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What to Know About Women’s Basketball Today
1. Portland Fire Makes Two Big Hires 🔥
The Portland Fire are quickly building for their 2026 WNBA debut. In addition to an accidental early LinkedIn leak naming NBA assistant Alex Sarama as head coach, the team officially announced former WNBA veteran Ashley Battle as Vice President of Basketball Operations, Strategy and Innovation. (Portland Fire)
WHY IT MATTERS: Portland’s expansion team rollout has faced turbulence, from a leadership shake-up in June to delays unveiling its name and logo. But new GM Vanja Černivec (formerly with the Valkyries) is wasting no time reshaping the franchise’s direction.
2. UConn Tops Preseason AP Top 25 🐺
The defending national champs open the 2025-26 season where they ended — at No. 1. UConn received 27 of 31 first-place votes in Tuesday’s preseason AP poll, followed by South Carolina, UCLA, and a strong SEC showing with five teams in the top ten.
WHY IT MATTERS: We’re just weeks away from women’s college basketball tip-off, and this first poll offers insight into the best teams in the country. The voting panel of roughly 60 sports writers and broadcasters consider returners, transfers, and incoming freshman in their rankings.
3. A WNBA Game in China Could Come “Very Soon” 🌏
NBA commissioner Adam Silver told CNBC that a WNBA game in China could happen “very soon,” pending completion of the league’s next CBA. (Reuters)
WHY IT MATTERS: International play contributes to growing women’s basketball and the WNBA worldwide. The NBA’s success with global exhibitions has both expanded fandom and boosted talent pipelines, and similar opportunities could do the same for the WNBA. After successful WNBA games in Mexico, the U.K., and Canada, a China showcase would further the league’s international footprint.
🗳️ Should the WNBA prioritize international games?
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