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Good morning! Team USA has once again claimed the world championship. Today’s highlights include:
🥇 Their fifth consecutive gold medal
👥 The friendship between Clark and Reese
🏆 Playoff predictions
Plus: Send us your questions about the rest of the season or playoffs for our mailbag.
Golden Moment: Stewart’s Dominance Continues
Following Team USA’s dominant win over France for the FIBA World Cup gold, coach Kara Lawson praised her team captain and tournament MVP Breanna Stewart, calling her the embodiment of USA Basketball over the past 15 years. Stewart’s era is truly exceptional.
The WNBA’s current period has largely been defined by the Stewart vs. A’ja Wilson rivalry, which was profiled three years ago and has only intensified. Although Wilson has grabbed recent WNBA MVPs and multiple titles, this has somewhat overshadowed Stewart’s unparalleled achievements both at home and internationally.
Stewart is undefeated across the NCAA Tournament, World Cup, and Olympics—with four collegiate championships, four World Cup golds, and aiming for her fourth Olympic gold in 2028 in Los Angeles. She has also secured three EuroLeague titles and helped create an Unrivaled 3×3 championship.
Wherever Stewart plays, winning follows. At the World Cup, she led a younger team, no longer needing to defer to veteran stars like Sue Bird or Diana Taurasi, or even sharing center stage with Wilson. It was Stewart’s team, and she took charge in every way—leading in scoring and rebounds and even playing point guard during crucial moments.
Since winning her first championship at UConn in 2013, Stewart has collected about 1.5 team titles per year, including Commissioner’s Cup trophies. Despite the influx of new talent in the WNBA, she remains the benchmark for excellence and leadership on the USA team.
Annie will now share insights about the relationship between two emerging stars.
Friends or Rivals? “We’ve Always Been Friends”
After Caitlin Clark’s first World Cup gold, the media focused not on her stats or debut tournament but on her friendship with Angel Reese. Clark smartly dismissed the question about their friendship, saying, “We’ve always been friends. Don’t try to do that.”
But why does this matter so much to fans and media? The public often struggles with seeing real competition between women without wanting to frame it as personal or adversarial, especially when there’s visible tension.
Clark and Reese’s storyline began during college when Reese celebrated aggressively against Clark’s Iowa team as her LSU squad won their first NCAA title. Since both entered the WNBA in 2024, playing for rival teams close geographically, their narrative has only gained depth, especially with both teams poised for playoff success.
On the court, their chemistry with USA Basketball was remarkable, mixing skillful pick-and-roll play and fast-break opportunities. But friendship isn’t necessary for this professional collaboration.
To put it in perspective, a question like this likely wouldn’t be asked about male competitors like Draymond Green and Rudy Gobert despite their rivalry or disputes. Competitors don’t need friendship—they just need to perform.
Olympics: Eyes on Los Angeles 2028
It’s never too early to anticipate the USA roster for the 2028 Olympics, and Sue Bird, managing director of the women’s national team, is already evaluating potential players who weren’t part of the recent World Cup.
A’ja Wilson is a guaranteed pick, with Kelsey Plum and Sabrina Ionescu continuing as core members. Rising stars such as Olivia Miles, JuJu Watkins, Sarah Strong, and Hannah Hidalgo, alongside young veterans like Veronica Burton and Cameron Brink, are all contenders.
Sarah Strong, a UConn junior and three-time 3×3 youth gold medalist, might even switch national teams before senior play begins, making her a particularly intriguing case.
As noted by Chantel Jennings, Team USA has elevated international competition significantly and must keep pushing the bar higher.
Who do you think will earn a spot on the Olympic squad? Email us at NoOffseason@theathletic.com.
Fast Breaks
💼 Despite controversies and criticism of her style, Cathy Engelbert did not fail WNBA players, though she perhaps didn’t progress alongside their rapid evolution. More on how the league outgrew its first commissioner role.
🏀 Kate Koval has received a transfer waiver from the NCAA, allowing her to move from LSU to Baylor. Born in Ukraine, Koval explained on Instagram she left LSU due to the team signing a Russian player, as the conflict is personal for her.
💭 Hall of Famer Tamika Catchings’ word for the year is “Intentional,” which helps her maintain focus and balance.
Don’t forget: send your questions for our mailbag!
Playoff Preview: What to Watch as the WNBA Returns
WNBA action resumes this Thursday, with each team completing a packed four-game stretch before the playoffs begin. The playoff field is set, but seeding remains uncertain. Our constantly updated projection bracket shows the odds for each team’s position.
Key notes:
No. 1 Seed: Minnesota needs a combined total of two Lynx wins and Golden State losses to claim the top seed. Minnesota faces tough games against New York and Indiana, while Golden State’s schedule is easier.
No. 3 Seed: Las Vegas is favored here and can likely rest stars Chelsea Gray and Jackie Young after their World Cup duties.
No. 4/5 Seeds: Indiana and Atlanta are battling for home court; the Fever have tougher opponents than the Dream, but the Dream face two games against New York.
No. 6-8 Seeds: Dallas has the clearest path to No. 6 but faces injury concerns, opening the door for Washington or New York to move up.
The lottery race is heating up with a dramatic finale between Toronto and Connecticut fighting for the top pick in the 2027 draft.
Commissioner Search: Who’s Next?
Last week, we asked who should be the next WNBA commissioner. Popular picks included Swin Cash and Nneka Ogwumike, with a few fun suggestions like Michelle Obama and Nick Saban—though they’re unlikely.
One standout is Allison Feaster, a former WNBA player now serving as VP of team operations and growth for the Boston Celtics. Feaster has risen through NBA ranks and enjoys strong respect; while the league might prefer a candidate with a law degree, her background is impressive.
📫 Enjoy No Offseason? Check out The Athletic’s other newsletters for more great content.
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Fan Take: Breanna Stewart’s ongoing dominance gives WNBA fans a thrilling reason to follow both domestic leagues and international play, showing the sport’s growing global stature. Meanwhile, the evolving storylines around young stars like Clark and Reese and the upcoming Olympic team reshuffle signal exciting shifts, promising a dynamic future for women’s basketball.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
