When they wrap up their playing days, basketball student-athletes, especially those pursuing professional sports opportunities, can face a murky future. The Above the Rim Summit, hosted by the NCAA's leadership development team and Invesco QQQ at the Women's Final Four in Phoenix, sought to ease that transition.
The fourth annual event brought together 18 of the nation's top women's basketball student-athletes for four days of interactive and informative sessions and workshops designed to aid their move from college basketball to professional sports careers.
"The Above the Rim Summit is a unique program that helps selected student-athletes bridge the gap between college basketball and professional play. This atmosphere was intentionally cultivated to assist athletes who are phenomenal on the court transition into becoming knowledgeable professionals after their college basketball careers end," said Ashley Jocelyn, assistant director of leadership development.
The summit helped attendees understand how to navigate potential professional paths in the WNBA and abroad, life beyond playing the game and various careers in athletics.
The session topics included discovering what professional teams are looking for from incoming players, understanding options regarding international play, learning how to have an effective interview presence and developing a deeper understanding of money management.
"I'm really glad that I was afforded this opportunity to come here and spend time with a lot of great individuals who were able to give me a little intel into what it is to be a pro and how get there and stay there for as long as possible," said Clemson's Demeara Hinds. "I learned how to manage myself, my money, my familial representation, and I think it's going to be beneficial as I get into that field of getting an agent, whether it's playing pro here or overseas."
On the basketball side, the players were exposed to a variety of perspectives on how to manage the next few months and years of their careers. Kiki Griffin, league operations analyst at the WNBA, shared what professional teams look for in prospective players, specifically how their actions off the court affect playing time.
Noelle Quinn, former head coach for the Seattle Storm, and Azurá Stevens, who plays for the Los Angeles Sparks, gave her perspective on her journey through her college and professional career.
"It's a huge privilege to know that women's basketball, and women's sports in general, are trending in such a positive direction. It's really important to be able to pick the brains for the people who are in those positions and who are leading in our industry," said Baylor's Bella Fontleroy.
The participants attended an Invesco QQQ panel with Holly Rowe, ESPN broadcaster, and Jackie Young, a player for the Las Vegas Aces, to get a deeper understanding of money management from industry experts.
"The panel with Invesco QQQ allowed me to get a deeper insight on ETFs. I do already have a financial advisor, so I got a little more information on how to build relationships to know I have the right people in my corner to help me invest in myself but also in the business and brand I'm trying to build for myself in the future," said Clemson's Hinds.
A valuable takeaway for North Carolina's Indya Nivar was learning more about the value of creating a network and building relationships during this next step in her life.
"Transitioning into the professional world, it's a lot of steps mentally, physically, emotionally, and I feel like this event has really helped me bridge that gap," Nivar said.
Lisa Willis, a leadership specialist and former WNBA player, taught the attendees strategies to organize their lives both mentally and physically to optimize performance. Lacee' Carmon-Johnson, director of basketball advancement for the NBA's Toronto Raptors, spoke to the players about how to clearly articulate goals based on their values and strengths.
"I'm taking what I want my future to be for basketball and what I want beyond the court, and it's kind of a culmination of everything in one weekend. It's been special," Fontleroy said.
2026 Above the Rim Summit roster:
- Hailey Adams, Rice.
- Carla Brito Hernandez, South Florida.
- Ashlynn Brooke, Ball State.
- Mady Cartwright, Tulsa.
- Bella Fontleroy, Baylor.
- Ja'Mia Harris, Auburn.
- Stailee Heard, Oklahoma State.
- Demeara Hinds, Clemson.
- Faith Lee, Missouri State.
- Timaya Lewis-Eutsey, Marshall.
- Paula Lopez, Buffalo.
- Chloe Mann, Grand Canyon.
- Jade Masogayo, Colorado.
- Kayla McPherson, North Carolina.
- Mia Moore, Clemson.
- Indya Nivar, North Carolina.
- Chandler Prater, Mississippi State.
- Hannah Stuelke, Iowa.
