Sportslifetalk Media

In this episode of SportsLifeTalk: You Got Next , Head Coach KT and B Jones sit down with Maddie to talk about her journey from small Catholic school gyms to the spotlight of Illinois high school basketball. Her story is one of determination, community, and proving that hard work always finds a way to shine. Maddie’s basketball story began the old-fashioned way — on neighborhood courts, playing wi...

Some people talk about perseverance. Coach Taneka Rubin lives it. From her humble beginnings to Division I basketball, from playing overseas to mentoring the next generation at Montverde Academy , Coach Rubin’s story is proof that faith, focus, and hard work can turn any detour into destiny. In this Sports Life Talk: You Got Next episode, Head Coach KT and B Jones sit down with Coach Rubin to unpa...

From the small town of Martins Mill, Texas , to the biggest stages of high school basketball, McKenna Wise is proving that greatness doesn’t wait for permission. Standing tall at 6’2”, this rising junior has already carved out her legacy — two state championships , a 2A MVP title , and a growing reputation as one of the most complete players in the country. In this episode of SportsLifeTalk’s You...

What happens when a 6'3" powerhouse turns her competitive fire into coaching excellence? Meet Coach Annalese Lamke , one of women’s basketball’s rising stars and an assistant coach at Loyola University Maryland . From her small-town Wisconsin roots to her Big Ten grind at the University of Minnesota, and now mentoring the next generation of athletes, Coach Lamke’s story is all about resil...

When you talk about basketball icons who changed the game, Coach Semeka Randall Lay belongs in that conversation. From her Cleveland roots to the bright lights of Knoxville, and now leading the charge at Winthrop University , her story is one of grit, greatness, and growth. In this episode of SportsLifeTalk’s You Got Next , hosts Head Coach KT and B Jones sit down with “Hard to Handle Randall” — o...

Every now and then, an athlete comes along who changes the game — and Gracie Hernandez is doing exactly that. From Stockton, California to the national spotlight, this Bear Creek High School star is rewriting what’s possible for girls in flag football. In this episode of SportsLifeTalk’s You Got Next , hosts Head Coach KT and B Jones sit down with one of the fastest-rising names in the sport to ta...

A new energy is taking over Portland. The Vikings are rising, and at the center of it all is Coach Karlie Burris , the dynamic leader redefining what women’s basketball looks like at Portland State University . With over 14 years of coaching experience , Coach Burris brings a reputation for discipline, culture, and player development to Viking Nation. But her story isn’t just about wins and losses...

What happens when one of the most respected minds in women’s basketball returns home to build something historic? You get the incredible story of Coach Damitria “Coach D” Buchanan — a proud Houston native, visionary recruiter, and leader on a mission to bring the H-Town heat back to the hardwood. From her roots in Houston’s basketball culture to her rise as one of the sharpest assistants in the co...

What does it take to become a true game-changer in women’s basketball? For Coach Linda Sayavongchanh , it’s all about defense, discipline, and daring to be different. From the courts of Des Moines, Iowa , to her days as a standout player at Drake University , to now shaping the future of Colorado State Women’s Basketball , Coach Linda’s journey is one of grit, growth, and generational impact. Crow...

From a one-stoplight town in upstate New York to the bright lights of NCAA Division I basketball, Coach Jacey Brooks has carved her name into the game with heart, hustle, and a vision for greatness. Her rise from a small-town standout to Head Coach of Northern Illinois University’s Women’s Basketball team is a story of resilience, belief, and relentless drive — the kind of journey that defines Spo...

Portland, Oregon is brewing a star. At 6'3" , Jayla Lackey is a two-way force who’s turning heads across the country—equal parts poised playmaker and relentless competitor. If you haven’t heard the name yet, you will. Soon. Jayla fell for the game around age 11–12, joining ML20 and sharpening her skills under coaches Joy and DeMarcus Best . With a high motor on defense and a fearless appr...

What happens when one of the greatest shooters in Atlantic 10 history trades the net-scorching for whistle work? You get Coach Jessica Jenkins —Akron’s assistant coach and recruiting coordinator—quietly (and relentlessly) building elite shooters and a winning culture. Hailing from Marion, Ohio , Jenkins became a legend at St. Bonaventure , drilling 338 career threes and leading the Bonnies to the...

What does it take to lead with purpose and transform every program you touch? In this inspiring episode of SportsLifeTalk’s You Got Next , we sit down with Coach Sharnee Zoll Norman , Virginia Tech women’s basketball assistant coach and one of the sport’s most respected leaders. From Philadelphia roots and an ACC-record career in assists at the University of Virginia to an 11-year professional run...

From small-town Texas to the Pac-12 stage, Arissa Carbonara is proving that hard work and heart can break every barrier. A two-sport MVP in both volleyball and basketball at Cuero High School, Arissa is now ready to shine at the University of California, Berkeley, bringing her signature grit and leadership to collegiate volleyball. In this SportsLifeTalk’s You Got Next episode, Arissa opens up abo...

Grace VanSlooten is redefining what versatility means in women’s basketball. From her early days in Toledo, Ohio, to winning three gold medals with Team USA , to becoming an All–Big Ten standout for Michigan State , Grace’s story is a masterclass in skill, resilience, and leadership. In this SportsLifeTalk’s You Got Next episode, Grace opens up about: Falling in love with basketball after starting...

From managing 30 banks as a VP of commercial lending to founding one of Oklahoma’s most powerful grassroots basketball programs, Amber Mathurin has built a legacy defined by resilience, purpose, and vision. In this episode of SportsLifeTalk’s You Got Next , Amber takes us through her extraordinary journey — from breaking barriers in corporate banking, to leading Tulsa Swift through the pandemic ye...

From standout player at Iowa to culture-builder at Drake, and now the leader of Oklahoma women’s basketball, Coach Jennie Baranczyk is redefining what it means to lead with passion, poise, and purpose. In this episode of SportsLifeTalk’s You Got Next , Coach Baranczyk shares her incredible journey — from falling in love with basketball as a kid in Des Moines, to building championship teams, to gui...

From Aurora’s playgrounds to the top of Colorado high school basketball, Mackenzie Jones is proving why she’s one of the most exciting young talents in the country. A 6’1” combo guard in the class of 2027, Mackenzie has earned her spot as the No. 1 player in Colorado thanks to her versatility, defensive dominance, and leadership on and off the court. In this episode of SportsLifeTalk’s You Got Nex...

At just 14 years old, Alexa Crosby is already proving she’s built for greatness. The point guard/shooting guard from Loretta, Tennessee, has become one of the brightest names in grassroots basketball — dazzling on the EYBL circuit with the Alabama Stars, leading her teams to championships, and earning recognition as one of Tennessee’s top-ranked players. In this episode of SportsLifeTalk’s You Got...

Rankings don’t define greatness — heart does. And for Chloe Parker, the 5’8” silky-smooth point guard from Riverdale Ridge High School, that heart has turned her from an overlooked talent into one of Colorado’s rising stars. In this episode of SportsLifeTalk’s You Got Next , Chloe shares her inspiring journey from flag football and middle school gyms to leading her high school squad on a Cinderell...

What happens when a rising star joins forces with one of hip-hop’s most legendary voices? You get “Realest Whine” — a vibrant new anthem from Briannagh D featuring MC Lyte. In this episode of SportsLifeTalk’s You Got Next , Briannagh D opens up about her journey — from stepping on stage at Showtime at the Apollo at just 10 years old to carving out a unique sound that fuses pop and Caribbean influe...

From the streets of Pembroke Pines, Florida, to the sidelines as head coach of Valdosta State women’s basketball, Chandler Merkerson’s story is a powerful example of passion, perseverance, and purpose. A former standout at the University of North Florida, Merkerson has quickly risen through the coaching ranks, and now she’s shaping a winning culture at one of the South’s most respected programs. I...

From Indiana’s basketball hotbed to reshaping the culture at North Texas, Coach Durmon Jennings is proving that patience, persistence, and passion can transform a program. With more than 17 years of experience across high school, AAU, and college coaching, Jennings has become a vital force behind the Mean Green’s new era. In this episode of SportsLifeTalk’s You Got Next , Coach Jennings opens up a...

From the blacktop courts of Dallas to leading one of the Pac-12’s most ambitious rebuilds, Ashley Odom’s story is proof of what happens when resilience, passion, and representation meet opportunity. With 15 years of coaching experience, Odom now serves as the Associate Head Coach for the Arizona Wildcats, and her journey is one of perseverance and purpose. In this episode of SportsLifeTalk’s You G...

From standout player at Radford University to one of the leading voices in NIL education, recruiting, and athlete development, Aisha Foy is showing student-athletes how to win beyond the box score. In this episode of SportsLifeTalk’s You Got Next , Aisha shares her remarkable journey — from growing up in Virginia Beach with hoop dreams, to earning All-Big South honors at Radford, to stepping into...