Undrafted: Underrated x Underestimated

[Agent]

Oh shit. Respect to LaMelo.

[The JZA]

Oh shit. Respect to LaMelo.

Man said he's no Lonzo

[The JZA]

[The JZA]

CULT OF PERSONALITY

It was Media Day and the atmosphere was buzzing with work and play. Returning players getting interviewed, new players coming into the league and other teams getting their shots done, and Khyri returning to it all for the first time in two years felt the rookie jitters all over again. Luckily for her, when she got in front of the camera, her nerves calmed shot after shot. Some of the photographers complimented Khyri on her naturality, as if she was a supermodel posing for vogue. The camera simply loved her. In the midst of her photo shoot, Khyri gets a surprising visit.

"Hey, hey, hey!"

A figure from behind the white screen appeared behind Khyri. As she turned to the woman in the Sparks jersey, Khyri was shocked to see Katie Lou, her best friend and former teammate of the Seattle Storm back when they won the WNBA title in 2021.

"Heeeeey girl! What? What are you doing here?" Khyri asked still in shock, but elated to see Katie Lou.

"As of last night, I'm the newest member of the Los Angeles Sparks!"

The two hugged and smiled as the photographer catch the moments on lenses. The chemistry was incredible between the two as they were inseparable back in Seattle. Aside from Sue Bird, Katie Lou was Khyri's first real friend in the league.

"Like, why? How? What happen in Seattle?"

"My contract was up and I didn't re-sign. After you left, Sue retired, Karlie came over, and it just didn't pan out. Girl, when I say everyone left, I mean everyone. Jordin, Breanna, Candice, Mercedes, Jewel, all gone."

"Whhaaat? That's crazy. I figured you guys be crushing it with the same team we had. Wow, I'm so out of the loop. I've been so focused on the kids being a new mom and all."

"Oh my gosh, I still can't believe you're a mom of three! I seen the photos you sent me and they just look so adorable, I just wanted to melt!"

"They are a handful! But I love every moment of it. You should see them sleeping, Zhuri and Zarya sometimes hold hands, it's so precious! And Taurie is just a wild man, just like his father."

"Awe, I'm definitely gonna have to come see them soon now that I'm back in L.A."

"Yes girl, I miss you so much! How's Devin? Y'all still a item?"

"He's great, doing his thing in the G-League still. He's still not over that you called him a great value Jayson Tatum at the party."

"Aw, I'll have to make it up to him one day" Khyri laughed.

"Yeah, he tried shaving, changing his hair style, he just can't escape it and I can't unsee it!"

The two laughed and carried on their conversation as well as finishing up their photo session. With Katie Lou back in L.A. with Khyri, the duo had already planned for girl nights before the season kicked off, which was only two weeks out. Khyri was in high spirits nonetheless. After the shoot, Khyri was pulled over for a quick interview. With her returning after a hiatus, it was sure there was some burning questions.

"Welcome everyone and welcome back, we have Khyri Blu with us right now, and Khyri, I like to say welcome back to the WNBA. I know today's been pretty busy for you. How's it feel to be back?"

"Yeah, it's been really busy, you can say that, but It feels awesome, to be honest. Just putting on the uniform, even if it's just for the media, it feels great to be back."

"It's been two years since we last seen you play in the league. You took a leave becoming a new mom, congratulations!"

"Thank you, thank you, Uh, I love every moment of it. You know, all my life, it was basketball. Going to Sparks games, going to Storm games, to Monarch games. My Dad and others surrounding me were huge basketball fans and it impacted me to chase this dream. But becoming a Mom, that was a whole new avenue and experience of life and I couldn't be more happy about being a Mom of three little beautiful babies. Hi Taurie, Zhuri, & Zarya!"

"Two girls and a boy?"

"Yes. Taurie being the oldest."

"It seems like you're building you're own family dynasty. Do you think any of them would follow the footsteps of their Mom and Dad?"


"You never know, maybe. I'm sure basketball is in their DNA as well. I would love for one of them to continue the legacy, but it'll be their choice how they live their life, so lets see how it goes in another 20 years."

"So, an undrafted player, turned rookie of the year, sixth woman of the year, WNBA champion, and now Mom of three. Coming back to the WNBA, what is there left for you to accomplish?"

"Oh, definitely so much more to achieve. I came in during the 2021 season and was beyond grateful to be picked by Seattle and surrounded by a group of talents stars and the legendary Sue Bird, my dream idol. It was a roller coaster of emotions from day one. And now, fast forward two years, I'm just back to continue my legacy. What I already accomplished was just the tip of the iceberg. I want more awards, more trophies, I want to go down as one of the biggest and greatest WNBA players ever."

"That's every female basketball player's dream. To make the league and accomplish what you have and more."

"Exactly, and I'm one of those girls every single day until I achieve it. It's no secret, we all hear the negative feedback the WNBA gets from the haters, and I hate to be the advocate, but it's true. Since 1997, the WNBA has churned out some of the best women to play this sport. From Lisa Leslie, Candace Parker, Diana Taurasi, Sue Bird, to Maya Moore, Skylar Diggins-Smith, Breanna Stewart, Liz Cambage and more. But it's not enough. We gotta do more, be more, be greater than those who came before so the one's to come can be better than us."

"So what is your stance in all of the talks and criticism?"

"I get it our male counterparts are stronger, faster, durable, etc., but we just have to show and prove. I don't want to get all political about the WNBA, but I'm apart of it, so it's my business too. And we want equality in revenue, network, shares, attendance, and public relations. But we have to do better as a sport. And if it takes for us to quit being fancy and start dunking, then so be it. I guess I gotta work on my vertical and make some noise. Our sport needs a change for the better."

"You sound very determined to take that step to the next level. You want more people to tune and see what the WNBA is all about?"

"Of course. We're more than just a sport being carried by the NBA. As players, we deserve better, but me being on the fan side, we have to show and prove that we deserve it. And I want all the future WNBA players to understand, starting today, not tomorrow, or next week or month, today, is your day to step up and be greater. Step up and show the world that your name means more than it's weight in gold."

"Moments ago, you said that if you had to start dunking in order to see the WNBA flourish, just how high can you jump?"

"I can dunk on a 9-foot rim. So it's safe to say that 10-feet is achievable. I mean, I'm 5'9", Spud Webb is 5'6" in the dunk contest. I say it's fair that I can do it. I had a really really great team to whip me back in shape and doing extra leg work with my partner, it's been great and I'm just excited to get back out there and show everyone what I can do. Just don't expect no Zach LaVine, Vince Carter, Darius Miles dunks, We're not there yet."

"Speaking of partners, we seen you all buddy-buddy with Katie Lou behind us taking photos. You two were a part of that 2021 Seattle Storm champion team, what's the chemistry like there?"

"Katie Lou is my girl! I came into the league and she's had my back since day one. To be honest, I didn't even know she was signed to Los Angeles! Like, I literally just found out a while ago, I'm still in shock, but I'm so happy she's here. She's very dependable on and off the court. And now with Candace Parker back in L.A., I feel like we can take on the league and do anything!"

"Sounds like the band is back together with some new additions to that great energy. But let's piggy back on your rookie season for a moment, in 2021, you averaged 20.4 points, 3.6 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and a steal a game. Where do you see yourself getting better at this year?"

"Well, I don't really follow the numbers, but those are incredibly impressive for a rookie I may say, but overall, I just want to get better, be better across the boards, you know. Just be a better teammate than I was, keep everyone involved. Like, everyone knows my favorite WNBA player is Sue Bird, hands down. But my all-time NBA favorite is John Stockton. Looking back on his career, how he averaged more than ten assists for nine consecutive seasons, that's the level I want to be at, and more."

"Big dreams from Khyri Blu, and we wish you the best achieving them. Khyri, thank you for time with us, once again, welcome back to the WNBA."


"Thank you for having me. See you soon Sparks fans!!"

With the interview over, Khyri understood she putting her foot in her mouth was hasty, but she knew she could back it up. But she didn't know that her statement to the world was the just the beginning of her WNBA revolution...

[The JZA]

[Agent]

Winning the starting guard spot is huge. Can't wait to see what Khyri does next.

Recks better learn how to drive a mini van...

[The JZA]

[The JZA]

[The JZA]

Winning the starting guard spot is huge. Can't wait to see what Khyri does next.

Recks better learn how to drive a mini van...

lmaoo Meanwhile some where in L.A....

[The JZA]