Liya Shanawas

Liya Shanawas Elmen is a WNBA and NCAA Editor at EssentiallySports, with over five years of editorial experience at newsrooms like The New York Times, The Sun, and Verve. She directs coverage of women’s basketball, focusing on key issues such as pay disputes, marketing gaps, and cultural shifts. Liya works on detailed features on players like Caitlin Clark and other rising WNBA stars, exploring strategy, leadership, and the game's evolving culture. She completed an Associate's degree from the University of Oxford, where she studied prose, poetry, and analytical reading. Prior to EssentiallySports, Liya was a Features Editor at Dua Lipa’s global platform, where she developed long-form stories and conducted interviews on culture, and public lifestyle. She has contributed to various international publications on topics including sports, lifestyle, and culture, and has experience in copywriting, brand strategy, and content creation. Liya is known for her editorial precision, fact-checking expertise, and mastery of AP style, and she excels in fast-paced, deadline-driven environments.