Indianapolis, IN
She got her start as Pacers in-arena host. Now she’s back in Indy for NBA Finals with ESPN
Indiana Pacers forward Aaron Nesmith speaks ahead of Game 4
The Indiana Pacers will face the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 4 of the NBA Finals on Friday, June 13, 2025, in Indianapolis.
INDIANAPOLIS – Growing up in Terre Haute, Vanessa Richardson’s introduction to sports was through her father.
George Richardson, diagnosed with multiple sclerosis while still in his 20s, would take Vanessa to basketball games at Indiana State, Colts’ training camp in Terre Haute and high school games.
“My dad was my best friend,” Vanessa said. “I tell people all the time that a social activity in Indiana is going to a high school basketball game. That’s what we did.”
Life came full circle this week for the 30-year-old Richardson, who was the in-arena host for Pacers’ games from 2015-17 during her junior and senior years at the University of Indianapolis. Now working as a television sideline reporter for Houston Rockets’ games, Richardson is back in Indianapolis for the NBA Finals, hosting a digital pregame show for ESPN, ‘Hoop Dreams’, and working as the radio sideline reporter.
“It’s surreal to think eight years ago I was the girl on the jumbotron for the Pacers and now I’m hosting a pregame show for the NBA Finals,” she said. “I became a sports reporter because of my late father. He would take me to games in my hometown all the time. It’s so cool to be back here.”
George was a regular at Pacers games during Vanessa’s time working for the team. Though he was in a wheelchair, he never let that stop him from getting to games and supporting his daughter. When he passed away in April of 2022 at 62, it was crushing for Vanessa.
“The thing we would do is watch sports together,” she said. “I’ve been thinking about him a lot. When I was the in-arena host for the Pacers, he was here all the time.”
Richardson, a Terre Haute North graduate, said she thought Indianapolis “was a massive city” when she arrived at UIndy in the fall of 2013. But she immediately dove into her passion for sports at WICR 88.7 FM, the public radio station owned by UIndy. It was real world experience for Richardson, who worked as a disc jockey and sports reporter.
“Going to the University of Indianapolis was the key to my success,” said Richardson, who was also a freelance sports correspondent for the “Bob and Tom Show” in college. “As a 19-year-old freshman, I was in the Colts’ and Pacers’ locker room interviewing players. Being hired as the arena host was a great stroke of luck.”
After Richardson graduated from UIndy, she was hired as a reporter and anchor for WLWT-TV, an NBC affiliate in Cincinnati. At WLWT, she covered high school football, worked as a morning traffic anchor and covered the Bengals and Reds, among other general assignment events.
Basically, her duties were whatever needed to be done. Richardson said former Indiana University star and Pacers’ TV analyst Quinn Buckner deserves an assist for getting her out of her comfort zone.
“I didn’t know if I would leave (Indianapolis) or not and Quinn Buckner pulled me aside and said, ‘If you want to be a true journalist, go where nobody knows you and grow as a reporter,’” Richardson said. “In Cincinnati, I was doing morning traffic and news and came back and did sports. That was an awesome first job. But I wanted to do sports full time.”
An opportunity opened in Houston at KPRC-TV, the NBC affiliate, in August of 2019. It was a gold mine for Richardson, who reported on weekdays and anchored on weekends. She hosted a weekly 30-minute sports show and covered the Houston Texans, the World Series, NFL Combine and college football.
“Then I took a leap of faith and started a sports talk radio show in Houston from 10 to 12 every morning,” Richardson said. “Talking two hours a day helped me grow. It was fun to get back to my radio roots. I grew so much. Then when the Rockets’ job opened, I was already in Houston and covered the team, so it felt like a perfect fit.”
In October of 2022, she was hired as the sideline reporter for the Rockets for Space City Home Network (the Houston regional sports network, formerly AT&T SportsNet Southwest).
“I would say Houston has become my second home,” Richardson said. “When you work in this industry, you’re lucky if you have a couple places that feel that way.”
Indianapolis is certainly home for Richardson, who has felt the pangs of nostalgia during the NBA Finals. When she worked for the Pacers, Myles Turner was a rookie.
“I would see him at Prime 47 after games,” Richardson said. “I was with my parents and he was with his parents. Neither one of us was 21 yet.”
Richardson was originally just supposed to host her new digital show, called ‘Hoop Dreams’, which is an ESPN pregame show. The radio sideline reporter was added to her plate when television sideline reporter Lisa Salters missed Game 2, 3 and 4 to be with her ailing mother. Radio sideline reporter Jorge Sedano was moved to fill Salters’ shoes and Richardson got the call.
“My assignment was hosting ‘Hoop Dreams’ for the Western Finals and Finals,” she said. “I’m excited about the show. We’re not trying to emulate NBA Countdown. It’s more of a free-flowing show with fashion, trends and topics around the league. We had Rick Fox stop by. We’re trying to be a good hang.”
Richardson is well prepared for such a role. On Wednesday before Game 3, she looked around and took in the moment when she saw Oscar Robertson sitting next to Reggie Miller and Edgerrin James down the row.
“It’s been a warm welcome home,” she said. “It’s meant so much to see so many people I used to work with and see regularly at games.”
Of course, there was one person she wishes could be here: Her father. She would not have been here without him. He taught her how to treat people well and work hard. Those lessons have served his daughter well.
“Everybody sees what you’re doing now,” Richardson said. “They don’t see you shooting high school football games and waking up at 2 a.m. to do morning traffic. You have to have faith because this is a grind of an industry.
Call Star reporter Kyle Neddenriep at (317) 444-6649. Get IndyStar’s high school coverage sent directly to your inbox with the High School Sports newsletter.
INDIANAPOLIS — Downtown Indianapolis will transform into a vibrant stage this weekend, as the WNBA All-Star Weekend arrives with not just basketball, but the celebration of art and dance.
Local dancers of all styles are uniting for a series of dynamic activations, showcasing their talent and creativity.
Among the talented dancers featured is Ashley Lain, a tap dancer from Indianapolis. For Lain, this opportunity is not just about performing; it’s a significant milestone in her career.
“This is like a resume line: I danced at WNBA All-Star Weekend as part of the entertainment for all the fans,” said Lain.
WRTV
She expressed her enthusiasm for performing in a city where opportunities for tap dancers can be limited. “As a tap dancer, there’s not a lot of work for us, especially maybe in a city that doesn’t have a big tap hub. So it is like an honor to be able to present myself as a tap dancer to the city.”
Dancer Cuong Tran shares a similar passion and vision for the weekend. He hopes that the WNBA All-Star festivities will inspire dancers across Central Indiana and broaden their horizons.
“I think a lot of people think they need to move out to like LA or somewhere in California or New York to make dance a living. I think being part of this event is going to show folks that you don’t got to move anywhere. You know, we can do it here in Indiana, in Indianapolis,” Tran stated.
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Tran will play an active role this weekend by teaching a pop-up dance class on Monument Circle following Saturday’s All-Star Bounce event. He will also showcase his skills as an emcee for an all-women dance battle, an event he is eagerly anticipating. “It’s going to be crazy… We have so much talent in Indiana,” Tran said.
Both Tran and Lain were selected from over 100 dancers who responded to a call for talent issued by the Indy Dance Council, an organization dedicated to celebrating and uplifting the dance community in Indianapolis.
“For us, dance is part of life. Dance is part of culture. Everybody dances a little bit, shaking it in your kitchen absolutely counts. That is how we celebrate, that’s how we express, that’s how we mourn. It’s dance,” Mariel Greenlee, the artistic director of the Indy Dance Council, explained.
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Sarah Farnsley, managing director of the Indy Dance Council, added that the organization is grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with the WNBA.
“Our organization’s only about three years old, and before us, there wasn’t really so much of a way to gather all the groups together,” she expressed, highlighting the growth of the local dance community.
The partnership with the WNBA was a natural fit, given that approximately 72% of the dance community is female.
“There’s a massive female-led presence in both of those communities. So I think a ton of crossover is natural, but it’s also a way to really showcase a lot of the incredible talent that we have in the city, in the dance space.”
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Greenlee hopes that fans will come out to support the dancers this weekend. Dance performances will be showcased on the south end of Monument Circle, near the Conrad Hotel and at the Indiana Convention Center.
The entire community is invited to join in the festivities for Indy’s hottest dance jam, which kicks off on Friday night on Monument Circle. The event opens with pop-up performances by Dance Kaleidoscope and the Indy Project before dozens of local dancers ignite the dance floor from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
As Indianapolis rolls out the red carpet for All-Star festivities, the city’s dancers are ready to showcase their passion, creativity, and talent, making this All-Star Weekend a celebration of both basketball and the vibrant rhythm of dance.
Indianapolis, IN
What to know about WNBA All-Star Game’s Indianapolis events, tickets and TV schedule
Retired WNBA star unveils WNBA All-Star court in Indianapolis International Airport
Watch Tamika Catchings unveil WNBA All-Star court Thursday, June 26, 2025, inside the Indianapolis International Airport.
WNBA’s 2025 All-Star Weekend will put women’s basketball front and center in downtown Indianapolis with a variety of events. While other events will run alongside the league’s planned festivities, here’s what to know about the main basketball and entertainment events planned July 18-19.
WNBA Live presented by Panini schedule
This two-day interactive fan experience will include appearances by current and former WNBA players, exclusive merchandise, basketball clinics and games, and league and sponsor experiences for fans gathered in downtown Indianapolis. The ticketed event will precede each night’s activities at nearby Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Where: Indiana Convention Center, 100 S. Capitol Ave., Indianapolis
When: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET Friday, July 18 and Saturday, July 19
Tickets: Daily adult admission is $28.40 plus applicable taxes at Ticketmaster.com. Tickets for children age 12 and younger are free and must be reserved while purchasing adult tickets.
WNBA STARRY 3-Point Contest, Kia WNBA Skills Challenge time and TV schedule
Friday’s main event includes the league’s annual 3-point contest and skills challenge that pits top players against each other in a variety of basketball skills-based competitions.
Where: Gainbridge Fieldhouse, 125 S. Pennsylvania Ave., Indianapolis
When: 8 p.m. ET Friday, July 18 (broadcast on ESPN)
Tickets: Verified resale tickets are listed for a wide range of prices at Ticketmaster.com.
FeverFest time and schedule
This outdoor music and comedy event in downtown Indianapolis is headlined by musician The Kid LAROI, with featured performances by Cedric the Entertainer, Leslie Jones, Aida Rodriguez, G-Eazy, BIA and more.
Where: Everwise Amphitheater at White River State Park, 801 W. Washington St., Indianapolis
When: 6 p.m. Saturday, July 19
Tickets: Tickets are available at a wide range of prices at Ticketmaster.com.
Re-live Caitlin Clark’s rookie season with our commemorative book
2025 AT&T WNBA All-Star Game time and TV schedule
The WNBA’s annual showcase game pits teams captained by Indiana Fever phenom Caitlin Clark and Minnesota Lynx superstar Napheesa Collier.
Where: Gainbridge Fieldhouse, 125 S. Pennsylvania Ave., Indianapolis
When: 8:30 p.m. ET, Saturday, July 19 (broadcast on ABC)
Tickets: Verified resale tickets are listed for a wide range of prices, starting at about $140 plus taxes, at Ticketmaster.com.
Stream the WNBA All-Star Game on ESPN+
Our team of savvy editors independently handpicks all recommendations. If you purchase through our links, the USA Today Network may earn a commission. Prices were accurate at the time of publication but may change.
Downs played three seasons in Chapel Hill under former head coach Mack Brown, and he was on the receiving end for arguably two of the best signal callers in program history in Sam Howell and Drake Maye. Despite not having much team success did not happen during his time at UNC, that does not take away from his accolades and his highlight reel performances.
Imagine if head coach Bill Belichick had someone Downs on his roster right now? That would be an interesting player-coach combination.
GoHeels wrote about Downs’ stats, outings, and accolades, check them out below:
“Started all 11 games he appeared in • PFF first-team All-America • Tabbed second-team All-America by AP, FWAA and Phil Steele • First-team All-ACC • Biletnikoff Award Semifinalist • ACC Receiver of the Week (11/7, 11/14) • Led the ACC in receptions (94), yards receiving (1029), receptions per game (8.5) and yards receiving per game (93.5) • Ranked second in the FBS in receptions per game, seventh in touchdown receptions and 11th in in receiving yards per game
• Third player at UNC with over 90 catches in a season • His 11 touchdown grabs were the second-most in the ACC and fourth-most in UNC history • Finished the season with over 1,000 yards receiving for the second consecutive season (1,029) • Had a team-high nine receptions for 78 yards and two receiving TDs in the season opener against FAMU • Returned from a two-game absence and scored twice and had five catches for 32 yards against Notre Dame
• Had 120 receiving yards on eight receptions against Virginia Tech • Had a team-high six receptions for 69 yards and a TD at Miami • Came up with nine catches for 126 yards at Duke • Equaled his career high with 11 catches for 102 receiving yards and scored two touchdowns against Pitt • Also returned a punt for 23 yards against the Panthers
• Had a career-high 15 receptions for 166 yards and a touchdown at Virginia • Had 11 receptions for 154 yards and three touchdowns at Wake Forest • Had three catches for 31 yards against Georgia Tech • Had six catches for 51 yards against NC State • Caught 11 passes for 100 yards in the ACC Championship game against Clemson.”
For a description of Downs’ career overall, here’s an excerpt also found on GoHeels:
“Finished his career with 2,483 yard receiving, the fourth-highest total in Carolina lore • Had 22 career touchdown receptions, second-most in school history • One of three players in UNC history with over 200 career receptions, finishing third on the school’s all-time list with 202 • One of two players in Carolina history with two 1,000-yard receiving seasons.”
As Downs enters his third season in Indianapolis under head coach Shane Steichen, he will be preparing to add more touchdowns, currently sitting with seven through two seasons. But as he showed in Chapel Hill, he’s capable of doing just that, and then some.
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