WNBA legend and Hall of Famer Cynthia Cooper working out with Duke's incoming freshman Bella Flemings and South Carolina's sophomore guard Ayla McDowell.
Cynthia Cooper is currently a featured studio and game analyst for Prime Video's WNBA broadcasts.
Should we see more legends working out with young talent?
On the left is Madina Okot, a 21 year old who began playing basketball about six years ago in Kenya and spent two years playing at her university there.
She came to the United States and played for Mississippi State in 2024-2025 before transferring to South Carolina for the 2025-2026 season.
The NCAA denied her request for another year of eligibility.
On the right is Cam McCormick.
ON THIS DAY four years ago, Destanni Henderson recorded a game-high 26 points to lead South Carolina past UConn, 64–49, securing the program’s second national championship.
Her 26 points are tied for the third-most by a guard in a national championship victory. 🥹🐔🪄
There will be five Black head coaches in this year's #NCAAWBB Sweet 16
- Dawn Staley
- Kara Lawson
- Niele Ivey
- Kenny Brooks
- Amaka Agugua-Hamilton
Another milestone in this historic era for Black coaches in the sport
Since Kamilla Cardoso’s freshman season six years ago, Syracuse had not seen a dominant frontcourt player—until Nigerian forward Uche Izoje arrived this year.
The 6-foot-3 forward is coming off a 23-point, 7-rebound NCAA tournament debut that turned heads. For those who have followed her all season, it wasn’t a surprise.
Izoje is averaging (15.7) points, (9.3) rebounds, and (2.6) blocks per game—ranking fourth in the NCAA in blocks—in her first collegiate season. She’s been a driving force behind Syracuse doubling its win total from 12 last year to 24 this season, while also placing herself in the program’s top five all-time for single-season rebounds and blocks. All while helping a team with modest preseason expectations rise above projections.
She made an impact early, recording 20 points, 9 rebounds, and 7 blocks in a win over Howard, and then following it with 16 points and 13 rebounds in an overtime victory against Auburn. To start the new year, she posted 21 points and 17 rebounds in a win against Florida State, and added a 27-point, 12-rebound performance against Sweet 16 team in North Carolina.
It’s part of the reason we felt she should be in the National Freshman of the Year conversation, especially as she leads her team in points, rebounds, and blocks.
And recently, Izoje has taken her game to another level. Over her last ten games, she’s averaging (21.7) points, (10.3) rebounds, and (2.5) blocks, showing the growth that could make her one of the nation’s top frontcourt players next year. She’s converting 65% of her attempts around the rim and has shown a reliable mid-range shot, which was on full display in the first-round win over Iowa State.
Next up, she’ll face Sarah Strong—a matchup that puts her squarely in the spotlight. Strong is elite, but she hasn’t faced many forwards with Izoje’s combination of size and inside presence, making this a game worth watching.
Syracuse head coach Felisha Legette-Jack after the Orange earned an at-large bid to the Big Dance:
"They said that we're good enough to be here, now we have to prove that we're good enough to stay" 🍊🏀
"This is what this game does. It's a game that has no boundaries- it has no color, it has no sex...I brought players from Australia, Japan, Nigeria, America and they came together and they're sisters now."
I truly believe @OfficialGHSA needs to enforce a rule that if a school does not have the capability to stream Regional or State Playoff games through @NFHSNetwork or @SUVtv, or if the camera isn’t turned on for a playoff game, there should be serious consequences. That school should not be eligible to host region tournaments or any home playoff games, regardless of seeding.
In 2026, there’s no excuse. Every school in Georgia should have the ability to stream these games, especially when families, media, and supporters are paying fees expecting access.
If I were on the GHSA board, this would absolutely be a conversation I’d bring to the table.