What happens when a lifelong love of basketball meets a passion for history and storytelling? In an episode of Who Are You? Your Identity | Your Issue, I speak with Jordan Robinson about her journey through women’s basketball, sports journalism and the research behind her new book, Court Queens: Celebrate the Players, Teams, and History of Women’s Basketball, co-authored with Emma Baccellieri.
Jordan brings a perspective shaped by both experience and curiosity. A former basketball player, journalist, analyst, host and play-by-play announcer, she understands the game not only as a sport but also as a cultural and historical force. Our conversation explores what first drew her to basketball and how that passion developed into a deeper interest in the stories of the women who helped build the game.
One of the central topics is the research process behind Court Queens. The book traces the history of women’s basketball from its early beginnings through to the modern WNBA, bringing together players, teams, milestones and images that help illuminate the sport’s development. Jordan discusses the importance of recovering and preserving these histories, particularly at a time when women’s basketball is receiving unprecedented attention.
The conversation also considers the relationship between history and the present. The increasing visibility of the WNBA and women’s sport more broadly has created new opportunities for players, journalists, broadcasters and fans. Yet this recent growth rests on the work of generations of athletes whose contributions have not always received the recognition they deserve. For Jordan, understanding that history makes today’s game more meaningful.
We also discuss the personal side of the project: the excitement of discovering new stories, the demands of researching the past and the responsibility involved in representing athletes and teams accurately. Jordan’s enthusiasm is infectious, but it is accompanied by a strong sense of purpose. Court Queens is not simply a celebration of basketball; it is also an attempt to place women’s sporting achievements within the wider history of American culture and social change.
What makes the episode particularly engaging is Jordan’s ability to move between personal experience and historical analysis. She speaks with the knowledge of someone who has played the game, the insight of a journalist and the enthusiasm of a committed fan. Her experiences demonstrate how sport can become a pathway into writing, broadcasting, research and public conversation.
This episode is a must-listen for basketball fans, supporters of women’s sport and anyone interested in the power of storytelling. Jordan Robinson’s work reminds us that history is not only found in major victories or famous names. It also lives in the overlooked players, pioneering teams, archival photographs and everyday acts of perseverance that have shaped the game.
Watch or listen to the full conversation here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7WGlC4E4qkA
