Aerial Powers is back in the league after an unexpected but much appreciated break.

Aerial Powers Credit: Charles Hallman

The 5 ’11” guard from Detroit and Michigan State, a Dallas 2016 first-round pick (fifth overall), has appeared in nearly 100 games in her 11 WNBA seasons, including 69 games in Minnesota (2021-24). A career 10-point scorer, Powers has recorded 22 20+ scoring games, two 30+ games, five 10+ rebounding games, nine 3+ steals, and five career double-doubles. 

To her credit, Powers has a championship ring (2019, Washington), is a 2016 WNBA All-Rookie Team member, and played with four clubs prior to this season.

This season, Powers wore her fifth and sixth career W uniform — a couple of games with Golden State earlier this season, and Indiana in August signed her to a hardship contract.

“I’m excited to be here,” said Powers after the August 24 Minnesota-Indiana contest. Since college, Powers has virtually played nonstop hoops either in the W or overseas. 

“The thing with my mom when she had a brain tumor and other things in my family made me realize that basketball isn’t the only thing,” she admitted. “I love basketball. I’m always playing basketball…[but] I miss a lot of time with my family.

“So, this time I was able to spend a lot of time on my mom, my dad, my brother, and do things that I’ve never done,” said Powers. “It was more just me keeping my faith in the Lord and staying ready.”

When not hooping, Powers is a co-owner of Team Liquid, an esports organization, and has a strong presence on social media as she regularly promotes gaming, especially for Black girls and women.  

Powers’ contract is a seven-day pact, so it’s not certain if it will be renewed by the Fever once it reaches its limit: “We’ll see how everything goes,” she said. “The team in the locker room has been amazing. The girls really like each other. This weekend Indiana announced that they have signed her to a second 7-day hardship contract.

“Just trying to fit in and be everything they need me to be,” concluded Powers.

Broadcaster rankings

Awful Announcing’s 2025 WNBA local broadcaster rankings were released August 28. According to Andrew Bucholtz, over 3,500 votes were cast by respondents on the 13 team broadcasting teams, many of which have Blacks on them.

New York Liberty, Indiana, Seattle, Los Angeles, Connecticut and Minnesota, which includes veteran analyst Lea B. Olsen, all received A’s. The other teams — Chicago, Phoenix, Atlanta, Washington, Golden State, Dallas and Atlanta, which has an all-Black broadcast team — all received B’s.

HBCU4Us Association formed

The four HBCU conference commissioners have combined to create the HBCU4Us Association. It was established on July 30 and announced in August.

Sonja Stills (MEAC), Charles McClelland (SWAC), Jacqie McWilliams Parker (CIAA) and Anthony Holloman (SIAC) make up the historic quartet. “Together, these conference commissioners will serve as the gatekeepers of HBCU athletics, providing a unified voice and strategic direction for the four conferences,” said a press release.

The HBCU4Us Association will primarily focus on student-athlete leadership and development; cultural heritage preservation; competitive excellence; financial sustainability and partnerships; unified advocacy; and holistic student-athlete welfare.

“The alliance represents a historic commitment to elevating the profile of HBCU athletics amid a rapidly evolving collegiate sports landscape,” concluded the release.

Charles Hallman welcomes reader comments to challman@spokesman-recorder.com.

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