode, but you got players like Tina Charles that
you can learn from. And she countered and was like,
you know, this isn't unfamiliar to me because when I
got to NC State, all of their starters had left,
(17:31):
and little did people know, the very next year we
went to the Final four.
Speaker 1 (17:37):
So that is true.
Speaker 3 (17:38):
Maybe in a situation like Connecticut where all of their
starters I've left, all of their stars have gone. But
who's to say that we can't make some magic happen
with what we got. You know, she seemed very excited
to play with Tina very excited to play with Anissa,
who she's played with previously. She said, you know, I
was mentored by Diamond Dashields. She's one of the people
(18:00):
who poured into me. So I think that there's a
lot that can be learned. But I also feel like
she's going to bring to me instantly a starter.
Speaker 1 (18:10):
To me instantly, a starter, Oh gosh. Yes.
Speaker 2 (18:12):
And it's all about where you go, right like the
fit her going to Connecticut.
Speaker 1 (18:17):
Great fit, great place, great opportunity.
Speaker 3 (18:20):
I agree with you, you got nothing to lose at this point.
Speaker 1 (18:23):
Nothing to lose.
Speaker 3 (18:24):
It's a new coach, it's your system, it's a it's
a new day. So you really have absolutely nothing to
lose at this point. So yes, now I'm gonna look
ahead to some teams who I thought could have did
some things differently, And the one team that comes to
mind first to me was the Golden State Valkyries.
Speaker 1 (18:46):
It's your first drafts.
Speaker 3 (18:48):
It's yours, it's your first opportunity to grab yourself a young,
bona fide star. And I'm looking at this draft board
and when I heard a name that was not Anissa Morrow,
because it doesn't matter who you picked, it was the
fact that you didn't pick Anissa kind of blew me away.
(19:10):
I was expecting somebody, as you just you know, alluded
to with.
Speaker 1 (19:15):
Her ability to play inside. She's a walking double double.
Speaker 3 (19:19):
I strongly think she's gonna lead the league in double
doubles as it relates to rookies. And this is an
opportunity for you to add that and learn alongside of
Kayla Thornton and a Mobile and like just just be,
just be a dog.
Speaker 1 (19:35):
I was surprised, and.
Speaker 2 (19:37):
I am too, because when you look at the players
they got an expansion draft like Anissa to me, would
a fit right along based off of what it looks
like your identity is gonna be.
Speaker 1 (19:48):
Do you know what I mean?
Speaker 2 (19:50):
And yeah, a Mobilings, a Kayla Thornton, even a Kate Martin,
like an Anissa Morrow, like those are all dogs that
are just gonna compete every single play.
Speaker 1 (20:03):
And it's not to take anything away from I don't
know what hers her name.
Speaker 3 (20:06):
It's you stay Yoyssete, you stay yoyste. I had to
go get the draft pronunciation guy.
Speaker 2 (20:12):
Like, it's not to take anything away from her. I
just I agree with you, Anissa Morrow could have been
I mean, but you know, Tee. The other thing I
look at is I also know the Valkyries, with the
addition of their draft pick, they have ten international players,
so maybe they're just trying to go with the whole
(20:33):
international flavor.
Speaker 1 (20:35):
I'm not sure, but we'll see.
Speaker 3 (20:39):
So yeah, I was quite surprised, but I did like
their pickup of Caitlyn Chin. I've always liked her game,
even when she was playing in Princeton. She definitely got
a chance to make a name for herself in the
NCAA's Tournament when playing for Connecticut, so I think that
was a good pickup for them. And again, Chyenne Sellers
is going to be Chyenne Sellers. I would have been
cool with seeing Chyanne in Washington. I just thought it
(21:01):
would have been dope for none other than the fact
that she went to Maryland kind of would have you know,
been a hometown kid, would have bring a lot of energy.
Speaker 1 (21:08):
So there was that.
Speaker 3 (21:09):
But I was just really surprised at Golden State. And
I also think that I was a bit shocked at
where Minnesota went in the drafts. I know that they
just came back from playing in the WNBA finals, so
maybe they feel, you know, maybe Schryl feels like, hey,
everything is everything. We're going to pretty much try to
(21:31):
keep our core and just you know, stack some pieces,
but I know that they could use a center. And
then I realized at the end of the draft that
Sadonah Prince was still sitting there, and.
Speaker 1 (21:41):
A part of me is like, Okay, maybe I get.
Speaker 3 (21:43):
It right, Like Sadona got some shit with her right
now and people not really messing with her. Had some
allegations come out recently, some intimate partner violence allegations, horrible
things that were alleged and I'm using the word alleged
because she was never charged, she was never convicted, So
horrible things that she allegedly did, and people ain't really
(22:04):
rocking with her, And I get it. I respect it,
I ain't really you know, but I was surprised that
Minnesota didn't go that route.
Speaker 1 (22:12):
Were you? I was? I was not.
Speaker 2 (22:16):
And here's to that point, right, Yes, they're allegations. Sadona
Prince has denied all allegations. I'm gonna approach it from
a different lens. If you treat one player like that,
you gotta treat them all that way. My point being, babe,
is not in the league because of domestic violence issues, right,
(22:38):
And I don't even want to get into all of
her stuff. But my point is it is wrong, right.
It shouldn't be tolerated anywhere. I don't care where you are,
what league, what's for any of that. It shouldn't be tolerated.
So if if we're not going to overlook baby's situation,
(22:59):
then we can't do Itona and I know they're allegations, right,
but it is what it is. And I get GMS
just for like, I don't want to touch it. I
don't want to. I don't want to do it. I
don't want to touch it. Let's just leave it alone. Also,
the other thing t is, it wasn't just the allegations,
like you heard gms say a couple of things. Want
(23:21):
her age, what is Sadona twenty five?
Speaker 1 (23:23):
Yes? Yes? Her age and her injuries? Yes? And so
here's the thing.
Speaker 2 (23:28):
You're twenty five, like you should be really dominating your
opponents in college, and she really didn't.
Speaker 1 (23:37):
Right.
Speaker 2 (23:37):
So I think a lot of gms are like, listen,
you got these allegations out there, you're twenty five, you're
prone to injuries. We just don't want to touch it,
you know, what I mean, and so that just kind
of left her out there like that. But I want
to ask you a question. And I'm asking this question
because I read it on social media. So somebody said
(23:59):
they're there's no way in hell Sadona Prince is gonna
get drafted with all the things, all the allegations against her,
and Kennedy Carter's not getting another shot, right.
Speaker 1 (24:10):
I read that.
Speaker 2 (24:11):
Here's my response to that. I get it, and I
probably tend to agree. You know, I felt like Kennedy
Carter's second chance in the WNBA was last year with Spoon. Right,
Spoon was the only coach that was like, Nah, I'm
gonna bring her back. I'm gonna give her a shot.
And let me rewind and be very very very clear
on something. Kennedy Carter is a top five guard.
Speaker 1 (24:33):
In the WNBA.
Speaker 2 (24:34):
So does she deserve to be in the WNBA one
hundred percent? Yeah, Why isn't she in the league?
Speaker 3 (24:39):
Well, I think it's reputation more than anything, right, Because
keep in mind, I had the same question and conversation
years ago after Courtney Williams between her and Crystal Grafford.
Speaker 1 (24:53):
Yes, yeah, so I remember having a conversation.
Speaker 3 (24:55):
With Courtney after that, and like, I don't mean it
had none to do Accordy. The situation obviously did, but
I mean, like that was one situation.
Speaker 1 (25:04):
But I agree with you on that.
Speaker 3 (25:05):
Courtney has an entire individual and Crystal as an entire individual,
were labeled and there was a reputation out now and
there was this whole thing because they talk a certain way,
and they dressed a certain way, or they act a
certain way, or they you know, all of that played
into well, you know she got into a fight, blah
blah blah blah, and you know they did this, and
it was just like that was one incident.
Speaker 1 (25:27):
Fact, that's not the fact.
Speaker 3 (25:29):
Like that's just one thing, and that one thing ran forever.
And so I know that there may have been multiple
situations where people would say, well, she didn't get love
in La, she didn't get love in Atlanta.
Speaker 1 (25:41):
I will say this, there's more than one side to
a story.
Speaker 3 (25:44):
But I know a few sides to some things that
happened in one of those stops, And honestly commend Kennedy
for keeping her mouth shut and keep on some things
that she could have blasted some folks for. But with
all of that being said, though I don't think that
Kennedy did herself any harm last year. I think that
number one, folks were overly sensitive because the one thing
(26:06):
that she did get into was the collision with Caitlyn Clark.
Speaker 1 (26:10):
Now I agree with you on that.
Speaker 3 (26:11):
Yeah, folks got pissed about it. I don't think that
she did any harm to herself. I think her reputation
has people shook and it shouldn't be.
Speaker 1 (26:18):
And Spoon was the one person that was willing to
take a chance on it because she understood.
Speaker 3 (26:23):
She understood what she was doing and I don't know
what these gms are doing. So now have Kennedy on
the roster because Kennedy instantly makes her team better.
Speaker 1 (26:30):
She does without question.
Speaker 2 (26:32):
I personally didn't see anything wrong with my own eyes
that Kennedy Carter did that would warrant her not being
in the WNBA. So I guess when I bring that up,
I'm talking about, you know, just things that you hear
and you read about how she was an issue in
the locker room and things like that. I don't know
(26:53):
that because I wasn't there. But my point being, if
gms are willing to overlook the these Sedona Prince allegations
and say, yes, she should be playing, then damn it,
Kennedy Carter should be playing too.
Speaker 1 (27:08):
Yeah, Nope, that's all I'm saying. I totally understand your point,
and it's a very valid point.
Speaker 3 (27:13):
It's a point well taken. Again, I'm always surprised because
if I'm keep it a buck, as I always do
on this show, white players don't always get the same
treatment as black players, and a lot of shit get
overlooked from white players that don't get overlooked from black players.
So it did surprise me that people were not willing.
And I'm not saying that I don't disagree with them
(27:33):
for it, because I think you're absolutely spot on.
Speaker 1 (27:34):
If you're gonna treat one player one way, treat them
all that way. But you're right.
Speaker 3 (27:38):
But I do know there's a history of certain players
getting a little bit more leeway than other kinds of players.
Speaker 1 (27:46):
So I was surprised by it.
Speaker 3 (27:47):
But when we come back, we will continue to talk
about the WNBA draft, and I got something else that
surprised Mi Chael, So stay with us, you know, Cheryl,
I was also surprised.
Speaker 1 (28:07):
You know what.
Speaker 3 (28:07):
Let me preface this by saying this, I love the
fact that players have an ability to hit the transfer portal.
We talked about this before in our last episode and
just be able to like kind of do what they
feel is best for them in their careers.
Speaker 1 (28:20):
But I do think there may be a time where
sometimes I already know where you hit it.
Speaker 3 (28:25):
I think sis, but there may be a time because
there's always an exception to the rule where maybe transferring
ain't always the best. Sometimes staying where you are, persevering
through that final year maybe what's best for your career.
(28:46):
And that could have been the case for Dejah Kelly.
I was sure that Dejah Kelly was going to be
drafted on draft Day, but then I looked back over
the impact. Great player, incredible in the communications space. She's
definitely going to own being a reporter whatever she does.
But I was sure she was someone who has a
(29:09):
skill set that can translate into the WNBA. But I
think that there may have been gms and coaches who
looked at her career with North Carolina versus the year
she spent at Oregon and didn't quite feel the same,
And in my head I just kept thinking, what would
have happened had you stayed at UNC.
Speaker 1 (29:26):
I agree with you. I was.
Speaker 2 (29:29):
I was shocked when maybe not shocked, but I was
surprised that I didn't hear her name.
Speaker 1 (29:35):
And then I immediately thought the same thing.
Speaker 2 (29:39):
Did her transferring to Oregon affect her draft stock? Yeah,
because I'll also be honest with you, T I heard
more talk and conversation about Dejah Kelly when she was
at North Carolina than I did with her being in Oregon.
Speaker 1 (29:54):
I didn't really hear a lot of.
Speaker 2 (29:56):
People talking about Dejah Kelly this past season.
Speaker 1 (29:59):
Yeah, And so that's when I, you know, I asked
the question.
Speaker 2 (30:03):
Of to your point, be careful, right, like, be careful
when you're making decisions in the moment to transfer whatever
it is you're gonna do, because you don't know how
that's gonna affect you long term.
Speaker 1 (30:16):
Now, well, someone invite her to a training camp.
Speaker 2 (30:19):
I'm sure, I'm sure she'll get invited to training camp,
but absolutely, I don't know. I was surprised that I
did not hear her name get called.
Speaker 1 (30:27):
Yeah, I was surprised at that as well. Was she there, Yes,
I believe Danjiel was there. Wow, I believe she was
at the drafts. But yeah, I didn't hear her name called,
and that surprised me.
Speaker 3 (30:37):
But yeah, let me just also say this though, and
this is something that you know, for those who did
not get drafted, that does not necessarily mean that your
career is over. There are so many incredible players. I mean,
look at Becky Hammond, look at you know, Erica Wheeler.
Just there are so many players that have an opportunity
(30:57):
to play at the next level and play incredibly well
without ever being drafted. They make a training camp roster,
they battle it out, they fill in, and the next
thing you know, they're on a spot, they're on a roster,
they're on a team. So I don't want anybody out
there listening who may have a friend, a sister, a
soor more, a brother or whoever, and your girl did
(31:18):
not get her name called on draft night, don't think
that your dreams are over because you can very well
still play at the next level in the WNBA as
an undrafted free agent.
Speaker 1 (31:29):
So just keep working. It absolutely doesn't mean that it's over.
Speaker 2 (31:32):
But can I just bring up one point and I
ain't gonna say surprise, I'm gonna say disappointed in this one.
And for those who don't know and maybe didn't watch
Diamond Johnson from Norfolk State. Yes, that kid deserved to
have heard her name called at the draft. So to me,
it raises the question of did you not draft her
(31:54):
because she went to an HBCU. It's a question I
don't know because don't talk to me her high. Talk
to me about how she gets buckets and how good
she is and how competitive she is. That one disappointed me,
and especially when I look at this. Isn't to take
anything away from the players who were drafted, but you
can't tell me that there were thirty seven players that
(32:16):
got drafted that are better than this kid.
Speaker 1 (32:19):
I won one hundred percent agree, and to me, raised
her draft stock with her performance against Dylan And yes, yes,
like did y'all not see that?
Speaker 3 (32:29):
I was completely shocked, And honestly, I don't think there
was only but one HBCU player who was drafted. And
when I say one, it wasn't even that she was
drafted from an HBCU. She graduated from an HBCU and
then went to Alabama as a graduate transfer and was
drafted in the third round I believe from Alabama, So
(32:50):
her credit ain't even going to.
Speaker 1 (32:51):
Be the HBCU.
Speaker 2 (32:53):
You know, No, But isn't that the case with Diamond Johnson.
I don't want to get the school wrong, but didn't
she go to.
Speaker 1 (32:59):
Rukers? Yeah, she transferred to to Norfolk State.
Speaker 2 (33:02):
Right, she transferred from a Power five to at HBCU.
Speaker 3 (33:07):
Now this is a whole different conversation for a different day, Errol,
because I could go all day.
Speaker 2 (33:13):
But I needed to bring it up because I'm in
my feelings about it, and I almost say to.
Speaker 1 (33:17):
Diamond Johnson, I don't know if you're gonna.
Speaker 2 (33:19):
Ever hear this podcast, this episode, but I just want
to say to you, keep doing what you're doing. Keep
your head up because somebody is going to find you.
See you, recognize your talent and your basketball career and
journey is not over.
Speaker 1 (33:35):
So keep doing what you doing.
Speaker 3 (33:36):
Since absolutely agree with that one hundred percent love it,
and I mean literally for all of you, you know,
for most of you, let me say, oh, for most
of you who were undrafted, who were snubbed, use that
as fuel. Like a journey does not end just because
you don't hear your name called on draft night. I
believe that, and I just think there are so many
(33:57):
talented women who can still play in this league if
given the opportunity.
Speaker 1 (34:01):
So just keep working and keep grinding.
Speaker 3 (34:03):
But for the most part, I'm excited to see what
the WNBA is gonna look like. In twenty twenty five,
it was a fun night. Everybody looked good. So yeah,
I'm gonna go ahead and just say that I still
think that I have no idea who's gonna win the
WNBA Championship. I ain't ready to go that far yet.
Draft Day and Draft Night ain't changed my mind on nothing.
I still ain't ready to say nobody's doing nothing in
(34:26):
twenty twenty five. Holl let me on May sixteenth, when
the season started, I might have something.
Speaker 2 (34:30):
Then I agree with you on that one. I just
think it's up for grabs right now. When you look
at all the different moves that teams made in free agency,
and then you look at the draft and the other
pieces that they added, and you know, t at the
end of the day, there are two things that always
has to happen.
Speaker 1 (34:45):
You gotta have a little luck and you gotta stay
injury free. Yep, that's it.
Speaker 2 (34:50):
So that's gonna be a big reason why team succeed
and why they don't.
Speaker 1 (34:56):
So I'm there with you.
Speaker 2 (34:57):
I ain't ready to call it either, but I probably
got a few teams in mind, but I am college.
Speaker 3 (35:03):
Yeah, same saying, well, when we come back, we will
level our show on out with some words from our
good homie Shirl.
Speaker 1 (35:12):
She always got some gems that she drops at the
end of the show, So I try, I try.
Speaker 3 (35:22):
I really enjoyed this episode, Cheryl, because I really cannot wait.
Like I always feel happier than maybe I should.
Speaker 1 (35:30):
I know, as a reporter, I'm supposed to be kind.
Speaker 3 (35:32):
Of neutral and like not having a favorite and all
that other stuff, but like, I genuinely am happy for
these young ladies, for the opportunity that's presented for them.
Speaker 1 (35:41):
I guess so excited.
Speaker 3 (35:44):
Like I get so excited for them just seeing their faces,
seeing their families, the coaches that show up to support them.
And then now since they've added the fan element, you
can see the fans getting a hats and bringing in
the jerseys and everything, like they're just really so ready
for these young girls. And then when we're seeing them
play in college and we've covered them for years, it
(36:06):
just feels like it feels like one.
Speaker 1 (36:08):
Of your own. It's like moving on to the next part.
Speaker 3 (36:10):
So I'm really excited to see like how they make
the best of this opportunity moving into the WNBA.
Speaker 1 (36:16):
Me too, I can't wait.
Speaker 2 (36:17):
I'm excited for all the players that were drafted, but
I'm also excited for the players who will get their
invites to training camp, because even if you don't make
a team, there are so many other opportunities for you
to still play. Going overseas, you got athletes unlimited, you
got to unrival But just getting that opportunity to be
(36:39):
in a professional training camp will give you that experience
that you need.
Speaker 1 (36:44):
So I'm excited, and my.
Speaker 2 (36:47):
Quote for today hopefully will touch some of these young
ladies who didn't hear their names called in the draft.
You might be feeling down a little bit, so hopefully
this will uplift you a little bit. And also even if
you're not playing sports, hopefully if you're feeling some type
of way, this will uplift you. This is a good
one for me, and it's from Henry Ford, and it says,
(37:07):
when everything seems to be going against you, remember that
the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it.
Speaker 1 (37:18):
I love that like that.
Speaker 2 (37:20):
I like to love that perseverance regardless of what's coming
or going against you. As long as you persevere, you
keep going, don't give up. You two can get to
where your destination is. So keep going.
Speaker 3 (37:35):
Absolutely love that. That is a perfect way to end
today's show. So thank you all everybody for listening to
this week's episode of Levels to This. We will be
back next week with more next level conversations, just talking
about the real shit that we go through as women.
And remember that this just isn't our show, it's our show,
and so we want.
Speaker 1 (37:54):
To hear from you.
Speaker 3 (37:55):
Leave us a review an Apple podcast, or email us
at Levels to This Podcast at gmail dot com. Tell
us what you thought of this week's show, maybe what
you want to talk about next. We love getting topics, recommendations,
and suggestions.
Speaker 1 (38:08):
We see you on Instagram.
Speaker 3 (38:10):
Yes, follow us on Instagram at lttpod So until then,
keep your mentals ground level and we will be back
next week.
Speaker 2 (38:18):
Bas Listen to Levels to This on America's number one
podcast network, iHeart. Open your free iHeart app and search
Levels to This with Cheryl Swoops and Treka Foster Brasby
and start listening
Hosts And Creators
Terrika Foster-Brasby
Sheryl Swoopes
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang
Ding dong! Join your culture consultants, Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, on an unforgettable journey into the beating heart of CULTURE. Alongside sizzling special guests, they GET INTO the hottest pop-culture moments of the day and the formative cultural experiences that turned them into Culturistas. Produced by the Big Money Players Network and iHeartRadio.