No Offseason: The Athletic Women's Basketball Show Episode: 2024 Year-End Superlatives
Release Date: December 31, 2024

No Offseason wraps up 2024 by celebrating the standout moments, performances, and personalities in women's basketball. Hosts Zena Keda, Chantelle Jennings, Sabrina Merchant, and Ben Pickman delve into their year-end superlatives, highlighting what made the season memorable both on and off the court.

1. Players That Brought the Most Joy

The hosts kicked off their superlatives by discussing the players who brought them the most joy to watch throughout the year.

• Ben Pickman selected a team of five WNBA players plus a coach:

  • Courtney Williams (06:56) for her outstanding playmaking and vibrant personality.
  • Niara Sabali (06:38) for her infectious energy and ability to ignite the crowd.
  • Alyssa Thomas (07:50) admired for her dominance despite not being a traditional shooter.
  • Ryan Howard and Alicia Gray (07:20) for their dynamic on and off the court relationship.
  • Temifag Benle (08:50) from the Indiana Fever, noted for her radiant presence and positive aura.
  • Coach Latricia Trammell (09:09) for her storytelling and positivity.

• Sabrina Merchant chose the Oregon State Beavers (09:54), highlighting their joyful gameplay and vibrant presence on social media despite the looming changes in the PAC-12 conference.

• Chantelle Jennings favored local talents like Kayla Padilla from USC and Rekia Jackson from the WNBA (11:02), appreciating their smooth playing styles and entertainment value.

• Zena Keda highlighted players like Camila Cardoso, Kate Martin, and Asia Wilson (12:22), praising their growth, playful interactions, and genuine love for the game.

2. Best Game of the Year

When it came to the most thrilling game, the hosts had varied favorites:

• Sabrina Merchant pointed to the National Championship Game (14:59), not just for the high-level competition but also for its historic viewership surpassing the men's title game.

• Chantelle Jennings highlighted Game One of the WNBA Finals between Minnesota and New York (16:24), citing unforgettable moments like Courtney Williams' four-point play and stunning overtime victory.

• Ben Pickman emphasized the same game, particularly Courtney Williams' game-changing four-point play (17:34), describing the crowd's electrifying reaction and the historic significance of the moment.

• Zena Keda added the Team USA vs. France matchup (17:34), reminiscing about the intense competition and the emotional victory securing their eighth consecutive gold medal.

3. Best Quote of the Year

The conversation then shifted to memorable quotes from the season:

• Chantelle Jennings gave an honorable mention to incidents where players directly call each other out post-game, specifically mentioning Aces Sparks (18:56). Her top pick was Cheryl Reeve's remarks after Game 5 of the WNBA Finals (19:25), which were packed with impactful statements about the game and its players.

• Zena Keda shared Asia Wilson's candid remark about Kalia Copper (20:03):
  "If your kids are in the car, listen to this podcast. Cover their ears. That bitch."

• Sabrina Merchant recounted Dawn Staley's humorous take during a press conference (20:02):
  "I told our coaches, someone taught me you lie to get laid."

• Ben Pickman offered additional notable quotes, including Cheryl Miller's witty comment on the WNBA TV rights deal and a humorous interaction involving Alicia Gray and WNBA comms (22:07).

4. Best Individual Performance

Recognizing standout performances, the hosts celebrated individual excellence:

• Sabrina Merchant lauded Caitlin Clark for breaking the NCAA Division I scoring record (24:06), highlighting her 49-point game that captivated fans and set new benchmarks.

• Chantelle Jennings praised Niara Sabali for her pivotal role in Game 5 of the WNBA Finals (24:50), where her performance off the bench was instrumental in securing the championship for her team.

• Ben Pickman spotlighted Arique Gumbawale for an extraordinary half with 34 points at the All-Star Weekend (25:18), noting her unparalleled scoring display against top competition.

• Zena Keda nominated Nafisa Collier for her consistent excellence throughout the playoffs (25:54), emphasizing her defensive prowess and scoring ability.

5. Most Memorable Reporting Moments

The hosts shared their standout moments from covering the season:

• Zena Keda cherished moments when listeners recognized the show, reflecting on the impact of their work (31:12).

• Sabrina Merchant recounted covering Candace Parker's retirement during the Liberty's first day of training camp (31:29), capturing Brianna Stewart's shocked reaction:
  "Effective immediately." (34:24).

• Chantelle Jennings reflected on covering the final PAC-12 tournament (36:11), capturing the emotional closure of the conference and memorable interactions with long-time broadcasters and coaches.

• Ben Pickman shared the experience of interviewing Brianna Stewart right after Candace Parker's unexpected retirement announcement (33:39), highlighting the raw emotions and unfiltered reactions.

6. Resolutions and Closing Thoughts

As the year concluded, the hosts shared their aspirations for the upcoming season:

• Sabrina Merchant simply wished for "more good basketball" (40:53).

• Ben Pickman humorously mentioned plans to utilize a tack board purchased during the finals in 2025 (41:06).

• Chantelle Jennings opted out of making resolutions but shared memorable personal experiences from the season (41:15).

• Zena Keda aimed to improve her memory, acknowledging the hosts' collective forgetfulness over the year and expressing gratitude towards the listeners and team members for their support and dedication (41:29).

7. Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Courtney Williams on Minnesota Nice:
  "I ain't ever heard that." (20:03)

• Dawn Staley on Deception:
  "Someone taught me you lie to get laid." (20:02)

• Cheryl Reeve after Game 5 of the Finals:
  [Cheryl's remarks packed with impactful statements] (19:25)

• Asia Wilson on Kalia Copper:
  "If your kids are in the car, listen to this podcast. Cover their ears. That bitch." (20:03)

• Brianna Stewart on Candace Parker's Retirement:
  "Effective immediately." (34:24)

Conclusion

The 2024 episode of No Offseason serves as a heartfelt reflection on a year filled with exhilarating games, unforgettable performances, and impactful moments in women's basketball. The hosts celebrate the growth and passion within the sport, emphasizing the community's role in its continuous evolution. As they look forward to 2025, their commitment to showcasing and nurturing women's basketball remains steadfast, promising even more engaging content for fans and followers.

Thank you for tuning into No Offseason. Stay connected for more insights and stories from the world of women's basketball as we continue to celebrate and grow the game together.