By John “Woods” Armwood III
Setting the Tone in the Locker Room
For Shakira Austin, leadership doesn’t just happen in the spotlight—it begins behind closed doors, in the locker room, where a young core is still learning how to compete at the highest level.
“Usually, the motivation is making playoffs and competing for a championship,” Austin explained. “But when you have a young core, you have to figure out how to develop and get to that spot. We’re not there yet, realistically. We know we need some more pieces to help gel this together a little better. So just coming in with the expectation to get better every day.”
For Austin, the goal was simple: finish the season on a strong note, carry momentum into the offseason, and lay the foundation for something bigger.
Growing Into Leadership
Thrown into a leadership role earlier than expected, Austin has embraced the challenge. The lessons she learned at Ole Miss—being the best player and setting a new standard for the program—helped prepare her for moments like this.
“I haven’t had the experience to speak on everything that I need to, but knowing what I bring is what I can hold that standard to,” Austin said. “I’ve learned from vets like Skylar Diggins, just showing what it looks like to go in every day and do your job. Sometimes, that’s louder than your voice. But in this situation, I also have to use my voice, and we have to lean on each other because at the end of the day, we’re all young.”
Even though many of her teammates are only a year or two behind her in experience, Austin embraces her role as both teammate and mentor. “We’re all growing and learning and just helping each other and pushing each other,” she added.
Unrivaled Opportunities
Beyond the WNBA season, Austin is eager for what lies ahead with Unrivaled, the player-led league offering opportunities for continued development.
“I’ve been eager to play in the offseason again,” Austin said. “Arrival was my first time playing since my rookie season, and I’m excited to get back there and continue to build. I don’t want to waste any time. I want to go into next year as sharp as I can be.”
With the uncertainty surrounding offseason opportunities and finances, leagues like Unrivaled give players a chance not only to compete but also to keep growing the women’s game in the States.
Resilience Through Adversity
This past year tested Austin in ways she hadn’t faced before. An offseason injury forced her to reset both physically and mentally—but she turned it into fuel.
“It was my first injury in my career, and it completely changed my mindset and my approach to the game,” she reflected. “I’ve been tested in different ways this year, but God continues to elevate me and get me to where I want to go. So just gotta keep moving forward and know that next year is gonna be even better.”
Looking Ahead
Shakira Austin represents more than just talent on the floor. She’s a voice for growth, a model of resilience, and a reminder of how perseverance can transform challenges into opportunities. For Austin, the mission is clear: keep building, keep leading, and keep believing.