By John “Woods” Armwood III
At the 2025 McDonald's All-American Game in Brooklyn, New York, Harlem-born rapper Dave East shared his thoughts on the evolution of women's basketball and its growing prominence. Despite his own basketball background, East has always held a deep respect for the women's game. He acknowledges that while the current era has gained significant notoriety, the trailblazers who came before laid a strong foundation with immense talent. Reflecting on the sport's transformation, East remarked:
“I think the game for women went through the moon. Growing up, I was familiar with Dawn Staley, Lisa Leslie, Sheryl Swoopes, and that era. But to see how the audiences are nearly comparable between the NBA and WNBA... The attraction of the game, I think the women have improved greatly.”
When asked about the landscape of college basketball, East emphasized the significance of this progression, noting:
“I feel like the women are getting their due. I feel like they’ve been adding to the game and bringing their spin and flavor, but they're finally getting their just due.”
College and Professional Landscape Changing
Prior to the last three seasons, men's college basketball traditionally dominated viewership. However, this dynamic has shifted, thanks in part to the talents of players like Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese, who have brought increased attention and excitement to the women's game.
As a father to two daughters, Kairi Chanel and Kobi Chanai, East's appreciation for the women's game is deeply personal. He shared:
“I have daughters and they love coming to the Liberty games, and I represent all the New York teams, so if it’s the home team I’m definitely supporting.”
The 2025 McDonald's All-American Game, returning to New York City after over two decades, served as a platform for East to reflect on his own aspirations and the importance of such events:
“It’s dope [The McDonald’s All American game]. I feel older now, sadly, I’m not as familiar with this class, but this is dope. It’s something I wanted to play in during high school, so to be here in New York, it’s super dope. Shout-out to all the guys and girls playing, I hope they take it as far as they can take it.”
Dave East's reflections underscore the growing recognition and respect for women's basketball, highlighting its impact not only on fans but also on families and communities. His personal connection to the game through his daughters and his support for local teams like the New York Liberty exemplify the evolving landscape of sports fandom, where appreciation for women's athletics continues to rise.