Reshaping the Sidelines: The Women Making an Impact with the South Bay Lakers 

“I feel like I fit in,” said Barbara Turner, South Bay Lakers assistant coach. “And you know in this industry, it’s hard to have that feeling. What I’ve appreciated about this organization and this experience is that they made me a part of it. It hasn’t been ‘it’s a woman working for us.’ It’s been ‘she’s with us.’” 

This is Turner’s first season with South Bay. An Ohio native, University of Connecticut Husky, back-to-back NCAA champion, and former professional basketball player, she brings a wealth of experience to her role. 

On the sidelines with her is Bria Adams, head athletic trainer for the South Bay Lakers. Adams holds a master’s in athletic training and was part of the Chicago Sky’s 2021 WNBA Championship-winning team. 

“I have been lucky to have great women in my life that have served as positive mentors and instilled confidence in me to be a successful athletic trainer in a male-dominant field,” Adams shared. 

Adams studied athletic training at San Diego State University, where she met Allison Pastor, a leader in the rehab science and athletic training space. Pastor recognized Adams’ dedication and later connected her with an opportunity at the Chicago Sky. Adams credits Pastor for her successful transition to the WNBA, “She instilled confidence in me to thrive in my new role.” 

Moving from her position as head athletic trainer for Florida State women’s basketball to the professional ranks was intimidating, but the experience was transformational. 

That year, the Chicago Sky, led by Candace Parker, battled through the playoffs and secured their first WNBA Championship with an 80-74 victory over the Phoenix Mercury. “That’s our only championship in Chicago Sky history,” Adams said. “My name is on the banner at Wintrust Arena, and seeing it brings joy to my heart because I was part of that moment. Helping these athletes, helping these women be on the court and available was something I’ll never forget.” 

Turner, too, understands the power of a championship (a few actually). In high school, she led East Technical High School to its first-ever state title, an achievement that resonated throughout Cleveland. “Once we came back after we won, so many little girls were excited to meet me, to see me at the celebration ceremony,” Turner shared. “That’s when I realized I was taking a step in the right direction to do amazing things in this sport.” 

After leaving high school as a WBCA All-American, Turner embarked on a journey to UConn, where she played a pivotal role in leading the Huskies to back-to-back championships in 2003 and 2004. During her time there, she learned invaluable lessons from coach Geno Auriemma and the University of Connecticut program. One lesson that has stuck with her throughout her life is the idea that "how you do anything is how you do everything." This principle emphasizes the importance of consistency in every aspect of life. Whether it's showing up on time, maintaining focus, or nurturing your drive and passion, the way you approach the small things directly impacts your larger goals. Turner has carried this lesson with her, even earning a reputation among her friends for being exceptionally punctual. These core values, instilled during her college years, continue to guide her actions and contribute to her ongoing success. 

This August, Turner will receive the Sam Lacy Pioneer Award for her contributions to Northeast Ohio, a recognition that holds deep meaning for her. “When I set out to be in basketball, I always wanted to represent where I’m from,” she said. “My foundation is the inner city of Cleveland. Where I’m from and where I was able to build my legacy, it's not very common to reach the level of success that I've reached. I brought awareness to anybody that's from the inner city of Cleveland that you can be successful too.” 

Now, these two women have landed courtside in Los Angeles. Among the ten seats on the South Bay Lakers’ bench, they hold two, but their presence is undeniable. Turner focuses on offensive strategy, team chemistry, and mentoring players, while Adams sets a new standard for athletic training in the G League. 

Adams credits much of her approach to Brittanie Vaughn, the head AT for the Seattle Storm. Vaughn served as Adams preceptor during graduate school at Texas State. Both women were on the football team’s training staff. As a strong Black woman learning to maintain professionalism and the intricacies athletic training at an elite level, Adams naturally gravitated toward someone that looked like her. To this day, Vaughn and Adams have a relationship that she considers “everlasting.” Vaughn is a source of support in both a professional and personal capacity. 

“Seeing someone who looks like me, a Black woman, in this profession has been a backbone for me,” Adams said. 

In her role with the South Bay Lakers, Adams takes immense pride in her work. “As an athletic trainer, our job is to serve. I’m not looking for accolades—I’m always in the background. What brings me joy is seeing these athletes be available, playing at the highest level, doing what they love.” 

Turner’s role was a deliberate addition by South Bay Lakers head coach Zach Guthrie, who sought someone to build connectivity within the team. Turner has organically established that bond, keeping her ear to the locker room and serving as a bridge between players and staff. “Checking the temperature” of the team, as she describes it, has been crucial to her impact. Beyond her tactical expertise, she relishes mentoring the players, an attribute, among many others, she credits to her grandmother. “Anyone who knows my story knows everything I am, how I show up every day, the energy I bring—it’s all because of her– the way I treat people, the way I enter the room and speak to the room, my mindset, my drive to be successful.” 

And Turner’s energy is magnetic. She has a genuine disposition that makes her mindful of her own growth and improvement. Coaching has taught her patience. “The way that I approached things and the way that I did things as a player,” she explained, “I can't expect to impose that on players in this generation. They're doing things their way, and you have to learn how to navigate that—meet them where they are—and help them rise to the occasion and reach a better place if they’re not yet where they need to be to succeed.” 

Both Turner and Adams are proof that women don’t only enter these spaces, they own them, they better them. Their presence is an example for the next generation, a light, an invitation to pull up a chair, make their mark, and lift others the way they were lifted along the way. 

“My approach,” Turner said, “I think it can inspire the next young lady who wants to get into the industry to not be afraid, not be afraid to step up and speak, not be afraid to step into rooms and share your thoughts and your voice and your input, that's how I've approached everything I've done, I've approached it with a level of fearlessness.”