No Offseason: The Athletic Women’s Basketball Show

Episode: How A’ja Wilson Won 2025 | Our Best Moments of the Year
Date: December 30, 2025
Hosts: Zena Keita, Sabreena Merchant, Ben Pickman

Overview

The No Offseason team—Zena Keita, Sabreena Merchant, and Ben Pickman—gather for their annual “Best of the Year” superlative show, breaking down the defining moments, performances, quotes, and stories from an action-packed 2025 in women’s basketball. The episode intertwines personal anecdotes, on-court heroics, behind-the-scenes reporting, and playful banter, all delivered with warmth and insight for fans of the WNBA, NCAA, and the growing women’s hoops community.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Best Game of the Year (02:24–10:39)

Sabrina’s Pick:

• WNBA Finals Game 1: Las Vegas Aces vs. Phoenix Mercury
  • “Big moments by a lot of star players. Big moments by a lot of role players. Comes right down to the wire… The most impactful miss twice, all time, with Alyssa Thomas missing those two free throws.” (03:41)
  • Set the tone for the Finals; a wild, competitive atmosphere.

Zena’s Pick:

• Aces vs. Fever: Semifinals, Game 5, Overtime Thriller
  • Highlights Indiana’s resilience and heartbreak (Odyssey Sims’ heroics, Aaliyah Boston fouling out, Kelsey Mitchell injury); showcases Aces’ clutch play, notably Jackie Young’s all-around impact.
  • “Even if you were cheering for the Aces, ...there was a feeling of empathy...for the Fever.” (04:14)

Ben’s Pick:

• Alabama vs. Maryland: NCAA Tournament, Double Overtime
  • “Sarah Ashley Barker for Alabama…scores 45 points, 17 of 25. Almost wills her team into the next round.” (07:01)
  • Cited as “the most memorable game of the tournament last year in terms of just pure basketball.”

Honorable Mentions:

• Duke vs North Carolina (“unforgettable for the wrong reasons” – an infamously low-scoring, defensive grind)
• Kentucky vs. Kansas State (NCAA overtime thriller)
• EuroBasket Final: Belgium’s comeback over Spain
• Lynx’s 53-point win vs. Aces (“most impactful game” for changing Aces’ trajectory)
• Unrivaled opening night: Mist vs. Lunar Owls, Skylar Diggins’ Elam Ending game-winner (09:05–10:04)

2. Best Individual Performance (10:39–19:34)

Ben’s Pick:

• Cheryl Reeve’s Postgame Press Conference (Semifinals, Game 3)
  • Theater over stat lines: “When I think about the most memorable performance… it belongs to Cheryl Reeve.” (11:23)
  • Rant on officiating (“effing malpractice”); broadcast live, uncensored on SportsCenter.
  • “Her using the phrase effing malpractice… storming off with that sheet of paper… Tony Award-winning.” (13:33)

Zena’s Pick:

• Juju Watkins vs UCLA (Feb 13, 2025)
  • 38 points, 11 rebounds, 8 blocks; UCLA’s first loss.
  • “This was takeover. This was dominance… immediately ejecting yourself into the ether of best college basketball players in history.” (14:19)

Sabrina’s Pick:

• Juju Watkins vs UCLA (Mar 1, 2025): Big Ten Title Clincher
  • 30 points, championship on the line, hit 6 threes in the first half.
  • “I’m partial to the ones that happen on enemy territory.” (15:24)

Additional Standouts:

• Paige Bueckers: 44 points, 17-of-21 FG vs. Sparks (“efficiency,” “memorable even in a loss”)
• Audi Crooks: streak of dominant games
• Michaela Blake: 55 points vs. Auburn, new freshman record
• Caitlin Clark: big-game explosion after injury
• A’ja Wilson: Playoff run following 53-point loss (esp. 38 vs. Storm: “not a single point from a three”)
• Sarah Strong: 24-15-5-2-3 in NCAA title game (“dominant, somehow not Most Outstanding Player”) (18:57)

“These performances changed your perception of the player... only grew your admiration.” – Zena (19:34)

3. Favorite Reporting Moments (22:37–29:00)

Zena’s Pick:

• Personal moment with Candace Parker
  • “Candace Parker complimented my baby hairs… You couldn’t tell me nothing for the rest of the week.” (22:41)

Sabrina’s Pick:

• Staking out WNBA Union/League Meeting at All Star
  • The “old-school” reporting vibe; fun, competitive, collaborative chase for player interviews. (23:59)
  • “Just all working together… old school boots-on-the-ground reporting.” (25:08)

Ben’s Pick:

• Sitting next to Drunk A’ja Wilson after Game 4 of WNBA Finals
  • “A’ja came into the press room drunk, holding a bottle of Michelob Ultra and a pink tambourine. She sat right next to me.” (27:40)
  • Asia burps on the podium, her dad says: “Get her off the podium. That’s enough!” (28:10)

Notable Honorable Mentions:

• Gino Auriemma jokingly offering Sabrina and Chantel UConn jobs (29:00)
• Crypto drama coverage (“green dildo gate”)
• Sandy Brondello calls Ben out for lateness (“Where you been, mate?”)
• Stephanie White fined during playoffs, Sabrina’s meme-able facial reaction (29:35)

4. Favorite Quotes of the Year (31:53–36:31)

Zena & Sabrina’s Pick:

• Napheesa Collier, Lynx Exit Interview:
  • “We have the best players, we have the best fans, but right now, we have the worst leadership in the world.” (32:52)
  • Sparked public debate about the WNBA and CBA.

Ben’s Pick:

• Ryan Ruocco, National Championship Call:
  • “The final page in the book of Bueckers is title number 12 for UConn. Just a chef's kiss. Beautiful line.” (33:26)

Additional Highlights:

• Juju Watkins, post-title win: “I don’t wear hats.” (32:56)
• Courtney Williams on “Kathy Turnt”/Diplo (34:39)
• Vic Schaefer (Texas): "I know I’m not their world, but they are my world." (34:58)
• Paige Bueckers, on hug with Geno: “He told me he loved me and I told him I hated him.” (35:31)
• Sarah Strong’s podium giggle sessions (“say something… do something.”)

5. Best Duo of the Year (36:39–42:07)

Top Picks:

• Courtney Williams & Natisha Hiedeman (Stud Buds): "Runaway favorite." (36:42)
• Paige Bueckers & Azzi Fudd: “The internet running with that one. All the moments on court, off court, draft. Say what you want, but I think it has to be the stud buds.” (37:02)

Honorable Mentions:

• Paige & Lee Yoru (Dallas, especially after the win)
• Paige & Geno ("Their back and forth...is so fun.") (37:39)
• A’ja Wilson & her Pink Tambourine (“inseparable for that night”—Aces championship celebration)
• A’ja Wilson & Bam Adebayo (and the Aces fan base):
  • “The interaction of every time the Aces or A’ja’s fans tagged Bam…was so much fun.” (38:52)
  • Including Bam being chosen to present A’ja with her MVP trophy (39:53)
• Rookies Kate Martin & Caitlyn Chen (“playing Patty Cake during timeouts”)
• Sonia Citron & Kiki Iriafen (Washington)

Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• “A plus performance work. I was in Indiana, Tony award winning.” — Ben on Cheryl Reeve’s rant (13:33)
• “I can take an L with the best of them.” — Cheryl Reeve (13:15)
• “The final page in the book of Bueckers is title number 12 for UConn.” — Ryan Ruocco (33:26)
• “We have the best players, we have the best fans, but right now, we have the worst leadership in the world.” — Napheesa Collier (32:52)
• “I don’t wear hats.” — Juju Watkins, on post-championship gear (32:56)
• “He told me he loved me and I told him I hated him.” — Paige Bueckers, on her relationship with Geno (35:31)
• “Asia Wilson and the Pink Tambourine…inseparable for that night.” — Ben (38:21)

Looking Ahead: 2026 & Final Thoughts (44:58–49:45)

• Ben: Wants more competitive NCAA and WNBA finals; looking for more great coach conversations and community growth. (45:35)
• Zena: “Juju Watkins returning — her absence is felt!” Curious for WNBA expansion, more exclusive reporting. (47:20)
• Sabrina: Hopes for a full WNBA season, wants to see UConn vs. Texas, a standout World Cup (“Germany 2026, can’t wait!”).
• **Chantel Jennings’ return from maternity leave celebrated as another anticipated “comeback.” (49:22)

Overall Tone & Style

• The hosts’ camaraderie, self-deprecating humor, and deep knowledge of women’s basketball shine throughout.
• Relatable, joyful, and often playful—even when discussing serious issues in the WNBA.
• Reliance on personal experiences (e.g., reporting adventures, press room antics) makes the episode feel like a behind-the-scenes pass to women’s hoops’ most memorable moments.

Conclusion

This “Best of 2025” edition delivers a blend of keen basketball insight, hilarious personal moments, and a shared love for growing the women’s game. From iconic performances to unforgettable press conferences, and from best duos to the most resonant quotes, the hosts showcase what makes the women’s basketball community so special—on and off the court.

For Further Listening

• Best games and individual performances revisited: [02:24–19:34]
• Favorite reporting moments: [22:37–29:00]
• Quote and duo discussions: [31:53–42:07]
• 2026 season hopes and closing thoughts: [44:58–49:45]