BALTIMORE, Md. (Oct. 14, 2026)--As the Morgan State Lady Bears prepare for the 2026–27 women's basketball season, in September the team kicked off the year with the first installment of "Courtside Conversations," featuring Washington Mystics forward Michaela Onyenwere.
 
Onyenwere, a former standout at UCLA, was selected sixth overall in the first round of the 2021 WNBA Draft by the New York Liberty. She quickly made an impact at the professional level, earning 2021 WNBA Rookie of the Year honors while also being named to the WNBA All-Rookie Team.
 
During the conversation, the Lady Bears had the opportunity to ask Onyenwere about her journey from college basketball to the WNBA and the experiences that have shaped her career.
 
She spoke openly about the challenges of transitioning to the professional game, the importance of staying prepared, and what it takes to continue developing as a player.
 
Onyenwere also reflected on her experience away from the WNBA. During the 2025–26 season, she returned to her alma mater as an assistant coach for the UCLA women's basketball team, helping mentor and develop the next generation of players. She was part of a Bruins staff that guided UCLA to the NCAA Championship before returning to the WNBA.
 
For Onyenwere, her visit to Morgan State was about more than basketball. It marked her first time visiting Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), allowing her to experience the culture and connect with student-athletes who share similar backgrounds.
 
"This was my first time attending an HBCU and being able to be around people who look like us and have that experience and these opportunities are super important to me," Onyenwere said. "But also, bigger than that, just to be able to give back to the younger generation. I wish I had this opportunity when I was in school to have a WNBA player come back and give me that advice. So, if I'm able to push that along to the next generation, I think that's really important."
 
Her message extended beyond her personal journey as she encouraged the Lady Bears to recognize the importance of teamwork, communication, and trust. Onyenwere emphasized that success is not simply about individual talent, but about how players come together and support one another.
 
For the Lady Bears, the conversation provided an opportunity to learn from someone who has experienced the journey from college basketball to the professional level firsthand. Her insight offered the team a valuable perspective as they continue preparing for the upcoming season.
 
As Morgan State looks toward a new season, the first "Courtside Conversations" served as a reminder that growth extends beyond what happens on the court. Through shared experiences, mentorship, and connection, the Lady Bears gained lessons that can help shape both their development as players and their growth as a team.
 
 
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ABOUT MORGAN
Morgan State University, founded in 1867, is a Carnegie-classified high research (R2) institution offering more than 150 baccalaureate, master's degree, doctorate and certificate programs. As Maryland's Preeminent Public Urban Research University, and the only university to have its entire campus designated as a National Treasure by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Morgan serves a multiethnic and multiracial student body and seeks to ensure that the doors of higher education are opened as wide as possible to as many as possible. For more information about Morgan State University, visit www.morgan.edu.