Rae Burrell discusses her experience with top players like Cameron Brink and Rickea Jackson

The union stood on business, and for us, it's just important to be able to perform at the level that they want us to perform at. Getting paid, getting that fair opportunity for the work that we put in. Welcome to Barrier Breakers. Today, I am sitting down with a former Tennessee standout, a rising force with the LA Sparks, a recent standout in Team USA basketball, and one of the best-dressed players in the league, Ray Burrell. Welcome to the show. Thank you. This is your fourth season? I'm going into my fifth season. Going into your fifth season, how have you grown since being in the W? I feel like I've grown a lot in so many different ways. On the court, off the court, as a player, as a teammate, just as a person. I think that the W really has challenged me in ways that I didn't know I could be challenged in and pushed me outside of my comfort zone, forced me to learn new things and handle the lows and also handle the highs as well. It's just really taught me just persistency and to just keep going and keep your head down and keep working and everything kind of will work out um as long as you just stay focused and keep the main goal the main goal so you said you know you had injury your rookie season this past season you were injured so what was that like for you mentally and how did you you know stay focused and overcome it it was almost like a blessing in disguise okay in a way because i was a rookie i didn't honestly know a lot about the w and you know how things work so i think honestly being able to sit back and like watch it and see it from the outside first yeah helped me to you know prepare me for the following year and just to be able to watch how things work and you know watch the speed of the game because I mean I played for the first three games so I got a little bit of a little taste yeah you know it's crazy I actually got COVID during training camp so I like missed it was oh no way I actually got to watch the season so this past injury I also feel like was a little bit easier for me as well because I kind of had already been through the process of being injured. I know I can get to the other side of this. Yes exactly and just staying locked in on my rehab and just being very intentional with you know just making sure that I'm ready when I come back and honestly just staying locked into the team as well. I was kind of trying to be like a little helper on the bench you know with what I was seeing on the court. Just not being able to play always is it just sucks like watching but I came out better for it. So you've been on the Sparks your whole career yeah what is it like playing with Cam you got the Erica you got Rakia you got Kelsey Plum now oh my gosh the team is awesome honestly like that was like why another reason why it was easy for me and like my injury and everything was just being able to be around them yeah it makes me uh happy to know i have my team support my team supporting me and we just have great chemistry and we just have really sweet girls on the team the Erica is like my freaking mom she gives such a mom yeah i mean she's a mom we're kind of younger too so we got the tiktokers I'm telling you, you guys might be like one of the swaggier teams. Like, yeah, I don't know. It kind of just, we just meshed like real well. Approach this season, so happy that we're having 2026 season. The CBA agreement, they finally did come to an agreement and got finally what they deserved. We put so much into this sport and especially a lot of the older generations in our league. You know, they've been there when they've had hotels where they got to share rooms. It's really insane to think that. like commercial flights and stuff so it's like for it to get to the point that it got now um i mean it's just surreal they stood on business the union stood on business and we knew exactly what we wanted and um i shout out them like you said because we needed that because i think for us it's just important to be able to perform at the level that they want us to perform at having practice facilities and you know having the benefits that we need and also taking care of players that are going to be out of the league with retirement and obviously like getting paid like you know we want to make sure that we're getting that fair opportunity for the work that we put in i thought one of the really cool stories was how the players association brought in that harvard professor and like she helped with the deal like it's all just a really exciting thing for women's basketball and you guys like you said you deserve it you deserve to be getting this attention you deserve to be being taken care of i know people can see like when the cba was getting negotiated and they saw like the salary numbers increased but like revenue share that's very important like that's something that you guys really wanted and now are getting coming up on this 2026 season how are you feeling i'm feeling good i think there's gonna be a lot of movement you know there was honestly a lot of movement last year too i was just talking to somebody about this last night but um it's good though like it's good to switch up have the switch up in the league and you know make sure that all the teams are i feel like evenly getting distributed I think that's another thing that helps with the CBA that helps is making sure that the league is evenly like Competitive we have games where fun to watch like that What do you feel your your approach and like your mindset into this upcoming season? Yeah No I definitely want to just like keep this momentum going that I feel like I've I've started from That end of this past season to a rival to a say like just making sure I'm improving my numbers I just all around like my game IQ, you know being as a leader I'm getting getting older. I'm starting to be like kind of more of a vet. So, you know, yeah, you're in this like middle Yeah You're not new here anymore, but you're not like, you know Are like so I got it coming in, you know, they're gonna look up to you exactly So I got to keep taking that step to make sure that I'm being a good leader for you know my team and like like so the younger players coming in so you just wrapped up season two of Unrivaled What was it like for you amazing? I was able to elevate from last season from the W and you know I really worked during those months. I was very intentional. I feel like that's the word today, intentional. Intentional. Intentional with my workouts and what I wanted to bring into Unrivaled. Do you guys enjoy this mix-up of now playing with different players that you're obviously not playing with in the league? Is that fun for you guys? It's definitely fun for me. It's honestly just fun even just being around the other girls. You're all in Miami. Yeah. So is it, you're all kind of seeing each other? Yeah, we see each other every day. I'm a social butterfly, so I like to talk. I like to build relationships. So being able to just meet these girls that, you know, maybe if we didn't have Unrivaled, I might have not had the opportunity to meet a lot of the girls that I was able to meet. Like Arike, she was my teammate last year. Didn't really talk to her much before that, and then we became, like, pretty close. Everybody that I've met is just, they're just really great people. Do you like the three-on-three format? I love the three-on-three format. So it's, like, obviously a little smaller of a court, but I'm assuming it's, like, almost faster. Yeah, the court's shorter. We're going up and down quickly. The shot clock's shorter. I'm able to really thrive in a setting like that because I am a long guard, I'm versatile, I'm able to defend, I'm able to shoot a three, I'm able to get to the rack. Even on five on five, it's a lot of game of threes. Person in the corner, person on top, person on the post. That really is able to translate when you go from three on three to five on five. With three on three, every play is so important too. So once again, here we come with that word, intentional. You have to be real intentional with every single action, every single play, every single play. Yeah, like, playing on vinyl, you got to play under T. What's it like having her as coach? It's so fun, honestly. Like, she's just so passionate. She knows how to speak life into players. We were able to build a relationship where she was able to get on my ass or, you know, really hype me up. You know, we can look over at each other and, like, we understand what she's trying to tell me or, like, what I'm trying to tell her. So, yeah, it was great. And what was really cool about this Unrivaled season was the addition of the two stops, Philly and Barclays. Vinyl wasn't playing at Philly, correct? No. So you were playing at the Barclays. Yeah. I know, I'm sorry, I know you guys lost, so not to like bring that up, but it was probably cool to experience it there, right? I love Barclays. That's like one of my favorite places to play. The fans always bring so much energy, so it's always great. I mean, even though it's like most time against me, against my team. Okay, so now I do want to shift into your Team USA experience. They put together a roster. Aliyah Boston was hurt, right? And then Sonia Citron as well. So where were you when you got the call that you were going to be on the roster? I was actually in New York. No way. Yeah, before our semifinal game. No way. It was like a couple hours before, yeah. And I had, like, got a text, and it was, like, asking about, like, the 5-on-5 USA. But I was, like, confused. I didn't really understand what they were, like, asking at first. I actually called D'Erica, too. I'm, like, because D'Erica was already on the team she was going. And they told me, like, the dates and everything and where they were going. Because I'm, like, is this, like, the USA? Right. So I called New York, I'm like, um, I'm like, where are you going? Like after this season? She's like, Puerto Rico, like for the, for USA did it. I was like, oh, and then I was like, oh wait, this is, she's like, she's like, did they ask you to come? I said, yeah. She's like, girl, go. Like I am. So yeah, it was super exciting. With FIBA. So this was like a tournament that you guys were competing in or? So this is like, it's qualifying. You have to go to these qualifying tournaments to qualify for the Olympics. You had some games out there girl, like come on, how do you feel? I felt good. I didn't have this expectation of playing a lot or you know, anything like that. I just knew that I'm like when I get in, I'm going to do what I do. And I just felt like I just tried to take advantage of the opportunity and show what I could do in the little amount of time that I had and you know, I feel like I was able to do that. And then just being around like, you know, the top of the top, even just like coaches watch too you know Kara and her career like she's really coming up in her career UW coaches and everything like it just was really like a surreal moment you got your USA stuff on and i'm just like this is crazy i'm like let me make sure i'm really present you know because not everybody gets this opportunity you know and it goes by fast so i'm like i just want to be present in this moment and take everything in yeah appreciate it and enjoy it and just also have fun the way you found out and everything happening so fast it almost takes the pressure off a little bit than if it was like more built up and like yes oh now I'm on Team USA and you're thinking about it for so long I feel like that almost like helps clear the mind just be like okay I just gotta go do what I do and I think that's awesome honestly too what's helped me you know take these steps in my career and in my game is that exactly is taking that pressure off myself and not stressing oh my god I gotta do this I gotta do this in this game like I actually feel like I've been able to separate myself even just from basketball when I'm not, you know, playing basketball. So when I am, then I can really, like... And then guys, it's the intention. Intention! It all comes back. It all circles back around. It's like the one word. We should get that on a shirt for you or something. I feel like we need like a Ray Burrell, like, intentional quotas shirt or something. Literally. So yeah, so it just is, it's just so grateful, so blessed. What's it like playing with that mix of like, you know, veterans and then some newer faces? It was very easy, very simple to know what we were there for, to do. And Kara was like, we're going to blow them out. We're going to show them who Team USA is. And we were all just on the same page of, you know, showing who we are and what we represent. And the old and the young, like the mix, I think it just meshed really well together, yeah. Were there any players that, like, stuck out that you're like, oh, this is really cool, I got to? Yeah, I think my little, it was like our little shooting group that we had. Okay. It was me, Chelsea, Ka, Jackie, and Ryan. That's a cute group that you just, I'm like, you guys, that's so fun. The title of the show being Barrier Breakers. Who within women's basketball, like whether it's, you know, current WNBA players, former WNBA players, coaches, do you feel are like barrier breakers in the space or that you like look up to? I would say probably, and this is who I've also grew a relationship with even more this past WNBA season, was Lisa Leslie. She really just is obviously go, you know, I went to her with just, you know, even just frustrations about basketball or I can really just go to her about anything and she sits there, she listens, she gives advice, like she really has that like motherly love as well too, like, but like she knows what she's talking about. I think with women's basketball, like you can see that. I think former players, I mean, they're even still so much involved in the W. We got Rebecca Lobo, Sheryl Swoopes is doing podcasts, Candice Park, like all these women, they have good relationships with the next generation of players because they truly want success for you guys and they want you to, they know what it's like and I think that's a really special thing. I think it's community, honestly, and like it's big and it keeps growing and all those people you named, you know, like you get to know them as you're commentating or as you're watching them and you know, as you see them around at Final Four and stuff, like you get to really build these relationships and I think that's what really like creates that community that I don't think like you said a lot of other leagues have. I am a big fan of your tunnel fits girl. When you're trying to curate a look like what's going through your head? You know I'm super in fashion obviously. I feel like it's such a great way to express yourself. I think it's always super cool to see the style outside of the core and you know you kind of really get to see some personality so I think for me I like to really go for the more outstanding looks and something that'll really catch your eye. I also like to switch it up a lot too. You know, I can go more sexy, I can go more tomboy, more casual if it's more like a chill day. Some of the bigger games like that are ESPN and stuff like that too. You kind of want to dress literally. Like really pop out. Yeah, you gotta really pop it a little bit because you know, then people, the camera's really gonna be on you and everything. But yeah, I just really try to show myself through my wardrobe for the tunnel fits. Do you get inspiration from any other players? Yeah, I mean, honestly, yeah. Sometimes, you know, I'll see another player wear something that I'm like oh I like that like maybe I'll try that next time would you ever come out with like a Ray Burrell line like I feel like you're you're known for I feel like I actually would I I think for me I would go probably more accessories because I think okay like jewelry um like there's like lace stuff you can tie around like it's all about the layering hats yeah like Stuff like that. I actually make my own type of cuffs for my heels or shoes sometimes. I cut the bottom of some jeans. So you're already low-key, a little bit of a designer behind the scenes, right? Yeah, a little bit, you know, exactly. So, you know, maybe down the line, something can come up from that. But yeah, no, it's super fun. I'm always modifying my clothes and stuff. I know the tunnel walk is a lot of pressure, so to try to have a fit like 10 out of 10 every time is tough. Yeah, yeah. Shout out to you guys. Shout out, honestly, Liz Cambage too, because my rookie season, she was putting it on in the title of every game. You know, I wasn't able to play my rookie season, so I was always just like, you know, if I'm not playing, then at least I'm gonna look swaggy on the bench. And honestly, Diamond to Shields too, when I was in college. Yeah, shout out Liz, shout out Diamond. So this is the fishbowl Q and A with Rae. Ooh, nice little rhyme to it too. Oh, Rae. Okay, just go for it? Yeah, just go for it. One thing you will always find in your game bag, probably what you'll also find in my pocket. Oh, she's got it on her lip gloss. Some lip gloss. Do you have a favorite lip gloss? Probably Fenty, honestly. A city you want to see the WNBA expand next? I'm going to say Miami. Actually, yes. Bring it to the Yams. Like, come on. If you could guest star on any TV show, what would it be? Oh, my gosh. The Challenge. Oh, okay. Oh, my gosh. That was, like, my favorite show. It's, like, challenges where you, like, have to do, I don't know, just random stuff. Physical? Yeah, physical, strategy. Puzzles? Puzzles. Yeah, that was my show. What is your go-to girl dinner? I'm not going to lie, I don't have a lot of girl dinners. Like, I'm a hungry girl. So you're eating. Yeah. Okay, so what's your go-to dinner? Probably, like, some steak, some sweet potatoes, some Brussels sprouts, extra crispy. And if they come out not crispy? I need the black. I need a little crunch, love it, all right keep going if you could steal one skill from any player in the WNBA whose skill are you taking? Oh easy, Dom's dunking, that's actually such a good answer, I'm thinking Dom's dunking, shout out Dom, all right keep going, right there we go oh, weirdest food combo you like to eat my ex actually put me onto this because he was like super country, he made me a breakfast sandwich and it was like sausage and like cheese and like you know the English muffin, okay yeah, and he put grape jelly and mustard on it, no I thought the same thing, I was like yeah but then I was like then like he was like just try it, what if I'm thinking about it with this thing with the sweet and the sweet, yeah, and it has to be grape jelly too, not strawberry, grape jelly, yeah everybody in the chat try it and let us know what you think, what's this next one, a WNBA player that low-key talks the most trash, oh my gosh there's a few, for sure. Oh my god, yeah, Skylar, Courtney kind of does it in like a fun way if you get Riekia mad, Riekia will talk a little bit of trash too. One WNBA player you would want to style you for a tunnel fit, you know who styled their whole team at arrival that did really good Dana Evans, oh yes, I feel like she did so good because she matched everybody's style, so yeah I would probably do Dana. I thought you were going to say Tiffany Hayes, because I love her. Yeah, she styled all the Aces in her brand. A celebrity or athlete you would want to see invest in a WNBA team? Oh, maybe like a Floyd Mayweather. Oh, OK. Because he goes to a lot of the Aces games. And he got man. All right, last one. Wait, mix it up, mix it up, mix it up, mix it up. If your teammates could describe you as an emoji, what emoji would it be? Oh my god, the like one that's like crazy like oh the eyes are like this, is that definitely that one Why that? Are you crazy? Because I'm just yeah, that's like me honestly, in the laughing emoji, too Because I'm just a funny gal. I mean you're making me crack up this whole interview So I'm like, you know what period it was so fun getting to sit down with Ray Burrell today for more content like this Please like share and subscribe only on Whistle Do you like New York in general? Like I do like New York. Do you like to do you like the food? Do you like the shopping? I love the shopping. Okay, maybe a little bagel Mmm. Yeah, LA you guys don't have good bagels. I'm sorry Yeah, and people are scooping out the insides of them like we can't and like we're like known for like avocados And I don't like avocados so come to New York anytime, please. We'll always have it to the pizza. We'll always have you