Atlanta Dream Aerial Powers defender plays on the field and virtually — Andscape

Memorial Day weekend looked a little bit different for the Atlanta Dream quarterback as he enjoyed a vacation barbecue Air Powers and her father Juan. As Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals got here to an end, the Powers family checked out one another at the feet of Boston Celtics point guard Jayson Tatum when he wore her Jordan Tatum 2 “Camo” Player Edition.

Powers designed the colorway with Jordan as a tribute to her father, a Marine Sgt.

“It was a moment I’ll never forget,” Powers said. “Jayson Tatum is one in every of my favorite players in the game. It really meant loads to me that he wore those shoes in one in every of the biggest games of his life, not since it’s Tatum, but because those shoes are a tribute to my dad and all the veterans.

The 2016 All-Rookie team member credits her father’s work ethic and offensive strategy for coping with adversity.

“Having Tatum wear these shoes meant a lot to me and my family. It gave me the inspiration to keep going even though I had resentments, especially after everything I went through last year when I didn’t play as much,” Power said.

Before being traded to the Atlanta Dream in February, Powers played for the Minnesota Lynx for 3 seasons. She was a starter for the team, but as the 2023 season progressed, she occasionally saw five minutes on the court. Powers is now a starter for the Dream, averaging 8.3 points and three rebounds per game.

Even together with her fluctuating minutes, Powers still looks forward to styling outfits in her favorite Jordan 1 colours for walk-in photos. When Powers saw Tatum in her PE, it inspired Powers, who won the 2019 WNBA Championship with the Washington Mystics, to proceed her quest for a second championship. As Powers watched Game 5, she continued texting and calling her father.

“Seeing one of the best players in my position reminded me and my dad how hard we worked to get to this point and that I can continue to be successful in this league,” Powers said.

The inspiration for Tatum 2’s “Camo” has been intertwined with various parts of Powers’ life since middle school, starting together with her introduction to video games. Growing up, Powers didn’t get along together with her younger brother Juan Jr. One time over the course of several weeks, Powers noticed her brother playing video games and talking on a headset.

“Who are you talking to over this thing?” Powers asked.

Her brother explained that he was playing Call of Duty online with strangers.

“Come on, man, show me, show me!” Powers said.

Juan Jr. he showed Powers tips on how to play and, by her own admission, she immediately fell in love with him.

“My dad finally came in and said, ‘You guys are too quiet in here,'” Powers said. “He was surprised to see that we were getting along. My dad is a Marine through and through, so naturally he also likes Call of Duty. The next day he came home with two more Xboxes and two new headphones. We sat in this little house and drove mom crazy with all the noise. We were shouting into our headphones, but we were sitting right next to each other. It’s just been a part of my life since then.”

Powers turned her love of gaming into an advocacy for female gamers. She began by representing an esports organization Team Liquid spearheading their diversity and inclusion efforts and is now a co-owner. She can be a brand ambassador HyperX and is strongly involved in Global E-Sports Federation.

During the coronavirus pandemic, she became near her future teammate, Dream point guard Allisha Gray, as they played Call of Duty and NBA 2K together.

“During the pandemic, we would show up at 10 p.m. and not leave until 3 a.m.,” Powers said. “I would get up, go to practice, and then come back for another three hours.”

Powers also uses avatars in his games to precise creativity in fashion and sneakers. Creating My Player reminds her that much still must be done to advertise women’s equality.

“You can buy WNBA jerseys and shirts for your in-game player and wear any sneakers you want,” Powers said. “But I think you can go a step further and help girls get involved in charity events, tournaments and STEM programs to encourage them to focus on gaming.”

Outside the console, Powers has an actual alter ego named Spiderwoman. When Powers prompts her alter ego, she wears a white Spiderwoman costume and tries to stay unnoticed on open runs and gyms.

“Spiderwoman has become so popular with my fans that in Los Angeles, people know me as Spiderwoman before they know me as Aerial Powers, the WNBA player,” Powers said.

Following Tatum’s “Camo 2,” Powers looks to mix her obsession with gaming and sneakers. He desires to create a Spiderwoman PE colorway that can feature the shoes of fellow Jordan athletes: Tatum, Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Dončić and New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson.

“Wearing Jordans and Jordan clothing is incomparable to me,” Powers said. “Everyone sees you immediately when you walk into the room.”