Since entering the WNBA in 2022, Rae Burrell has been one of the most enjoyable players to watch on and off the court.
Since her time at the University of Tennessee, the 6-foot-2 guard/forward has excelled as a stand-out player. Burrell was a two-year starter during college and earned All-SEC Second Team honors in 2021. She averaged 12.3 points and 3.9 rebounds per game as a Lady Volunteer, totaling 1,131 points during her collegiate career.
In the 2022 WNBA Draft, the Los Angeles Sparks selected Burrell ninth overall. After sustaining a foot injury during her rookie season, Burrell returned more determined than ever during her sophomore run in 2023. That season, she played in 29 games and averaged 3.6 points per game, with notable performances, including a career-high of 18 points against the New York Liberty.
After showing her resiliency and commitment to rebounding from her injury, the Sparks signed Burrell to a multiyear contract in February 2024, making her one of the team’s prominent players.
Off the court, Burrell is acknowledged as one of the most fashionable players in the league. She transforms the pre-game “tunnel walks” into her personal catwalk by effortlessly blending sporty aesthetics with high-fashion elements.
Her love of fashion as self-expression bleeds into her self-care, wellness and fitness advocacy. With an aim to prioritize “looking better and feeling better,” Burrell intentionally collaborates with brands that push the importance of physical and mental wellness for athletes and their fans.
As she prepares for the 2025 WNBA season, Blavity spoke with Burrell about her love of basketball, fashion and self-care.
You entered the league in 2022. What was that transition like from a college player to a professional, mentally and emotionally?
The transition from college to professional was a jump [especially] between the game’s speed, physicality and mentality. The tempo is way faster than it is in college. The shot clock is shorter. The players are stronger and older; some have been in the league for 11-plus years and have built their bodies up to the required level.
The mental transition from college to professional was different in terms of learning self-discipline. In college, you have people telling you where to go, and your schedule is made for you, including your mandatory workouts. But in the professional league, it’s up to you. You learn what is best for you and whatever your body needs, mentally and physically, for the game. It’s a taxing game as far as the competition; it’s one of the most challenging leagues to make in the world, and with such limited teams, it takes a lot of work to make a roster. So, every year, you must ensure you’re coming in and adding something new or just perfecting what you already have.
Emotionally, being a professional player always means knowing that you may be put in situations you may not have asked for, so you learn to control what you can control and do whatever the team needs you to do. Overall, you realize, at the end of the day, it’s just your job.
How has your game or court presence changed since signing your multiyear contract with the Sparks?
I have had a similar approach to the game since resigning. I make sure that I’m always giving my 100% and doing whatever I need to do for the team, whether that’s in rebounds, extra possessions, getting to the free-throw line, or making a score. Re-signing the contract also gave me a confidence boost. Knowing the staff, the coaching staff and the program believed in me enough to keep me for an extra two years gives me the boost to want to give it my all.
How do you maintain your mental health as a professional athlete?
I maintain my health by giving my body what it needs, whether taking a day off or taking the time to go shoot around. Also, staying connected with my support system. I have an excellent support system with my family and friends, so staying connected with them helps with my mental health and keeps me in a good place overall. I also remember that basketball isn’t who I am; it’s something I play and do. I remember to take time to still do other things that make me happy and not let situations take over my entire day.
There has been a massive boom in support and exposure for the WNBA within the last year. How does that feel as a player?
It’s been amazing! I remember, at times, there would hardly be anybody there, but now the stands are packed everywhere we go. It’s a great feeling knowing people are finally tuning in to women’s basketball, seeing how passionate we are about the sport, and just showing our love for the game on the court. People enjoy seeing us as players and getting to enjoy as people as well. As players, it helps because we all bring our personalities onto the court while we play, and that’s what draws people to want to watch us. I’m grateful for all the support and exposure that the WNBA has gained within the last year, and I hope it continues to grow because there are just such wonderful people in this league. It’s good basketball, and I’m excited to participate in the journey.
Who or what inspires your personal style both on and off the court?
Honestly, I find what I really enjoy on and off the court. On the court, I’ve found my own style of being that player who will do every little thing to make the hustle plays, work hard, get the extra possessions, and knock down shots. I may take a little from KD (Kevin Durant), he was my favorite player growing up. Off the court, I love fashion, so I show who I am and express myself through my clothes. I’m energetic, always dancing and the person who will make everyone laugh. I’m really outgoing, so I make sure my clothing shows that. So, I would say I inspire myself. I push myself to see my potential and surpass it.
Blavity: You began working with stylist Sydney Bordonaro during your rookie season. How did that influence your style and push your creativity and willingness to experiment?
R.B.: Sydney Bordonaro and I connected during my rookie season, and I wasn’t playing! I wanted to have a presence in the league, whether on the bench looking cute or in the game. At that time, the only options were on the bench and in the tunnels. Even through my outfits, you can see I bring that extra light and energy into any room. Sydney helped me with stepping out of my comfort zone. She’d always put me in clothes and say, ‘OK, you’re going to be scared, but just work with me. Just play with me.’ I trusted her to put me in something fly. She got me out of my comfort zone and helped me figure out what I liked and didn’t like. She’s able to pull from different brands, so I get to see a variety of clothes that fit me differently. This helped me with my willingness to experiment.
You’ve mentioned that those tunnel looks are like “playing dress up” and have helped you embrace taking risks. Has that transitioned into style on the court, influencing your game?
My tunnel looks have helped me embrace taking risks because fashion is all about taking risks. These top brands go viral and sell things because they differ and pop to the eye. Being able to dip into the fashion world has helped me embrace taking risks. You have to rock your clothes and not let them rock you. You’ve heard the saying, “You look good, you feel good, you play good. “It’s true! When I put on a ‘fit, I feel like I’m the flyest person on the planet. It boosts my confidence before and during the game.
Blavity: The WNBA’s fashion styles are as diverse as the players’. How do you feel that impacts how fans view the league and the different styles that the players bring?
R.B.: The WNBA has the best fashion out of all the leagues in the world! Everybody expresses who they are off the court with their outfits. You see everybody in the same uniforms, but in the tunnel, you see everyone in their own style. This gives you a unique view of the WNBA because you get more insight into the players.
Are you planning any major fashion collaborations or launching your own fashion line?
I’m totally not opposed to doing any fashion collaborations. I’d love to work with some high-end brands and head to Fashion Week. That’s a goal of mine, and I hope to end up on a runway somewhere because the fashion world and athletes have collided in recent years. We see models of all different body types and basketball players as well. Regarding my own line, I’m open to launching something inclusive, especially for taller women with longer legs; it’s always a hard fit for me.
How do you think social media has played a role in elevating the profile of the WNBA and its players?
Social media has played a big role in elevating the profile of the WNBA and its players because you can see the teams bonding, playing pranks on each other, what they do at home daily, and allowing the fans to get to know the players better. And the more the fans get to know the players and connect with them, the better the league will be.
As support for women’s sports — particularly the WNBA — continues to grow, what do you hope to see in the future?
I hope we continue to expand this league and showcase the true talent of the players. I hope we can continue to grow the sport’s viewership, especially with young kids who admire us. I want to show them that it can happen when you work hard and put in the effort. I hope we can continue gaining supportive fans and seeing that growth on and off the court.
