No Offseason: The Athletic Women's Basketball Show
Episode: The WNBA’s Most Intriguing Players + NCAA Transfer Portal Updates
Release Date: April 22, 2025

Introduction

In this episode of No Offseason, hosted by Zena Kaida, Chantel Jennings, Sabrina Merchant, and Ben Pickman, the panel delves deep into the latest developments in women's basketball. The discussion primarily centers around the NCAA Transfer Portal and highlights the most intriguing players poised to make significant impacts in the upcoming WNBA season.

NCAA Transfer Portal Updates

The episode kicks off with an insightful discussion on the NCAA Transfer Portal, a critical component reshaping college basketball dynamics.

Chantel Jennings provides a comprehensive breakdown:

"[...] it's basically like an Excel spreadsheet online sort of, except with more security [...] run by the NCAA, it's like a compliance database."
[04:18]

Chantel explains that the transfer portal has been operational since 2018, now featuring a streamlined 30-day window for athlete transfers. This system allows student-athletes to explore new opportunities without jeopardizing their eligibility.

Key Points:

• Transfer Window: Opens March 24th and closes April 22nd.
• Process: Athletes enter their details into the portal, making them discoverable to other programs.
• Challenges: Limited scholarship and roster spots, making transfers highly competitive.
• Opportunities: Athletes can seek environments that better fit their academic and athletic aspirations.

Notable Transfers Discussed:

1. Cody McMahon from Ohio State to Ole Miss, expected to enhance Ole Miss's defensive capabilities.
2. Tana Lan, the nation's top scorer, transferring to South Carolina, potentially altering the Gamecocks' offensive dynamics.

   "Tana Lan [...] feels like a domino [...] where she goes can sort of impact where other players go."
   [08:56]

3. Kate Coval, a talented freshman from Notre Dame, moving to LSU to join her family ties and work under renowned coaches.
4. Olivia Miles shifting to TCU, highlighting the fluid nature of the portal.

Zena Kaida adds depth to the conversation:

"Remember, guys, these are student-athletes. [...] Students first, then athletes."
[07:27]

Chantel further elaborates on the financial aspects influencing transfers, including Name, Image, Likeness (NIL) deals and revenue sharing, which are becoming increasingly pivotal in athletes' decisions.

The WNBA’s Most Intriguing Players

Transitioning from college basketball, the panel shifts focus to the WNBA's most intriguing players for the 2025 season. The hosts engage in a dynamic round-robin style discussion, highlighting players who could be game-changers.

Sabrina Merchant’s Picks

1. Kelsey Plumb – Los Angeles Sparks

   "The Sparks traded away their 2026 first-round pick. So they are very much in the camp of we need to make the playoffs now."
   [22:45]

   Sabrina emphasizes Plumb’s pivotal role in revitalizing the Sparks, aiming to return the team to playoff contention after a four-year drought. Her performance outside the Las Vegas Aces' system will be crucial in determining the Sparks' success.

2. Ryan Howard – Atlanta Dream

   "Atlanta only works if Ryan Howard is a megastar."
   [30:16]

   Howard, a two-time All-Star, is seen as the linchpin for the Dream's ambitious offseason moves. Her ability to elevate her game could transform the Dream into a formidable force under new coaching by Carlos Mesco.

3. Maddie Siegrist – Dallas Wings

   "Can she provide a little bit of versatility to space the floor to give Arike and Paige driving lanes to the basket?"
   [35:29]

   Siegrist’s transition to a power forward role is anticipated to enhance the Wings' versatility, complementing star players Arike Gumbawale and Paige Beckers.

Honorable Mentions:

• Niaras Sabali – Potential to solidify her role with the New York Liberty.
• Janelle Salon – A promising international player joining the Golden State Valkyries, expected to make significant strides in her rookie season.

Ben Pickman’s Picks

1. Jewel Lloyd – Las Vegas Aces

   "Jewel Lloyd [...] joining a team with three other legitimate All-Stars. [...] could be the difference in them getting back to the title."
   [24:21]

   Ben highlights Lloyd’s addition to the Aces as a strategic move to reclaim their dominance in the WNBA. Her synergy with Asia Wilson, Jackie Young, and Chelsea Gray could be the catalyst the Aces need to vie for another championship.

2. Ryan Howard – Atlanta Dream

   "If Ryan Howard can be a legitimate top 10 player in the WNBA, Atlanta can take the leap."
   [28:35]

   Reinforcing Sabrina’s pick, Ben underscores Howard’s potential to elevate the Dream’s performance under Coach Mesco’s leadership.

3. Minnesota Lynx’s Young Trio – Diamond Miller, Alyssa Peely, Dorka Uhuhas

   "The question is, is any of those young players going to develop into legitimate rotation players both this year and in the future?"
   [30:33]

   Ben points to Minnesota’s reliance on emerging talents to bolster their veteran-led squad, anticipating significant development from these young athletes.

Interactive Segment: Two Truths and a Lie

Adding an element of fun, the hosts engage in a Two Truths and a Lie game, where Sabrina Merchant presents three predictions for the upcoming WNBA season:

1. Nafeesa Collier will be the MVP of the 2025 WNBA season.
2. The Phoenix Mercury will miss the playoffs in 2025.
3. There will be NBA participation at the WNBA All-Star Weekend in Indianapolis.

Discussion and Analysis:

• Nafeesa Collier as MVP: Zena and Ben consider this a plausible scenario, given Collier's outstanding performance in previous seasons.

  "After the performance that Nafeesa Collier had in Unrivaled, I feel like that is absolutely possible for her to carry that over into the WNBA season."
  [43:29]

• Phoenix Mercury Missing the Playoffs: The panel debates this, especially considering recent acquisitions like Alyssa Thomas. Ultimately, they agree it's a bold prediction, potentially indicative of underlying team issues.

  "I enjoyed this as a hot take, so I'm going to say this is true."
  [44:17]

• NBA Participation at WNBA All-Star Weekend: Zena expresses skepticism about NBA players attending All-Star events, deeming it unlikely.

  "I feel like Sabrina knows this and I think this is her lie [...] but you might be right."
  [46:04]

Reveal: Sabrina confirms that her lie was initially thought to be different, ultimately deciding that Nafeesa Collier winning MVP is indeed true, while the Phoenix Mercury missing the playoffs is her genuine belief. The panel celebrates the insightful but tricky game.

Conclusion and Teasers

Wrapping up, the hosts preview upcoming content, including deep dives into the Big East and Western Conference, rivalry tracking, and a special feature on the Dallas Wings. They encourage listeners to engage via YouTube, leave comments, and rate the show to help new audience members discover their content.

Key Takeaways:

• The NCAA Transfer Portal continues to be a transformative force in college basketball, with significant player movements shaping future seasons.
• The WNBA season promises excitement with several intriguing players poised to elevate their teams and potentially transform the league landscape.
• Interactive segments like Two Truths and a Lie add an engaging twist, fostering deeper listener involvement.

For more detailed analyses and exclusive interviews, fans are encouraged to follow No Offseason across various platforms and stay connected with The Athletic's comprehensive coverage of women's basketball.

Credits:
Hosted by Zena Kaida, Chantel Jennings, Sabrina Merchant, and Ben Pickman. Produced by Tanika Perot with executive production by Andrea B. Scott and Cassius Fleming. Part theme music by Marcus Begala. Video editor Brenna Haupt, managing editor Shannon Ryan, head of audio Jesse Burton, and Director of Audio Operations Tim McMaster.

Stay updated by following No Offseason on your preferred podcast platform and visit sports.yahoo.com/women-sports for more content.