This year’s Women’s March Madness basketball tournament may have wrapped up just a little over a month ago, but the story doesn’t stop there.
ESPN just released season 2 of its docuseries Full Court Press with a new trio of college basketball stars. The four-part series spotlights Flau’jae Johnson of LSU, Kiki Iriafen of USC, and Hannah Hidalgo of Notre Dame. From off-court pursuits and controversies, to big games and the WNBA draft, the docuseries highlights the biggest moments of these players’ lives.
Too Much Greatness
The first episode of Full Court Press introduces its new group of collegiate stars: Flau’jae Johnson, Kiki Iriafen, and Hannah Hidalgo. Kiki Iriafen, a former Stanford player, returned to her hometown of Los Angeles for her final collegiate season, representing the University of Southern California. Flau’jae Johnson, who won a national championship with LSU as a freshman in 2023, brings both talent and experience to the spotlight. She knows what it takes to win it all and wants to feel that trophy in her hands again. Hannah Hidalgo is introduced in a religious setting, where she shares how her faith is central to her identity and continually pushes her to be the best version of herself.
All three athletes are relentlessly driven. They’re fiercely competitive, self-critical, and constantly striving to improve. Hidalgo admits how much she hates the feeling of losing. In high school, she wouldn’t talk to her parents after a loss because she felt like a failure. Johnson is her own worst critic, battling guilt over taking the time to rest. Meanwhile, Iriafen felt some elements of imposter syndrome after transferring schools, even as she established herself as a key contributor at USC. Despite their different journeys, each player is a vital force on their team.
Rivalries and Roots
“It’s good to feel these losses because they push you to fix the things you need to fix and they propel you to win.” -Chiney Ogwumike
One of the standout moments in the second episode of Full Court Press is the spotlight on Flau’jae Johnson’s deep connection to music. Her story begins even before she was born. While her mother was four months pregnant, Johnson’s father, Jason Johnson, was tragically shot and killed in Savannah, Georgia. Known by his stage name “Camoflauge,” he was an up-and-coming rapper signed to Universal Records and on the brink of major success when he was killed.
Inspired by his legacy, Flau’jae began performing music at just seven years old. She recalls getting “chill bumps” the first time she heard one of her father’s songs. Her musical journey quickly gained momentum after she went viral on YouTube and later appeared on America’s Got Talent. Even though Johnson was terrified of Simon Cowell, he came backstage to personally tell her that she was going to be a superstar.
Johnson’s mother shares that she hopes to become the first WNBA player to win a Grammy. She’s well on her way, having already collaborated with Lil Wayne, released three albums, and dropped several EPs and singles. Flau’jae is also one of the top earners in college sports through NIL. Johnson describes how, as more people learn her name, the more they will hear about her father and spread his legacy.
Backlash Against Hidalgo
The second episode also tackles a moment of controversy involving Hannah Hidalgo. Last year, Hidalgo reposted a video of conservative political commentator Candace Owens. In the video, Owens told former CNN host Don Lemon, a gay man, that same-sex marriage is a sin. Many basketball fans criticized Hidalgo’s post before she eventually took it down.
“No, absolutely not. I have friends that are, you know, homosexual. I have teammates that I play with every single day, every practice with them every day, that are homosexual too and that doesn’t stop me from loving them. I will go to war for any single one of my teammates, and they know that. I don’t want anybody to think that I’m apologetic for my faith, but what I am sorry for is that I hurt people and I hurt people closest to me.” -Hidalgo responding to the question: are you homophobic?
The WNBA is known for being one of the most inclusive and progressive leagues in the country. It is filled with LGBTQ+ players and players of color. While Hidalgo’s response came across as an effort to manage backlash, it’s crucial to continue uplifting the voices and celebrating the accomplishments of all marginalized communities within women’s basketball.
Through the Fire
This past February, as deadly wildfires swept through Los Angeles, the city witnessed a different kind of heat: the high-stakes matchup between cross-town rivals UCLA and USC. Despite the tense matchup, the game offered a special, heartwarming moment of unity and resilience.
The third episode also discussed these three players managing their athletic careers, personal lives, and academics. Kiki Iriafen was working toward her master’s degree in Entrepreneurship and Innovation, while Hannah Hidalgo tried to find joy with friends by dancing and having fun. Meanwhile, Johnson was grappling with the frustration of an injury, trying to stay mentally strong while sidelined.
Rebound Season
The final episode of Full Court Press captures the electric atmosphere of the 2025 NCAA Women’s March Madness Tournament. In the opening round, all three featured teams, LSU, USC, and Notre Dame, absolutely dominated their opponents, winning by over 45+ points.
But as the tournament progressed, the intensity only grew. Notre Dame’s run came to an end in the Sweet 16 with a tough loss to TCU. LSU, despite a strong second-half push led by Flau’jae Johnson, fell to UCLA in the Elite Eight. Over at USC, the team faced a devastating blow when star player Juju Watkins tore her ACL. Without her, USC ultimately lost to the powerhouse UConn Huskies, also in the Elite Eight. The UConn Huskies claimed their 12th national championship, the most in NCAA Division I women’s history, after defeating the South Carolina Gamecocks.
Looking ahead, both Flau’jae Johnson and Hannah Hidalgo are set to return to their respective teams, with Johnson entering her senior year and Hidalgo her junior year. Johnson, looking to win another championship with LSU, has also been back in the studio making new music. This past April, Johnson joined rapper BossMan Dlow for a leg of his North American tour, performing in cities like Boston, Toronto, Denver, and Jacksonville. She shines as she continues to chase both dreams of being a rapper and a basketball star.
Hidalgo, also returning to her collegiate team, is looking to rebuild the team, especially after fellow star Olivia Miles announced her transfer to TCU. The Fighting Irish also lost numerous senior athletes and will need leadership to succeed in the next March Madness tournament.
Beyond the collegiate world, Kiki Iriafen was drafted to the Washington Mystics as the fourth overall pick in the 2025 WNBA draft.
Upcoming Basketball Action
Season Two of Full Court Press doesn’t just document individual players, it captures a cultural moment. Women’s basketball is enjoying unprecedented visibility and momentum, and this series provides a front-row seat to its evolution through the eyes of its brightest young stars.
Fans can only hope ESPN continues the docuseries with a third season, continuing to spotlight the rising momentum of women’s basketball and the achievements of so many phenomenal female athletes.
For those eager to watch more women’s hoops, the WNBA season tips off this weekend with opening games including the Washington Mystics vs. Atlanta Dream and the Minnesota Lynx vs. Dallas Wings. The action is just getting started.
Full Court Press is available to stream on ESPN.
