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.

UC Davis' Mazatlan Harris celebrates after eliminating Hawaii in the Big West Tournament

Big West Tournament semifinals: An upset and some chalk

March 15, 2024

The Big West Tournament semifinals featured an upset and a top seed advancing

Hawaii guard Lily Wahinekapu dribbles the ball with her right hand and holds her left hand in a fist out in front of her.

How Hawaii’s Lily Wahinekapu joined 1,000-point club, even as she became more of a facilitator

March 8, 2024

Wahinekapu’s all-around game has helped Hawaii secure the top seed in the Big West Tournament

Chicago Sky point guard Julie Allemand drives from the top of the key towards the slot, as Connecticut Sun combo guard Natisha Hiedeman runs after her to try to catch up

The Los Angeles Sparks add more current talent with Julie Allemand, Li Yueru trade

February 19, 2024

The Sparks’ guard-heavy roster gets even more crowded.

Los Angeles Sparks off-ball guard Lexie Brown releases a long jumper off fingertips, as two Connecticut Sun defenders watch on from a distance too far away to contest

Who will lead the Los Angeles Sparks without Nneka Ogwumike?

February 8, 2024

They’ll need veteran mentorship for a young roster, likely including several 2024 draft picks

Five Los Angeles Sparks players wrap their arms around each other's waists as they huddle.

The Los Angeles Sparks put all their chips on the 2024 WNBA Draft

February 1, 2024

How one night in April will define LA’s next era

Los Angeles Sparks big Nneka Ogwumike looks out at the court from the baseline behind the basket, as a ref stands next to her

Where do the Sparks go after losing Nneka Ogwumike in free agency?

January 25, 2024

A rebuild, but it could be faster than you’d think

Five Los Angeles Sparks players wrap their arms around each other's waists as they huddle.

2024 WNBA free agency preview: Los Angeles Sparks

January 14, 2024

The Sparks head into the WNBA free agency period with a lot of decisions to make.

UCLA guard Charisma Osborne celebrates a basket against USC. She is wearing UCLA blue and yellow home jersey.

Undefeated UCLA poised for conference competition

January 5, 2024

Bruins resume Pac-12 play with confidence

Annika Shah shoots a wide-open jump shot with her right hand.

Driven by relationships, Annika Shah reaches another level at Cal Poly

December 26, 2023

The 5’3 guard has become one of the Big West’s top players as a junior

USC's JuJu Watkins shoots over two Ohio State defenders in the Hall of Fame Series at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nev., on Nov. 6, 2023. (Photo credit: John McGillen/USC Athletics)

USC seeking to build something special with homegrown talent

December 17, 2023

The Trojans are hoping to be at the forefront of expanding popularity for women’s basketball.