Are you ready to see more of some of your favorite hoopers across WNBA social media platforms?  These six athletes boast a combined 13 All-Star appearances, three number-one overall picks, and a pair of WNBA Finals Championships and Collegiate National Championships between this star-studded class.

The 2024 cohort includes a trio of walking buckets in Jewell Loyd, Arike Ogunbowale, and Rhyne Howard.

Joining the trio of guards are three of the most impactful bigs in the W, including the reigning 2023 WNBA Rookie of the Year, Aliyah Boston, emerging defensive stalwart Shakira Austin, and the double-double machine, Brionna Jones.

You’ll see more of these athletes on our channels, at events, but for now, we sat down with each of them to learn more about their mindsets, passions, and the legacies they plan to leave, both on and off the court.

Drew Acampora: “What does it mean to be a part of a team such as the Atlanta Dream that can connect so well on and off the court?”

Rhyne Howard: It’s rare to have a team where we all like each other a hundred percent, like we aren’t putting on a show for the cameras. We naturally want to be around each other, but also, we know when it’s time to be about business. Of course, we are going to bump heads but at the end of the day we know we’re going to push each other to be better.”

DA: “When it comes to your dribble pull-up game, who would say was your biggest influence growing up?”

RH: “I would say my influence was Maya Moore, but I will say as I got older and got closer to the game that l would watch people like Jewell Loyd and Betnijah Laney. When I was in college, I was always watching WNBA League Pass in my free time. Every night, I was studying the game.”

DA: “Shot creation comes so naturally to you, but when did you feel like you started to come into your own as a scorer and who influenced your game the most growing up?”

Jewell Loyd: I think a lot of it comes from me playing in the park with the guys, I’d watch what they do and figured if I couldn’t get my shot off, I wouldn’t be playing, so I had to find a way. I also used to watch people like my brother, Kobe, AI, Tracy McGrady, and Cynthia Cooper, so I’d just try to watch a lot and imitate that.

DA: “What do you appreciate most about the Gold Mamba moniker and what comes with it?

JL: “It’s something that I don’t take lightly. It’s something that Kobe gave to me, and a lot of the honor is just way more than basketball. He always told me you could be great forever and that it can lead to so many other factors of life.”

DA: “Being that you’ve stayed in Seattle your whole career, what is your favorite part about the culture of the city”

JL: “Honestly, it’s just the people, the city, it’s the only thing I’ve known as a professional. They show up no matter how the season is going. Whether it’s a good or bad game, they show up no matter what. Seattle is such a sports city. Everyone supports us and everyone roots for one another, which is nice.”

A trio of No. 1 overall draft picks (Jewell in 2015, Rhyne in 2022 and Aliyah in 2023)

DA: “After having an incredible rookie year, talk to me about what you’re looking to bring to the table for next season and why?”

Aliyah Boston: “Offensively I want to be able to expand my game out (to the perimeter), looking to be more consistent around the basket. Defensively I want to continue to be more of a presence. I did an okay job with that my rookie season, but a part of that was just me feeling out the game, understanding how the game is going to be called, and adapting quicker.”

DA: “Have you thought about your legacy post-career and how you want to be remembered when you leave the game?”

AB: “I want to be remembered as one of the top women to play the game but also someone who left a mark on their community. I think it’s important to never forget where you came from, but also to let people see God through me.”

DA: “What was your favorite part about playing under coach Dawn Staley and what does that relationship look like today?”

AB: “I love Coach Staley; she did such an excellent job helping me find my voice at such a young age. She helped me be confident enough to be a leader on a team where I wasn’t the oldest. The relationship has not changed, I can still call her…I am actually going to text her later today for a favor (smiles emphatically). I know that she always got me, and she knows if she ever needs anything from me, I got her.

DA: “If you could define yourself on and off the court in one word, what would it be? What’s the biggest similarity and difference between who you are on and off the court?

Arike Ogunbowale: “On the court, I’d say I am intense but off the court I am calm. For similarities I would say my confidence, I have that on and off the court. For differences, I would say my competitive dog mentality on the court compared to off the court I am very chill.

DA: “Do you feel like a good pre-game tunnel fit impacts the way you play the game?”

AO: “It’s always if you feel good and you look good then you usually play good because you have the confidence going into the game. (Shoutout Deion) I like to put on clothes that make me feel good and give me good energy and vibes, so I feel like when you have a good tunnel fit on it cares about the game.

DA: “As you look back on your journey to recovery, what are you most proud of and what have you learned about yourself?

Brionna Jones: “I am most proud of my ability to stick with it, because it’s tough to get injured in the middle of the season like that, but to look up and think about where I wanted to be and how far I have come is important.”

DA: “Real hoopers know that you have maybe the greatest touch around the basket in the W and are a nightly double-double. However, when most people hear “Bri Jones,” they immediately think “Oh, underrated.” Do you embrace being underrated or is that something you channel as a chip on your shoulder?

BJ: “It’s almost like a chip on my shoulder because I have always wanted to prove people wrong my entire life. Coming out of high school people would say that I was just bigger than everybody and that it wouldn’t work in college. Once I got to college and was successful, people would say that I couldn’t be a five (Center) in the league because I was too small. So, for me it’s always been about proving people wrong and having that chip on my shoulder.”

DA: Playing in Connecticut, what’s it like when you can make time to see family in Maryland?

BJ: “The best part is seeing my family without a doubt. Family is everything to me. I’m extremely close with my brothers and sisters and that’s the best part about being close to home by far.

DA: “Explain where the charisma and intensity that you play with came from?

Shakira Austin: “My Dad has always instilled in me to be unapologetically me and to play with confidence and swag. Respecting and trusting the work you put in to get here is naturally just in my personality. So, I want people to know who I am and that I am going to talk.”

DA: “As a DMV native how does it feel to be able to play in front of the hometown”

SA: “It’s amazing, it really is a home atmosphere; I grew up around here, so I have my family and friends coming to the games and to have that type of support since year one is something I appreciate.”

DA: “Talk to me about the legacy you want to leave both on and off the court.

SA: “At the end of the day I am more than a basketball player. My dad always taught me that so, being able to leave my legacy on the floor is a big priority of mine. However, understanding that there is more out there to give, more people to touch and I feel like that’s going to be my testimony.”