Women’s sports is a new sun ready to give life, and 2024 supplied us with a wide variety of highlights. I’ve narrowed those highlights to top sports moment of 2024 for our BGX Nine Highlights in Sports.
A’ja Wilson had an incredible 2024. On the court, Wilson won her third WNBA MVP award, becoming the first WNBA player to score more than 1,000 points in a single season. Wilson also grabbed the most rebounds in a single season. The combination of points and rebounds led to a league record for the most games, with at least 25 points and 10 or more rebounds. Off the court, Wilson’s partnership with Nike was on full display in 2024 with announcements of a signature shoe, unveiling of the signature logo, and participation in the “Winning Isn’t for Everything” commercial campaign alongside Tennis legend Serena Williams. Finally, Wilson’s collection of stories, essays, and vignettes was released as “Dear Black Girls: How to Be True to You,” with all the acclaim of her basketball game. Wilson is the face of the WNBA, and in 2024, she’s taken her rightful position.
The South Carolina women’s basketball team became the fifth NCAA women’s basketball program to go undefeated in 2024, finishing the season 38-0. Coach Dawn Staley led the Gamecocks to their fourth consecutive Final Four, becoming just the fifth Division I women’s basketball coach to win three or more national titles.
Simone Biles, Sha’carri Richardson, and others were the embodiment of determination and perseverance at the 2024 Paris Olympics after life dealt them the kinds of problems most of us get to deal with in private. Biles and Richardson opened up to the world about their mental health challenges while communicating how vital it is to establish, maintain, and prioritize mental health.
Angel Reese, as the Bayou Barbie, made a historic WNBA debut in 2024. Reese, the 7th overall pick in the 2024 WNBA draft, finished her rookie season by setting WNBA records for most rebounds in a season, most offensive rebounds, best-rebounding average, most double-doubles by a rookie, and the first WNBA player with three consecutive 20-plus rebound games. Off the court, Reese has already branded herself as unapologetic and is turning her brand into marketing gold.
Super Bowl winners, the Kansas City Chiefs, won their second of back-to-back championships in 2024 and their third since 2020. The Chiefs hoisted the Vince Lombardi trophy for the fourth time in team history, joining only the New England Patriots, Pittsburgh Steelers, Green Bay Packers, and New York Giants. Mahomes magic is more than an illusion as he’s consistently shown his hand and all the tricks while continuing to mesmerize.
For the first time in NBA history, father and son played together on the same team in an NBA game. Lebron James and son, Bronny, played together for the Lakers in the team’s season opener at home in Los Angeles. The optics of the historic event left generations of Black parents feeling like proud aunts and uncles. Even if only symbolic, the perception of nepotism associated with Bronny being drafted by the Lakers plants a seed of discord. God’s favor is one thing; ensuring the hiring manager understands you’re favored by a powerful parent is another.
The New York Liberty and Minnesota Lynx owe us nothing. The two teams competed in a highly competitive and entertaining WNBA Finals, seeing the New York Liberty triumph and win their first championship. Finals MVP Jonquel Jones is finally a champion after a career of consistency, determination, and preparation. Jones, a five-time WNBA All-Star, WNBA MVP, WNBA Most Improved Player, and WNBA Sixth Woman of the Year, represents what an unwavering belief in yourself can do.
Boston Celtics, the historically significant NBA organization, earned their 18th NBA Championship, making them the most decorated team in league history. Powered by Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, the Celtics dominated the rest of the league, only losing 18 games on their way to championship number 18. Coach JOE MAZZULLA is just the seventh Black head coach with an NBA title. The Boston Celtics have four of them.
Finally, the impact Caitlin Clark had on 2024 is undeniable. Clark brought an unprecedented number of eyes to the women’s game, leading to increased attendance, coverage, interest, and revenue. All that is due, in part, to her transcendent game. Clark broke several long-standing records as a rookie, including the most points scored by a WNBA rookie, the most assists by a WNBA rookie, and the first-ever triple-double by a WNBA rookie. Clark has helped usher in the next generation of players and fans. Forever a barometer of popularity, her name will forever be associated with the new sun of women’s basketball.
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Mark Patton is an owner of too many sneakers, a passionate and persistent advocate for public school students experiencing homelessness, and a big sports fan with immaculate taste in Hip-hop music.
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