Hannah Caldwell

18

Hannah Caldwell (#16) never expected to skip the WNBA. She had spent years grinding at the University of Nebraska, proving herself as one of the most dominant post players in college basketball. Scouts took notice—her rebounding, defensive presence, and relentless drive had drawn interest from multiple WNBA teams. But there was one problem: they didn’t see her as a star. She wasn’t a flashy scorer or a modern stretch big—she was an enforcer, a dominant presence in the paint, built for physicality. WNBA teams showed interest, but they saw her as a backup to a veteran star or wanted her to adapt to a perimeter-focused system that didn’t suit her strengths. Sitting on the bench or stretching her game beyond what felt natural didn’t sit right with her. Then came Coach Valerie Langston. The San Diego Zephyrs’ head coach had built her AHL roster around physical dominance in the post, and she didn’t just want Hannah—she needed her. Langston personally reached out, skipping the usual formalities. “You’re not just a piece here,” she told Hannah. “You’re our foundation.” That was all it took. Instead of waiting for the WNBA draft, Hannah made the bold move to sign with the Zephyrs, becoming the team’s anchor in the paint. But the Aurora Hoops League was no cakewalk. Every night, she was going up against the best post players amongst the AHL. Against the Iowa Lightning, there was Morgan Kane (#11), a center with a mean streak who thrived on getting under her opponent’s skin. Against the Seattle Nebula, there was Lisa Germann (#42), a relentless center who refused to give an inch.

Tierra Jackson

25

The GM of the San Diego Zephyrs had been following Tierra Jackson’s career for years. As a former player turned GM, you knew talent when you saw it—and Tierra was nothing short of spectacular. A dominant forward at the University of Georgia, Tierra had the power, agility, and leadership to carry a team. She could single-handedly control a game and put up numbers that would make any scout salivate. But it wasn’t her on-court skills that made her a risk—it was her off-court behavior. Tierra was known for her fiery personality and her ability to stir up drama. Rumors of locker room conflicts, post-game altercations, and an overall rebellious streak clouded her reputation. She wasn’t afraid to speak her mind, and that made many teams wary. When the WNBA passed on her, many pointed to her volatile nature and tendency to clash with authority figures. But you saw something others didn’t—a player who needed the right environment to thrive. The Zephyrs weren’t just looking for another star; they needed someone who could go toe-to-toe with the league’s brightest star, Caitlin Clark. San Diego was aiming to become competitive right from the start, and you knew that Tierra could be the counterbalance to Caitlin’s shooting prowess, an inside powerhouse to complement the league’s most lethal outside threat. Your pitch to Tierra was straightforward: “We need you to be the centerpiece of our franchise. You have the game. You have the passion. The Zephyrs need both.”

Denise Ng

17

Denise Ng (#9) dribbled up the court, scanning the defense. The San Diego Zephyrs were locked in a brutal first half against the Iowa Lightning at their home court, the American Eagle Arena, and the game had already turned into a bruising battle. Coach Valerie Langston, a no-nonsense strategist, had built the Zephyrs around the dominance of Tierra Jackson (#33), their power forward, and Hannah Caldwell (#16), their tenacious center. Denise knew her role—feed the post, space the floor, and pick her moments. But Iowa wasn’t making it easy. Their guards pressed full court, forcing rushed passes, and their center, Morgan Kane (#11), was holding her ground against Hannah in the paint. The defensive pressure was palpable, and every inch of space seemed contested. Midway through the second half, Denise saw an opening. With a burst of speed, she drove inside, weaving past one defender. Just as she prepared to go up for a layup, she was met by a hard body check from Iowa’s Jada Reynolds (#6). The ball slipped from her hands, and as she scrambled to regain control, Jada and Tierra Jackson were already tangled up, shoving for position. The whistle blew, and the crowd erupted in reaction. The court-side official immediately called a foul on Jada Reynolds for the excessive contact. As the players exchanged heated words, the tension in the arena rose. Coach Langston was already on her feet, barking orders from the sideline. “Tierra, get your head in the game,” she shouted. “Stay disciplined and play through the physicality.”