May 31st 2024.
Sydney Carter, a former WNBA and professional overseas basketball player, is opening up about the current state of the WNBA, her role as an assistant coach and director of player development at the University of Texas, and how she's bringing her sense of style to the leadership side of sports. With a successful sports career that started at Texas A&M University, where she won an NCAA title in 2011, Carter has achieved great heights in the world of basketball.
Reflecting on her national championship win, Carter shares, "It's still something that I cannot describe. It was such a difficult journey, one of the toughest seasons I've ever been a part of. Even playing professionally, nothing was harder than that year. So it's definitely one of the best memories I have from my college days."
Since then, a lot has changed in the world of women's sports, with record-breaking viewership in the national tournament and an increased interest in star players like Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark. As someone who has always seen the value of women in sports, Carter is delighted to see the rest of the world finally catching on.
"It's fantastic. Women are finally getting the platform they deserve. We've always known the greatness of the women's game, and now the world is starting to see it too," she says.
As the popularity of women's sports continues to grow, Carter is looking towards the future and wondering, "how can we keep the momentum going?" With new eyes, more funding, and a growing fan base, she believes that the possibilities are endless.
During her professional career, Carter played for various teams in the WNBA and also had successful stints overseas. She became a three-time Latvian/Estonian Champion and an Eastern European League champion before retiring from the WNBA in 2018.
After retiring, Carter shifted her focus to leadership positions in women's basketball. She returned to her alma mater, Texas A&M, as an assistant coach, before taking on her current role as the assistant coach and director of player development at the University of Texas. In this role, she not only focuses on the players' on-court development but also strives to create a positive impact on their lives off the court.
"For me, it's a full-circle moment to be back here after playing at a rival school and then having a pro career. Helping young women has always been a passion of mine. I've always been a leader and a talker, so stepping into this role feels natural for me," Carter explains.
Dubbed "The Pink Pants Coach," Carter is not afraid to embrace her sense of style and show the world that women in sports can be powerful and fashionable. She made headlines when she wore pink leather pants to a Cancer Awareness game during the 2021-2022 basketball season.
Despite facing criticism for her outfit choice, Carter used the attention to showcase how women can lead and be confident while also being true to themselves. "There was a negative aspect to it because people were questioning my outfit, but I think a lot of people saw the confidence I wore it with. I'm not apologizing for who I am, and that includes my style," she says.
Looking ahead, Carter is excited about the expansion of the WNBA and the opportunities it will bring for women in sports. She also has her eyes on some current players who she believes are making waves in the league. But most importantly, she wants to continue being a role model for young women and showing them that they can be leaders in any industry, even sports.
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