Jasmine D. Brown, production assistant for ESPN and former beat writer for Washington Mystics and Capital City Go-Go (the Wizard’s G-League affiliate) joined the Hoops And Talks Podcast to talk about her journey to working full-time in sports.She talked about Trevor Ariza’s time with the Wizards, Maryland alumni who have played for the Trail Blazers and the trajectory of the Washington Mystics leading to their 2019 WNBA Championship. 

We had a great time learning that there was a Twitter account for Jake Layman’s hair (@jakelaymanshair), how a mechanical engineering major pivoted to sports, and what are some of the highlights of the new WNBA’s Collective Bargaining Agreement. All of this and more on the latest podcast. 

Highlights

1:00 Icebreaker: Favorite kind of cookies these days? 

3:00 How did you get into basketball? Never played but loves to shoot. Enjoys the “something to prove” aspect of college hoops. 

6:15 As someone dialed in to the Washington DC sports scene, what can you tell us about the newest Trail Blazer Trevor Ariza?

10:45 What is it like working at ESPN? Do you get tired of watching sports? She is always going to watch Maryland and DC area sports. 

13:00 Three popular Fan Favorites went to her alma mater, University of Maryland, Jake Layman, Steve Blake and Buck Williams. Thoughts or memories about these guys? She knew who Buck Williams was, remembered Steve Blake most from his time with the Lakers, and she was at Maryland when Jake Layman played there. His hair had its own twitter account!

18:30 What was it like covering the Washington Mystics in their championship run last season? It was great to see them progress because they went from losing in the Semi Finals, to losing in the Finals to finally winning the whole thing. Highlights were a Natasha Cloud buzzer-beater, Game 5 of the finals.

22:00 The WNBA has been in the news lately because of the new CBA. What do you think is most significant about the new agreement? The pay was very significant because people really don’t know how much the players were making. And so many have to play year round to support themselves. The Mystics couldn’t have a championship parade because too many of the players had to leave right away to go overseas. 

24:15 What do you think will be the most significant impact this season? The players will probably have a good mindset coming in, feeling like they are being cared for. 

28:30 Could this lead to possible expansion of the WNBA? 

30:30 Any reflection on Alana Beard as she announces her retirement? You can be a defensive player and still get recognition. 

33:30 What is it like working somewhere that famous athletes are either working or visiting all the time? 

35:00 How did she get into production? She always wanted to be an anchor person, was an early fan of George Stephanopoulos, but studied engineering in college before deciding she wanted to get into sports. She did a lot of writing for years before she moved to ESPN. 

Get social

Follow Blazer’s Edge on Twitter @blazersedge, WHAT Pod @HoopsAndTalks, Tara @tcbbiggs, and Cassidy @CassidyGemmet. This week’s guest: @jasmined_brown

Join the Women’s Hoops And Talks Facebook group to talk about Trail Blazers with others who identify as women who love basketball.

Music used in the episode: “Happy Alley” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License.

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