Podcast Summary: Fudd Around And Find Out — "You May Also Like: Full Circle - Andraya Carter Owning the Game On and Off the Court"

Date: December 26, 2025
Podcast: Fudd Around And Find Out
Hosts: Lexi Brown & Mariah Rose
Special Guest: Andraya Carter

Episode Overview

This episode brings a vibrant, in-depth conversation with ESPN broadcaster and former Tennessee Lady Vol Andraya Carter, tracing her journey from being a highly-ranked high school athlete through injury-driven retirement, to flourishing as one of the most dynamic voices in women's basketball media. The episode explores Carter’s formative experiences, the realities and pivots of elite women’s basketball careers, and the surging popularity and challenges facing both NCAA and WNBA women's basketball. The hosts and guest reflect candidly on coaching, injuries, mental health, and the media’s role in the game’s explosive growth.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Early Basketball Roots and High School Success

Timestamp: 03:35–07:41

• First Spark: Carter got her start in basketball at age four, coached by her stepdad, immersed in organized drills, and consistently encouraged by her parents.
  • “My dad actually used…Excel back then…put basketball drills on the left side…dates at the top, and I would have to write in how many drills I did each day.” –Andraya Carter (04:23)
• Buford High School:
  • Played under legendary coach Gene Durden, which she calls formative for her leadership, toughness, and discipline.
  • Culture of intensity and respect—players sprint, hand-deliver the ball to referees, and are expected to dive for loose balls.
  • “He was tough on me…some practices he wouldn’t answer my questions…It made me better, and it worked.” –Andraya Carter (07:08)

AAU Basketball and College Recruitment

Timestamp: 08:17–13:26

• Carter’s AAU team, Georgia Elite, wasn’t aligned with big brands but was a powerhouse because of chemistry, discipline, and strong coaching.
  • AAU tournaments were incredibly competitive and popular: “They were popping, wall-to-wall packed…” –Lexi Brown (10:08)
• Her college decision was between UConn, Georgia (where her best friend played), and her dream school, Tennessee.
  • Chose Tennessee for its legacy, Pat Summitt’s influence, and personal connections, committing only after winning a state title at her dad’s request.

Navigating Modern College Decisions & NIL

Timestamp: 13:26–14:16

• Carter notes today's recruiting is even tougher with NIL ("name, image, likeness") and financial factors. She emphasizes attending a school where players feel cared for and connected, as careers can end unexpectedly.

Injury Struggles and Forced Retirement

Timestamp: 16:07–23:50

• Injury Timeline:
  • Tore her ACL in high school, continued to play through pain, missed critical seasons, then tore her labrum in college leading to a chronically dislocating shoulder.
  • Suffered a severe meniscus injury in college, leading to ongoing pain and difficult choices about future mobility.
  • Ultimately forced to retire early:
  • “If you continue playing basketball, you’re gonna be on crutches in your 30s…” –Andrea Carter on her doctors’ warning (19:49)
• Emotional Impact:
  • Difficulty of letting go of playing dreams, and the spiraling impact of injury mentally and physically.
  • Strong critique of sports medical culture for pushing athletes to “play through," often to their detriment.
  • “There’s a lot of pressure to perform and push through… Not just physical injuries, but a lot of these players now, they push through mental things…” –Andraya Carter (23:50)

Pivoting to Broadcasting & Building a Media Career

Timestamp: 24:55–33:01

• Transition:
  • After retiring, Carter completed her Master’s while working in athletics academics. Maria Taylor mentored her and connected her to the SEC Network.
  • “I did like a couple of run through sessions… I did not study TV… Maria was like, ‘You should think about doing TV. You speak well, you know the game…’” –Andraya Carter (27:05)
• After calling Tennessee’s games and a breakout Kentucky–Miss State game, Carter earned her first ESPN shot, eventually going full-time in 2021.

The Rise of the “Big Three” in ESPN Coverage

Timestamp: 33:01–36:50

• Carter, Elle Duncan, and Chiney Ogwumike’s chemistry as a studio team became a phenomenon during the NCAA tournament, bringing energy and authenticity.
  • “That is now the big three. And honestly, it happened very organically. During the tournament… we just vibed…” (31:07)
  • Their collective relatability connected with audiences and increased excitement for the women’s game.
• “I think that genuine authenticity… was what was showing. It was honestly, like, the perfect mix, because if the games weren't as good, we might not have been as good.” –Andraya Carter (35:29)

Growth of Women’s Basketball Fandom—College & WNBA

Timestamp: 36:50–45:15

• Expansion Factors:
  • Branding, NIL, and richer media coverage draw broader and younger fanbases.
  • Players are now followed individually from NCAA to WNBA, a shift from the past.
• Comparison:
  • College fandom is anchored by university loyalty, while WNBA teams are just starting to see individual fans transition into franchise loyalty.
  • “This is the first time, really, where I feel like players are being followed from college wherever they go in the W.” –Andraya Carter (40:13)

The Importance of Rivalries and Team Stability in the WNBA

Timestamp: 45:15–48:23

• The WNBA’s next phase: building the long-standing team rivalries seen in the NBA and deeper team-centric loyalties, not just superstar followings.
  • “I hope the Aces… have been able to build in terms of just their organizational fandom, growing that at all the leagues…” –Andraya Carter (44:04)
• Both hosts and Carter note frequent player movement has made it harder to build long-term narratives.

WNBA Expansion, Team Spotlight, and Fan Engagement

Timestamp: 48:23–57:06

• Sparks and Sky: Carter cites the LA Sparks as a sleeping giant given legacy and market. Brown points to the Chicago Sky’s opportunity and recent turmoil, especially given Angel Reese’s draw.
• Expansion Teams:
  • The Valkyries (San Francisco) are seen as models for future teams, both talent and fan engagement.
  • Dallas Wings mentioned as a wild card; Toronto’s delayed debut sparks some debate.
• Fan Engagement:
  • WNBA needs to leverage player popularity with off-court visibility—celebrity, social media, etc.—to maintain momentum even when teams aren’t winning.
  • “People are excited to watch [Angel Reese]… no matter what the score is…” –Andraya Carter (56:16)

Reflection on the Future & Handling the Growth Surge

Timestamp: 57:19–58:18

• The WNBA and women’s basketball as a whole are at a crossroads. With big names, media interest, and a changing league landscape, there is both massive opportunity and risk if growth isn’t thoughtfully managed.

Lightning Round: Build the “Ideal WNBA Player”

Timestamp: 58:18–63:13

• Build-a-Player Game: Each picks three attributes/skills from current WNBA players to create their franchise cornerstone.
  • Lexi: Jackie Young’s physicality, Kayla McBride’s shooting, Gabby Williams’ defense/athleticism.
  • Drea: Dominique Malonga’s athleticism/physique, A’ja Wilson’s mentality, offensive skill set/fluidity from Kelsey Plum or Caitlin Clark.
• Playful banter about what would make a player “too good,” and self-referential jokes about how these podcast debates can spark narrative clips or social media discourse.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On coaching at Buford HS:
  “In our games, we all wore knee pads because we were expected to dive on the floor… had to run and hand the ball to the ref every dead ball…It was a sign of respect.” –Andraya Carter (06:41)
• On the impact of injuries:
  “You want to be out there on the floor, and you end up overcompensating…There’s a lot of pressure to perform and push through—not just physical injuries, but…mental things that they’re dealing with.” –Andraya Carter (23:50)
• On women’s basketball fandom and media:
  “Women’s basketball fans are more connected to the individual player…with NIL and brand deals…help[ing] fans pick a player and ride for that player and follow that player’s team.” –Andraya Carter (37:16)
• On building rivalries:
  “Once we start seeing Asia and the Aces have a rival…same people every year, and we see them talking trash…That will come back.” –Mariah Rose (45:20)
• On WNBA’s viral potential:
  “For me, I’m just like: Please don’t mess this up. Like, literally, please don’t mess it up.” –Andraya Carter (57:59)
• On “Big Three” coverage impact:
  “If y’ all three were not together covering [the tournament], it would not have had the impact or the enjoyment that …everybody [shared].” –Lexi Brown (33:21)

Conclusion

This episode is a dynamic, candid look at the life and evolution of an elite women’s basketball athlete-turned-broadcaster, layered with rich discussion on mentorship, the complexities of college recruiting, managing dreams amid injuries, and the surge in women’s basketball’s visibility and fandom. Carter’s journey and insights capture the spirit, fortitude, and commitment integral to the women’s game both on and off the court.

For listeners seeking a mix of raw personal journey and robust analysis on the state—and direction—of women’s hoops, this episode delivers energy, honesty, and community, straight from those shaping the sport’s present and future.