Pepper Persley, an 11-year-old journalist from New York City, recently made her debut as a WNBA sideline reporter.
According to ESPN, Persley made her debut as a WNBA reporter during the Las Vegas Aces vs. Indiana Fever game at the Michelob ULTRA Arena on July 21. She reportedly interviewed several athletes, including Aces player A’ja Wilson.
“I’m here with A’ja Wilson,” the New York native confidently said. “This team’s offense has really been flowing so far this first quarter. What has led to that?”
Persley also interviewed Aces player Chelsea Gray asking, “Your court vision is incredible. You make it look so easy,” she said. “How are you able to do that?”
During the broadcast, the bright 11-year-old shared how she became interested in journalism.
“I really got into broadcasting and journalism because I was a curious kid and I loved playing basketball, and I had so many questions about the WNBA that my parents just couldn’t answer,” she said.
Before scoring her impressive new gig, Persley interviewed other stars outside of sports, including former first lady Michelle Obama, the current first lady Jill Biden, and the late Golden Globe Award-winning actor Chadwick Boseman. In an interview with Sports Illustrated in 2021, she revealed that she would love to interview tennis icon, Serena Williams as well.
“Serena Williams would be incredible to interview. She’s a GOAT. She’s a legend,” she said.
The young sports journalist told the magazine that she’s also been dreaming of becoming a WNBA player.
“I want to be a WNBA player when I grow up, which obviously that’s still my dream,” she said. “I didn’t think of interviewing as something that I could do, especially at this age, until it just started happening more and more. I fell in love with everything. I really enjoy the research and getting to know people more. After doing all that work learning about them, to come up with all my questions, and to see that pay off, is cool. I enjoy learning from people. I ask [for] a lot is advice, which is something that benefits me.”
