Posts by David Mendez-Yapkowitz

David has been with The Next team since the High Post Hoops days when he joined the staff in 2018. He is based in Los Angeles and covers the LA Sparks, Pac-12 Conference, Big West Conference and some high school as well.

USC head coach Lindsay Gottlieb talks to her team in a huddle.

USC rallies for JuJu Watkins in emotional final night at Galen Center

March 25, 2025

Gottlieb: ‘I think we showed what kind of team we are’

USC head coach Lindsay Gottlieb talks to her team in a huddle.

Big Ten Tournament notebook Day 3: USC and UCLA debut

March 8, 2025

Plus, No. 5 seed Michigan crashes the semifinal party

Nebraska's Britt Prince dribbles the ball against Chattanooga.

Big Ten Tournament Day 2 notebook: Upsets all around

March 7, 2025

‘The competitiveness is unreal’

University of Washington players celebrate as they walk back to the bench against Wisconsin on January 7, 2025 at Alaska Airlines Arena in Seattle, Wash.

Big Ten Tournament notebook Day 1: Higher seeds advance

March 6, 2025

Washington, Iowa and Nebraska all advance to play again on Thursday

Minnesota forward Mallory Heyer holds the ball near her left hip with two hands and looks to make a move.

How Mallory Heyer has helped Minnesota take a step forward this season

March 3, 2025

Heyer is part of a recruiting class that stuck with Minnesota through a coaching change, and it’s paying off

UCLA’s Elina Aarnisalo goes up for a left-handed layup. No defender is in position to contest her shot.

Meet Elina Aarnisalo, UCLA’s impact freshman

February 3, 2025

Cori Close: ‘When she gets the opportunity and the light, she will shine’

Nebraska's Britt Prince dribbles the ball against Chattanooga.

Britt Prince making immediate impact as a freshman at Nebraska

January 6, 2025

“She’s going to be a great teammate, she’s going to find a way to impact the game and make everybody else around her better.”

Michigan head coach Kim Barnes Arico talks to her team during a timeout against Oakland on Nov. 14.

Michigan leaning on freshmen as conference play comes into focus

January 2, 2025

Greta Kampschroeder: ‘Don’t feel like you have to carry the weight of the world on your shoulders’

USC forward Kiki Iriafen drives to the basket against Fresno State on Dec. 10, 2024.

How USC has bounced back since Notre Dame loss

December 13, 2024

USC has rattled off five consecutive wins

Notre Dame guard Hannah Hidalgo reaches toward a loose ball in front of her with her right hand as she's playing defense.

Defense powers Notre Dame to undefeated start

November 24, 2024

The Fighting Irish locked down USC on Saturday in their biggest test to date