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What to Know About Women’s Basketball Today
1. WNBA Talent Tips Off in Australia 🇦🇺
Australia’s top league, the Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL), returns for its 2025-26 season on Friday (Saturday in Australia), featuring eight clubs and 17 rounds through February. (WNBL)
WHY IT MATTERS: The WNBL has become a go-to league for player development, a proving ground where WNBA stars like Jackie Young, Marina Mabrey, and Courtney Williams have previously sharpened their skills. It’s also where Veronica Burton, this year’s WNBA Most Improved Player, won a title last season.
With names like Alissa Pili, Grace Berger, Lucy Olsen, Sania Feagin, and Jade Melbourne on rosters this year, it’s a great chance to watch both familiar faces and rising talent.
🎥 You can stream every game live and free on the WNBL app, with ESPN on Disney+ also offering live and on-demand coverage.
🗳️ Should WNBA players risk the grind of competing in the offseason or prioritize rest?
2. A New Pro League Is Coming to the U.S. South 🏀
A new professional women’s league called The UPSHOT League is set to launch in May 2026, beginning with four teams in Charlotte, Jacksonville, Savannah, and Greensboro. Each team will play a 40-game season focused in the South. (The UPSHOT League)
WHY IT MATTERS: The UPSHOT League adds another lane for players chasing their professional dreams, and for fans hungry for more year-round basketball. Backed by Cheryl Miller and Ann Meyers Drysdale, it could also serve as a development pipeline for future WNBA talent.
3. UConn-Louisville Opener at Risk Amid Shutdown ⚠️
The highly anticipated UConn vs. Louisville season opener, scheduled for Nov. 4 at Ramstein Air Base in Germany, could be affected by the ongoing U.S. government shutdown. Military pay delays and facility reductions are already impacting operations on base. (SB Nation)
WHY IT MATTERS: This marquee international matchup, featuring the reigning national champion No. 1 UConn Huskies and No. 20 Louisville Cardinals, is meant to showcase women’s basketball on a global stage. But logistical fallout from the shutdown could force changes or postponement, leaving both teams and fans waiting for clarity just weeks before tip-off.
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OVERTIME ⏱️
Big Break: Kate Martin couldn’t hide her excitement after pulling a special Caitlin Clark rookie card.
Next-Gen NIL: UCLA freshman Sienna Betts inked an NIL deal with New Balance.
From Court to Catwalk: Angel Reese made her runway debut as the first pro athlete to participate in the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show in NYC.
🗳️ Poll Results from Yesterday: We asked whether the WNBA should prioritize international games. Just over half of you (54%) said no, while the rest were split between yes and not sure.
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