College Career Reflections: Dontavia Waggoner
CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. — Dontavia Waggoner feared her time in college basketball was over.
After a tough seven-point defeat to North Carolina in the Second Round of the 2025 Ally ACC Women’s Basketball Tournament, she believed Boston College’s season had concluded. Her remarkable 32-point game against Syracuse symbolized the end of a challenging season, leading the team into postseason mode following their return home.
As she and her teammates planned for summer activities and career initiatives, a call from the Women’s Basketball Invitational Tournament (akin to the men’s NIT) altered her trajectory. For Waggoner, this meant donning her beloved maroon and gold jersey for one last game.
“Once we learned about the WBIT,” she said in a recent interview with The Podcast for Boston, “it hit us that we hadn’t played since the ACC Tournament. Some teammates were still on break, making the situation unexpected. When we faced Villanova, we thought, ‘With seven of us here, let’s enjoy ourselves.’ Winning was important, but having fun was equally prioritized.”
Months after leading the Eagles to an unexpected postseason spot, Waggoner attended the Career in Sports Forum, a four-day event for NCAA athletes exploring career paths in sports. “The NCAA forum was eye-opening,” she noted. “It was a transformative experience where I interacted with fellow athletes pursuing various careers, as well as industry professionals. We engaged in breakout discussions designed to help us navigate our career paths.”
This forum embodies an essential discourse around student-athletes’ career plans beyond sports, especially amid discussions on realignment and name, image, and likeness. Notably, about 2,700 male and 1,300 female basketball players sought opportunities in the transfer portal, with roughly 25% of women’s players seeking new venues for their talents.
“The Career in Sports Forum,” according to an NCAA release, “focuses on professional development, providing attendees with tools to successfully navigate their careers. Self-awareness and adaptability emerged as key themes essential for thriving in the sports industry.” Waggoner’s journey through college basketball, with experiences ranging from a defensive specialist to an offensive leader, underscores this sentiment as she moves forward with her goals in mind.
“I’ve always wanted to work in sports broadcasting,” she shared. “The forum reinforced my desire. It made me realize that I don’t need to rush into it; I just need to stay on the right path. Even as I play basketball abroad, I want to acquire experiences that will guide me once my playing days conclude.” Waggoner’s perspective highlights the importance of planning for life after sports while remaining committed to her passion, knowing that every athlete eventually faces retirement.
