Sedona Prince's WNBA Dream Deferred: What's Next for the Advocate and Athlete?
Sedona Prince, a name now synonymous with advocating for gender equity in college sports and standing up for the rights of student-athletes, faced a significant setback on Monday night. Despite a stellar collegiate career at both Oregon and TCU and widespread recognition for her impactful activism, Prince went undrafted in the 2024 WNBA Draft. This surprising outcome has left her basketball future uncertain, prompting questions about her next steps and the opportunities that lie ahead.
Who is Sedona Prince? More Than Just a Basketball Player.
Sedona Prince is significantly more than just a 6-foot-7 center with a dominant presence on the court; she embodies a powerful voice for change and a staunch advocate for equality. Her journey from a promising young basketball player to a social media sensation and back again is a testament to her unwavering dedication to both the sport she loves and the social justice issues she holds dear. Her influence extends far beyond the basketball court, solidifying her role as a role model for aspiring athletes and a symbol of empowerment for those fighting for fairness.
✅NCAA Tournament Advocacy (2021): Prince catapulted into the national spotlight during the 2021 NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament, held within a tightly controlled "bubble" environment due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, it wasn't her on-court performance that initially captured the world's attention; it was her powerful and authentic social media video exposing the stark and unacceptable inequities between the resources and treatment afforded to the men's and women's teams. The video, shared widely across platforms, highlighted discrepancies in weight room facilities, meal options, and even the types of COVID-19 testing protocols implemented.
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This viral moment resonated deeply with athletes, fans, and the general public, sparking a national conversation about the persistent gender disparities within collegiate sports. The video was more than just a complaint; it was a call to action, forcing the NCAA to confront its own shortcomings and initiating a much-needed reckoning. The impact of this single video was profound, and it ultimately led to significant changes:
✅An NCAA-Commissioned Report on Gender Equity: In the wake of Prince's video and the ensuing public outcry, the NCAA was compelled to commission an independent review of gender equity across all of its sports programs. The report, conducted by Kaplan Hecker & Fink LLP, revealed systemic inequalities in funding, resources, opportunities, and treatment between male and female athletes. The findings were damning, confirming what many had long suspected and paving the way for concrete reforms.
✅The Official Use of "March Madness" for the Women's Tournament: For years, the NCAA had restricted the use of the "March Madness" branding solely to the men's basketball tournament, despite the undeniable popularity and excitement surrounding the women's tournament. This decision, perceived as a symbolic representation of the NCAA's undervaluation of women's sports, was finally reversed as a direct result of the gender equity review. The official adoption of the "March Madness" branding for the women's tournament signaled a significant step towards greater parity and recognition.
✅The Implementation of a System to Pay Women's Programs for Participating in the Tournament: One of the most significant outcomes of the gender equity review was the establishment of a system to distribute revenue to women's basketball programs based on their performance in the NCAA Tournament. Previously, only men's basketball programs received direct financial compensation for their tournament appearances. This new system ensured that women's programs would receive equitable financial support, enabling them to invest in improved facilities, coaching staff, and overall program development.
✅Antitrust Lawsuit Advocate: Beyond the viral video and its immediate impact, Prince has continued to be a vocal and unwavering advocate for college athletes' rights, particularly in the realm of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) compensation. She has served as a lead plaintiff in a landmark antitrust lawsuit against the NCAA, challenging the organization's longstanding restrictions on athletes' ability to profit from their own personal brand.
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This lawsuit, along with other legal challenges and public pressure, has played a crucial role in dismantling the NCAA's outdated amateurism model and paving the way for athletes to finally receive compensation for their hard work and dedication. Prince's commitment to this cause underscores her belief that college athletes deserve to have control over their own economic futures and to be fairly compensated for the value they generate for their universities and the NCAA.
A Standout Collegiate Career: A Foundation of Success
Before her emergence as a leading voice for social justice, Prince was primarily focused on honing her skills as a basketball player and building a solid foundation for her athletic career. Her journey began at Oregon in 2019, where she quickly established herself as a promising talent with a bright future. However, injuries and other unforeseen challenges limited her playing time during her tenure with the Ducks. Undeterred, Prince made the courageous decision to transfer to TCU, where she sought a fresh start and an opportunity to showcase her full potential. This move proved to be a turning point in her career, as she flourished in her final two seasons with the Horned Frogs. During this time, she not only refined her basketball skills but also developed into a confident and assertive leader, both on and off the court. This year, she proved her skills, showing her talents and value as a player:
- Finished her final year of college basketball at TCU where she helped the Horned Frogs reach the Elite Eight for the first time in school history.
- Averaged 17.2 points per game and started all 58 games played at TCU
- Started 86 of 108 games played over five seasons.
- Earned Honorable Mention AP All-America honors.
Undrafted: What Happened? A Look at the Factors at Play
Despite her impressive performance at TCU and the widespread recognition she has received for her advocacy work, Sedona Prince surprisingly went undrafted in the 2024 WNBA Draft. This outcome, while undoubtedly disappointing for Prince and her supporters, reflects the complex and highly competitive nature of professional basketball. Several factors likely contributed to her not being selected, including:
✅Competition: The WNBA is widely regarded as the premier professional women's basketball league in the world, attracting top talent from across the globe. With only 12 teams and limited roster spots available, the competition for a place in the league is incredibly fierce. Each year, hundreds of aspiring players vie for a chance to make a WNBA roster, making it exceptionally difficult for even the most talented athletes to secure a spot.
✅Position: While Prince's height and physical presence are undeniable assets, the WNBA landscape has been evolving in recent years, with a greater emphasis on versatility and positional flexibility. Teams are increasingly prioritizing players who can play multiple positions, handle the ball effectively, and contribute in a variety of ways on both ends of the court. While Prince excels as a traditional center, her lack of experience playing other positions may have been a factor in her not being drafted.
✅Timing: Entering the draft after five college seasons can sometimes place players at a disadvantage. WNBA teams often prioritize younger players with more perceived upside and potential for future development. While Prince has a wealth of experience, her age compared to other draft prospects may have been a consideration for some teams.
What's Next for Sedona Prince? Exploring Her Options and Future Paths
Despite the setback of not being drafted, Sedona Prince's basketball journey is far from over. Her talent, resilience, and unwavering dedication to the sport mean that several viable paths remain open to her. The future is far from set, and several opportunities can arise to change the course of her career.
✅WNBA Training Camp Invitation: The most immediate and perhaps the most promising possibility is receiving an invitation to a WNBA team's training camp. These invitations are often extended to undrafted players who have shown potential or who fill a specific need on a team. Training camp provides an opportunity for players to showcase their skills, compete against other talented athletes, and potentially earn a coveted roster spot. For Prince, a training camp invitation would provide a crucial opportunity to prove herself to WNBA coaches and demonstrate her ability to contribute to a team's success.
✅Overseas Basketball: Playing professionally overseas is a popular and often lucrative option for many basketball players who are not drafted into the WNBA. There are numerous professional women's basketball leagues around the world, offering competitive environments and opportunities for players to continue developing their skills. For Prince, playing overseas would provide a chance to gain valuable experience, improve her game, and potentially earn a higher salary than she might receive in the WNBA. This can be an ideal way to expand her skills and come back to the WNBA more prepared in the future.
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✅Continued Advocacy: Regardless of where her basketball career takes her, Prince can and should continue to use her platform to advocate for gender equity and athletes' rights. Her voice has already had a significant impact on the landscape of college sports, and she can continue to be a powerful force for positive change. Whether through social media, public speaking, or other forms of activism, Prince can continue to raise awareness about important issues and inspire others to fight for fairness and equality. Her value as a voice can continue to grow even while playing overseas and improving her skills.
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Analyzing Sedona Prince's Potential Going Forward:
Looking beyond the immediate disappointment of the draft, Sedona Prince possesses several qualities that suggest a promising future, regardless of her next steps. Her dedication to self-improvement, coupled with her innate leadership abilities and unwavering commitment to social justice, position her as a unique and valuable asset both on and off the court. Here's a deeper dive:
✅Adaptability and Resilience: Throughout her career, Prince has demonstrated a remarkable ability to adapt to new environments and overcome challenges. Her decision to transfer to TCU and her subsequent success with the Horned Frogs highlight her resilience and her willingness to embrace change. These qualities will serve her well as she navigates the uncertainties of professional basketball and explores different opportunities.
✅Leadership and Communication Skills: Prince's experience as an advocate for gender equity has honed her leadership and communication skills. She is a confident and articulate speaker who can effectively convey her message to a wide audience. These skills will be invaluable as she continues to advocate for social justice and inspire others to take action.
✅Marketability and Brand Potential: In today's social media-driven world, athletes with a strong personal brand and a compelling story have a significant advantage. Prince's activism and her willingness to speak out on important issues have made her a highly marketable athlete with a strong brand potential. This can open doors to endorsement opportunities and other partnerships, regardless of her playing status.
Conclusion: A Future Full of Promise and Potential
Sedona Prince's undrafted status in the 2024 WNBA Draft is undoubtedly a setback, but it does not define her career or diminish her accomplishments. Her unique combination of athletic talent, social activism, and leadership qualities positions her for a future full of promise and potential. Whether she ultimately earns a place in the WNBA, pursues a career overseas, or focuses primarily on her advocacy work, Sedona Prince will undoubtedly continue to make a positive impact on the world, inspiring others to fight for fairness, equality, and social justice. Her story serves as a powerful reminder that success is not always measured by championships or accolades, but by the positive contributions we make to the world around us. Keep a close eye on Sedona Prince - her journey is just beginning. The world is her court, and she's ready to play.
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