Bristol, CT – August 6, 2024 – Main Campus: Portrait of Tiffany Greene during the 2024 CFB Seminar.
(Photo by Phil Ellsworth / ESPN Images)
PHOENIX — ESPN’s play-by-play commentator Tiffany Greene became a pioneer when she became the first African American woman to serve as a college football commentator on a major network.
Tiffany Greene Will Make Her Debut For ESPN’s national WNBA Coverage Team
She is adding another to her resume as she will be on the call for the matchup between the Phoenix Mercury and the Las Vegas Aces alongside Carolyn Peck and Angel Gray.
Additionally, Greene will be making her debut in her first season as a part of ESPN’s national WNBA game coverage team.
The 30th season of the WNBA began on Friday, weeks after the league and players’ union agreed to a tentative deal on the new CBA back in March.
“I just can’t wait for this weekend to continue to unfold, and what this W season will bring so many eyeballs and interest in and around the game,” Greene told The Podium Finish. “And I love that the women of the past who helped to build it, and that the women of today who continue to carry it forward, do so with just great respect for the game and just the growth mindset to make it better and better for all of us to enjoy.”
Tiffany Greene Talks Preview of 2025 WNBA Finals Rematch
Greene sat down with Aya Abdeen of The Podium Finish to talk about the preview of the 2025 WNBA Finals rematch, which resulted in the Aces sweeping the Mercury in four games.
The game will be streamed nationally on ABC, Disney+, and the ESPN app at 12:30 p.m. PCT/3:30 p.m. EST.
The Podium Finish: When you see the matchup between A’ja Wilson and Alyssa Thomas, two of the greatest players in the WNBA right now. How do you see the anticipation between these two players as a must-see matchup?
Tiffany Greene: “I mean, it’s prime time TV, no matter when you turn it on, whether three years ago or now. And that’s what’s so fascinating about these players, the elite level in which A’ja and Alyssa continue to put the court right the development of, you know, A’ja Wilson’s game, understanding that she’s going to get double-teamed in a scene like every defense and still finds a way to drop 30 pieces. And then Alyssa Thomas with the two torn labrums. Like, let’s not forget that this woman has endured some major injuries, Achilles more recently (in 2021), and still is finding ways to make a difference on the floor. It’s incredible.
“You lead the league and assist last, and when you’re on when she’s on the floor, you hold your mouth open and you’re just waiting to see what happens when A’ja (Wilson) plays and when you see Alyssa Thomas come with the ball in their hands, you just better watch out. And I think that provides the element of must-see TV with them, their amazing skill set, the way they impact their teams and the way they draw you to watch the game. It’s going to be a wonderful matchup yet again. Who will win that matchup remains to be seen, but that’s the beauty of it: watching the evolution of each of their games and how they are dominating forces for their teams and in the league.”
Tiffany Greene Speaks Highly of Copper & Mack
ESPN’s Tiffany Greene emphasized Kahleah Copper’s versatile game alongside Natasha Mack’s evolving craft that could be a difference maker in 2026. (Photo: Phoenix Mercury)
The Podium Finish: When you see the evolution of Kahleah Copper from when she was with the Chicago Sky to the Phoenix Mercury, what do you expect from her now that she’s fully healthy in the new season?
Additionally, Natasha Mack gained 10-15 pounds of muscle in the offseason, and she is poised to have a breakout year. How do you think she’ll evolve as well?
Greene: “What I love about watching Kahleah’s growth is the fact that when she was in Chicago, she took some really big steps and wanting to be just a more explosive all around player, we saw her find ways to impact the game as a three level score, and it was solid two ways this year, having the confidence of knowing who lives around you, who’s going to empower you to continue to grow your game, the chemistry that she has with AT (Alyssa Thomas) and DeWanna (Bonner), and again, the importance of them being there, and just the input that she has on her game as well as Nate Tibbetts, I think that she is going to shine bright as she always does, and she’s going to continue to have those games that make you sit back and go, ‘Oh snap. Does she just do that?’ She’s that kind of player, and I think she will maintain her all-star caliber.
“The more intriguing part is Natasha Mack, who comes in. Because you know what Kahleah Copper is going to do, and she’s going to maintain that or raise her game, but for Natasha Mack, I think she’s going to be an important piece, not only for her defensive presence, but also just making herself more available as an offensive threat, especially in the pick-and-rolls. Can you talk about the weight that she was able to pick up in the off-season, and just gaining better conditioning and strength? I think she is going to be utilized more and in the preseason, in those two short games of exhibition, and she’s gaining the trust of her teammates, and throughout training camp, she’s gaining the trust of her teammates and her coach. So I think she’s going to take a major step this year.”
Tiffany Greene Breaks Down Keys to Winning the Game
Tiffany Green points out how DeWanna Bonner (24) and Alyssa Thomas (25) may be the x-factors for the Phoenix Mercury to start the season off with a W against the Las Vegas Aces. (Photo: Phoenix Mercury)
The Podium Finish: How can Phoenix find a way to win their first game of the season against a stacked Las Vegas team, who’s defending champions?
Greene: “For Phoenix, they’ve got to find ways to attack the paint on the offensive boards. Copper, getting her going early, the great facilitator that Alyssa Thomas is, of course, when she and Copper get downhill, watch out, which can also kick out to DeWanna Bonner. There are great opportunities there. Then again, using some pick-and-roll situations for the aces. Because they have a lot of their core pieces back, the rhythm that is already established between A’ja (Wilson), Chelsea (Gray), and Jackie (Young). That’s a good flow. And then you’ve got Jewell Loyd, who can provide whatever is needed. You could thrust her on the floor whenever, and she’s going to get a bucket and adjust to whatever role she’s asked to play.
“We’re gonna have a fantastic matchup. It’s a great game with the players that are available for Saturday’s tip-off, because they’re professionals. They’re phenomenal at what they do, and that’s why they are stars. That’s why they are pros. And I certainly am looking forward to Sami Whitcomb and Monique Akoa Makani coming back, because that’s only going to raise the level for the Mercury moving forward.”
The Podium Finish: When you see how the Mercury brought in Alyssa Thomas, despite losing Diana Taurasi and Brittney Griner, two longtime stars, in the 2025 offseason. How do you see Phoenix putting an emphasis on continuity?
Greene: “It’s already a championship culture that’s been established with Phoenix, and you’re talking about one of the original franchises, and they saw what it took to get to that point, and the combination of DT (Diana Taurasi) and BG (Brittney Griner) was something to remember. That was one of those pairs in WNBA history that stick out in your mind, and this iteration for the Mercury, they find that with Alyssa Thomas and DeWanna Bonner, because they had played together for so long, both at a previous franchise, with the Connecticut Sun, and now here with the Mercury.
“Obviously, DeWanna is no stranger to Phoenix being a part of some of those runs, but the continuity that they bring both AT and DeWanna Bonner helps to fulfill that in today’s terms and now for Phoenix, and it’ll continue, because I don’t think that DeWanna Bonner gets enough praise or attention at the fact that this is year 17 for her. She’s done it at a very high level, she’s the active leading scorer in the WNBA right now, and she’s just been steady and consistent. And you have to have that naturally in order for you to be able to have the longevity that she’s had. So, she’s a terrific human being. And again, she provides a new age type of continuity that we’re seeing with the Mercury.”
