“You Have to See them to be them”: WNBA’S Arrival Inspires Aurora Athletes

The WNBA (Women’s National Basketball Association) is coming to Cleveland for the 2028 season! Back in September, Aurora’s Lady Greenmen Basketball team got invited to a press conference to celebrate the arrival.

“This press conference was an excellent opportunity for our players to see confident, articulate women using their platform to lead and inspire,” Coach Greenberg said. It showed the team that basketball isn’t just about the statistics, it’s about leadership, confidence and responsibility.

The event isn't just about the new WNBA in Cleveland, it’s actually another way to show our athletes how they can approach school, community involvement, personal goals, and shared goals as a team.

Coach Greenberg shared that at the conference the president of the Cleveland WNBA team, Allison Howard, said “You have to see them to be them.” Coach Greenberg believes that the WNBA team will help grow excitement, participation, and pride in girls basketball throughout Northeast Ohio. “Seeing professional women athletes and women in leadership roles in their own city makes the dream feel achievable,” Coach Greenberg added.

Kaia Board, a junior at AHS, shared her experience about the conference. “Seeing female athletes get that kind of respect and recognition showed me how far the game has come and how much it’s still growing,” Board shared. Jessica Davis, a speaker at the event, really stood out to Board. “The way she talked about mindset and believing in yourself hit home for me,” she highlighted. It reminded Board that confidence and skill play hand-in-hand when you’re attempting to achieve your goals. In addition, having a women's team close to Aurora gave her a deeper appreciation for it.

Although the team doesn’t arrive until 2028, Cleveland’s WNBA team is something that many girls basketball players are looking forward to since seeing the praise for women athletes only encourages young girls to achieve their goals.