
Alyssa Charlston
I grew up competing with my brother in our Sammamish driveway, fighting over who got to be Gary Payton or Rashard Lewis. I dressed up as Sue Bird four Halloweens in a row. Seattle sports are home base for me, and I am thrilled to cover them for FOX 13 Sports!
After my college and professional basketball career, I spent three and a half years covering Washington State and Gonzaga as a sports anchor for KXLY-TV in Spokane. (I come to Seattle with many Mike Leach and Mark Few stories.) I also hosted HuskyTron from Home during the unique 2020 COVID-19 Pac-12 football season, and worked for Pac-12 Networks as a basketball color analyst.
I played high school volleyball and basketball for Eastlake before committing to college basketball at the University of Idaho. As a Vandal, I was a three-time all-conference selection and two-time academic All-American. We won two Western Athletic Conference championships, played WNBA MVP Breanna Stewart's UConn Huskies, and then the Louisville Cardinals in back-to-back NCAA tournaments. Don't look up the scores of these games.
Playing professionally in Luxembourg stretched me the most. I juggled new languages while living in a foreign country and meeting the standards of an athlete paid to be efficient. We won the national championship, which helped me hang up the shoes on a high note. (I no longer accept requests to play one-on-one.)
The experiences I have as a former athlete shape the way I see sports, life and what motivates us all. I hope you'll interact with me on social media, and say 'hello' if you ever see me in a grocery store. I'm grateful to work in my hometown alongside the most passionate sports fans on the planet!
The latest from Alyssa Charlston
As WNBA salaries increase, roster spots decrease; Seattle Storm players talk solutions
The 2021 WNBA season earned its highest viewership since 2008. The league saw its largest capital gain in history, and maximum salaries for players increased 94% over the last three years.
Bainbridge Island golf pro Austin Hurt set to tee it up in PGA Championship
Austin Hurt is setting aside his day job this week as a PGA Professional at Wing Point Golf and Country Club to tee it up alongside Tiger Woods, Scottie Scheffler and Jon Rahm in the PGA Championship at Southern Hills CC.
Sue Bird 'hungry' for championship as she returns for 21st season with Seattle Storm
After an early playoff exit last season, the Seattle Storm are looking to complete their unfinished business as the team returns home to Seattle Center.
Lake Stevens man referees final NHL game with Kraken win at home
The sport of hockey has always connected Lake Stevens referee Vaughan Rody to family. Whether it was playing outdoors growing up, or officiating in the National Hockey League.
Mom's strength through MS fuels Kraken's Jared McCann
Jared McCann leads the Seattle Kraken with 25 goals scored this season. With no playoffs this year, he’s looking to make the most of the team's nine remaining regular season games.
WSU player who went viral for dunk gets ready to head to NIT semifinals
The Washington State men’s basketball team is still dancing in March. The Cougs are in the semifinals of the men’s NIT tournament on Tuesday for the first time since 2011 when Klay Thompson led them.
Twin sisters lead Sumner HS girls basketball to state tourney
The Sumner High School girl’s basketball team is 23-2– their best season in decades. Now, they want to make history at the state tournament.
Former UW Husky speaks openly about mental health with clothing line
Former University of Washington Huskies are speaking openly about mental health and have created a clothing line to have those discussions.
Skagit Valley College basketball team helps teammate after family loses everything in house fire
Francis Gyan’s family lost everything in a Renton apartment fire two days after Christmas. The fire took the only home they’ve known since moving to the U.S. 20 years ago.
Seattle U men's basketball sees best season in decades despite early-season challenges
The entire season for Seattle University men's basketball team could have been derailed after making headlines for the wrong reasons, however, it ended up bringing the team together and turning this season into their best.