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.

USC Trojans guard JuJu Watkins (12) guards UCLA Bruins guard Londynn Jones (3) during the first half of the 2025 TIAA Big Ten Women's Basketball Tournament final game on Sunday, March 9, 2025, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. UCLA defeated USC 72-67.

News

USC sophomore sensation JuJu Watkins was clearly humbled in accepting the honor while on the mend from her ACL injury.

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

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

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.

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

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 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.

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

News

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

Samara Elster

Joined: Jan 17, 2025

Londynn Jones Transfers from UCLA to In-State Rival USC

Valkyries Continue International Trend With First-Ever WNBA Draft Pick Justé Jocyté

Georgia Amoore Rocks Russell Westbrook Designed Fit to WNBA Draft

UCLA Star Punctuates Dual-Sport Success With NCAA Tournament Final Four Appearance

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JuJu Watkins Sends Heartfelt Message After Winning Naismith Player of the Year Award

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

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NCAA Scoring Leader Ta’Niya Latson Enters Tranfer Portal

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New York Liberty Announce Brand New $80M Practice Facility

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

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

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

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WNBA Champion Breanna Stewart Undergoes Minor Knee Procedure After Unrivaled Season

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

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

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

JuJu Watkins Mural Spotted Under Construction in Downtown Los Angeles