Amber Aniston • April 24, 2025

Trans Athlete Blaire Fleming Reflects on Tumultuous Season as NCAA Ban Takes Effect

San Jose State Volleyball Star Recounts a Year Marked by Isolation, Lawsuits, and a National Culture War 

The 2024 volleyball season at San Jose State University (SJSU) became one of the most high-profile and controversial chapters in the national debate over transgender athletes in college sports. At the center of the storm was Blaire Fleming, a transgender woman and outside hitter who had joined SJSU after transferring from Coastal Carolina. 



What began as a promising final season quickly spiraled into a year of personal hardship and team disruption, culminating in a national spotlight, legal battles, and an executive order that now bars all transgender athletes from competing in NCAA women’s sports. 


Early Seasons and Sudden Turmoil 


Fleming, who began transitioning in her early teens, had quietly integrated into the SJSU volleyball team. Her first year passed without incident, with teammates reportedly aware of her gender identity and supportive of her presence. However, her second season took a dramatic turn. 


In April 2024, media reports outing Fleming as transgender ignited public debate. Within months, the issue escalated nationally when SJSU co-captain Brooke Slusser joined a lawsuit supported by the Independent Council on Women’s Sports (ICONS), seeking to ban transgender women from participating in women's college athletics. The legal move not only polarized the team but drew attention from lawmakers, activists, and even the White House. 


Fallout on and off the Court 


Once the lawsuit became public, the SJSU volleyball program began to unravel. Several Mountain West teams refused to play against SJSU, citing Fleming’s eligibility. Internal fractures also appeared. Coaches and players reportedly distanced themselves from Fleming, and tensions within the locker room grew. 


Amid this division, head coach Todd Kress publicly maintained support for all his athletes. But not all staff shared that position. Associate head coach Melissa Batie-Smoose was suspended during the season and later left the university. She had reportedly opposed Fleming’s participation and was later linked to the ICONS lawsuit before withdrawing in early 2025. 


Despite these challenges, the team advanced to the Mountain West Conference championship after a semifinal forfeit by Boise State. SJSU ultimately lost in the final, finishing the season with a 14-7 record. 


Broader Implications and Policy Change 


As legal challenges continued, political pressure mounted. Then-presidential candidate Donald Trump used Fleming’s case to advocate for a federal ban on transgender athletes in women's sports. By February 2025, a presidential executive order was signed, and the NCAA formally rescinded its transgender inclusion policy. 


The new NCAA rule now prohibits all transgender women from participating in women’s sports at the collegiate level, regardless of medical transition status or hormone therapy compliance. This policy shift effectively ended Fleming’s NCAA eligibility and set a precedent for future student-athletes across the country. 


Personal Impact and Life After Volleyball 


For Fleming, the fallout was devastating. Isolated from teammates, criticized in the media, and reportedly subjected to harassment, she ultimately withdrew from in-person classes and returned to her home in Virginia to complete her public relations degree online. 


Her former teammate, Brooke Slusser, also left campus and now resides in Texas. Slusser has continued her advocacy efforts in court, supporting further legislation and legal cases aimed at preventing transgender participation in women’s sports. 


Fleming, meanwhile, has expressed hope that her story will not end progress in inclusivity but instead become a point of reflection. While she is no longer permitted to play under current NCAA rules, she believes future athletes will carry the torch forward. 


Looking Ahead 


The ripple effects of the 2024 SJSU season continue to influence legal and cultural discussions around gender, sports, and equity. Lawsuits filed by and against the Mountain West Conference, SJSU coaches, and players remain unresolved. 


With federal investigations ongoing and the national dialogue intensifying, Fleming’s season stands as a flashpoint in the ongoing conflict over athletic inclusion. Her journey marks a pivotal moment not just in college sports, but in the broader struggle for transgender visibility and protection in America’s public institutions. 

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The New York Liberty defeated the Seattle Storm 92-86 behind Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu, and Jonquel Jones to earn their sixth win in seven games.
basketball and women's basketball players

Golden State Valkyries Turned Defense Into Another Statement Victory

By Amber Aniston • August 5, 2026
Every successful basketball team has an identity. For the Golden State Valkyries, that identity begins on the defensive end of the floor. Tuesday night's 92-82 victory over the Toronto Tempo wasn't simply another win or the completion of a season sweep. It was another reminder that when the Valkyries increase their defensive pressure, they become one of the WNBA's most difficult teams to beat. Trailing by as many as 13 points in the second quarter, Golden State completely changed the game through relentless defense, turning stops into transition opportunities and momentum into another impressive comeback victory. The offensive numbers stood out. But the defense made them possible. The Comeback Started With Defensive Pressure  For much of the first half, Toronto looked comfortable. The Tempo knocked down 13 of their first 22 field-goal attempts , including 8 of 14 from three-point range , building a 38-25 lead midway through the second quarter. Golden State struggled to slow Toronto's perimeter shooting, and the game appeared to be slipping away. Then everything changed. Instead of trying to outscore Toronto possession for possession, the Valkyries became more aggressive defensively. They pressured ball handlers, challenged passing lanes, and forced the Tempo into mistakes that completely altered the rhythm of the game. Golden State closed the half with a 16-4 run before extending the surge into the third quarter, completing a dominant 23-4 scoring run that erased the deficit and gave the Valkyries control for good. Defense Created Easy Offense The scoring run wasn't fueled by impossible shot-making. It began with defensive execution. According to the team recap, Toronto managed just one made field goal in eight attempts during the decisive stretch while committing six turnovers . Those extra possessions allowed Golden State to push the pace, generate transition opportunities, and find open shooters before Toronto's defense could get organized. Head coach Natalie Nakase emphasized after the game that the defensive effort sparked everything that followed offensively. She pointed to deflections, ball pressure, steals, and other defensive plays as the foundation for the Valkyries' comeback, explaining that those efforts naturally created easier scoring opportunities on the other end of the floor. The sequence reflected exactly the style of basketball Golden State wants to play. Janelle Salaün Stayed Hot Once the defense shifted momentum, Janelle Salaün took over offensively. The forward finished with a team-high 21 points , shooting 8-for-12 from the field while making four three-pointers . It marked her second consecutive 20-point game and continued an impressive trend against Toronto, a team she has consistently played well against throughout the season. Across the three meetings with the Tempo this season, Salaün averaged more than 23 points per game , including a career-high 26-point performance in their first matchup. Her consistency has become one of the biggest reasons the Valkyries continue climbing the WNBA standings. Kayla Thornton Delivered Her Best Offensive Night Salaün wasn't the only player enjoying a breakout performance. Veteran forward Kayla Thornton scored a season-high 20 points , knocking down four three-pointers while shooting 6-for-10 from the field. Thornton wasted little time making her presence felt, connecting on back-to-back three-pointers just seconds apart during the opening quarter before continuing to stretch Toronto's defense throughout the game. Following the victory, Thornton credited both her teammates for finding her in rhythm and the preparation that allowed her to capitalize on those opportunities. Her shooting gave Golden State another reliable scoring option once the defense had shifted momentum. Team Basketball Continues to Be the Difference One reason the Valkyries have remained among the WNBA's top teams is their willingness to let different players lead on different nights. Tuesday provided another example. Veronica Burton filled the stat sheet with 12 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists , while finishing the game without committing a turnover . Tiffany Hayes added 12 points , four rebounds, four assists, and a season-high four steals off the bench. Gabby Williams contributed 10 points and seven rebounds , while also reaching the milestone of 2,000 career points . Five players finished in double figures, illustrating the balanced approach that has become a trademark of Golden State's success. Momentum Is Building Again The victory also carried importance beyond one night's result. After seeing a franchise-record nine-game winning streak come to an end before the All-Star break, the Valkyries have now responded with consecutive victories over Toronto while completing a three-game season sweep of the Tempo. The win also moved Golden State back into a tie for the second-best record in the WNBA as the team prepares for an important road trip. Momentum can change quickly during a long season. The Valkyries appear to have regained theirs. Defense Remains Their Greatest Strength Scoring often dominates postgame headlines. For Golden State, however, the most encouraging development came on the opposite end of the floor. The Valkyries proved they can erase a double-digit deficit without relying on desperation shooting or individual heroics. Instead, they trusted the defensive system that has defined much of their success this season. Pressure on the ball created turnovers, turnovers created transition opportunities, and those opportunities allowed the offense to find its rhythm. By the time Toronto adjusted, the game had already changed. If the Valkyries continue defending with the same intensity they displayed during their decisive run against the Tempo, they will remain one of the WNBA's toughest teams to challenge as the postseason approaches. Tuesday's comeback wasn't simply another victory—it was another reminder that Golden State's defense continues to be its greatest weapon.
women's basketball players

Why the New York Liberty Believe They Already Have Everything They Need

By Amber Aniston • August 4, 2026
Championship teams often face the same question as the trade deadline approaches: should they make one more move to strengthen their roster, or trust the group already in the locker room? The New York Liberty answered that question by doing nothing. Despite outside speculation that the defending WNBA champions should add another impact player before the deadline, the Liberty stood pat. Just days later, they backed up that decision with a convincing 95-83 victory over the Seattle Storm, improving to 18-13 and winning for the fifth time in their last six games. More importantly, the performance reinforced a belief that has been echoed throughout the organization: this roster is already capable of competing for another championship. The win wasn't simply another mark in the standings. It became a statement of confidence. The Core Delivered Exactly as Expected When teams choose not to make major additions, their biggest stars must justify that decision. The Liberty's core trio did exactly that. Breanna Stewart led the way with 24 points, eight rebounds, six assists, and two blocks , continuing one of the most complete seasons of her career. Jonquel Jones added 20 points and seven rebounds , while Sabrina Ionescu contributed 18 points and five assists on efficient shooting. Together, they accounted for 62 points and immediately established control of the game by scoring New York's first 26 points . It was the kind of performance expected from a championship nucleus. Rather than waiting for role players to create momentum, the Liberty's stars seized control from the opening tip. The Bench Answered a Lingering Question While New York's stars received much of the attention, one of the game's biggest storylines came from the second unit. Throughout the season, questions have surrounded the Liberty's depth, particularly after the organization elected not to make a significant move before the trade deadline. Against Seattle, those concerns eased. The Liberty bench combined for 21 points , with Han Xu , Marine Johannes , Rebekah Gardner , and Marine Fauthoux all providing valuable contributions. During the decisive stretch late in the third quarter, New York's reserves helped fuel a 15-0 run that turned a competitive game into a comfortable victory. That sequence may have been just as important as anything accomplished by the starting lineup. Championship teams rarely rely on five players alone. Stewart's Message Was Clear Before the game, Stewart addressed questions surrounding the Liberty's quiet trade deadline. Her response left little room for interpretation. "This is it. This is our group," Stewart said, making it clear that the players inside New York's locker room believe they already possess the talent necessary to compete for another title. Those words carried additional significance after the victory. Instead of merely expressing confidence, the Liberty immediately demonstrated why that confidence exists. The chemistry between Stewart, Jones, and Ionescu remained evident throughout the game, while the supporting cast consistently responded when called upon. The Numbers Continue to Build the Case Beyond the final score, several statistics highlighted just how well New York is playing. The Liberty have now won five of their last six games , and Monday's victory marked their sixth consecutive game scoring at least 94 points , tying the second-longest such streak in WNBA history. The team also connected on 14 three-pointers while never trailing or allowing the game to become tied after the opening tip. Defensively, New York also delivered one of its strongest efforts in recent weeks. After Seattle briefly cut the deficit to one possession late in the third quarter, the Liberty responded by holding the Storm scoreless for more than four minutes while extending the lead behind improved ball movement and disciplined defense. Those are the habits championship teams depend upon when the postseason arrives. There Is Still Room to Improve The victory did not erase every concern. Seattle scored 20 points off 15 Liberty turnovers , exposing an area New York must continue cleaning up before the playoffs. Earlier in the game, the Storm also trimmed what had once been a comfortable lead, demonstrating that lapses in execution can still create unnecessary pressure. Yet unlike several recent close victories, the Liberty responded decisively instead of allowing momentum to slip away. That maturity may be one of the team's most encouraging developments entering the final stretch of the season. Confidence Starts From Within Head coach Chris DeMarco echoed Stewart's confidence after the game. He emphasized that winning a championship requires contributions from the entire roster and expressed complete belief that the Liberty will be playing their best basketball when the postseason begins. That confidence has become one of the defining characteristics of New York's season. Rather than searching for outside solutions, the organization continues investing in the players already wearing Liberty uniforms. A Championship Mindset Doesn't Require New Faces Trade deadlines often create the impression that contenders must make splashy acquisitions to keep pace. The Liberty are betting on something different. They believe continuity, chemistry, and experience can be just as valuable as adding another headline-making player. Monday's victory over Seattle won't determine whether New York successfully defends its championship, but it offered compelling evidence that the Liberty's faith in their current roster is more than optimism. Their stars continue producing at an elite level. Their bench is becoming increasingly dependable. Their defense is showing signs of improvement. Most importantly, the players themselves believe they already have everything required to compete for another WNBA title. Whether that confidence ultimately results in another championship remains to be seen. But after watching the Liberty dismantle Seattle without needing any deadline reinforcements, it's becoming easier to understand why New York never felt the need to make another move in the first place.
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