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.

Utah forward Alyssa Pili (35) holds the ball and looks to pass during a game at the Huntsman Center. A referee stands and signals behind her.

Utah moving on without Gianna Kneepkens’ poise, presence and perimeter scoring

December 6, 2023

Roberts: ‘We had to grieve it’

UCLA's Kiki Rice dribbling away from an opponent during a Pac 12 matchup with Stanford.

UCLA hits a defining non-conference stretch

November 30, 2023

Close: ‘I think I’m going to know a lot more going into the holiday break than I do now’

Colorado fifth-year senior guard Jaylyn Sherrod goes to the basket against LSU on November 6.

Pac-12 teams propelled by fifth-year players

November 27, 2023

Pac-12’s final year as we know it could also be its best, thanks to a crop of college elders

Stanford forward Kiki Iriafen goes for a layup during a game against Indiana at Maples Pavilion. No other players can be seen around the paint.

Kiki Iriafen is the key to Stanford’s success

November 12, 2023

‘She is going to surprise a lot of people this year.’

UCLA's Charisma Osborne drives into the lane during a Pac-12 matchup against USC.

Pac-12 to be defined by its non-conference matchups

November 5, 2023

Ten of the most intriguing games to watch in November and December

Timea Gardiner ready to lead Oregon State ‘rehabilitation’

October 28, 2023

After missing three months because of blood clots, former top recruit ready to leave Beavers

Washington State players surround the Pac-12 broadcasting desk in celebration after winning their first Pac-12 championship.

2023-24 Pac-12 preview

October 25, 2023

One more time for the Pac-12, with title contenders all over

Pac-12 Media Day set photo

Pac-12’s last ride is the elephant in the room at media day

October 13, 2023

‘Our team’s theme is ‘Best year ever,’ and I think that that’s kind of what everyone wants’

Golden State Warriors ready to share the spotlight with WNBA

October 5, 2023

‘The quality of play has just dramatically improved over the last decade,’ Kerr said. I think the timing is great, given the level of interest in the sport and the quality of the women’s game’

WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert, Golden State Warriors owner Joe Lacob and others answer the questions from Malika Andrews during the introduction of the Golden State WNBA team, set to play in 2025. (Photo via Alex Simon/SFGate)

Sights and sounds from WNBA expansion day at the Chase Center

October 5, 2023

‘Right team, right place, right time’