As Smith travels from city to city, averaging 11.6 points and 7.6 rebounds this season, she loves popping into her favorite store, Louis Vuitton, with all the bespoke nuances the luxury brand adds to its locations.

“I love Louis Vuitton,” Smith told Andscape. “I like how they put out a lot of clothes and shoes that have bright colors and different designs on them. My favorite pair is the green version from the Tyler, the Creator and Louis Vuitton collaboration.”

The 2019 NCAA champion never orders her Louis Vuitton Trainers online. Instead, she prefers the full in-store experience. “If I’m going to pay $1,000 for a pair of shoes, I want all parts of the experience and I’m going to get my money’s worth. I want the custom bottles of water and champagne, everything.”

Smith first realized her love of styling when she was in college and began to earn her own money. She prides herself on never using a stylist and was elated to begin executing the outfits in her mind once she started attending Baylor University.

The three-time All-Big 12 First-Team member credits her parents for always doing what they could to ensure she had access to the latest styles.

“The first shoe that made me say, ‘Oh, my goodness, I have to have these,’ was definitely the ‘Powder Blue’ Jordan 3s,” Smith said. “My parents would always do this thing, trying to make me think I wouldn’t get the shoe, but then they would end up getting it for me.”

When Smith was on her way to becoming the Big 12 Player of the Year in 2021 and 2022 and the Big 12 Tournament Most Outstanding Player in 2021, she mainly incorporated neutral tones into her outfits. Getting fly meant pairing her favorite Jordans with a matching fitted sweatsuit.

These days, the 2021 Wade Trophy winner enjoys looking back at her own “glo-up.” She said if the outfit is from college but still up on her Instagram, it indicates she’s proud of it and enjoys now having the means to take her game-day style up a few notches.

“One of my favorite outfits this season was what I wore when we played the Phoenix Mercury away for the first time,” Smith said. “I liked another outfit I wore with an oversized jersey and Timberlands. The jersey look was definitely inspired by the ’90s. I really like the super-baggy look. My second favorite would probably be when I wore a New York jacket.”

After the Fever drafted Smith as the second overall pick in 2022, Puma added the 23-year-old forward to its women’s basketball roster. Although she has several different Puma sneakers at her disposal, she tends to favor one specific model, preferably in bold, brash colors.

Michael Gonzales/NBAE via Getty Images

Indiana Fever forward NaLyssa Smith wearing the Puma x LaMelo Ball MB.02 “Nickelodeon Slime” during the game on July 17 at the College Park Center in Arlington, TX. She favors wearing Ball's sneakers because "Melos always come in crazy colorways."

Emilee Chinn/Getty Images

Indiana Fever forward NaLyssa Smith wearing the violet-hued Puma x LaMelo Ball MB.01 “Queen City” during a game against the Washington Mystics at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on June 19 in Indianapolis.

Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images

Indiana Fever forward NaLyssa Smith wearing the Puma x LaMelo Ball MB.01 “Golden Child” during the game against the New York Liberty on July 6 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. "I like to stand out when I am on the court."

“I only like to wear LaMelos when I’m playing,” Smith said. “I like to stand out when I am on the court, and I don’t like to look like anyone else. The Melos always come in crazy colorways.”

As Smith continues to grow in the WNBA, she aims to incorporate vibrant colors into her signature look.

“My mom always tells me that she has a really easy time pointing me out on the court because I always have on the brightest and most colorful shoes. Over the years, I really have made that my thing and I try to stay away from the boring black and white shoes.”

Powers designed the colorway with Jordan as a tribute to her father, a sergeant in the Marines. 

“It was a moment that I’ll never forget,” Powers said. “Jayson Tatum is one of my favorite basketball players. It really meant a lot to me that he wore those shoes in one of the biggest games of his life, not because it’s Tatum, but because those shoes are a thank you to my dad and all veterans.”

The 2016 All-Rookie team member credits her father for her work ethic and attack strategy for dealing with adversity. 

“Tatum wearing the shoes meant so much to me and my family and it gave me a sense of inspiration to keep going even with a chip on my shoulder especially after everything I went through last year with not playing as much,” Power said.

Before being traded to the Atlanta Dream in February, Powers played for the Minnesota Lynx for three seasons. She was a starter on the team, but as the 2023 season progressed, she occasionally saw the floor for five minutes. Powers is now a starting guard with the Dream, averaging 8.3 points and three rebounds per game.

Even with her fluctuating minutes, Powers still looks forward to styling outfits around her favorite Jordan 1 colorways for walk-in pictures. When Powers saw Tatum in her PE, it inspired Powers, who won a WNBA championship in 2019 with the Washington Mystics, to continue her quest for a second championship. As Powers watched Game 5, she continued to text and call her father.

“Seeing one of the top players in my shoe was a reminder to me and my dad about how hard we have worked towards this point and for me to continue to see success in this league,” Powers said.

The inspiration for the “Camo” Tatum 2 has been intertwined with different parts of Powers’ life since middle school, starting with her introduction to video games. Growing up, Powers and her younger brother Juan Jr. engaged in small bickering as siblings tend to do. Once, over the course of a few weeks, Powers noticed her brother playing video games and talking into a headset.

“Who are you talking to on that thing?” Powers asked.

Her brother explained he was playing Call of Duty online with strangers.

“Come on, man, show me, show me!” Powers said.

Juan Jr. showed Powers how to play, and she said she fell in love immediately.

“My dad eventually came in and was like, ‘You guys are too quiet in here,’ ” Powers said. “He was surprised to see us getting along. My dad is a Marine through and through so, he naturally likes Call of Duty, too. The next day, he came home with two more Xboxes and two new headsets. We were in this small house just driving my mom insane with all the noise. We’re screaming into the headsets but sitting right next to each other. Since then, it’s just been a part of my life.”

Powers has transformed her love of gaming into advocating for female gamers. She started out by representing the esports organization Team Liquid by spearheading their diversity and inclusion efforts and is now a co-owner. She’s also active with the Global Esports Federation and is a member of the organization’s Athletes, Players and Community Commission.

During the coronavirus pandemic, she grew closer to her soon-to-be teammate, Dream guard Allisha Gray, when they played Call of Duty and NBA 2K together.

“In the pandemic, we used to get on the game at 10 p.m. and wouldn’t get off until 3 in the morning,” Powers said. “I would get up, go work out and then get back on for another three or so hours.”

Powers also uses avatars within her games to express creativity in fashion and sneakers. Creating her My Player reminds her that much remains to be done to advance women’s equality.

“You can buy WNBA jerseys and WNBA T-shirts within the game for your player and put whatever sneakers you want on them,” Powers said. “But I think it can go even a step further to help girls get involved by having gaming charity events, tournaments and STEM programming to encourage them centered around gaming.”

Outside of her console, Powers has a real-life alter ego named Spiderwoman. When Powers activates her alter ego, she wears a white Spiderwoman costume and tries to go undetected to open runs and gyms.

“Spiderwoman has become so popular amongst my fans that in Los Angeles people know me as Spiderwoman before they know me as Aerial Powers the WNBA player,” Powers said.

To follow up the “Camo” Tatum 2, Powers wants to combine her obsession with gaming and sneakers. She wants to create a Spiderwoman PE colorway that includes the shoes of fellow Jordan athletes Tatum, Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Dončić and New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson.

“Wearing Jordans and Jordan apparel is incomparable to me,” Powers said. “Everybody instantly sees you as soon as you walk into a room.”

Outside of a strenuous recovery, the Dream guard used the time to be strategic about showing off her style.

Canada’s interest in fashion has evolved significantly as her game has grown on the court. She now selects her footwear first and builds her outfits around it. Her shoe rotation for the sideline includes luxury brands such as Louis Vuitton trainers for style and Balenciaga Speed knits for comfort. She aims to let her statement pieces speak for themselves, often choosing oversized jackets or printed pants to make her outfits pop.

The two-time WNBA All-Defensive Team selection is eager to contribute to her new squad. After starting her career with the Seattle Storm and playing one season in her hometown of Los Angeles with the Sparks, she was traded (along with the eighth pick in the 2024 draft) to the Dream in exchange for Aari McDonald and the 12th pick. Last season, Canada led the league with 2.3 steals per game, averaging 13.3 points and 6 assists.

Canada enjoyed immediate success as the fifth overall pick in 2018, winning a championship with the Storm in her first season. During Canada’s early days, she learned directly from five-time Olympic gold medalist Sue Bird and emerged as the Storm’s starting point guard the following year.

In 2020, Canada signed an endorsement deal with Jordan Brand as part of “the next wave” of women athletes to represent the company on the hardwood. She has worn multiple models over the past few seasons, such as the flagship model, UCLA-themed colorways for her alma mater or even her own player exclusives to highlight initiatives she supports.

Andscape caught up with Canada as the guard prepared for her first game in a Dream uniform.

The interview has been edited for length and clarity.

How has your dynamic with sneakers changed since you signed with Jordan?

I’ve always been versatile when it comes to sneakers. I’ve been blessed to have a lot of Jordan sneakers, other sports brands and luxury sneakers. Before I signed with Jordan, there were times when I couldn’t access a sneaker that I might want. I have always been a huge Jordan girl, and now getting them is super-smooth. I can get many exclusive sneakers that many people can’t get and even get an extra pair for a friend or family member. It’s a blessing to have this luxury, because not everyone gets the opportunity.

Growing up, what shoe was on your must-have list?

When I was younger, I used to hoop in Carmelo Anthony’s sneakers. I loved his retro shoes. When I got to high school, I was still wearing his shoes. In my senior year, we were sponsored by the Jordan Brand, and I used to wear Chris Paul’s PEs a lot. Those were the two I loved the most as a kid, but I wore Melos the most out of both. I got to meet both of them in passing at a Jordan event.

When did you realize you truly enjoy sneaker culture? 

I became a sneakerhead during my senior year of high school. When I went to college, I started paying attention to different brands and styles and noticing what I liked and didn’t like. At that point, it took off. Nike, Adidas, it didn’t matter, just anything that had a different look and allowed me to express myself, I was sold. Jordan has so many retro sneakers, too, and I enjoy using my partnership with Jordan now to dive into my style.

Adam Hagy/NBAE via Getty Images

Jordin Canada of the Atlanta Dream looks on during the game against the Minnesota Lynx on May 26 at Gateway Center Arena in College Park, Georgia.

Adam Hagy/NBAE via Getty Images

Atlanta Dream guard Jordin Canada before the game against the Las Vegas Aces on May 31 at Gateway Center Arena in College Park, Georgia.

Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images

Jordin Canada arrives to the arena before the game against the Indiana Fever on May 9 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

Adam Hagy/NBAE via Getty Images

Atlanta Dream guard Jordin Canada arrives to the arena before the game against the New York Liberty on June 6 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta.

How do you decide whether you want to adopt a classic look or follow the trends of the moment?

It’s about what I feel comfortable in and how I want to express myself that day. I always start with whatever sneaker I want to wear that day. Then, I decide if I want to dress it up or down. There will always be trends, but I like to get dressed based on how I feel and try not to pay attention to any of them.

With more emphasis on photographing WNBA walk-in outfits, has that caused you to think more about your outfits?

Fashion and the W have recently had more freelance or team photographers’ exposure. I think it’s great that people are invested in our fashion. Overall, as a league, people are starting to show up fashionably. It’s not just basketball players. It’s all women in sports. We have a lot of attention on us, and it’s really important to show our other side. Everyone has been doing a great job of showing their different personalities, their different styles and their creativity when it comes to clothing and dressing up.

Since you have not been able to play this season, how has putting effort into getting dressed helped your mental state?

I’m intentional about the styles and the clothes that I wear. When I sit on the bench, I focus on different statement pieces. My style has always been keeping it simple but with statement pieces. I like being intentional with details, too. I always come up with different looks. These past few months, with my game outfits, I’ve been trying different styles while staying true to who I am. I also consider how big the game is and whether it’s a national television game. If it’s a national game, then it’s more than likely that I’ll be on camera. Naturally, you want to make sure you look good.

What other causes do you want to bring awareness to or stories you want to tell through your PEs?

Last year, I used my [Air Jordan 38] PE to show my partnership with the Ronald McDonald House of Los Angeles, and I’m truly passionate about that. This year, I want to show more of my personality, so for this year, I leaned into my spirit animal and my zodiac sign. I’m a Leo and show that through my on-court appearance and being a leader. I wouldn’t say I’m feisty, but I’m very passionate about how I play. I haven’t gotten the chance to wear them yet, but I will. Off the court, I’m like a dolphin. They are smart, caring, loving and helpful. Jordin off the court and Jordin on the court are opposites.

At the end of May, the Harlem Globetrotter agreed to join AND1 because she was seeking an opportunity to pioneer a path for women with a similar background to hers.

Morris wanted to be a part of a “cultural explosion” that differed from how people thought a brand deal should look, similar to how she stood at the forefront of the tipping point in popularity for women’s basketball after winning a national championship at LSU with her teammate Angel Reese.

The left-handed guard’s path has been nontraditional from start to finish, but she likes it that way. Morris began her collegiate career with coach Kim Mulkey at Baylor University and transferred to Rutgers University and Texas A&M University. After leaving Texas A&M, she thought she would never play basketball again until Mulkey gave her one more chance at LSU. As a fifth-year senior, she delivered 15.4 points and 4.1 assists as the point guard for the Tigers’ national championship squad.

The Texas native was drafted by the Connecticut Sun as the 22nd overall pick in the 2023 WNBA draft. She was later waived during the preseason and believes that if it had not happened, she would have never gotten the opportunity to sign with AND1.

Andscape caught up with Morris between the guard’s workouts in preparation for AND1’s upcoming Open Run event at Coney Island in New York on Sunday.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

When you first started playing basketball, how did you approach gathering your sneaker collection?

I really started to get into my swag when I was a senior in high school. At first, I was the player that showed up just to hoop. I would come to the gym with Adidas shorts and Nike shoes. It didn’t matter to me. Once I got to college, I got into even more. I based my shoes and swag on the jerseys we wore that day, especially at LSU. We had this one white uniform with purple lettering that I’d always wear purple shoes with. I don’t get to do ‘matchy-matchy,’ but I like to bring the colors out.

Once you pick your shoes out, how do you put together the rest of your outfit?

On the court, I wear an arm sleeve. Sometimes, I want to do all or nothing with my headband, arm sleeve and tights or nothing at all. When I started wearing tights, my teammates would always hype it up, and sometimes they’d tease me and say, ‘I got my legs out today.’ But then there’s ‘Lex Luthor,’ and I’m in that zone. If I put that headband on, just know it’s Lex Luthor, and it’s about to be one of those nights. Most basketball players can relate to that. Once you slide that headband on, I feel like I will have one of the best games of my life.

What’s so special about you that AND1 wanted to sign you as their first female athlete?

AND1 is a movement powered by Black people, Black culture, inner cities and urban basketball. I am all of those things. I grew up in Beaumont, Texas. There were minimal resources, and it was tough. But I am fortunate to be someone that made it out. I grew up playing streetball, and streetball is what made me great. Being at AND1 is like being back home for me. We’re perfect for each other. Most of the time, I played with boys and had to fight for my spot on the court, but 90% of the things you do in life are about confidence, and I got it.

What are you looking forward to the most about creating with AND1?

There is a continuous need for female representation in sports and especially street culture. People try to push out street culture, but it’s the foundation of what started basketball. It’s the swag. I am excited to get to design my collection. Getting a signature collection for me is a dream come true. It’s something that I’ve always wanted to do.

I’m in a position to empower Black athletes and Black creators. I bring a more androgynous side, which is also underrepresented. You don’t have to be the girliest of the girls to wear my collection. I want to incorporate some NIL deals under the Alexis Morris brand with AND1. I’m searching for my first female athlete to bring on board.

How does a deal with a streetwear brand help young female athletes see there are nontraditional avenues for endorsements?

Even before I got my deal, I looked up at A’ja Wilson and Nike with her shoes, Angel [Reese] and Reebok, Caitlin [Clark] and Dana Evans. I have the same feeling and excitement they’ve created for me, and I want to create that for other female athletes. I get to offer tangible proof that little young girls, young women, and Black women all across the nation can see what happens when you dream big, different and ambitiously.

What would it mean to you to be the first WNBA player to integrate the AND1 brand and culture into the league?

I am looking forward to returning to the WNBA. It’s been my goal since I was 8, not just to make a team but to play in a season. There’s a misconception out there that I hate WNBA veterans and expect them to give up the positions they’ve worked for. This is how they get their livelihood. I apologize to the people I offended. Without making those comments, I couldn’t be where I am today.

I’m never going to quit on myself. I think it’ll be so dope to mesh the different audiences together. There’s even more viewership and marketing around the WNBA now that would bring even more eyes to the street culture vibe. I have also gained a lot of streetball moves since being a part of the Harlem Globetrotters, which I can’t wait to implement into organized basketball. I will be able to express all of my experiences. If I return, I’ll definitely be a bit more crafty.

Heathington, 25, created the multigenerational mix, which has received more than 950,000 views on TikTok and 10 million on YouTube, in January 2023 in his childhood bedroom in Upper Marlboro, Maryland.

Megan Thee Stallion pfirst performed the mashup two months later at the AT&T Block Party in her hometown of Houston.

“A stranger sent me a message on Instagram telling me that Megan was performing the song right now,” Heathington said. “I didn’t even know this person and then they sent me a screen recording from AT&T’s livestream of the event. I also had a few friends in the audience that recorded it live on their phones.”

Heathington started teaching himself how to produce music in 2019. He began to take his craft seriously in 2020 once the coronavirus pandemic forced him to take online classes and stay confined to his college apartment.

Heathington and his roommates listened to albums for hours, and light bulbs would consistently go off in his mind about songs that could possibly jell together. In 2021, he began mashing up and mixing hits from across the decades.

“I feel like I was experiencing a Pharrell [Williams] or a Kanye [West] in their early days,” Heathington’s college roommate Samuel Folaranmi said. “I’m just grateful to be a part of the experience.”

The Los Angeles native enrolled in his first piano lesson at 5 years old. During his childhood, his Sierra Leonean mother also found him a violin teacher and conducted singing lessons with Heathington at home.

“It’s really helped me to hone my ear,” Heathington said. “I can tell when something is wrong and it helps me to be that much more clean in my production.”

Heathington’s family moved to Upper Marlboro in 2009. He stuck with the violin through 12th grade, when he constantly auditioned for the band at school and made first chair. Heathington said he enjoyed learning key and time signatures and takes pride in knowing how to read music.

While studying history at North Carolina A&T, Heathington said, he experienced a “musical revelation” after being introduced to music from South Carolina, Georgia, Florida and songs deemed Black classics he had never heard before.

Being a former church choir performer himself, Heathington drifted toward members of the university’s gospel choir and talked about gospel playlists with them in exchange for introducing them to different sounds from his hometown. Heathington also began to listen to DJ sets at campus parties, seeing how crowds reacted to certain songs and analyzing why DJs chose their song order.

Heathington’s original setup consisted of a laptop with a broken screen connected to his television with a HDMI cord and a free trial of producing software from FL Studio. He began experimenting with stock sounds but with versions of the software costing from $99-$499, as a struggling college student Heathington had to make do.

“I watched him finesse that original setup he had,” Folaranmi said. “It really speaks to his dedication. The fact that he didn’t see that as an obstacle really showed me that the love for the music was there, and it’s like as a friend how can I not support that.”

Heathington released his first mashup, which blended rapper Young Dolph’s “Rain Rain” and SWV’s 1998 hit “Rain,” in April 2022 on TikTok. The mashup, which received 61,000 views, would be the beginning of a spike in followers and subscribers for the musician on TikTok, YouTube and Instagram.

“I saw a couple of people that were doing it on TikTok, and honestly I just felt like I could do it better than them,” Heathington said. “I started coming up with different things that I thought would fit. When I do a mashup, I want it to make sense.”

Heathington’s first viral mix, which blended Beyoncé’s “Check On It” and New Orleans bounce music, now has more than 730,000 views on TikTok. The mix is used on TikTok as background music for everything from videos of digital influencers restocking items in their homes to videos of simulating sensory content to dance challenges.

Professional makeup artist turned social influencer Jackie Aina also used Heathington’s Beyoncé mix on one of her viral grocery restock videos, attracting 3.8 million views.

“I always expected Arnett to blow up,” Heathington’s childhood best friend Efeohe Suleman said. “It was just a matter of time, and I just feel like it had to get into the right spaces with the right people. Everything now it’s just aligning properly.”

Rapper Flo Milli was the first celebrity to acknowledge Heathington’s work, for his mashup of her song “Hottie” with rapper Nicki Minaj’s “Check It Out.” Rappers Sexxy Red, Offset, Latto and 2Rare also have interacted with Heathington’s music on various social channels.

However, Heathington said Megan Thee Stallion’s acknowledgment meant the most to him.

A month before Megan Thee Stallion performed the young producer’s mashup in Houston, DJ Esentrik’s mashup of Beyoncé’s song “Cuff It” and rapper Twista’s 2009 hit “Wetter” went viral on TikTok. Beyoncé then released the mashup with Esentrik’s help with new vocals and chords.

Around the time of Heathington’s and Esentrik’s viral mashups, TikTok announced that more than 150 million Americans use the app. More than 1 billion videos are viewed on the app daily, according to Social Champ, a social media management tool.

With so many eyes on TikTok, Heathington said, he believes it will be the breeding ground for a new generation of producers.

While trying to navigate his digital audience, Heathington said he believes creators on Instagram and X, formerly known as Twitter, have to rely on followers and mutual users to repost their work, while on TikTok, the “For You” page helps reach the masses.

“To me, TikTok is the ultimate social media,” Heathington said. “You can post something right now and in an hour it could have 200,000 likes.”

As the Megan Thee Stallion and Sweat mashup began to gain traction on YouTube, Heathington lost his ability to earn money from ads on the global site because the songs being used to create the mixes were not his original works.

A YouTube video with 10 million views like Hetherington’s can earn the creator from $25,000-$300,000 depending on the advertisements the site inserts into the video. Before he was demonetized, he earned roughly $1,000 from YouTube, he said.

TikTok has even stricter policies on copyright infringement and content deemed “unoriginal,” which has kept Heathington from starting the process to earn money on the app by joining the Creator Fund. 

Heathington is an audiovisual support assistant for the World Bank by day and relies on that salary for his daily expenses, but he said the money he is missing out on from his social channels will come back to him once he begins releasing original songs.

“His authenticity is what is going to take him far. He pours his art and soul into figuring out what sounds good and what doesn’t,” Suleman said. “He loves it and he looks at producing his best work as a form of self-love, and I think people can feel that emotion.”

Heathington plans to release an album featuring a mix of R&B, hip-hop and rap with tracks he has produced, original rapping and singing with a few features at the end of the summer.

“Honestly, the time is now,” Heathington said. “My mashups have brought millions of eyes to other people’s music, and it’s time for me to do that for myself. Right now, it’s being meticulously crafted for everyone’s enjoyment.”

Since age 10, the WNBA champion has known the player she is on the court but wanted to find a way to display her style while having her sneakers do the talking.

With the help of her marketing agent, Greg Jones, Evans went from camping out to buy Jordans to having any Jordans she desired delivered right to her front door. Fans can view Evans’ sneakers on the Instagram account @danaevanskicks, highlighting her footwear selections.

Working on set for a Jordan photo shoot combines everything at the center of Evans’ passion. From the bright lights to having her selection from curated outfits and an on-site hair stylist, Evans feels like she is dreaming.

On Evans’ “Cheat Code” Tatum 2 player edition shoes, she has “find a way” engraved on the shoe’s arch, the cornerstone mantra for her life on the court and in her closet. Evans is the first woman from Gary, Indiana, to play in the McDonald’s All American game. She is the first player in ACC history to go from winning sixth Player of the Year (2019) to becoming Player of the Year twice (2020, 2021). After being drafted in 2021, Evans won a WNBA title with the Sky in her rookie season.

Being the first from her city to earn these accolades puts her in a position to lead the young Chicago team that has everybody looking. This season, expectations are high for the Sky after the organization hired WNBA legend Teresa Weatherspoon as coach and landed two highly touted rookies, forward Angel Reese and center Kamila Cardoso. Evans is averaging 10.4 points and 3.8 assists while assuming a leadership role on the court.

Andscape caught up with Evans on her off day in between games to discuss sneakers, style and finding success.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Growing up, how did you get Jordans that were in high demand or had a limited supply?

In middle school, I would camp out for Jordans I really wanted. I have always been a sneakerhead. In high school, I got close to someone who works at Champs. They looked out for me with all the exclusive Jordans I needed. My dad would usually be the one to go with me to camp out. I’ve always been a big fan of the Jordan 11s and any Christmas colorway. The ‘Cool Grey’ 11s were the first pair I camped out for.

With Indiana being known as a basketball state, how would you describe playing there growing up?

It was extremely competitive. I loved every second of it because I was competing against the best of the best every day. Indiana has always been talented in sports, especially basketball. It got me prepared for every level of basketball.

When did you realize you could make a career out of playing basketball?

I started playing in the fourth grade, so the fifth grade was when I knew for sure. I got my first college letter from Valparaiso University. Getting that also made me feel like I could take this seriously and make a career out of it. Valpo is about 30 minutes from Gary, so it felt good. 

Growing up in Gary, Indiana, only 40 minutes from Chicago, how does it feel to return to the same market as a professional?

I love it here. I feel like I’m at home. I’m close to all my friends, family and people I grew up with. Having them close by to support me has inspired me to want to do more and more. This season, we have a new identity. We pride ourselves on the defensive end, which feeds off our offense. Everyone on my team has a story. Everyone here has that extra motivation and that chip on their shoulder to go a little harder. We’re a gritty team, and that’s what gets us through. 

What made you start chronicling the sneakers you wear on a separate Instagram page?

My marketing agent, Greg [Jones], suggested I start showcasing the shoes I wear on and off the court. Nowadays, it’s a big thing to have a lot of shoes, switch things up and show how versatile you can be on and off the court with Jordans.

How are you being intentional about enjoying all aspects of playing in the WNBA outside of the games?

I think it’s important to have a life. If you identify yourself as just an athlete or a basketball player, you’ll have no identity if things aren’t going well on the court and you’re too tied into it. You have to know how to make yourself happy by doing other things. It’s about knowing who you are and sticking to that because it gets hard basketball-wise. You’ll want to have something to fall back on and be able to go to.

With more attention on the WNBA, how do you tune out the outside noise, focus on your mental health and play the game?

It’s not easy. It’s important to know who you have in your corner. You have to know who you can fall back on when things aren’t going well. You have to know who will be able to lift you up but be honest and hold you accountable. My parents are a big part of my success. They keep me grounded and levelheaded. They’ve always told me not to get too low or too high. It’s never perfect. You have to stay positive through hard times when people make nasty comments. I lean into my faith and stay close to God, making sure that I know who I am.

What is the most exciting part to you about getting dressed?

I love how accessories change your whole outfit from basic to popping. I like adding colors and just having fun with it. I used to be ‘in the box’ when it came to dressing and was afraid to be different and try things. Now, I made sure I have different looks and not looking like anyone else. I like trying different colorways with shoes, too. In high school, I liked to dress up and wanted to tap into that.

It really cranked up when I got signed to Jordan Brand because just going into meetings with them and talking about the fashion side of things was pretty dope. I was able to see more things and learn how clothes are designed. Doing Jordan photo shoots is like a dream come true for me. I like seeing how everything comes together and the process behind it. I love everything about being there. Doing this with Jordan is a blessing because that brand has always been my go-to.

What elements do you want to explore with your upcoming player edition shoes?

I want to start adding more detail. My last ones were my college colors with a little splash of pink because I can’t ever have enough pink. I’m still trying to figure out ideas. Greg is really good at helping me with that because I’m not super-creative in that aspect, but I know I have some good stuff coming.

Both were nonexistent.

In 2011, a young Nurse saw her hero, Minnesota Lynx star and Jordan Brand athlete Maya Moore, play while visiting the States for one of her sister’s AAU tournaments. At that moment, she knew the WNBA was obtainable for her.

Seven years later, the New York Liberty selected Nurse with the 10th pick in the WNBA draft. She also joined Moore as a member of the budding exclusive group of women’s basketball players on Jordan Brand’s roster.

Now at 28, she is already seen as a veteran of Canadian basketball by her peers in the league and home base. The admiration was displayed at the second annual WNBA Canada game on May 4 when she received two standing ovations.

Along the way, she’s always found ways to represent her home country through her footwear. She’s donned multiple Canada-inspired Jordan player exclusives, saw a Kia Nurse x Air Jordan 36 “Canada” release at retail, and there’s still more on the way.

Andscape caught up with Nurse before the Sparks and Phoenix Mercury preseason game, and she shared parts of her career in the WNBA and with the Jordan family.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

What was your sneaker shopping experience like growing up?

When we (Nurse’s AAU teammates) were younger, my AAU team equivalent in Canada that I played for all wore the same shoes. It always kind of was whatever was in stock for the kids at that time that became the team shoe. But there was never a woman’s shoe, right? But at least it was Jordan. We didn’t have an opportunity to go out and find a basketball shoe that was made by a women’s basketball player for women’s basketball players.

Does keeping your on-court style simple help you focus on the game and task at hand?

I find that things oftentimes kind of end up being a little bit of a distraction for me. Early on in my years, I used to do headbands a lot, mainly because I just had this curly hair, and sometimes it gets in my face and it’s in the way. But my typical hairstyles really remained the same throughout my career. It’s always really been a bun because I prefer having it up as opposed to a big ponytail swinging around my neck because I get really hot. I’m very habitual. My habits keep me basic, but the main way that I have really shown my individuality throughout my career, especially in the WNBA, has been in my shoes with Jordan.

From AAU to now playing in the WNBA, how has your court swag or individual flair that you add to your uniform changed?

I’m funny because a lot of players do the one leg sleeve swag nowadays, but my leg sleeve is actually a compression sleeve that I have to wear because of my knee injury. Yes, technically, I look cool, but medically, I need it.

How did growing up with a family of hard workers help you trust that if you work hard, you will get your own shoes?

The culture of my AAU team growing up was T-shirts with the sleeves cut off. I have always been basic and simple. We wore them instead of jerseys and people would always say to us, ‘Why don’t you guys get cooler jerseys?’ We never wanted to change who we were, that’s just Hamilton. We are a blue-collar town with a lot of people even working in steel factories. We work and earn our way. That’s where my confidence comes from and having my own shoes takes it to another level.

Since there was not a WNBA team in Canada and you were not able to access the games in your childhood home, what was it that made you believe that you could become a WNBA player? 

My sister was my ultimate role model and inspiration. My sister Tamika was the first Michael Jordan to me. If you turn the TV on in Canada, you aren’t going to find women’s basketball. It was going to be hockey, a little bit of NFL, some CFL, and the Toronto Raptors. Vince Carter was the guy in Toronto who really sparked basketball. Dino jerseys were huge.

What were some of the ways your sister helped you navigate playing basketball in America?

Staying in Canada to play basketball for high school was really important to me. It wasn’t typical at that time for Canadian players to get scouted and get scholarships. We were going through a phase of coaches beginning to see that there were some gems in Canada. Everyone was telling me I had to go to a prep school in the States to be found. But, my dad said to me, ‘if you’re good enough, you’re fine, they’ll find you.’ I knew that was my goal and I had to get good enough and be good enough to go down there [to the States]. I ended up on the [Canada] national team at 16. What’s good for one is good for all. If there was a coach there watching me to possibly give me a scholarship, they also saw my teammates.

Out of all your Canada-inspired player edition shoes, which one is your favorite?

I have to go with two of them. First, it’s what we call the ‘Hammer’ shoe for Hamilton. You had the hammer on the top of the shoe and 905, my area code where Jordans typically had Braille. The black and gold are the colors of my high school, St. Thomas More. Hamilton made me who I am. We are a tough city. We are a basketball city. My grandfather came from Trinidad and my other grandfather on my mother’s side moved from Prince Edward Island to Hamilton. You have to put your head down and go get it and grind for it. This shoe embodied all of that for me.

My other is my Pan Am Games 2015 shoe with the Games logo colors. It was probably the first time that I had played in a Canada jersey on home soil around my family and we won the championship. I skyrocketed into this role model and face of basketball in our country. It was a heavyweight at only 20. It’s been kind of the basis of my career in Canada and kind of that stepping stone to building to where we are today. This was a pivotal turning moment for our women’s national team to be seen on a national stage.

How did it make you feel to know that little girls in Canada could buy your Kia Nurse x Air Jordan 36 “Canada”?

This was different for me. A lot of people wanted to buy my other PEs, but they were just for me. These people could buy. It was wild. It’s still hard to put into words because when I look at the shoe, it represents me playing for Canada in the Tokyo Olympics and that’s the main thing in my career that I am proud of. It just made me feel so proud to be a part of Jordan.

What emotions did you feel when you realized there was going to be a female designer (Jordan Brand senior designer Kelsey Amy) on the other side designing your PEs?

It was so special. When I was signed with Jordan, they were beginning to find their way on the women’s side. Kelsey was one of the first people I met at Jordan. When I was working with her on the shoes, I would write the story I wanted to tell in paragraphs. When I saw the shoe for the first time, I was always amazed at every detail and it was beyond what I could have ever created. With one of my PEs, my nephews’ names are on it and I can look down and see them during a game. 

How does having a leadership position on Canada’s national team help you be a better veteran to Rickea Jackson and Cameron Brink?

In Canada and at UConn, I was surrounded by great leaders. I feel like I’m on the bridge between being here for a long time and also understanding the language of a rookie. I’m also still on the younger side and understand what it’s like to be anxious. I also understand that different rookies have different forms of communication that get the best results. You’re now adults in a different space. You don’t have schoolwork, people aren’t asking you if you did your homework or study hall or what time your pregame meal is. It’s all on you.

What was your initial reaction to the possibility of a WNBA franchise coming to Canada?

The landscape of women’s sports in Canada right now is super-exciting and it’s still pretty raw. It’s another piece to the puzzle that we really, truly do need in Canada. On TSN, where I also work, we do a lot of March Madness shows and coverage of the WNBA, but it will be great for Canadians to physically be able to go to the games and maybe get a high-five and autograph. Kids need touch points with those athletes. There’s a demand for it and people want it. If it does come to fruition, it would be fantastic.

“The carnival cost roughly $9,500,” Gray said. “I’ve known since I’ve been in high school that I wanted to have a huge event during my campaign. I had stilt walkers and everything. I wanted it to feel like a real carnival.”

Students at historically Black colleges and universities have a history of spending thousands of dollars on campaigns to obtain royal court and student government positions. In recent years, several HBCUs have even set new limits on how much students can spend.

“We’ve had students raffle off televisions, and this has been going on all the way since VCRs and DVDs were a thing and pretty popular,” Grambling State University Student Government Association adviser Barbara Payne said.

Campus queens and kings are deemed official representatives of their class or university, as well as SGA community service liaisons. The positions include speaking engagements, pitching and executing student programming, serving the local community and representing the royal court at home football games and other athletic events. 

“By students getting to run their own service events, they get to do more service opportunities that their peers want to see,” Payne said.

To run for the positions, candidates plan campaigns that often include booking a photoshoot for campaign flyers and enlisting a graphic designer and videographer to create and produce promotional visuals.

For class queen candidates, hair, makeup and three to four outfit changes during a photoshoot costs $500-$700, according to Gray and former Miss Grambling State Faith Daniels. The former campus queens spent $200-$800 on graphics and videos for their campaigns. Prospective candidates also outsource graphics to their friends to avoid adding to their tab.

Some students have produced songs featuring their platform touchpoints and recorded complementary music videos with backup dancers and props. Candidates also have created campaign playlists on Apple Music or Spotify. The production of songs and music videos can run up to $200, according to former Miss North Carolina A&T Diamond Mangrum and former Mr. North Carolina A&T Victor Solomon.

Inspired by the Oscar-nominated film Hidden Figures, Arianna Slack campaigned last week on a platform titled “Hidden Royalty” to become the 71st Miss Grambling University. She participated in Grambling’s queen showcase, presidential debate and parade, and she hosted her own candidate table, with a 360 photo booth and treats, at a campaign booster event held by the SGA election committee.

Slack hosted a party on the Yard on campus with SGA vice presidential candidate Amaya Moore and distributed snacks and cake. Both candidates also sponsored scavenger hunts.

Slack initially gave herself a $700 budget for her campaign, which she funded by saving her own money in small increments. However, to execute her vision, Slack ultimately decided to double her budget and ended up spending $1,607. Campaign t-shirts and buttons for her team cost $210. The tab for her graphics – including the cost of her hair, manicure and makeup, and the graphics’ production – was $622.50. Slack also paid $775 for printed posters, yard signs, flyers, candy and snacks.

Although Slack lost the race, the expenses she incurred are simply part of campaigning, she said.

“Honestly the price of the campaign did not really surprise me, but I can see why other people are taken aback by it,” Slack said.

Students also network through social media and other methods to ask previous HBCU queens and kings – and even celebrities – to make endorsement videos for their candidacy. This year, while running a campaign to become the 88th Miss Miles College, JaKaila Peterson was able to get a video endorsement from Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts.

At most of the royal court’s mandatory events, class queens and kings wear matching dresses and suits that they must pay for themselves. However, Florida A&M University funds its royal court’s attire.

During campaign week, prospective candidates dress up every day, with some buying new outfits and others mixing the old with new.

“Luckily for me, I was a royal escort the year before I ran for Mr. FAMU,” said Jordan Sealey, a former Mr. FAMU who funded his campaign by creating sponsorship packets to mail and take to small businesses. “I was able to wear my suits from different events during the campaign week and didn’t have to spend too much.”

Campaign events vary at different universities. At Grambling State, a parade through campus features all of the student government candidates riding in different cars, followed by the queen candidates. To find vehicles to ride in during the parade, some candidates rent cars or have relatives drive their desired car to campus.

When it was Daniels’ turn to ride in the parade in 2021, she went into resource mode.

“There was a girl I was close with since freshman year,” Daniels said. “She drove a black Mercedes-Benz. At the last minute, she told me her car wouldn’t be available.” 

Daniels, who used savings as well as money from her family to fund her campaign for Miss Grambling State, was forced to improvise.

“When I was walking to class, I turned to just look around the different parking lots. I saw a white Mercedes in a parking lot near the freshman dorms,” she said. “I went and asked the hall’s resident assistant whose car it was. I spoke with the owner, and I was all good to go to use her car. I also resourced a red Jeep through another friend.”

When Gray ran for Miss Alcorn State in 2019, besides hosting the carnival, raffles and food trucks, she performed a flash mob-style dance in the university’s main cafeteria with Alcorn’s Golden Girls dance line and organized her campaign team to give students rides to the polls.

To fund her campaign, Gray created a dollar sheet with different values. Supporters sign off on their preferred donation amount and left messages about why they were backing her campaign.

Some universities have select days dedicated to online campaigns on Instagram and X, formerly known as Twitter. Others use social media for the entire campaign week to post flyers, play interactive games or host events.

Due to concerns that not all students would be able to afford expensive campaigns, some universities, including North Carolina A&T State University and Alcorn State, have limited how much students can spend on their campaigns.

Candidates running for Miss North Carolina A&T, Mr. North Carolina A&T and student body president are allowed to spend $850. To track spending, it is mandatory for candidates to submit financial disclosure forms throughout campaign week and if a candidate fails to submit a form, they are disqualified.

In 2021, the year after Gray’s reign as Miss Alcorn State, the university set a $2,000 limit on how much a candidate can spend. Candidates must submit receipts for all campaign services they receive or purchase to an election portal managed by the university and the election committee. 

This year, Grambling did not allow candidates to serve hot food, believing the move would level the playing field for students who could not afford to bring food trucks to campus. Instead, candidates were encouraged to stick to desserts and candy.

“We are having to put limits on what they can do,” Payne said. “We have been relaxed about the limits over the past few years, but this year we’re not going to allow certain things to keep it from being as elaborate as it has been in the past.”

Sealey, the former Mr. FAMU, said it all is part of the HBCU experience.

“A lot of people from the outside looking in feel like we’re doing too much when it comes to campaigning,” Sealey said. “But at HBCUs the standard of excellence is just high. We just do everything at a high level.”

The Broncos’ most successful postseason was spearheaded by interim head coach Tyreece Brown, who stepped into the role on March 1, 2023. Exactly a year later, he would find himself preparing to lead the group to the program’s fifth Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association tournament championship win.

“It was go time,” Brown said. “When you get an opportunity, you have to be ready. I have no fear at all. It’s really no pressure, it’s basketball. It’s something that I love to do. I don’t really look at this as a job. I’ve always loved this. I just pour my heart and soul into the game.”

The former assistant coach has been a part of the coaching staff since 2011. Brown took Fayetteville State’s men’s basketball team to the CIAA championship game in 2005 as a starting guard.

“My upbringing and being around so many great coaches prepared me for this,” Brown said. “There’s so much I’ve learned from them and I am still learning up until this day. I am forever a student of the game. I knew that I was ready and prepared regardless of it being my first year.”

For the past three seasons, Brown has coached graduating senior Aniylah Bryant with a front-row seat to her development. Bryant went from being a shy transfer from Louisburg College in North Carolina to the leader of the Broncos. The CIAA recognized her as the conference’s 2024 women’s player of the year and MVP of the tournament. She also was named to the All-Atlantic Region team.

During the Broncos’ NCAA tournament run, Bryant scored more than 20 points in two of the three games. In the Sweet 16 game against Gannon, she struggled offensively, scoring only six points, but managed to get five steals.

“I’ve always loved defense,” Bryant said. “I really believe in the statement that defense leads to offense. Day to day I am a very laid-back person, so on the court, that’s my space to let everything out. That’s why I play so hard. Everything that I carry on my shoulders I release on the court. It’s my escape from reality.”

Bryant leads by example, Brown said.

“Even if it’s just practice, she’s going to give it everything she has,” he said. “She sets the tone and that’s just so important as one of the star players. She’s going to bring it defensively and offensively on every play. It was an honor and blessing to coach her. She set the foundation of this program.”

Bryant said she believes the CIAA tournament, during which the team won its second championship in the last four years, was key in the Broncos reaching the Sweet 16 this year.

“I believe the CIAA tournament helped us go as far as we did in the NCAA tournament,” Bryant said. “The competition in the CIAA is just unmatched, in my opinion.”

Bryant grew up playing basketball with her cousins until the sun went down on her grandmother’s dirt court in Harlowe, North Carolina. During high school, a car struck and killed her best friend, Antoine Marcel Godette Jr., a month before their graduation.

His death helped Bryant put the tournament loss in perspective.

“He always told me that one day that I would do what I am doing right now,” Bryant said. “He told me I could make it from where we came from. I think when I feel down about losses, I just think of him.”

When Brown’s team arrived back in Fayetteville from the NCAA Division II tournament, he took comfort in thinking about the future of the program despite the disappointing loss.

Sophomore Talia Trotter worked her way into starting for the team as a freshman. Trotter was Fayetteville State’s second-leading scorer during its NCAA tournament run, and Brown believes even with Bryant’s departure, the program is in great hands moving forward.

“It just feels so good to have another floor general on the floor,” Brown said. “I played point guard here and I know how important this position is. Talia is great right now, and she’s even still growing. … To be only a sophomore, she’s very strong with the ball.”

This season also has given former Radford University guard Charnissa Chillers an opportunity to come into her own as an assistant coach for Fayetteville State. 

“I think for me this season, I grew a lot outside of the basketball side of things,” Chillers said. “This year I learned a lot about the business of basketball. Since Coach [Brown] has brung me on board, he has been teaching me how to become a head coach at some point. I wasn’t just doing individuals [workouts] or checking in on study hall. He was showing me how to really run things like budgets and scholarships.”

This year, two other teams from historically Black colleges and universities, Miles College and West Virginia State University, earned a chance to compete for the Division II women’s basketball national championship.

“Here and at other HBCUs, we have the basketball IQ, we have the coaches and the resources,” Chillers said. “It’s all about just putting it on the proper platform so that everyone else can see it as well.”

Miles faced Valdosta State University in the opening round but fell short, 66-55. West Virginia State faced top-seeded Gannon in the opening round and lost, 73-53. The Broncos stayed afloat in the tournament the longest of the three historically Black colleges.

“This was a big statement for HBCUs,” Brown said. “Even at the highest levels, HBCU basketball does not get a lot of publicity, and it’d been like that over the years. We’ve had great ladies that have gone to Division II schools. Sometimes, they think they have to go to Division I schools to win. You can come to an HBCU and win.”

Despite Brown’s longtime commitment to Fayetteville State as a player and assistant coach, coupled with his success in his first year leading the program, it is still unknown whether “interim” will be removed from Brown’s title.

“When I think of my future, I take it day by day,” Brown said. “I am a strong Christian, and I follow by faith, not by sight. I think about how I can better this team and how we can better ourselves as coaches. The rest will take care of itself.”

Known for her lively floor routines and powerful vault displays, Reed channels her inner Hollywood star “Lil Red” every time she steps onto the mat. 

“Music is one thing I am good at,” Reed said. “I want people to get up and want to dance during my routines. I want people to want to watch me or when they see me perform, I want them to say, ‘This is my song, let me see what she’s about to do!’ ”

After competing in her senior season in 2022, the six-time NCAA All-American chose to take a break from the blue mat to focus on her mental health and is now embarking on a self-proclaimed comeback tour as a Bruin.

“I have definitely evolved into a different type of athlete,” Reed said. “I am a better teammate now and have my own type of athleticism. I feel like now I am more patient with my gymnastics and knowing it’s a learning process. Taking in every part of the process is what leads up to the big awards and the big wins.”

At Florida, Reed scored a perfect 10 on her floor routine twice. This season at UCLA, she is inching towards her third 10 after scoring a 9.975 on floor against Arizona on Feb. 4. As she commences her 20th year as a gymnast, she is still chasing perfection as a Bruin but this time around it is for a different reason.

“Now, anytime I put my warm-up on, I literally do it for little girls,” Reed said. “I don’t do this for me. We need more women in sports and we need to be recognized for all of our hard work. I want little girls, especially the ones that look like me to feel more comfortable in those spots when they occupy them.”

At the John Wooden Center while her teammates are practicing their floor routines, Reed often helps them play their music and can be seen giving a pep talk to her teammates on uneven bars. With almost half of the season behind Reed, she has seen this generosity come back to her.

On Dec. 15, Reed went viral for her tribute to her sorority, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. at UCLA’s Meet the Bruins. She credits UCLA assistant coach and choreographer Bijoya ‘BJ’ Das for encouraging her to add some of her sorority’s international strolling traditions into her routine. 

Reed and her mother Katrina Smith are members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Members of this National Pan-Hellenic Council Divine Nine sorority are often referred to as “The Redz.” Growing up, Reed often copied signature Delta symbols that she would see her mother and her mother’s line sisters do in fellowship. Reed’s alter ego “Lil Red” originates from a nickname given to Reed from her family. 

“Lil Red is fiery,” Reed said. “Nya is goofy and funny but Lil Red is a go-getter. ‘Let’s get it going. Y’all came to see a show and I’m about to give y’all what y’all want.’ I have high expectations for Lil Red and she always shows up and shows out every time.”

To Reed, Lil Red is not only a mindset. Lil Red is a real person with burgundy hair and magenta highlights to match.

Das has choreographed multiple viral routines in her five years at UCLA. She is also the mastermind behind Tokyo Olympic silver-medalist and UCLA’s own Jordan Chiles’ 2023 Pac-12 championship floor routine. She has created four floor routines that received 10s in her career. Her Olympic history also includes choreographing for Simone Biles, the most decorated gymnast in history, on her Gold Over America Tour.

“I think I am able to pull from my experience as a dancer in the industry,” Das said.

“I have studied a plethora of dance styles over the years and being in the industry, I know what’s going on in pop culture.”

Famously starring in Beyonce’s music video for the four-time platinum record “Run the World (Girls),” the former University of Washington gymnast has also performed with Usher, Nicki Minaj, Justin Bieber and more.

In January 2021, Das’ floor choreography for former UCLA gymnast Nia Dennis went viral twice, compiling 11 million views and receiving a Twitter shoutout from former first lady Michelle Obama. Her UCLA routines have also received attention from Grammy award-winning artist Janet Jackson.

“I thought viral routines weren’t really a thing anymore because of the rise in Tik Tok and the world taking a liking to shorter videos but going viral isn’t on my mind,” Das said. “I just hope the public likes all the routines and just comes to the meets to watch the girls perform.”

Das taught a short Beyonce themed routine and saw Reed’s inner star come out. Das believes UCLA is a great opportunity for Reed, but in the same breath emphasized how lucky the program is to have Reed.

“They don’t have to dance a certain way just because they are gymnasts,” Das said. “There’s no limits on the ways you can perform in gymnastics. It’s limitless and we can do whatever we want.”

Reed and Das explained floor routines take an abundant amount of time to create. Reed said she is particular about every aspect of the routine and song selection. The song selection process includes Das and the gymnast sitting down to pick songs, then the two work together to pick out which portions of the songs they want to use. The songs are sent off to an audio engineer to create the custom mix. 

Before Reed committed to UCLA, Reed and Das spent over two hours on the phone. 

“It wasn’t all gymnastics,” Reed said. “When we were on the phone, she mentioned how I was in a sorority before I said anything. It made me feel really good that she did her research on me, especially because she isn’t someone that is a part of Black Greek culture. So, for her to know, that meant a lot.”

Prior to Reed, no UCLA gymnast had worn their Greek letters during their floor routine and Reed wanted to make history. 

“I wanted to use my platform and see how far I could go,” Reed said. “As a part of D9, it is a part of my duty to create awareness of these organizations. Gymnastics is a big part of my life but joining my sorority was, too. I hope the people that saw the leotard and didn’t know what it was took the time to search it and learn.”

Parts of Reed’s Delta tribute were posted by Black Enterprise and other Black Greek Instagram pages. Fellow student-athletes including LSU women’s basketball standout Angel Reese also took time to praise the new Bruin but she was mostly excited about Black Entertainment Television (BET) recognizing her and hopes to attend its annual awards show one day.

The strict schedule of a student-athlete also made it difficult for Reed to connect with people that looked like her while at UF. In 2010, 7.9% of students at UF were Black. As of fall 2022, 5.88% of women attending UF were Black and 3.82% of UF male students were Black men. This made it hard for Reed to be in-tune with the Black community of campus. Becoming a member of her sorority helped close the gap for her.

Reed’s mother joined the Gamma Rho Chapter at St. Augustine’s University in Raleigh and met Reed’s father on campus where he was a member of the Kappa Epsilon Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. Reed grew up attending the university’s homecomings and always dreamed of the moment she could wear crimson and cream.

“When she told me she was doing Delta, my heart was overflowing with joy,” Smith said. “I always told Nya she needs to find her own way. She has made the same lifetime commitment to service that I did. It’s an unconditional sisterhood with unexpected friendships.”

As a little girl growing up in Fort Washington, Maryland, Reed had her own in-house superhero in her mother. 

Instead of sending Reed to their neighborhood public school, Smith enrolled her daughter in Progressive Christian Academy in Temple Hills, Maryland. Reed attended school with former University of Kentucky all-around gymnast Taylor Puryear, where Puryear’s mother taught both of the girls.

“Taylor’s mom told my mom one day that I am a ball of energy that just won’t sit down,” Reed said. “She told my mom that I won’t stop going upside down and flipping all over school. She told her that she should put me in gymnastics. She told my mom about Taylor’s gym and ever since I’ve been in love.”

For more than 30 hours a week, Reed trained with Tatiana Perskaia, Capital Gymnastics National Training Center’s head coach and a USA Gymnastics Women’s National Team coaching staff member. At the collegiate level, student-athletes can only practice for four hours a day with a maximum of 20 hours per week. Reed believes her dedication to herself and long hours at a young age is on display now as she is reaping the benefits.

While growing up, Reed had morning and evening practices which required getting up early in the morning. Smith would leave during her lunch break to go get Reed and then come back later to take her to and from evening practice. The training center was an hour away from Reed’s home.

“It was a juggling act,” Smith said. “Sometimes I would have to take leave from work to get Nya to practice. Other family members also had to help out. It really takes a village for her to live out her dream.”

Reed was often told she would need to be homeschooled if she wanted to be dedicated to the sport. Smith and Reed were adamant about Reed having a normal life. She attended all of her homecoming dances, participated in powder puff games, went to prom, participated in the Dr. Betty Shabazz Delta Gems Academy and even took on track and field in the 11th grade at Flint Hill High School in Oakton, Virginia. 

The four-time SEC Specialist of the Week believed she peaked late and was not sure if Division I gymnastics was in her future. Reed’s execution caught the eye of Florida assistant coach Adrian Burde at the Junior Olympics and she committed to the program in 2017. The 2022 All-SEC team member graduated from Florida in the summer of 2023 with a bachelor’s degree in applied physiology and kinesiology.

In her mother’s eyes, one of the main elements that allowed Reed to be successful is she let the coaches do the coaching and stood to the side to be Reed’s No. 1 fan.

“We are committed to making sure we support Nya,” Smith said. “Regardless of where she is, we are committed to Nya, not just the sport. We also would send her things in the mail just to let her know we are thinking about her.”

Before deciding on where she would spend her last year of collegiate eligibility, Reed spent the summer of 2023 interning at Kaizo Health in Fairfax, Virginia, under Dr. Michaela Hogg while also going back to train with Perskaia at Capital Gymnastics NTC. When searching for a career for her post-gymnastic life, Reed knew she wanted a job that was a mixture of a fast-paced environment, no desk, her passion for women’s health and her desire to fight the injustices Black women face when giving birth.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Black women have the highest maternal mortality rate in the country. Black women are three times more likely to die due to a pregnancy-related reason than white women.

Reed feels like there is also a false notion that Black women can take more than women of other races and men.

“The fact that ethnic women are not treated fairly when it comes to maternal health has always blown my mind,” Reed said. “I’ve always been curious about why. Is it because of medicine? Is it because of bad or good doctors? Why are all these Black women still dying when we have all of these advanced practices today?

“No woman should die while giving birth or experience medical neglect. I am going to be a part of change in the medical field.”

When Reed is not practicing, she is editing YouTube videos or going through pictures she has taken of her friends, family, line sisters or her outfits. She loves to travel and said one of the best parts of going to UCLA is being able to see new places across the west coast.

“I record and take pictures of everything,” Reed said. “Anything big or small, I am going to be the friend that records it. I’ve loved to create videos and vlogs but I never posted them.” 

Reed shares her love for content with UCLA freshman all-around gymnast Paige Anastasi. Reed and Anastasi both have personal YouTube channels. Anastasi pushed Reed to be more consistent with posting YouTube videos and told Reed the world deserves to see her amazing personality.

Reed posts every Sunday and wants to ensure fans viewing her channel get an authentic experience. She is especially looking forward to using the vlogging grip stick she received for Christmas. Since Reed is on the opposite coast of her loved ones, she said looking back on old memories she has documented is the equivalent of a hug from them.

“I’m really excited about it (my YouTube channel) because I feel like during the season, there will be a lot that people want to see,” Reed said. “I don’t sugar coat anything. It’s all raw and uncut. Every athlete goes through a lot and every day isn’t great and my channel shows that.”

Reed said she wants to “be more than just the girl that flips.” She is challenging herself to remain disciplined with her skills while staying consistent with her content. 

At practice, as UCLA gymnastics head coach Janelle McDonald rallied the group together to end, she gave the team an opportunity to give shoutouts to their teammates. Four of Reed’s teammates pointed out her commitment to nailing her floor routine. Reed ended the circle reminding the group to make the most out of the time they have on the team and to make everything count.

Before the team ended practice that day, they gathered for a manifestation huddle, “Natty Champs on three: 1-2-3, Natty Champs!”

“Discipline is major for me. When I was a teenager, I couldn’t do everything that other teenagers were doing,” Reed said. “At the end of the day, all of us have a goal but who’s going to reach it? I have a moment to do this and I have to seize this moment.”