Sean Hurd
@seanahurd.bsky.social
2.5K followers 160 following 23 posts
women's basketball writer for ESPN's Andscape 📝 https://andscape.com/contributors/sean-hurd/ Email: [email protected]
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seanahurd.bsky.social
Phoenix Mercury rookie Monique Akoa Makani is the first player from Cameroon 🇨🇲 to play in the WNBA Finals.

She hopes her visibility will inspire the next generation of Cameroonian players to chase their own basketball dreams.

“It only takes one person.”
andscape.com/features/pho...
Phoenix Mercury's Monique Akoa Makani derives pride, purpose from African roots - Andscape
The Phoenix Mercury's Monique Akoa Makani is the first player from Cameroon to play in the WNBA Finals.
andscape.com
seanahurd.bsky.social
"She’ll do whatever it takes.”

Alyssa Thomas' will to win is unlike anything her teammates have seen. It's in her attention to detail, competitive fire and her relentless pursuit of the WNBA's ultimate prize.

On AT and her chase of a championship
andscape.com/features/she...
‘She’ll do whatever it takes’: Alyssa Thomas’ competitive fire drives championship quest
Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas would appreciate it if you stopped talking about her shoulders. In recent years, Thomas’ shoulder injuries became almost s…
andscape.com
seanahurd.bsky.social
When she’s not on the court hooping for the Atlanta Dream, you can find Naz Hillmon shooting another type of shot.

This year, Hillmon has cultivated a passion for photography. I sat down with her to discuss some of her favorite 📸 from this season.

Full 📹 www.youtube.com/watch?v=drFx...
seanahurd.bsky.social
‘You can’t tell by just looking at me, but I do have a lot of culture, and it has definitely shaped who I am.’

From an upbringing steeped in Cape Verdean & Senegalese cultures to a love of music and dance – there's more to Sonia Citron than meets the eye.
andscape.com/features/wes...
West African roots, strong work ethic drive Washington Mystics rookie Sonia Citron
With Washington Mystics guard Sonia Citron, there’s more than meets the eye. The rookie guard has made waves this WNBA season for her versatile play, which has …
andscape.com
seanahurd.bsky.social
"If I didn’t go through what I did, then I don’t think I'd have the fire that I have in me now.”

Kayla Thornton was raised on the principles of faith and discipline, which have also defined her WNBA career. My story on KT's path from undrafted to All-Star.
andscape.com/features/gol...
Golden State Valkyries’ Kayla Thornton kept putting in work. Now she’s an All-Star.
Golden State Valkyries forward Kayla Thornton calls the period between 2014 and 2016 the hardest years of her career.  After ending her college career as t…
andscape.com
seanahurd.bsky.social
Ahead of All-Star weekend, I sat down with Indiana Fever legend Tamika Catchings at one of her tea shops in Indy.

We discuss her All-Star Game memories, the state of the WNBA, the growth of Caitlin Clark & Aliyah Boston as a tandem, and her awesome mural!

Full 🎥: youtu.be/O3lxOdpa8es?...
seanahurd.bsky.social
We’ve assembled a list of Black women who are moving the WNBA forward – movers and shakers who are leading the league into the future.

With insightful words from LaChina Robinson, Monica McNutt, Ari Chambers and Carolyn Peck on the impact these women have made
andscape.com/features/the...
These Black women are moving the WNBA forward
This weekend, the WNBA ecosystem will converge on Indianapolis to celebrate the league’s standout performers.  On site will be all of the WNBA’s biggest mo…
andscape.com
seanahurd.bsky.social
When I asked Azurá Stevens about what's motivating her play, she didn't mention any accolade or personal achievement.

Stevens is fueled by gratitude – to be healthy, make her family proud, to play in the W.

It's resulted in the best season of her career.
andscape.com/features/set...
Setbacks slowed Azurá Stevens’ ascent, but now she’s enjoying a breakthrough season
For much of her WNBA career, Los Angeles Sparks forward Azurá Stevens has been in search of consistency on and off the court. In her previous seven WNBA seasons…
andscape.com
seanahurd.bsky.social
Before she shined on a basketball court, Temi Fagbenle had a love of acting and dreamed of one day starring on screen

New story on how a DM to Gina Prince-Bythewood led to a role for Fagbenle in the star-studded adaptation of 'Children of Blood and Bone'
andscape.com/features/the...
The Golden State Valkyries’ Temi Fagbenle loves basketball — but acting is her dream
As a student at Blair Academy, a small boarding school in New Jersey, Temi Fagbenle was living the best of both worlds.  At 6-foot-4, Fagbenle, who now pla…
andscape.com
seanahurd.bsky.social
"She’s taken her career into her own hands.”

Gabby Williams, the Seattle Storm's "French army knife," is having a career year as one of the most dynamic forces in the W. The prospective All-Star invested in herself.

Now, it's paying dividends.
andscape.com/features/for...
For Seattle Storm’s Gabby Williams, investing in herself has paid dividends
When looking at Seattle Storm forward Gabby Williams’ pro basketball career to date, the 2021 WNBA season marks an inflection point – despite Williams not havin…
andscape.com
Reposted by Sean Hurd
lukeknox.me
NEW PROJECT: WNBA Franchise History Quiz - See how your knowledge of the W’s many franchises (from 1997 to 2026 and beyond) stacks up.

www.espn.com/espn/feature...
seanahurd.bsky.social
Napheesa Collier is currently charting a path that could one day make her one of the top stakeholders in women's basketball.

It's clear the Minnesota Lynx star has realized her power in the sport. Now, she’s ready to wield it.
andscape.com/features/nap...
Napheesa Collier’s influence in the WNBA grows with each win on and off the court
As Napheesa Collier prepared to take the court for Unrivaled’s 1-on-1 tournament in February at Wayfair Arena in Miami, she was asked how she dealt with having …
andscape.com
seanahurd.bsky.social
Tonight, Saniya Rivers will have her WNBA Draft moment.

But there was a period during Rivers' collegiate career where she thought she didn't want to become a pro.

On Rivers' journey and what led her to recommit to her dream – one which she'll now realize
andscape.com/features/nc-...
NC State’s Saniya Rivers nearly cast aside her WNBA dream. Now it’s coming true.
Saniya Rivers found herself in need of some tattoo therapy. The NC State guard was reeling after her team had been upset by Virginia Tech in January 2024 by way…
andscape.com
seanahurd.bsky.social
“A’ja has given hope to every little boy & girl who dare to dream and have their dreams realized before their very eyes. ... Her reality is she’s the best player in the world – from our city.”

On A'ja Wilson's enduring SC legacy ahead of her jersey retirement on Sunday
andscape.com/features/aja...
A’ja Wilson’s imprint on South Carolina’s program stretches far beyond the court
Dawn Staley first met A’ja Wilson in 2009. Staley had just finished her first season as the head coach of the University of South Carolina women’s basketball te…
andscape.com
Reposted by Sean Hurd
seanahurd.bsky.social
“What I don’t think that I gave a lot of credence to in the beginning is not everybody wants to build.”

I spoke to Ohemaa Nyanin about her first months as GM of the Valkyries, what she's looking for in Friday's expansion draft and what her biggest strength is as a GM
andscape.com/features/gol...
Golden State Valkyries general manager strategizes game plan for expansion draft
For Ohemaa Nyanin, it felt like the perfect ending and best-case scenario.  As the New York Liberty celebrated its first WNBA championship in franchise his…
andscape.com
seanahurd.bsky.social
“People are saying expansion teams aren’t usually very good in their first year. That’s a great challenge to tell me."

Valkyries HC Natalie Nakase on her motivation for coaching, the non-negotiables she seeks in players and her yearslong preparation for this moment
andscape.com/features/nat...
Natalie Nakase’s next challenge? Coaching the Golden State Valkyries to Year 1 success
Natalie Nakase has never shied away from a challenge.  For the new coach of the Golden State Valkyries, a challenge is merely a provocation, an opportunity…
andscape.com
seanahurd.bsky.social
“What I don’t think that I gave a lot of credence to in the beginning is not everybody wants to build.”

I spoke to Ohemaa Nyanin about her first months as GM of the Valkyries, what she's looking for in Friday's expansion draft and what her biggest strength is as a GM
andscape.com/features/gol...
Golden State Valkyries general manager strategizes game plan for expansion draft
For Ohemaa Nyanin, it felt like the perfect ending and best-case scenario.  As the New York Liberty celebrated its first WNBA championship in franchise his…
andscape.com
seanahurd.bsky.social
This felt like an important sequence for Notre Dame

Hannah Hidalgo rebound, pushes in transition, finds Olivia Miles for 3

Then Miles steal, transition, finds Hidalgo for 3

Though stars individually, they have really bought in to elevating each other. When they combine their games, it's electric
Reposted by Sean Hurd
kpelton.bsky.social
WNBA teams must send the Golden State Valkyries their list of six protected players for the Dec. 6 expansion draft by Monday, and I went through my projections for which players each team will protect: www.espn.com/wnba/story/_...
Which WNBA players might hear their name called in the Valkyries' expansion draft?
Every WNBA team can protect six players in Golden State's expansion draft on Dec. 6. We project which players will be protected on draft day.
www.espn.com
seanahurd.bsky.social
“One thing that keeps me going every day is just knowing that he would want me to keep going."

Texas A&M's Amirah Abdur-Rahim is intent on upholding and sharing her brother Amir's legacy, remaining connected to him by continuing to play the game that bonded them.
andscape.com/features/tex...
Texas A&M’s Amirah Abdur-Rahim carries on brother’s legacy in ‘every play, every basket’
When Texas A&M forward Amirah Abdur-Rahim was in high school, the 6-foot-3 forward from Georgia had over a dozen Division I college basketball programs vyin…
andscape.com
seanahurd.bsky.social
Small sample size, but it's apparent that Te-Hina Paopao has emphasized getting to the rim and scoring inside the arc this season – on top of being a perimeter threat.

- 24.4% of FGA have been at the rim; 11.4% last year (per CBB Analytics)

- 56% of her FGA have come inside the arc (41% last year)
seanahurd.bsky.social
Big overtime win for Kenny Brooks and No. 20 Kentucky tonight over No. 18 Louisville.

Kentucky's last win against Louisville was in 2015. Brooks gets the W in his first year leading the Wildcats.

The Brooks era in Lexington is off to an impressive start
Reposted by Sean Hurd
corahall.bsky.social
The Women's Basketball Hall of Fame 2025 class is here, and it's a big one. WNBA legends Sylvia Fowles, Sue Bird, Cappie Pondexter and Alana Beard highlight the class.

Coaches Lucille Kyvallos and Mark Campbell join them, as well as WBCA director Danielle Donehew www.knoxnews.com/story/sports...
Women's Basketball Hall of Fame 2025 class highlighted by WNBA legends Sylvia Fowles, Sue Bird
The Women's Basketball Hall of Fame 2025 class is highlighted by WNBA legends Sylvia Fowles, Sue Bird, Cappie Pondexter and Alana Beard.
www.knoxnews.com