Women's Fastbreak On SI
Samara Elster

Samara Elster

Joined: Jan 17, 2025

Samara Elster covers basketball for Women’s Fastbreak on SI. She has extensively covered a variety of the sports teams at Indiana University with a focus on the women's basketball team. Samara has experience as a beat reporter covering the ins and outs of a team and handling the stories that emerge from that role. Her concentration on sports journalism at IU combined with her enthusiasm for the media industry drove her to pursue a career covering sports.

Oct 18, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; New York Liberty forward Betnijah Laney-Hamilton (44) drives past Minnesota Lynx guard Courtney Williams (10) during the second half of game four of the 2024 WNBA Finals at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images
News

Liberty Standout Betnijah Laney-Hamilton to Miss Significant Time After Knee Surgery

The defending champion New York Liberty announced that key player Betnijah Laney-Hamilton will be out of action for an extended period of time.

Samara Elster
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Ta'Niya Latson 00, LSU Tigers take on Florida State in the second round of the NCAA Womens Basketball Tournament in Baton Rouge, LA. Monday, March 24, 2025.
News

NCAA Scoring Leader Ta’Niya Latson Enters Tranfer Portal

The Florida State guard is keeping all of her options open throughout the process.

Samara Elster
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Oct 20, 2024; Brooklyn, New York, USA; The New York Liberty celebrate after winning the 2024 WNBA Finals at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
News

New York Liberty Announce Brand New $80M Practice Facility

New York Liberty ownership is committing to the team in a big way with plans for a state of the art practice facility to debut in Brooklyn in 2027.

Samara Elster
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Monterey senior Aaliyah Chavez receives her McDonald's All-American jersey at a pep rally Wednesday, March 5, 2025, at Monterey High School.
News

Oklahoma Lands No. 1 Women’s Basketball Recruit Aaliyah Chavez

Top ranked recruit Aaliyah Chavez chooses the Sooners over UCLA, South Carolina, and LSU.

Samara Elster
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Jul 16, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; LA Sparks players huddle around forward Cameron Brink during the game against the Seattle Storm at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
News

Cameron Brink Opens Up About ACL Injury Recovery Before 2025 WNBA Season

Los Angeles Sparks star Cameron Brink described her "whirlwind" ACL injury recovery process.

Samara Elster
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Mar 7, 2025; Greenville, SC, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Georgia Amoore (3) shoots a thee pointer against the Oklahoma Sooners during the second half at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images
News

Georgia Amoore Doesn’t Lament Missed Shot in Kentucky NCAA Tournament Elimination

Georgia Amoore didn't let her missed shot in Kentucky's overtime loss sour her overall college experience.

Samara Elster
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Oct 18, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; New York Liberty forward Breanna Stewart (30) warms up before game four of the 2024 WNBA Finals against the Minnesota Lynx at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images
News

WNBA Champion Breanna Stewart Undergoes Minor Knee Procedure After Unrivaled Season

Breanna Stewart is expected to be ready for WNBA training camp after undergoing a minor procedure on her meniscus.

Samara Elster
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USC Trojans guard JuJu Watkins (12) drives Friday, March 7, 2025, agains the Indiana Hoosiers during the Big Ten women's tournament at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
News

JuJu Watkins Shrugs Off USC Scoring Milestone After Big Ten Win vs Indiana

The USC sophomore didn't want to focus too much on moving up another program scoring list.

Samara Elster
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Apr 15, 2024; Brooklyn, NY, USA; ESPN reporter Holly Rowe interviews Nika Muhl after she is selected with the number fourteen overall pick to the Seattle Storm in the 2024 WNBA Draft at Brooklyn Academy of Music. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Off Court

Former UConn Star and WNBA Fashion Icon Nika Mühl Lands Under Armour Deal

Nika Mühl received limited playing time with the Seattle Storm last season, but that didn't stop her from landing an Under Armour endorsement deal.

Samara Elster
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Feb 16, 2025; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley directs her team against the UConn Huskies in the first half at Colonial Life Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-Imagn Images
NCAAW

UConn and South Carolina Seasons Prove NCAA Women’s Basketball Parity Has Arrived

The NCAA women's basketball championship landscape is wide open as March Madness approaches.

Samara Elster
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Feb 13, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; USC Trojans guard JuJu Watkins (12) celebrates as the clock runs out in the Trojans win over the UCLA Bruins at Galen Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images
News

JuJu Watkins Mural Spotted Under Construction in Downtown Los Angeles

USC sophomore phenom JuJu Watkins is making her mark off the court in a big way in LA.

Samara Elster
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Oct 8, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Connecticut Sun guard DiJonai Carrington (21) and forward DeWanna Bonner (24) look on during the second half of game five of the 2024 WNBA playoffs against the Minnesota Lynx at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images
WNBA

Can the Connecticut Sun Rise Again?

The Connecticut Sun saw a mass exodus in the WNBA offseason, leaving the franchise in a reset position.

Samara Elster
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