SOPHIA SMITH. She is THAT girl. (PS - Feature to come this summer…stay tuned!)

For months, I’ve had the pleasure of reporting on this story. Please tune in to SportsCenter tomorrow to watch the incredible journey of Me’Arah O’Neal.

NEW: Go on the 'zig-zagging, 48-journey' with me as we go behind the scenes on how the #Ohtani & #Ippei story rapidly evolved this week. We have more details on what we asked and what Mizuhara and others said in response in our continuing investigation. espn.com/mlb/story/_/id…

to fully appreciate the legend of Caitlin Clark, we have to also acknowledge the women who paved the way before her. from 6-on-6 to Lisa Bluder's legacy and beyond.

3000 words dedicated to Iowa— and women's basketball—history. my latest for WSLAM:

read: slam.ly/caitlin-story

#AngelCityFC and #MakeWaves are setting the standard for #NWSL fan bases.

“It’s wild to see that a simple, kind of Field of Dreams, if you build it, they will come. That’s all we needed.”

More on what makes their support special for ESPN FC:
espn.com/soccer/story/_…

Uplifting women’s basketball also means uplifting the voices that cover women’s basketball. It doesn’t do the sport justice to have it discussed on national platforms amongst analyst who only know 2 names, 1 team, and provide no substance. Grow ALL aspects of WBB, K? Thanks.

So ready to move past the narrative that women’s sports are having a “moment.”

It’s not a moment. It’s a long time coming.

Some #NWSL -adjacent news: McKenna Whitham, who is training with Gotham, is the youngest athlete to sign an NIL deal with Nike at 13 years, 6 months, 9 days.

(*Olivia Moultrie was ~a month younger when she signed with Nike in 2019, predating the NIL era.)

espn.com/soccer/story/_…

Oh it’s not over. Let’s just say a new weapon is joining #BayFC ’s Arsenal ⚔️🛡️

#WeCameToPlay #BayAreaUnite | Michelle Wie

Breaking: Anthony Kim is planning a comeback to pro golf.

(Yes, this is real.)

After a decade away, Kim is in talks with the PGA Tour and with LIV about his return.

He was 26 in his last pro event. He's 38 now — but thinks his game is ready.

Details: golf.com/news/anthony-k…

Today, Me’Arah O’Neal was named to the McDonald's All American Games West Coast roster. The high-school senior is just getting started. Read more about her journey in my feature:

Anchoring the #USWNT defense to its lowest ever goals against average in a calendar year...

Naomi Girma is your 2023 @USSoccer Female Player of the Year 🏆

Full Release » ussoc.cr/23FPOTY

Madison Hammond signs new two-year deal with Angel City - ESPN espn.com/soccer/story/_…

How do you build an #NWSL team from scratch? I spoke with various members of Bay Football Club over the past six months to go inside their coaching search, player scouting, and business buildout. Pulling back the curtain on the process, for ESPN FC:

🔗👇espn.com/soccer/story/_…

Angel City FC has signed Los Angeles native and defender Gisele Thompson to a three-year plus one-year option contract, the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) club told ESPN ahead of officially announcing the move Thursday. espn.com/soccer/story/_…

I am not ok today. And that’s ok to not be ok. No one is ok every single day. If you are not ok today I’m with you. There’s always tomorrow 😘 Love you.

JuJu Watkins is already making USC history FIVE games into her freshman season 😳

We have 6️⃣ TOP 100 players yet to commit.

Where will they choose❓

Who will impact these recruiting classes the most ❓

📰: espn.com/womens-college…

Sarah Strong | Jaloni Cambridge | Mikayla Blakes | KiyomiMcMiller32 | Vivian Iwuchukwu

ESPN Women's Hoops ✖️ Premier Basketball

Breaking: Me'Arah O'Neal, ranked No. 33 in the espnW Top 100, has committed to play basketball for the Florida Gators.