SAN DIEGO – Adryana Quezada of the San Diego State women’s basketball team attended the Above the Rim Summit at the Women’s Final Four in Tampa, Florida last weekend.
Hosted by the NCAA’s leadership development team and Invesco QQQ, the third annual event brought together 19 of the nation’s top women’s basketball student-athletes for four days of interactive, informative and future-enhancing sessions and workshops designed to aid their transition from college basketball to professional careers.
“Having the opportunity to share time with experienced professionals and listen to raw advice about the next chapter of my professional life was very impactful,” Quezada explained.
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.
“The Above the Rim Summit is a unique program that helps selected student-athletes bridge the gap between college basketball and professional play,” said Ashley Jocelyn, assistant director of leadership development, programs and initiatives. “During this program, our learners will have the opportunity to absorb a wealth of knowledge from industry professionals like WNBA players, coaches and development managers. This atmosphere was intentionally cultivated to help athletes who are phenomenal on the court transition in becoming knowledgeable professionals after their college basketball careers end.”
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. Taj McWilliams-Franklin, a 14-year WNBA player who now is the manager of player relations and development for the league, spoke to the attendees about what professional teams look for in prospective players. Noelle Quinn, head coach for the Seattle Storm, and Skylar Diggins-Smith, basketball icon and player for the Storm, provided honest details about what professional coaches are looking for from players in their transition from college to pros.
The participants attended an Invesco QQQ panel with Holly Rowe, ESPN broadcaster, and Candace Parker, a sports analyst and retired WNBA star, to get a deeper understanding of money management from industry experts.
On the personal and professional development sides, attendees heard from Lisa Willis, a UCLA alumna and former WNBA player, about finding their voice as elite athletes. 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.
2025 Above the Rim Summit roster
- Anna Gret Asi, Oklahoma State.
- Vianè Cumber, New Mexico.
- Halle Douglass, Wisconsin.
- Malia Fisher, Rice.
- De'Mauri Flournoy, Georgia.
- Maria Gakdeng, North Carolina.
- Jaelyn Glenn, Kansas State.
- Synia Johnson, East Carolina.
- Molly Kaiser, New Mexico State.
- Jess Lawson, Central Michigan.
- Destini Lombard, Purdue.
- Peyton McDaniel, James Madison.
- Loyal McQueen, Clemson.
- Debreasha Powe, Mississippi State.
- Adryana Quezada, San Diego State.
- Emily Ryan, Iowa State.
- Ta'Mia Scott, Middle Tennessee.
- Cameron Williams, Miami (Florida).
- Georgia Woolley, Syracuse.