Coaching basketball with a touch of swag: Sydney Carter hits the court in style

When it comes to finessing the courts in style, basketball coach Sydney Carter is always on cue. Blending fashion with her career has been the signature of her professional brand. In February 2022, she drew some major backlash from a flood of critics after she posted her game-day outfit. It was a white turtleneck, shiny vinyl pink pants, and a pair of heels.

The photo went viral across multiple social media platforms and sparked comments that ranged from praise to criticism and some, even misogynistic.

“I just think that everybody has to understand somebody is always going to have something to say whether it’s negative or positive,” she told slamonline. “I think they picked the right one when they picked me because I know my worth and I’m very confident. People need to remember that as women, we are strong individuals, and men or anybody else are always going to feel like their opinion should matter,” she said.

Carter is unfazed by the criticisms over her outfit, emphasizing that she just happens to have a different fashion sense than others.

First drafted in the third round of the 2012 WNBA draft by the Chicago Sky, Carter went on to achieve great feats. At the peak of her career, she played for Texas A&M University and helped the team win the NCAA title during her junior year. She then signed a training camp contract with the Atlanta Dream and later joined the Connecticut Sun.

She also spent seven years playing overseas, particularly in Latvia and Israel. She was a three-time Latvian/Estonian Champion and an Eastern European League champion as well.

Sadly, her playing career came to an end after suffering from a meniscus tear. Still optimistic and leveraging the opportunities in her life, she later started a new chapter when she relaunched her career as a basketball coach with her former team, Texas A&M University.

Basketball was not Carter’s first love. She’s had a passion for fashion dating back to her days in elementary school. Her mother once entertained the thought of getting her to model, and though she later developed a love for basketball, her interest in fashion never wavered. 

Ignoring her critics, Sydney is poised to always put her best foot forward and continues to stay focused at work. She hopes her confidence and resilience will inspire upcoming generations to be true to themselves and be who they want to be.