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Yahoo
24-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
2025 NBA Draft: Ranking the top wing prospects, including Duke's Kon Knueppel
Let's run down the top prospects in the 2025 NBA Draft by position. Here are the best wings in the class. You can also find the entire Big Board, plus a full two-round mock draft and scouting reports for every single prospect, in the 2025 NBA Draft Guide. Height: 6-5 • Weight: 219 • Class: Freshman • Age: 19.9 Advertisement Knueppel brings more than just a sharpshooter's stroke thanks to his brainy pick-and-roll playmaking and crafty scoring feel. He's got a slick midrange bag and strength scoring inside, but to become a player that takes over games he'll need to overcome his average athleticism. (Grant Thomas/Yahoo Sports Illustration) Height: 6-4 • Weight: 193 • Class: Freshman • Age: 19.9 Edgecombe is an explosive, high-motor wing who flies out of nowhere for poster dunks and chase-down blocks. He pairs his elite athleticism with a knockdown spot-up jumper and fearless slashing, though he needs to improve his shot creation to become more of a primary creator. Height: 6-6 • Weight: 213 • Class: Senior • Age: 21.8 Advertisement Coward has gone from a Division III player to a potential first-round pick in just a few years behind his rapid development into a prospect with a valued 3-and-D skill-set. But he brings even higher upside thanks to his passing vision. Height: 6-7 • Weight: 215 • Class: Freshman • Age: 19.7 McNeeley is a sharpshooting wing with superb instincts moving without the ball, and the touch to splash from deep ranges. Though he doesn't project as a primary shot creator, his feel as a connective passer gives him the skill to fit into any type of offense. Height: 6-6 • Weight: 200 • Class: Freshman • Age: 19.8 Advertisement Powell has a chiseled frame that he uses to barrel into defenders at the rim and to contain opponents when he's on defense. He's a switch-everything defender who plays with a high motor, and if his spot-up jumper translates he checks all the boxes to be a 3-and-D role player at a minimum. You can find the entire Big Board, plus a full two-round mock draft and scouting reports for every single prospect, in the 2025 NBA Draft Guide.
Yahoo
24-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Brother of Michael Greller, Spieth's caddie, qualifies for U.S. Senior Open Championship
Caddie Michael Greller has had some memorable moments at USGA championships, including being on the bag of Jordan Spieth when he won the U.S. Open a decade ago at Chambers Bay, not far from his home in Washington. But to hear Greller tell it, seeing his older brother, Tom, who qualified the hard way for this week's 45th U.S. Senior Open Championship at The Broadmoor's East Course in Colorado Springs, Colo., takes the cake. Advertisement 'I'm calling it the greatest [sports] accomplishment in the Greller family,' Michael, whose younger sister, Katie, was an All-American Division III basketball player at George Fox University in Oregon, told the USGA's David Shefter. 'I'm just watching golf. I don't hit any of the shots.' Tom Greller, brother of Jordan Spieth's caddie Michael Greller, qualified for the U.S. Senior Open. For more than 20 years, Tom, 53, had been trying to play his way into USGA championships and he finally did so, becoming one of 39 players to make it through local and final qualifying. He's also one of 44 first-time U.S. Senior Open competitors in pursuit of the Francis D. Ouimet Memorial Trophy Tom survived the first 18-hole qualifier on April 7 at Arrowhead Golf Club, in Molalla, Ore., in a 4-for-3 playoff that included a bogey on the first playoff hole. Five weeks later, before the results were even official that Tom had booked his ticket in windy conditions at Bend (Ore.) Golf Club, Michael had booked an AirBnB for the family to attend. But he won't be on the bag, even though Spieth is skipping this week's Tour stop in Detroit. Advertisement That honor belongs to Tom's 20-year-old son, Ray, a rising sophomore on the Northwestern College (Orange City, Iowa) men's golf team, who will ably serve as caddie. Tom's other son, 17-year-old Luke, will also make the trek, along with wife, Tabitha. But little brother already has lent a hand in arranging a practice round alongside Hall of Famers Ernie Els and Bernhard Langer on Monday afternoon and is helping strategize how to play The Broadmoor's par-70 East Course that stretches to 7,247 yards but won't play too long at 6,200-foot-plus altitude. You can read more about Tom Greller's journey to his first USGA championship, here, including this nugget: When he qualified for the Senior Open, Michael was caddying for Spieth during a practice round at the Charles Schwab Challenge in Fort Worth, Texas, alongside Rickie Fowler. Spieth and Fowler sent video messages, the latter jokingly saying 'we'll see you at Shinnecock Hills next year.' That, of course, was a playful reference to the fact that the U.S. Senior Open champion receives an exemption into the following year's U.S. Open. Tom likely hasn't dreamed that big but if he pulled off being the Cinderella Story out of nowhere, the question would be: Who does Michael caddie for at Shinnecock – his boss or his big brother? This article originally appeared on Golfweek: US Senior Open 2025: Tom Greller, brother of Spieth caddie, qualifies
USA Today
24-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Brother of Michael Greller, Spieth's caddie, qualifies for U.S. Senior Open Championship
Caddie Michael Greller has had some memorable moments at USGA championships, including being on the bag of Jordan Spieth when he won the U.S. Open a decade ago at Chambers Bay, not far from his home in Washington. But to hear Greller tell it, seeing his older brother, Tom, who qualified the hard way for this week's 45th U.S. Senior Open Championship at The Broadmoor's East Course in Colorado Springs, Colo., takes the cake. 'I'm calling it the greatest [sports] accomplishment in the Greller family,' Michael, whose younger sister, Katie, was an All-American Division III basketball player at George Fox University in Oregon, told the USGA's David Shefter. 'I'm just watching golf. I don't hit any of the shots.' For more than 20 years, Tom, 53, had been trying to play his way into USGA championships and he finally did so, becoming one of 39 players to make it through local and final qualifying. He's also one of 44 first-time U.S. Senior Open competitors in pursuit of the Francis D. Ouimet Memorial Trophy Tom survived the first 18-hole qualifier on April 7 at Arrowhead Golf Club, in Molalla, Ore., in a 4-for-3 playoff that included a bogey on the first playoff hole. Five weeks later, before the results were even official that Tom had booked his ticket in windy conditions at Bend (Ore.) Golf Club, Michael had booked an AirBnB for the family to attend. But he won't be on the bag, even though Spieth is skipping this week's Tour stop in Detroit. That honor belongs to Tom's 20-year-old son, Ray, a rising sophomore on the Northwestern College (Orange City, Iowa) men's golf team, who will ably serve as caddie. Tom's other son, 17-year-old Luke, will also make the trek, along with wife, Tabitha. But little brother already has lent a hand in arranging a practice round alongside Hall of Famers Ernie Els and Bernhard Langer on Monday afternoon and is helping strategize how to play The Broadmoor's par-70 East Course that stretches to 7,247 yards but won't play too long at 6,200-foot-plus altitude. You can read more about Tom Greller's journey to his first USGA championship, here, including this nugget: When he qualified for the Senior Open, Michael was caddying for Spieth during a practice round at the Charles Schwab Challenge in Fort Worth, Texas, alongside Rickie Fowler. Spieth and Fowler sent video messages, the latter jokingly saying 'we'll see you at Shinnecock Hills next year.' That, of course, was a playful reference to the fact that the U.S. Senior Open champion receives an exemption into the following year's U.S. Open. Tom likely hasn't dreamed that big but if he pulled off being the Cinderella Story out of nowhere, the question would be: Who does Michael caddie for at Shinnecock – his boss or his big brother?
Yahoo
24-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
2025 NBA Draft Big Board: Final ranking of the top 70 prospects in this year's draft class
On the eve of the 2025 NBA Draft, let's run down the top prospects in this year's draft class with a final Big Board. You can also find this Big Board, plus a full two-round mock draft and scouting reports for every single prospect in the 2025 NBA Draft Guide. Flagg is a do-it-all forward who hustles like a madman, makes his teammates better as a passer and has dialed in a knockdown jumper. He's both the best offensive and defensive prospect in this draft class, making him the safest No. 1 pick in ages. It's his growth as a shot creator that will decide if he reaches his All-Star floor or soars to his Hall of Fame ceiling. Harper is a big-bodied lefty combo guard with NBA blood in his veins, as the son of Ron Harper, who was a 20/5/5 guy before winning five titles as a role player. Like his father, Harper has a high-floor with the skill, poise, and playmaking instincts to dictate the game at his pace. But the fate of his jumper will determine whether he's an All-Star or just one of the NBA's many solid guards. Knueppel brings more than just a sharpshooter's stroke, thanks to his brainy pick-and-roll playmaking and crafty scoring feel. He's got a slick midrange bag and strength scoring inside, but to become a player who takes over games he'll need to overcome his average athleticism. Johnson is a clutch shot-maker who can catch fire from all over the floor, drilling step-backs and off-screen jumpers with ease. But he needs to continue developing his point guard skills while also honing his shot selection and dramatically improving his defense. Edgecombe is an explosive, high-motor wing who flies out of nowhere for poster dunks and chase-down blocks. He pairs his elite athleticism with a knockdown spot-up jumper and fearless slashing, though he needs to improve his shot creation to become more of a primary creator. Bailey is a ridiculous shot-making machine, capable of splashing contested jumpers from every spot on the floor and with the swagger of a throwback bucket-getter. But his raw edges as a shot creator and defender need sanding down to turn him into a full-on star. Coward has gone from a Division III player to a potential first-round pick in just a few years behind his rapid development into a prospect with a valued 3-and-D skill-set. But he brings even higher upside, thanks to his passing vision. Fears is a dynamic guard with a twitchy attacking style and a knack for coming through as a clutch shooter. He was one of college basketball's youngest freshmen, and it showed with his shaky decision-making as a shooter and passer. But he has a feel for shot creation and a handle that lets him get anywhere on the floor, so he may only need time to emerge as a star. Murray-Boyles operates like a defensive savant the way he locks down every position, uses his ninja-quick hands to swipe at the ball and inhales rebounds. He's a special defensive presence, and offensively he's a bulldozer finisher with a playmaking feel. Improving his jumper would move him out of tweener territory and into All-Star status. Sorber has a brick-house frame and the throwback skill-set to match with strong screens, soft-touch finishes and gritty drop-coverage instincts. But to be more than a role player, he needs to tap into the flashes he shows as a shooter while also improving his perimeter defense. Maluach is a towering rim protector with switchable mobility, erasing shots at the rim and shadowing quick guards on the perimeter. But beyond dunking lobs, he's a work in progress on offense with a lack of seasoning as a screener, shooter and creator. Such a raw skill-set should come as no surprise since the South Sudan native didn't start playing basketball until he was 13. Queen is a burly big with guard-like handles who dazzles with spin moves and crafty finishes like his game-winning leaning jumper to send Maryland to the Sweet 16. If he translates his velvet touch to the perimeter he has offensive star upside, though his interior scoring, playmaking chops and magnetic rebounding give him tantalizing potential. Raynaud has leveled up every year at Stanford, turning into a player who pops 3s, slashes to the rim with a smooth handle and makes eye-popping passes. As a talented passer who also offers solid defense, there's little reason to think the Frenchman won't carve out an NBA role. Jakučionis is a slick shot creator with a creative passing gene and a fearless scoring ability, carving up defenses with crafty finishes, step-back jumpers and jaw-dropping passes. But as a freshman he'd follow up those highlights with turnover brain-farts that would derail the hype train. Newell has springs in his legs, regularly slamming lobs and swatting shots. Even though his discipline reflects his youth, his energetic style suggests he'll someday become a highly versatile defender. Bryant is a rangy, athletic forward who projects as a highly versatile defender. And though he's raw as a ball-handler, he's a skilled spot-up shooter and a hyper-aware cutter. At a minimum, he has the baseline skills to be a great role player with the upside to someday be much more. Essengue is a toolsy forward with a fluid handle, dynamic finishing package and highly versatile defense. But his long-term upside hinges on the jumper clicking. And if it doesn't, his defense must reach a level that prevents coaches from keeping him off the floor. Richardson is a skilled combo guard with a lethal midrange game and a poised pick-and-roll feel, looking like he downloaded the experience of his NBA veteran father, Jason Richardson. Jase didn't inherit his father's height or dunk contest athleticism though, so his smaller stature could cap his upside. Clifford is a tough-as-nails wing who does it all. He defends multiple positions, crashes the boards, and scores from everywhere. But as a super senior with only Mountain West pedigree, he lacks experience against high-level competition despite his age (23). Clayton is a fearless shooter with the versatility to take any shot at any moment, as we saw when he led Florida to the national championship. But his limitations as a defender hold him back from being an elite prospect. McNeeley is a sharpshooting wing with superb instincts moving without the ball, and the touch to splash from deep range. Though he doesn't project as a primary shot creator, his feel as a connective passer gives him the skill to fit into any type of offense. Saraf is a crafty lefty playmaker who relies on guile, footwork and body control. Limited shooting and athleticism could cap his upside, but his positional size and skill could be hard to pass up. Marković is a modern stretch forward who also offers skill as a passer and post scorer. But to handle the rigors of the NBA and become a positive defender, he needs to add a ton of muscle. Traoré oozes upside with his size, blazing speed and shiftiness off the bounce. But he's an inefficient scorer who needs to improve his erratic decision-making to prove he's worth the big swing. Demin has a rare ability at his size to make dazzling passes. But he's also struggled to shoot and create his own shot against lengthy defenders, making him more of a love-him or hate-him prospect than a sure thing. Riley has dynamic driving ability and playmaking instincts that scream upside as a jumbo-sized, shot-creating wing. But his jumper is streaky, and his defense is unreliable since he's so lean physically and lacks fundamentals. Thiero is a slasher with a jacked frame and an explosive first step, but he has severe limitations on offense as a shooter. If he's able to figure out the shot then his length and versatility would make him a classic 3-and-D role player. (Yahoo Sports Illustration) Beringer began playing basketball only three years ago, which means he's a raw project but also makes his natural talents all the more impressive. He's a center but has the quickness of a guard, giving him immense defensive versatility to build on for years to come. Powell has a chiseled frame he uses to barrel into defenders at the rim and to contain opponents when he's on defense. He's a switch-everything defender who plays with a high motor, and if his spot-up jumper translates, he checks all the boxes to be a 3-and-D role player at a minimum. Kalkbrenner is a throwback 7-footer who owns the paint, swatting shots with his giant wingspan and dunking everything in sight. It's a bit strange he isn't a better rebounder. But as a super senior, he's also developed some sneaky passing and shooting skills that hint at higher upside. Gonzalez is a high-motor wing with great defensive tools and a slashing style on offense. If his jumper and handle develop, he could be a versatile two-way starter. But he barely even played off the bench overseas. Penda plays with a veteran's mind and a winning mentality, offering connective playmaking, switchable defense and high-level feel. He'll need to improve his jumper to stick long term, but his unselfish game and defensive utility give him a strong foundation. Wolf is 6-foot-11 but ran point for Michigan, playing a slick style with risky passes and step-back jumpers that made him a highlight factory. But he's also a turnover machine and his shooting numbers are shaky, making him more of a raw bet who needs time to prove he can match his flash with substance. Watkins is a versatile player who can run the show, slash to the paint and switch across positions on defense. But the development of his jumper is stuck in quicksand, which raises questions about his ability to excel in a less prominent on-ball role. Fleming is a hustler who drains spot-up jumpers and brings energy on defense, swatting shots and snagging boards. But he has some real warts as a ball-handler with a lack of experience against high-level competition, so teams will have to feel real confident his role-player skill set will translate. Lanier transferred to Tennessee after four years at North Florida and immediately thrived as a knockdown shooter with shot-making creativity. But without great size or playmaking at his age, he's a second-round prospect. Martin is a hyper-athletic, high-energy guard who plays bigger than his size and impacts the game with his toughness, rebounding and defensive grit. But his positional tweener status, streaky shooting and limited creation ability complicate his path to carve out a specialized role. Yang is a massive Chinese 7-footer who scores with old-school craft, passes well and cleans the glass. But how much his slow feet and lack of shooting range can be improved will determine whether he can stick in the pros. Sallis is a poised, efficient scorer with body control, defensive tenacity, and the passing feel to hint at more upside. If the jumper proves real, he could play a much larger offensive role than his current projection. Small is an undersized guard who plays bigger than his body thanks to his excellent athleticism and gritty nature. He's a knockdown shooter off the catch and a solid lead guard, though his lack of size puts a natural cap on his upside. Brea projects as a shooting specialist who has a clear path to becoming a rotation player because of his highly sought after skill. But in order to avoid being a weak link on defense, he'll need to make improvements to his athleticism. Tonje will enter the NBA at age 24 with some readymade skills as an off-ball movement scorer and shooter. But his athletic ceiling and defense will determine if he's more than just a backup. Jones offers crafty combo guard skills with advanced shot creation and a blossoming playmaking feel. But his so-so athleticism and streaky shooting paint him as just a cog rather than the rare star upperclassmen set to enter the league. Konan Niederhauser is an elite athlete who lives above the rim as a finisher and shot blocker, and he displays some intriguing upside as a 7-foot shot creator. But he needs to improve his fundamentals to make it all click. Proctor is a tall combo guard with great passing vision who was expected to go one-and-done but has taken until his junior year to look ready for the NBA. At this point, he's sharpened his jumper and become an even better defender. Dixon is a burly forward who brings a toughness and physicality to the game. As Villanova's all-time leading scorer, he showed versatile scoring skills, but in the NBA his lack of athleticism will put a limit on the type of usage he can receive. Broome is a super senior who brings a ready-made game as an interior finisher with a passing feel and tone-setting defense. But his shaky jumper hasn't progressed as much as NBA teams would hope. James is a versatile defender who sets a tone with his hustle, and after years of laying bricks he's worked hard to become a dead-eye, spot-up shooter. He brings much more than shooting as a crafty playmaker who keeps the ball moving. But without the handle of a primary creator, it's critical he sustains his newfound success as a shooter. Nembhard is an excellent floor general who excels in pick-and-roll situations and made great progress as a scorer during his senior year. But with his small stature, he has natural limitations that put a cap on his upside. 50. Micah Peavy, G/F, Georgetown Peavy is a switchable wing stopper with NBA-ready defense, instincts, and passing feel. If his improved jumper proves real, he's a rotation-level player for a decade. Toohey is a jack-of-all-trades Australian forward who grinds on defense and loves to dish the ball. But his scoring comes and goes with his streaky jumper since he's not someone who generates many of his own shots. 52. Clifford Omoruyi, C, Alabama Omoruyi is an explosive rim-runner with a 7-6 wingspan and a high motor. Though he lacks a perimeter game, he has the tools to carve out a long career as a vertical big. 53. Amari Williams, C, Kentucky Williams is a massive, smart-passing center with good instincts around the rim and legitimate size to defend the paint. But he needs to add perimeter mobility to defend the modern game. Zikarsky is a big Australian center who plays a traditional role as an interior finisher and rim protector. He doesn't offer much else at this stage of his career, though, and hasn't shown many signs that he will. Goldin is a large Russian center who excels at scoring at the rim with soft touch, and as a senior he began to shoot jumpers. Concerns about his defense and athleticism put him in the second round, but he has the overall skills to be a rotation big. 56. Viktor Lakhin, C, Clemson Lakhin is a high-IQ big who makes smart passes, shows signs of floor spacing, and has the potential to survive defending in space. But recurring injuries leave him a medical red flag. Williams is a big wing who thrives on making tough midrange jumpers and movement 3s off the catch. He's an older prospect at 24 but still belongs on the draft radar because of his sparkplug scoring skill set. 58. Chucky Hepburn, G, Louisville Hepburn is a bulldog defender who sets a tone for his team. He brings good instincts and a feel for passing on offense, but needs to prove he can shoot to overcome his size limitations. 59. Max Shulga, G, VCU Shulga is a poised, versatile shooter with a passing feel. But he's a jack of all trades with no great strengths and a below-average athlete with no clear NBA position. Advertisement 60. Lachlan Olbrich, C, Illawarra High-motor Aussie big who projects as a screen-and-dive reserve and plays with a tone-setting level of toughness that could keep him in a rotation. 61. Kobe Sanders, G/F, Nevada Sanders is a skilled, oversized wing initiator with excellent feel. He's limited by a lack of athleticism, but his size, touch, and passing acumen give him a chance to stick in the NBA. 62. Tamar Bates, G, Missouri Bates is a 3-and-D style guard with a knockdown shooting stroke, though his lack of strength and playmaking put a cap on his ceiling as a low-usage specialist. Almansa is an accomplished international big who projects as a versatile offensive hub and prolific rebounder, though sooner than later his production will need to start matching his flashes of upside. 64. Jaxson Robinson, G/F, Kentucky Robinson is a smooth-shooting wing with NBA range and confidence. But his lack of burst and strength makes him more of a one-dimensional prospect who'll need to nail the shooting role to stick. Sandfort has a beautiful jumper and, off the catch, he's capable of knocking down shots from anywhere. And though his numbers slipped last season, he was playing with a broken wrist and torn labrums to both of his shoulders. 66. Curtis Jones, G, Iowa St. Jones provides instant offense with his 3-point shooting prowess, and he also has a feel for scoring inside the arc. But he is undersized and lacks great athleticism. Luis is a rugged wing who sets a tone on defense with his versatility and intensity. But on offense his shaky shooting and decision-making overshadow his downhill attacking style. Sears is a clutch college star who rains shots from everywhere behind an advanced array of ball-handling moves. But he was a pint-sized leader, and so often those players get torched on defense at the next level, shrinking them to bit-player status. 69. Dink Pate, G/F, Mexico City Pate looks the part of an athletic wing who can handle the ball, but he hasn't produced effectively in two G League seasons. Any team that takes him is rolling the dice that he someday develops his skills. 70. Jalon Moore, G/F, Oklahoma Moore looks the part of a 3-and-D wing with good size, smooth catch-and-shoot mechanics, and a willingness to defend. But his limited handle and passing vision could be limitations for carving out a spot in a rotation. Moore tore his Achilles during a pre-draft workout. You can also find a full two-round mock draft and scouting reports for every single prospect in the 2025 NBA Draft Guide.
Refinery29
18-06-2025
- Sport
- Refinery29
Latina Athletes Are Good for Business — Until It's Time to Invest in Them
I grew up in a big sports family. As Puerto Ricans in a small Florida town in the 1990s, it helped us survive the South. My brothers and I weren't just fans; we were athletes. Even as the youngest and the only girl, I was in the middle of all the family basketball, soccer, and baseball games — and I was often the best player. But despite my skill, I always received the same messages: I was wasting my time, sports wasn't feminine, and this interest was just a phase I'd outgrow before settling into someone else's expectations. Those comments were infuriating. I saw the surge of excitement around the 1995 UConn Huskies, led by Cuban-American Hall of Famer Rebecca Lobo, and the 1997 WNBA's launch. But eventually, I also saw how the league suffered a sharp decline in investment and fan interest. With limited domestic opportunities and low pay, many players were forced to continue their careers overseas, splitting their time and their energy across continents. It felt like confirmation of one of my worst fears: that my family was right — this was a total waste of my time. So when I was recruited to play Division III basketball, I walked away — not because I didn't love the game but because all the times I was told that women don't belong in sports made it impossible for me to envision a future as an athlete. ' "All the times I was told that women don't belong in sports made it impossible for me to envision a future as an athlete." Nic Rodríguez Villafañe ' As my gender journey has shifted — now living as a trans man — my love for women's sports hasn't wavered. And nearly two decades later, it feels like the tide is turning. Women's sports are shaping the national sports conversation. The 2024 NCAA Women's Championship drew more than 18 million viewers — surpassing the men's final. And this time, a diverse new generation is leading: Colombian-Puerto Rican Indiana Fever rookie Celeste Taylor, one of just six Latinas on WNBA rosters, is defending with quiet force and big ambitions. Notre Dame's breakout guard, Puerto Rican Hannah Hidalgo, is tenaciously owning the ACC and has even stirred comparisons to the WNBA's all-time leading scorer, Argentine Diana Taurasi. Meanwhile, Kamilla Cardoso, a Brazilian powerhouse with the Chicago Sky, is asserting herself in the paint after two national titles at South Carolina. This isn't a fluke — it's a shift. And while major sports media want to continue to focus debates on Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese and their fandom rival, behind that spotlight, Latina athletes are reshaping the future. They've been here. They're raising the game. And they're unapologetically claiming their space. That's why the waiver of Esmery Martínez by the New York Liberty felt especially disheartening. Just as it seemed that women of color were finally receiving meaningful investment, this decision underscored the systemic precarity that still defines the WNBA for so many. Martínez, a Dominican-American forward with international experience, was cut by the Liberty for the second year in a row, despite strong performances during training camp and an ever-growing fanbase in New York. She wasn't the only one. Kaitlyn Chen, the first Taiwanese-American player ever drafted into the league, was selected 30th overall by the Golden State Valkyries and quickly became a fan favorite — her jersey even ranked among the team's top sellers — but she was still waived before the season started. The decision sparked criticism that the team had leveraged Chen's marketability without offering a genuine chance to earn a roster spot. Now, in a turn of events, the Valkyries have re-signed Chen, just weeks after her initial release. Still, these waivers reveal a hard truth: Visibility doesn't equal stability, especially when institutions profit from representation without committing to equity. These aren't isolated incidents. They're part of a larger pattern where women of color are celebrated as symbols but denied the sustained investment needed to succeed. It speaks to a deeper structural failure in professional women's sports: the ongoing neglect of long-term development and support for women athletes of color. Such is the criticism surrounding the Chicago Sky's management. At the center of the Sky fallout is the underdevelopment of young stars like Cardoso, whose story began in Montes Claros, Brazil, and who represents a new generation of international Latina athletes navigating a U.S. sports system that often overlooks their unique needs and cultural identities. Cardoso's potential is undeniable. Standing 6'7", she dominated at the collegiate level, winning an NCAA championship with South Carolina in 2024. Yet since joining the WNBA, she has seen limited playtime, raising questions about the Sky's developmental strategy. Cardoso often seems like an afterthought in the team's rotation — a glaring contradiction in a league that claims to be invested in growing the game. Her situation is a microcosm of a broader issue: Latina athletes, whether born in the U.S. or internationally, are frequently celebrated for their potential but rarely given the long-term support and resources needed to thrive at the professional level. Cardoso's journey is evidence that talent alone isn't enough. Without intentional investment from coaching staff, media, and league leadership, too many Latina athletes remain underdeveloped, under-promoted, and undervalued. But the lack of investment in Latina athletes isn't just a WNBA issue. It's a systemic failure across sports. Take boxing superstar Amanda Serrano. The Brooklyn-born Puerto Rican is arguably one of the greatest boxers alive. Serrano has held world titles in seven weight classes. And yet, despite her record, she spent years waiting for a headline fight within the male-dominated world of professional boxing. That opportunity finally came in 2022 — not through legacy sports networks, but through Jake Paul, a YouTuber-turned-boxer who promoted her under his brand Most Valuable Promotions. While the partnership undeniably boosted Serrano's visibility, it also came at a cost. Paul is among the wave of wealthy Americans exploiting Act 60, a tax loophole fueling the gentrification crisis in Puerto Rico. So while Serrano rises, the terms of her success remain entangled in the same colonial logic that displaces the very communities she represents. It raises a hard, necessary question: Why did one of the most-decorated athletes need a white male co-sign to be seen, paid, and valued? ' "Her situation is a microcosm of a broader issue: Latina athletes, whether born in the U.S. or internationally, are frequently celebrated for their potential but rarely given the long-term support and resources needed to thrive at the professional level." Nic Rodríguez Villafañe ' Sports media is another culprit. When the Orlando Pride won the 2024 NWSL Cup, led by Brazilian legend Marta Vieira da Silva, national sports media coverage was nearly nonexistent. I remember receiving a notification on my phone about the win. I rushed to turn on my TV, thinking I would see a special segment on the win, but I found virtually nothing on major sports network shows. Aside from a brief ESPN segment, most of the celebration lived in local Central Florida news outlets, despite Marta finally lifting a major domestic trophy. For a player of her stature — a six-time FIFA World Player of the Year — it was remarkable silence. Media visibility builds brands, secures endorsements, and cements legacies. When Latina athletes are sidelined, the message is clear: their excellence is still treated as exceptional, not foundational. And the cost is real. Young fans lose the chance to see themselves reflected — not as tokens but as centerpieces. Visibility can't be a seasonal gesture or a viral exception; it must be built into the structure. Because when representation isn't matched with resources, it becomes decoration, not transformation. In the '80s and '90s, U.S. sports culture wasn't concerned with representing the full mosaic of its players or fans. It was about rallying around a myth of national unity. To play and support the game was, in many ways, to assimilate. Ethnic identity was something that was left at the locker room door or seasonally celebrated. As a kid, I remember quietly wondering if Lobo or Taurasi were Latinas like me, based only on their last names. Their heritage wasn't an elevated focus of their story. That absence shaped a generation of us — athletes and fans alike — who learned to see ourselves only partially reflected, especially when it comes to the main stage of sports. Now, as women's sports enter what many are calling a golden age, we have a chance to do it differently. Thankfully, the next generation is taking control of their narratives — securing NIL deals, building visibility on TikTok and Instagram, and telling their stories on their own terms. Take Notre Dame standout Hidalgo, who is not only dominating the ACC but is also quietly building a brand — with deals from Red Bull, Topps, and Aloft South Bend — all while embracing her Puerto Rican roots and sharing that journey with her followers. There's also Lou Lopez Sénéchal, the first Mexican-born player in the WNBA, who said, 'This is an opportunity to open doors for other players and hopefully have an impact and inspire more young people from Mexico.' Meanwhile, Puerto Rican center Isalys Quiñones, who is newly entering the spotlight, uses her social channels to offer compelling glimpses into her pro journey and culture. ' "When Latina athletes are sidelined, the message is clear: their excellence is still treated as exceptional, not foundational. And the cost is real. Young fans lose the chance to see themselves reflected — not as tokens but as centerpieces. " Nic Rodríguez Villafañe ' These women are doing more than scoring; they're becoming cultural catalysts. Across courts and timelines, they're proving that Latina athletes are not just part of the game — they're changing it. Still, the burden shouldn't fall on rookies to carry the league's conscience. The media must invest. Teams must develop. Fans must show up. Equity is not a favor; it's the future. That's what platforms like Drafted understand. Founded by Karina Martinez and Jennifer Yepez-Blundell in 2023, the culture-driven media brand emerged from the absence of Latina representation and transformed that void into a movement. What began as a space to uplift fan stories has become a powerful ecosystem: editorial coverage, experiential events, and real-time amplification of Latina athletes, coaches, and sports professionals. It fills the gaps where mainstream media falls short, where Latine Heritage Month hype rarely translates into contract security, injury support, or career longevity. And now, with the recent announcement of an all-women's sports network co-founded by Whoopi Goldberg, the landscape is shifting further. That venture — backed by both cultural and financial capital — signals that the demand for women's sports isn't niche; it's necessary. Together, projects like Drafted and Goldberg's network are not just covering women's sports, they're rebuilding the architecture of who gets to be seen, celebrated, and sustained. ' "These women are doing more than scoring; they're becoming cultural catalysts. Across courts and timelines, they're proving that Latina athletes are not just part of the game — they're changing it." Nic Rodríguez Villafañe ' The stakes are real. Latina athletes, like all women athletes of color, face the compounded harm of shallow narratives, unstable rosters, and chronically underfunded futures. It's about pay and it's also about narrative justice, infrastructure, commitment, and a cultural recalibration. So imagine with me a world where investment in women's sports is rooted not in trend but in trust. Where fans treat women's games not as novelties but as a culture of celebration. A culture where visibility isn't seasonal and Latina athletes aren't firsts or exceptions but foundations. We don't need to wait for that world to arrive. We can build it now.
