Meet the women who show the world that they too can excel in any sport they want—even a ‘male sport’ like basketball

Photo from NCAA | Art by Tricia Guevara

I’ve recently found myself more invested in women’s sports. I know, I’m late to the party but I’ve become a fan of a couple basketball superstars who have proven to the world that no sport should be labeled a “male sport.”

These women have broken both barriers and records, and continue to inspire women like me to pursue what we’re most passionate about. Here are some of the best female ballers who continue to make a name for themselves in basketball.

Sabrina Ionescu

Unfortunately, I didn’t get to watch Cheryl Miller during my childhood years so I would say Sabrina Ionescu is by far the best collegiate basketball player I’ve seen. Dubbed the GOAT (or Greatest of All Time), the promising superstar is the first-ever NCAA basketball player (male or female) to record 2,000 points, 1,000 rebounds, and 1,000 assists in a college career. Talk about triple double machine—she has a total of 26 triple doubles in her career so far.

I personally enjoy watching Ionescu because it seems as if she can make one right play after another on the court. Ionescu is projected to be the top pick at this year’s WNBA draft and she’s also on the verge of possibly claiming Oregon University’s first national title.

Becky Hammon

Becky Hammon is one of the greatest WNBA players of all time. She played in the league for 16 years for the San Antonio Silver Stars and New York Liberty. I grew up watching Hammon and often thought she was like Tony Parker. She was named one of the WNBA’S 20 greatest and most influential players of all time, was voted to the All-WNBA first team twice, and is the current San Antonio Stars leader in points, assists, and three-point field goals made. She’s also currently the assistant coach of the San Antonio Spurs and is the first woman coach in the NBA.

Jack Danielle Animam

In the local sports scene, Jack Danielle Animam is one of my favorite basketball players. Animam led the NU Bulldogs to win their sixth straight UAAP championship and 96th straight victory in a six-year span—an all-time record in the UAAP.

She’s a dominant force inside the perimeter who can practically score anytime. Animam also played a huge role in the rise of Philippine women’s basketball last year. She participated in the 30th SEA Games where the women’s basketball team won gold for the first time in both the 3×3 and 5×5 tournament, ending the long drought for the women’s team. With all her achievements and what’s in store for her, it’s safe to say that Animam is both the present and future of Philippine basketball.