Posts by Michelle Smith

Michelle Smith has covered women's basketball nationally for nearly three decades. Smith has worked for ESPN.com, The Athletic, the San Francisco Chronicle, as well as Pac-12.com and WNBA.com. She was named to the Alameda County Women's Hall of Fame in 2015, is the 2017 recipient of the Jake Wade Media Award from the Collegiate Sports Information Directors Association (CoSIDA) and was named the Mel Greenberg Media Award winner by the WBCA in 2019.

USC star JuJu Watkins shouts instructions as she dribbles the ball with her left hand under pressure.

The legend of JuJu Watkins grows after Pac-12 Tournament semifinal win over UCLA

March 9, 2024

But Watkins also had critical help in critical moments

Colorado's Jaylyn Sherrod dribbles the ball with her right hand, trying to get to the rim, as Oregon State's Donovyn Hunter provides resistance.

How Thursday became possibly the best Pac-12 Tournament day ever

March 8, 2024

The Pac-12 Tournament quarterfinals featured six ranked teams, two teams on the NCAA Tournament bubble and plenty of drama

Pac-12 Media Day set photo

Pac-12 looking to go out in fine tournament style

March 4, 2024

The Pac-12 Tournament in Las Vegas should be one of the most competitive conference tournaments in the land

Michelle Smith's view from press row as she covers a game at Stanford's Maples Pavilion.

Saying thanks to the Pac-12 for the memories

March 3, 2024

The Pac-12 Conference has come a long way. On the cusp of its last tournament, Michelle Smith reflects and remembers

A screenshot of new Pac-12 commissioner Teresa Gould, Washington State president Kirk Schulz and Pac-12 host Yogi Roth speaking in a virtual press conference.

How Teresa Gould will lead Oregon State, Washington State and the Pac-12 into the unknown

March 2, 2024

Gould told reporters on Thursday that she is committed to investing and prioritizing women’s sports

Arizona head coach Adia Barnes gives instructions from the sidelines.

Even with double OT loss, Arizona making the case for itself and the Pac-12

March 1, 2024

The Wildcats need a strong finish to seal the NCAA deal

Oregon State's Raegan Beers looks to score in the paint against Utah.

Oregon State back on the radar in a big way

February 13, 2024

Rueck: ‘I don’t think I predicted we’d be here’

UCLA guard Charisma Osborne goes up for a layup against USC in Saturday night's win.

JuJu Watkins, Cameron Brink lead list of Pac-12 Player of the Year candidates

February 7, 2024

Handicapping the race for Pac-12 Player of the Year

Washington State's Charlisse Leger-Walker takes her opponent off the dribble.

Leger-Walker’s Cougar career ends with ACL injury

January 31, 2024

Senior guard Charlisse Leger-Walker, the three-time All-Pac-12 performer and 2023 Honorable Mention All-American, will miss the remainder of the season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament

WNBA Golden State President Jess Smith poses with Warriors President Brandon Schneider Tuesday night.

WNBA Golden State’s first president is ready to set a vision

January 30, 2024

Jess Smith: “There is a lot more to come.”