← No Offseason: The Athletic Women's Basketball Show
No Offseason: The Athletic Women's Basketball Show
The WNBA’s Most Intriguing Players + NCAA Transfer Portal Updates
00:53:52
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- [00:01]
Zena Kaida
21 year old flaw J Johnson has built an impressive career, making strides on the basketball court and the rap scene. A national champion and rising music star, she embodies the passion and determination required to excel in both worlds. But Flaw J's success hasn't come without challenges. The financial services industry has often overlooked the needs of women, leaving many feeling misunderstood or treated differently by financial professionals. For Flauje, the this reality strengthened her resolve to take control of her financial future. Just as Flauje trains for success on the court, she understands the importance of preparation when it comes to her finances. MassMutual, a leader in helping people create a strong financial future, understands the unique financial challenges that women face. That's why they offer tools and personalized help so that women like flaujay can confidently plan and protect their financial futures, all with the goal of creating better financial outcomes for women everywhere. Visit massmutual.com stayready to learn more.
- [01:01]
Chantel Jennings
Ryan Reynolds here from Mint Mobile.
- [01:03]
Ben Pickman
I don't know if you knew this.
- [01:04]
Zena Kaida
But anyone can get the same Premium Wireless for $15 a month plan that I've been enjoying. It's not just for celebrities. So do like I did and have one of your assistant's assistants switch you to Mint Mobile today. I'm told it's super easy to do@mintmobile.com.
- [01:19]
Chantel Jennings
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- [01:28]
Sabrina Merchant
Taxes and fees extra.
- [01:29]
Zena Kaida
See full terms@mintmobile.com hey Lonzo Ball, it's your agent. What's up? I've got a commercial opportunity for you from Buzzballs ready to go.
- [01:38]
Ben Pickman
Cocktails.
- [01:38]
Zena Kaida
Nice. My last name is Ball. The product is a cocktail in a ball. I get it. That's what I thought too. But no, they want you for your hands. They think your big hands will show off the size of their new Blue Biggies ball. Big Blue balls really Get Blue Balls this season with Buzz Balls.
- [01:56]
Sabrina Merchant
Please, you're responsible Buzz Balls available in.
- [01:58]
Chantel Jennings
Spirit, wine and malt.
- [01:59]
Sabrina Merchant
Elko, Bavo and Bus Balls llc.
- [02:00]
Zena Kaida
Carrollton, Texas hello everyone and welcome to no off season presented by MassMutual. I'm Zena Kaeda.
- [02:19]
Chantel Jennings
And I'm Chantel Jennings.
- [02:21]
Zena Kaida
Today on the show, before the WNBA season kicks off in a few weeks, we are picking our top three most intriguing players for the upcoming season. Who are the players you need to know about who are poised to make a big difference? Ben and Sabrina are going to join me to run through it all. But first, Chantel is here with us. What's up, Chantel?
- [02:41]
Chantel Jennings
Been a while, hey, Xena. It has. I know. I'm climbing out of my post Final Four hole and like, becoming human again. So it's good to be here.
- [02:50]
Zena Kaida
What does life look like after the Final Four but before the next college season?
- [02:56]
Chantel Jennings
Well, I'm. I'm taking a little time for myself here. I mean, we'll talk about the transfer portal today, but it's like the news never stops. Movement never stops. Like, there's so much to track this off season with the house settlement revenue share. The transfer portal. It feels like college hoops is changing by the day. So it's like, you know, there's no rest for the weary here, Xena.
- [03:17]
Zena Kaida
Okay.
- [03:17]
Chantel Jennings
We just keep pushing forward.
- [03:19]
Zena Kaida
I see. I do hope that you did take a little bit of time to rest because it was a crazy culmination to the season. But as you mentioned, there's still so much going on. And as soon as the season ended, of course, some trotted off to the WNBA draft. But there are many that are trotting off to new places, new faces and new schools. So that's why we got you here today. We're going to do a little NCAA transfer portal corner. We've seen your messages, folks. We've seen your DMs, your blue sky tweets or whatever you want to call them. We've seen you guys ask like, I can't wait for you guys to talk about what's happening with Malaysia, what's happening with Olivia, what's happening, et cetera. But before we get into any of that, we got to back up a little bit and talk about the transfer portal overall. Give us a brief explainer, Chantelle. What is the actual transfer portal like, physically? What does it look like? How does it work? It's not like a door that people show up and they just open up another one and they're another school. How does this even work? How long does it all last? Give us the whole background.
- [04:18]
Chantel Jennings
So it's basically like an Excel spreadsheet online sort of, except with more security, I would say. That's run by the ncaa. It's like a compliance database. And if you are at a school and you want transfer, you enter your name into this. I'm sure it's a little more complicated than that. You have to go through compliance at your school. But you go into this portal and then coaches are literally on it, just like refreshing it constantly and waiting for new names to pop up. And there's sort of third party Sites that have aggregated this information now too. But like, it's just a portal for coaches and they can get some extra info on players. There are different tags you can put. So do not contact means that programs cannot contact that player. Most players are just, you know, they don't have that tag. But the ones who do sort of have a sense of where they want to go and they want to be more in the driver's seat of who they're reaching out to versus having coaches reach out to them. But it's existed in this form since 2018, and over the years there have been different legislative changes and rule changes. This year the window is shorter. So it's about a 30 day window. So it opened on March 24th. It closes today, April 22nd, when our listeners might be listening to the show. So athletes can jump into the portal during that time in order to not lose a season of eligibility and have automatic eligibility at their next school. But there's pros and cons to it. There's. It's different for every sport. College football actually has two windows. So they have one right around the college football playoffs and then a 15 day window during spring football, which is something I think a lot of college basketball coaches would like to see. Maybe more than one window so that it's not right smack dab in the middle of like the sweet 16. But otherwise, yeah, it's just like a big spreadsheet.
- [05:55]
Zena Kaida
It's so funny because when I think portal, I think something like technical, like someone's going to. You walk into a space and you're zapped into a new jersey and you walk out.
- [06:04]
Chantel Jennings
Stranger things, the portal. You're like, yeah, exactly.
- [06:08]
Zena Kaida
It's like you go into the Upside down and now you're at this new school. But yes, it is a spreadsheet. Okay, got it. And I know we've talked about this before too, on the show, but you jump into the portal during that 30 day window. But you can make your choice pretty much whenever. But you want to make it quickly because a lot of these students have to get to their schools to potentially start summer classes to transfer credits. Like, they've got to be in a little bit of a hurry, especially at this point of the year when summer is approaching and then you have to start the new academic year.
- [06:40]
Chantel Jennings
Well, and then you have to, you know, consider roster spots, scholarship spots. It's not like every college basketball team has an unlimited number of scholarships and roster spots for players. And so you see some people making quicker decisions simply because it's like, you know, it's all in flux. Right. Because there are certain teams where, like, oh, they don't have any spots open to pull any transfers. And then it's like, oh, they lost, like, five players to the portal, so now they do. And so it's always in flux. But that's another part of it, obviously, the academic part of it. Getting settled, making your decision quickly, I think, is something a lot of athletes really want to do. But then you also have to consider, like, there are the formalities of, like, if you want to stay on scholarship, you have to go to a program that has scholarships available and roster spots available.
- [07:18]
Zena Kaida
So, yeah, that makes a lot of sense. Remember, guys, these are student athletes. I know sometimes that kind of gets lost in the void. Students first, then athletes.
- [07:27]
Chantel Jennings
It's the Yale basketball alumna, Right. Reminding us of this.
- [07:31]
Zena Kaida
Yes, students first. But you talk about scholarships. That's free money to go to school to school. Where does the. How does money play into this? That's not necessarily scholarship dollars in terms of, like, nil and boosters potentially paying for student athletes to show up at these schools.
- [07:47]
Chantel Jennings
Yeah. So the house settlement has been pushed back a little bit. So we have a little bit of a window here where there's, you know, like I said, it's going to be in flux probably for a good portion of the summer. But there's nil money, which can come from different deals that are being made. And then obviously, revenue share is going to become a big part of this and sort of what that looks like. I don't think anyone really knows so far. Like, I talked to coaches and everyone's kind of waiting to see who moves first on this. Like, Georgia came out and sort of said, this is what we're going to do. And other schools have followed at least quietly, saying, like, this is what we're going to do. But I talked to other coaches and they're saying, you know, internally, I've been told that we're going to get as much as the men's team is getting for our revenue share, but they haven't publicly said that. And I'm like, okay, but why not? Why haven't you publicly stated this? So it'll be interesting. But, yeah, so there's the revenue sharing, there's the nil money. All of those are sort of revenue streams for these athletes. And then obviously, on top of the scholarship, which they'll be getting for going to school.
- [08:42]
Zena Kaida
Okay, now let's get into some of these players, because, of course, we've already seen some Big names, you know, land at new schools. What are some of the bigger names that we've already discussed or and have already made their decision and committed somewhere new.
- [08:56]
Chantel Jennings
Cody McMahon was really the first player to surprise a lot of us. The Ohio native, she's from Centerville, I believe she had gray shirted at Ohio State, so basically enrolled early, sat out like was a part of the team, but couldn't actually do a lot of the stuff with the team. Like she felt like a Buckeye through and through, like forever. So I was really surprised to see her jump into the portal. She landed at Ole Miss, which is a good fit. I think it'll be interesting to sort of see how it changes her defensive game, especially in this last year before the wnba, what that does for her draft stock. Tana Lan, huge name to jump into the portal. The nation's number one scorer. She became someone who instantly was like, okay, Tanaya sort of feels like a domino, right? Like where she goes can sort of impact where other players go. Ended up at South Carolina. Interesting fit, I think, simply because how that will change her role. Sort of what she's played at FSU the last few years as someone who's taken a ton of shots and played a lot of minutes. And obviously the South Carolina system doesn't have. Hasn't had that featured guard that we've seen in recent years. And so it's always been a big. It's always been a big. And it's always been sort of more, you know, in the 20 to 26 minute range, right? Like everyone's playing a little more even minutes. No one's playing, playing like 35 minutes a game for the Gamecocks. And so I'm curious how that's going to also change the Gamecocks, right? And we, we saw perhaps a domino effect of this. Malaysia folweilly enters the portal. We don't know where she is headed as of Monday afternoon, but I think she's a player that a lot of people are really curious to see go. Another player we talked about, Kate Coval, the talented freshman big from Notre Dame did a big piece on her earlier this year, but she had talked a lot about the support and family environment that she had found at Notre Dame with so much turnover on that roster. And we'll get to Olivia Miles short here. Like, what you're seeing is that these aren't just decisions based off of minutes. Because if that were the case, USC wouldn't look the way it does. Notre Dame wouldn't look the way it does. Because so many minutes were opening up there and yet players were leaving. And, you know, I think in the early days of the Portal, everyone was like, oh, if a bunch of players leave a program, that must sort of be red flags. I don't think it is as much anymore. I don't feel that way. Like, I look at different programs like ucla, which lost six players to the Portal. I don't necessarily say, like, oh, this is a program we really need to start, like, looking at closely inherently because of portal numbers. Because it's like everyone sort of has different reasons. And where you're looking at it, it's like Kate Covel, for instance, go back to Notre Dame is she ended up at lsu. We've written a lot and had the podcast about her family. Her older brother's at lsu. Like, this is a fit that makes sense to me. She wants to go and work with the big coaches there, work with Simone Augustus, work with Bob Starkey. That makes sense to me. And also be close to family. And so I think you can kind of look at all of these different programs and say that it's just sort of like nature of the business now. Like, these programs are going to turn over and it' going to be really rare to have a program like Yukon where the only player jumping into the Porter Portal is Kaden Samuels. But I'd say the last name that we should mention, obviously is Olivia Miles. I think when we've talked about her on the podcast, it was like, is she going to stay or go? Meaning is she going to stay at Notre Dame or is she going to go pro? We should have said, is she going to stay or go pro or portaling, because the option was C. And she landed at tcu, which is, you know, a program that in recent years has sort of made its living on transfers. And so, yeah, it's just been a really active time for the quote, unquote, postseason.
- [12:18]
Zena Kaida
You know, I know you mentioned that having a lot of players leave a school isn't necessarily, in your mind, a red flag. And you did mention Kate Cove. I would say Notre Dame is still going to be on my list in terms of I got to figure out what's going on in South Bend because the amount of school players that left, maybe not Kate Covel, because I think you're right, her story does align with where she ended up and landed. But a lot of players leaving in what seemed like a right on the cusp championship contender. I want to circle back, though, to Mylasia F. Wiley, because she's probably the biggest name that we don't know where she's going to go. You and I had this conversation about Ta'niya Latson signing. Committing to South Carolina would have an impact on Malaysia F. Wiley, who was poised to be the guard star. The way that she plays, the flair with which she plays, everything about her game was very ball dominant and would require her to be the focal point from a guard position which didn't really fit the South Carolina system. Then you insert someone like Denia Latson, which also is a ball dominant type of guard, very much like a Milasia Folt Wylie. So we like I was there, like this is probably going to end up with Malaysia leaving. It makes sense that not having two of them on the same team would make sense. But now it's a question of like where can Malaysia go in which her type of play is appreciated. Not that it wasn't appreciated in South Carolina, but elsewhere that it can also be appreciated and also put on a pedestal a little bit.
- [13:50]
Chantel Jennings
Yeah, I mean I think it's. If you get into the business of like making these guesses and, and stuff and where someone's gonna go, I think there's a lot of fits where she makes sense. Like she's a two way player, she's exciting. I think they're, you know, at South Carolina there were times when it felt like maybe she got pulled quickly after mistakes and it's like maybe this is just someone who needs to play through the mistakes a little bit more. But also maybe, you know, this was stuff that they had talked about in practice. Like we're not in every South Carolina practice so we don't know. But I could see her. Like you talk to coaches across the country about Mylesia and I remember we did this. I forget if it was at the beginning of the season. Just like scouting top players for this year, scouting the top 25 players coming into the year. And every coach that I asked about Mylesha was just like effusive in their praise of her ability, her athleticism, her speed, her quickness. She makes the kind of plays that are game changers and that are electrifying. And for programs, you know, South Carolina is a program that has a ton of eyes on it because of what they've done in recent seasons with the national championships and all of the talent that Don Staley has brought into South Carolina. Malaysia is the kind of player that because of who she is and the talent that she has, like wherever she goes, that program is going to have eyes on it. Like she could end up somewhere. Right. Totally random. That we're not expecting. And we're going to watch that team next year because my Lasha Full Wiley is on it. Like, I don't know. I think this could be really interesting. Like, there are a lot of programs in the sec, like, Power Conference teams make a ton of sense. Winston Gandy went to Grand Canyon. I'm not saying that's a place that would make a ton of sense because they're not a power conference school. But, like, she has a relationship with the coach. Perhaps that would be a potential landing spot that she's thinking about. There are programs across the country that have ample minutes available that are, you know, in need of talented, excellent guard play. You know, I think of a school like usc, like, that's. That's a program that needs some. Some guards. That's a program that suffered some exits to the portal. I think of, you know, and I'm not exactly sure off the top of my head, you, the roster and scholarship numbers for all these schools. But like, yeah, like, I think across the sec, there's a bunch of programs that have sort of seen it up close, seen her up close, the skill, the talent, the electrifying moves, and sort of been on the opposite end of those highlight reels that go viral on Twitter and they might be thinking to themselves, like, be kind of nice to have that about our team, you know, so it'll be interesting to see where she does land up. Sarah Williams, I'm really curious to see where she goes. Obviously, former Big Ten defensive player of the year, she can move the needle a lot. Gianna Neepkin, great three point shooter. I think she could be a team, a player who elevates teams a lot. But Mylesia Full Wylie feels like a player that literally, it doesn't matter where she, where she ends up next year, we're going to watch that team.
- [16:32]
Zena Kaida
I absolutely agree with that. And I know with the Sarah Williams aspect, there's been the murmurs, the rumors of UConn being interested in her. Of course, players have been following her on Instagram, so a lot of tingles are popping up in terms of where she might end up. But yes, I think Malaysia and Sarah Williams are going to be the biggest dominoes. You wrote a piece that everyone should check out when Malaysia commits to a place where we're going to have a bigger piece on the winners and the losers. Tell us a little bit about that before we get out of here.
- [17:03]
Chantel Jennings
Yeah, just looking at the programs that, like I said, this is. No coach is caught off guard now when 1, 2, 3, 4 players go into the portal and you reload that way by either bringing in freshmen or bringing in transfers of your own or sort of making do with what you had. And, and so I took a look at programs that have sort of won this transfer portal season or lost based off of both internally, what they gained and what they lost to the Portal. And so there are some programs that feel like really obvious picks here and then there are some picks that I made. I'll tease one right now. Like, I think Washington is a big winner here. Tina Langley did well in the portal this year to bring in players around El Ladin. Like, they are filling out. And it's not just these teams where, you know, Ole Miss, like landed Cody McMahon, like, yes, good job, that is, you got someone everyone wanted. And the Portalista as coach yo goes by did it again. Like, we shouldn't be surprised. She's. She's made a living there for sure, but I think like a program like Washington where you're sort of in the back of the big ten and she added pieces that'll help them compete better in their second year in the Big Ten. So that's just a little preview of. Of what's to come at the Athletic.
- [18:10]
Zena Kaida
Okay, well, we'll definitely have to go check that out. Thank you, Chantelle, for breaking us down into the portal, into the up. No, I'm joking. I'm just gonna name it that for myself. All right, guys, don't go anywhere. I got Sabrina Merchant and Ben Pickman joining me for the next block. Stay tuned. 21 year old flaw J. Johnson has built an impressive career, making strides on the basketball court and the rap scene. A national champion and rising music star, she embodies the passion and determination required to excel in both worlds. But flawjay's success. Success hasn't come without challenges. The financial services industry has often overlooked the needs of women, leaving many feeling misunderstood or treated differently by financial professionals. For Flauje, this reality strengthened her resolve to take control of her financial future. Just as flauge trains for success on the court, she understands the importance of preparation when it comes to her finances. MassMutual, a leader in helping people create a strong financial future, understands the unique financial challenges that women face. That's why they offer tools and personalized help so that women like flaujay can confidently plan and protect their financial futures. All with the goal of creating better financial outcomes for women everywhere. Visit massmutual.com stayready to learn more.
- [19:30]
Sabrina Merchant
Take your plans out of the group chat and get long weekend ready in new Abercrombie from day to night. Pack new outfits for every part of your itinerary grabbing brunch, throw on the A and F mila dress, then head to your dinner reservation in their new.
- [19:45]
Zena Kaida
Bubble hem mini dress and yes, permission to overpack for pics with the girls.
- [19:50]
Sabrina Merchant
Abercrombie's best selling Scarlet Squirt deserves a.
- [19:53]
Zena Kaida
Post in your feed.
- [19:55]
Sabrina Merchant
Your plans are worth it.
- [19:56]
Zena Kaida
Shop Abercrombie's new Long Weekend collection online or in store Eczema isn't always obvious, but it's real. And so is the relief from Ebgliss. After an initial dosing phase of 16 weeks, about 4 in 10 people taking evidence achieved itch relief and clear or almost clear skin. And most of those people maintain skin that's still more clear at one year with monthly dosing.
- [20:18]
Chantel Jennings
MGLIS Lebrecizumab LBKZ a 250mg per 2ml injection is a prescription medicine used to treat adults and children 12 years of age and older who weigh at least 88 pounds or 40 kilograms with moderate to severe eczema, also called atopic dermatitis that is not well controlled with prescription therapies used on the skin or topicals, or who cannot use topical therapies. Eglis can be used with or without topical corticosteroids. Don't use if you're allergic to Ebglis. Allergic reactions can occur that can be severe. Eye problems can occur. Tell your doctor if you have new or worsening eye problems. You should not receive a live vaccine when treated with Epglis before starting Epglis. Tell your doctor if you have a.
- [20:51]
Zena Kaida
Parasitic infection searching for real relief? Ask your doctor about ebgliss and visit epgliss.lily.com or call 1-800-lilyrx or 1-800-545-5979. Now let's turn our attention to the WNBA season that is literally right upon us. It's tipping off in just a few weeks on May 16, and we're going to go back and forth, Ben and Sabrina on the most intriguing players. And I know you're like, intriguing? What does that mean? You know, sometimes we always talk about the best players or the most improved players, or we have these particular labels and it often goes to just the stars, but for the purposes of what they're doing on the stat sheets. And it doesn't encompass all of the ways in which a star or the compliment to a star or any type of player across the board can help a team get better, help a WNBA season and be more interesting. It's the intriguing players. Not only could they be potentially stars, but they also could be a game changer for their league, for their team, for their season. All right, let's jump in. So we are going to go through this round robin style in no specific order. Sabrina, let's start with you. Who are you watching closely this season as it starts up? And who do you think is poised to make a big difference this year?
- [22:14]
Sabrina Merchant
Yeah, so my first pick is actually somebody who I think would belong on a best player list too, but I think her season is just going to be super, super important for, you guessed it, the local team out here, the Los Angeles Sparks, and that is Kelsey Plumb. Just the arc of what has happened to her since leaving Vegas, coming to Los Angeles just informs so many things. You've got number one, the Sparks traded the number two pick together. So as we're looking at Dominique Malanga, we're looking at Kelsey Plotman thinking, was this a worthwhile trade for the Los Angeles Sparks? Right, Right.
- [22:46]
Zena Kaida
Huge.
- [22:46]
Sabrina Merchant
Also, the Sparks have traded away their 2026 first round pick. So they are very much in the camp of we need to make the playoffs now. And so Kelsey Plum's success is of massive importance to not only the Los Angeles Sparks, but also the Seattle Storm, who own that pick for the 2026 draft. The Seattle Storm, who coincidentally also already have Dominique Belonga. So I think just in terms of Seattle shorting Los Angeles future, what Kelsey can do for the Sparks, this is a team that hasn't made the playoffs in four years, is very eager to get back into the national conversation of the wnba. It's a big market. They haven't been able to really tap into the overwhelming boom that has happened with women's basketball over the last couple seasons because the team just hasn't been as good. But I think seeing what Kelsey can be outside of the Aces system, outside of playing with Chelsea Gray and Jackie Young and Asia Wilson, what does that look like? Again, I'm just fascinated to know what she looks like as more of a number one option if she can lead the Sparks back to the postseason, how she plays with Derek Hamby again, you know, after they were such good partners on the Las Vegas Aces. There's just so many things in terms of the present of the Sparks, the future of the Sparks, future of the Storm that just fascinate me about. And it all sort of comes back to how well does Kelsey Plumb perform this year.
- [23:58]
Zena Kaida
I love that pick, especially for what you mentioned about how does Kelsey Plumb look outside of the Aces. I think she was always a star within that quartet in Las Vegas. However, it's not even just being a star on the court. How does her brand blossom off the court in Los Angeles as the leader of this team? Yes. Great, great pick. All right, Ben, your go. One for one. Let's see where we're going.
- [24:22]
Ben Pickman
I mean, I love that we didn't tell each other who we're picking here. And this speaks to how well we know each other because the first person on my list is the other big name player in that three team transaction. It is Jewel Lloyd who is of course backfilling, replacing Kelsey Plum on the Las Vegas Aces. Right.
- [24:38]
Zena Kaida
Love this.
- [24:39]
Ben Pickman
Yeah. I mean, again, a lot of the same things that Sabrina mapped out of a star player moving into a new role. And this is Jewel Lloyd's first opportunity to play for a different team other than the Seattle Storm. And specifically, like the last two years of her career, she had the highest usage rate of her career and she had to do so much for every bit, you know, of the Seattle Storm organization from helping to design the practice facility and being involved in that process to leading an offense and leading the team team more broadly. But what we saw last year was not a great year from Jewel Lloyd. And yes, you know, an all star in Olympian, but she shot just 27.4% from three last season. It's her lowest total since her rookie year. She shot a career low 36% from the field. Like she takes a lot of mid range 2 point attempts. Not exactly the most popular shot or most efficient shot in basketball more broadly. And so of course now she's joining a team with three other legitimate all stars. Stars, I mean, the highest level, Asia Wilson, Jackie Young and Chelsea Gray. Chelsea Gray obviously graded unrivaled. You know, Asia Wilson, a historic season last year and so. And Jackie Young, a great player in and of herself. Like, how does Jewel Lloyd fit with those players? She seems super excited to be with the Las Vegas Aces. All four of those players share the same representation. I think that is, you know, important as well as a piece of context. Seemingly workouts are going well this offseason, but like, like is she going to be the difference to get Las Vegas back to, you know, the very top of the mountain here in the wnba? Because I think sneakily, people are kind of sleeping a little bit on the Las Vegas Aces heading into this year. It's not that far off from them being, you know, WNBA champions and being this dynasty in the league. So Julio could be the difference in them getting back to the title or she doesn't fit in as well. You know, maybe the Aces are again just a semifinalist. And out.
- [26:31]
Zena Kaida
Yeah, this feels like a very understated major move that the Las Vegas Aces just picked up Jewel Lloyd. I mean, we'll see what happens. But yes, the Aces are known for performing well when there's a chip on their shoulder and a target on their back. We'll see what happens. I love this synchrony between the two of you here. Jewel Lloyd and Kelsey Plum. All right, let's go to round two for most intriguing player. Ben, I'll let you start this time.
- [26:58]
Ben Pickman
Yeah. Second player is again another all Star, a multi time all star on my list who satisfies a lot of the same things I've mapped out of. If she takes the leap, her team can really take the leap. And the question is, is she going to go up another level? And that is Ryan Howard of the Atlanta Dream. Again, two all star appearances in her first three seasons. We've seen Atlanta have a busy, busy offseason, adding Bree Jones and Brittney Griner to multi time all Stars to kind of surround Ryan Howard and Alicia Gray. The Dream clearly want to take the next step and build, you know, this new era of the franchise. And the question is, or what I think is the determining factor and if they able to be a top four seed or even better is is Ryan Howard going to be, you know, not just an all star level player but a legitimate top 10 player in the WNBA? Because if you look at her production through her first three seasons, it's pretty consistent year to year, right? She averaged around 16 points as a rookie, 17 and a half last year, 17 or 17 and a half and 23, 17.3 in 24. Her field goal percentage pretty consistent. Like her per 100 procession numbers very similar year after year. If she is able to take the leap like the Atlanta Dream will be able to take the leap. And if she is just the kind of player she has been in through her first three seasons, which is a very good player, an all star, a multi time all star, then they're still just going to be, I think what they have been in the past. And Atlanta is looking to take this next step. And it's with Carlos Mesco, a new coach. Coach, you know, can he bring the best out of Ryan Howard and lead Atlanta to kind of take the next step too?
- [28:36]
Zena Kaida
Ryan Howard feels like A superstar that just kept getting blocked in the playoffs, just kept getting there, but not being able to take that next step. It's interesting you said Brian Howard. I also think Alicia Gray is an intriguing player alongside her. I think she blossomed a little bit. Especially people got to know her name a WNBA all star last year. We'll see what happens down in Atlanta under some new leadership. Sabrina, we're going, we're doing really well here. What's your number, your number two pick here?
- [29:02]
Sabrina Merchant
Well, speaking of synchronicity, my number two pick was also Ryan Howard.
- [29:06]
Ben Pickman
Good work, Sabrina. Good work.
- [29:07]
Zena Kaida
There you go. There you go.
- [29:10]
Sabrina Merchant
Let's hope that this diverges for the third player. But you know, just, you know, going off of what Ben said, I think Atlanta obviously had this very noisy off season with the hiring of Carl Semesco bringing in two star front court players. To me, like, this all works if Ryan Howard can be the perimeter superstar to allow Brie Jones and Bertie Griner to do what they do inside. Like when we talked to Carlos Mesco after he got hired, it was very much. He was brought in to help optimize Ryan Howard and Alicia Gray. And Alicia Gray is obviously a wonderful player too. Ryan Howard is only 24 years old. She's very much on the upward trajectory of her career. I think because she's been in the league for three seasons, she's as old as some players who were literally drafted this year. So it just kind of masks how long she's been in the league because, you know, she's already two time all star. But like, she is at the point of her career where she should be getting better. And like Ben said, she's kind of been the same player all three seasons, but she has the capability to be like an outright superstar. I think, I think we all believe that that potential is within her. So to me, like, Atlanta only works if Ryan Howard is a megastar. And otherwise they're just another first round out.
- [30:16]
Zena Kaida
To me, stamp that Atlanta only works if Ryan Howard is a megastar. I love that. And that's very, very true. Okay, pick two for both teams lining up here. I love this. I love this.
- [30:28]
Ben Pickman
Good work, Serena. Good work.
- [30:29]
Zena Kaida
Great job. Great job, guys. All right, let's roll on to number three. Ben, hit me.
- [30:34]
Ben Pickman
Okay. I'm cheating with my third pick, admittedly, and I'm going to name three players, but it's really all in one bucket. What? I'm going to go.
- [30:43]
Zena Kaida
Those aren't the rules.
- [30:44]
Ben Pickman
No, that's okay. I'm going to the Minnesota Links and I'm picking their three young players of Diamond Miller, Alyssa Peely and Dorka Uhuhas. I'll focus on Diamond Miller, but it's all under the same guys of Minnesota is this championship contender yet again having made the finals last year. And their team is built on experience and veterans and that seems to be the core that they are. You know that this, this era is built around. And the question is, is will any of those young players have roles on this year's team? Like are any of them going to develop into legitimate rotation players both this year and in the future? Right. Diamond Miller I think is the headliner here. Number two pick in 2023 draft. As a rookie she started 32 games. She averaged 12 and a half points. She took more than 11 shots, more than 10 shots per game. Last year she really never like seemingly got settled in the rotation. She dealt with a right knee injury that really limited like her role. She played in just 21 games. She made just four starts. Like it wasn't a great year for Diamond Miller. And so now the question is like what is her role going to be this year? And it's the same thing with Dorka Juhas who played a lot as a rookie and didn't really play a lot last year and Alyssa Peely who never really played a ton last year, averaging just six and a half minutes per game. Like again this is a veteran team and we know that this is a very good coaching staff. It's will any of these players develop up? Because it's not just a question of this year but next year with so many vets being free agents. Like these are cost control players who are still under contract seemingly you would want to develop those players and have them be foundational pieces and or with two expansion teams coming into the wnba, like maybe these are players that either other teams take and or like if they are the the players left, you will need to rely on one of these three or all of these three in the next iteration of your franchise. So yes, I have bent the rules. I am sorry for that. But I think it is okay in this exercise of Minnesota's young trio. Like what are we getting out of them in 2025?
- [32:54]
Zena Kaida
I'll let you skirt the rules on this one. I think this is a very fair point because of course we saw Atlanta Smith go down in the WNBA finals for a bit and Dorothy, you Hotch having to come in and play some significant minutes and that is going to be important that they have that depth at that position and then Alyssa Pele had some great games last year, had some kind of breakout games once in a while. But we can't have her be a mascot. Essentially, people that, you know, people that are cheering for her to come in and as a rookie and, you know, make a few points. She needs to be a legitimate rotation player in her sophomore year. And I think Diamond Miller, she had a role before, you know, getting injured. Would you not say that, Ben?
- [33:31]
Ben Pickman
No, she. She absolutely did. I think now the question is, you know, she had. She had a role in her rookie season. The question is now in year three, like, where does she fit into the general calculus of that franchise?
- [33:43]
Zena Kaida
General calculus? You better say that, Ben. Okay, Sabrina.
- [33:46]
Ben Pickman
I didn't do very well in general calculus.
- [33:50]
Zena Kaida
All good. All good. Well, you did well adding those three into this conversation. Sabrina, let's figure it out. What's your third pick?
- [33:57]
Sabrina Merchant
Yeah, so I actually picked the player who was drafted after Diamond Miller in the 2023 WNBA Draft, and that is Matty Segrist. Because I'm looking at the Dallas Wings and I love the guard room that they have assembled now with Arike Gumbawale, Paige Beckers. They added Dijonay Carrington and Ty Harris during the offseason as well. I don't really know what's happening in that front court. And I look at how Paige Beckers succeeded at UConn. It was always with a very skilled, versatile big, whether that was Aaliyah Edwards, Sarah Strong, and I'm not seeing that really in what they have in Tierra McCowan or even Melissa Smith, who struggled pretty mightily in her last season in Indiana. So I look at a player like Maddie Siegrist. Can she be this front court pick and pop compliment to what Paige Beckers is trying to accomplish in Dallas. Can she provide a little bit of versatility to space the floor to give Arike and Paige driving lanes to the basket? She was, I think, on track to maybe even being the most improved player last year before she got hurt and had to miss a big chunk of the season for the Wings. I want to know if that offensive efficiency is something that happened because she was on a bad team and just needed to soak up an inch or if she can actually be a productive player on a really good team. Because, you know, most everything is going to change in the WNBA this offseason. Right? Everybody is going to be free agents. That's a veteran after 2025. Maddie is on a rookie contract. She is somebody that Dallas has control over going forward. She and Paige can sort of be this inside, outside tandem moving forward. And I'm just fascinated to know if, like, if the player that we saw for stints last season in Dallas is a real building block going forward.
- [35:30]
Zena Kaida
Now, I'm curious. Maddie Segris, of course she played. She was a forward at Villanova, and in that system, I felt her more so as a. Of a three guard wing forward. More so than in the post, like, front court properly. She's about what, six one, six two.
- [35:49]
Sabrina Merchant
Would you say is listed at six two?
- [35:52]
Chantel Jennings
Yeah.
- [35:52]
Zena Kaida
Okay, so do you think that's enough size for what Dallas has traditionally had in terms of how they like to show up in the front court?
- [36:01]
Sabrina Merchant
Well, I mean, I think the way Dallas traditionally has been has really not worked out all that well with all those big prodding centers. You know, I think having a little bit more mobility, a little bit more switchability, versatility with Madi, like, she scored everywhere at Villanova. Let's be clear whether that was in the post, whether that was on the perimeter. Like, she can do just about anything. And I think her measurements sort of profile her more as power forward in the W. Just like her. Her quickness to like the four, I think is gonna be her spot. But yeah, I mean, I think part of the beauty of Maddie is that you can put her in different spots on the court and expect her to find a way to get her shot off. But I think, yeah, power forward is probably how I would envision her.
- [36:38]
Zena Kaida
The only reason I asked that question is because in the W, being a power forward at 6:2 is like, yeah, it can happen. And then you have to remember who you have to guard in the power forward position on the opposite side.
- [36:51]
Sabrina Merchant
And they gotta guard her too.
- [36:53]
Zena Kaida
And they have to guard her too. True. And. And it's. It's guarding six, four players as well that are. That have that same agility and mobility. But I like this idea for Maddie Segris because, guys, she averaged like 29 points. 30, something like that, like in the 29, 30 point per range at Villanova. She is capable of putting the ball in. We've seen it at Dallas. And now this is an opportunity for her to really solidify a position for her amongst that starting lineup, but amongst the rotation in general, because, yeah, the guard room didn't even mention Isaiah James. Of course, training camp still has to. There's a lot of guards coming through those doors in Dallas, so Maddie makes sense to scoot on over to the bigs. They'll love you just the same. Okay. This is really Good. I really like these intriguing players. I know those aren't the only intriguing players. Do we have any honorable mentions? Anyone else that you're like off the top of your mind? Who else you wanted to talk about, Sabrina?
- [37:48]
Sabrina Merchant
My first honorable mention was Niara Sabali. You know New York has going for this repeat this season, right? Niara Sabali was a huge factor in that Game 5 win over Minnesota in the WNBA. And just the way the offseason has gone, you know, they lost Kayla Thornton in the expansion draft. Benija Laney Hamilton is going to be out for an extended period of time. Does this mean that New York goes in a very big direction and plays Niara Sablee in these bigger lineups or do they rely more on like Rebecca Gardner and Kennedy Burke and more veteran options to sort of fill in exactly what Lainie Hamilton and Thornton were doing? I think it's just a really interesting opportunity for Sabali to prove like if she is a full season player, right. If she can dazzle and more than just that individual moment, which admittedly very big moment in game five of the finals. But what does she look like as a more full time rotation player with a Liberty?
- [38:36]
Zena Kaida
Sabley's on a roll right now too. She's WNBA champion and then just won the Turkish Super League with her team. And Ben, you might have to correct me on this, the Fener Boss team out in Turkey as well. So shout out to Niaras Abli. Hopefully she'll translate all of that for the Liberty into the regular season. Ben, honorable mention on your.
- [38:54]
Ben Pickman
Yeah, I will go with another, I guess an international player also who is in the Euroleague final six and I should say Zena. It's Fenerbahce if we're going in our Turkish speaker pronunciation.
- [39:03]
Zena Kaida
I knew I was wrong. Thank you. This is why I got to clear it up. Fenerbahce, thank you.
- [39:08]
Ben Pickman
Yeah, I'm going to go with someone who is playing out in Scio in Italy, a little town that I have been to and seen play and that is Janelle Salon, the French player who is going to be putting such big.
- [39:20]
Sabrina Merchant
Money on Janelle Salon being in your top five. Ben, that's why I didn't figure yes.
- [39:24]
Ben Pickman
This was a safe bet on the board here. 23 years old, 6, 3 plays multiple positions internationally, has been playing pro since she was 17 years old. You know, multiple WNBA teams around the league tried to sign her this off season and the Golden State Valkyries ended up being the team that brings her in. She is a double digit scorer a very good three point shooter and you know, in a list of most intriguing players, we don't exactly know how she's going to translate to the WNBA and this new system that Natalie Nicase and the Golden State Valkyries want to have, but she is certainly well positioned to play a big role. And again, she hasn't transitioned and so like even like I'm not 100% sure how she's going to fit in and what they're trying to do, but if her international career is any indication, she's going to play a big role on this Golden State Valkyries team. And I think she'll be one of these rookies who, you know, was not drafted in the in this year's draft. But if you told me by the end of the season that she makes an all rookie team, I would not be surprised. In fact, I would pick that heading into the season, heading into this 2025 season. So she is the international player on my list. And as Sabrina said, this was probably the lock of this entry on my list.
- [40:35]
Zena Kaida
Okay. Honorable mentions check out too. I am very intrigued, obviously. Coming up on this WNBA season and we'll see how any of these we'll have to circle back back to this show by the end of next season to see how these picks all played out. All right, guys, don't go anywhere. We got a fun game in the next block. 24 chefs 24 culinary showdowns for 24 hours straight. Would you Chef will out cook outpace outlast the competition.
- [41:18]
Ben Pickman
No chef escapes the clock.
- [41:20]
Zena Kaida
Season premiere 2424 Last Chef Standing Sunday, April 27th at 8. See it first on Food Network Stream next day on Max. There are people out there all across the country pushing boundaries to grow the game of golf. Like champion speed golfer Lauren Kupp, who plays faster than anyone else. And Will Lowry, whose work in the golf community inspires more kids to get into the game as a champion partner of the Masters. Bank of America supports everyone determined to find out what's possible in golf and in life. What would you like the power to do? Bank of America bank of America NA member FDIC Copyright 2025 bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved.
- [41:58]
Chantel Jennings
McDonald's meets the Minecraft universe with one of six collectibles and your choice of a Big Mac or 10 piece McNuggets.
- [42:05]
Zena Kaida
With Spice Spicy Nether Flame sauce.
- [42:07]
Chantel Jennings
Now available with a Minecraft movie meal.
- [42:10]
Zena Kaida
And participating McDonald's for a limited time. A Minecraft movie only in theaters. Okay, we're gonna try something out that is new here and It's a little game, you may have heard of it. It's called Two Truths and a lie. Okay, Sabrina, master soothsayer that she is, is going to give me and Ben three takes on this upcoming WNBA season. Two takes that she fully believes in and one that she does not. And then Ben and I will have to pick them apart to figure out what's real and what's bull. So Sabrina, let's have em.
- [42:45]
Sabrina Merchant
Okay, three takes. Number one, Nafeesa Collier will be the MVP of the 2025 WNBA season. Number two, the Phoenix Mercury will miss the playoffs in 2025. And number three, there will be NBA participation at WNBA All Star Weekend in Indianapolis.
- [43:01]
Zena Kaida
Ooh. Okay, after Ben, I'm gonna take that first one. After the performance that Nafisa Collier had in unrivaled, I feel like that is absolutely possible for her to carry that over into the WNBA season and to kind of have like a revenge tour after last year. I think Sabrina absolutely believes that Nafeesa Collier will be a WNBA mvp. What do you.
- [43:29]
Ben Pickman
I think that is definitely possible. It is a very plausible prediction to make. Yes, this is gonna be the year.
- [43:36]
Zena Kaida
But I'm trying to believe if these.
- [43:36]
Sabrina Merchant
Things are true or if I believe them.
- [43:38]
Zena Kaida
Exactly, exactly. That's the difference, Ben. It's the difference. We're not trying to figure out if they're plausible or not. I think that Sybrina is taking that evidence that I just laid out and she is thinking that is true. What do you think?
- [43:49]
Ben Pickman
I wanna. Can I digest the other picks? I mean, I think. I think this could be her. I think this could be her bluff here because it is a plausible prediction, but I think she will end up going somewhere else here.
- [44:03]
Zena Kaida
Okay, let's keep rolling. Let's keep rolling this. She says that the Phoenix Mercury are going to miss the playoffs. Now Phoenix Mercury just got Alyssa Thomas. They have Kalani Brown. Now who else did they pick up in the off season?
- [44:18]
Ben Pickman
Well, that's the good question, Xena. Because that is really the key to this argument, right? It is. They have Alyssa Thomas and they have Satu Savoli and they've surrounded her with.
- [44:28]
Zena Kaida
Right.
- [44:29]
Ben Pickman
Alyssa Thomas was on my list of most intriguing players and it was because, you know, she's been an MVP candidate in each of the last three years. She's been top five. She's one of the most unique players in the league and she's going to a team where Kalia Kapper had a career high usage rate last year and Satu Savoy is another first team All W player. And you mentioned Kalani Brown. But I would challenge listeners to try and name, you know, more than four or five members of this year's Phoenix Mercury because that is a just one.
- [44:58]
Sabrina Merchant
More beyond the players you named.
- [45:00]
Ben Pickman
Honestly, like I'm not gonna, we don't have to embarrass anyone on this show, but it just speaks to if one of those players gets injured, if the fit doesn't click as much, if Alyssa Thomas, her game is so unique and how she fits with two other stars who also have like unique games or just have proven established games rather so. Oh, this is a good take, Sabrina, because like 8th is strong. Ms. The playoffs is like something has had to go wrong here. But I enjoyed this as a hot take, so I'm going to say this is true. A take you believe in.
- [45:40]
Zena Kaida
Okay. Okay. Last take she had was that, oh.
- [45:45]
Ben Pickman
I'm forgetting already that NBA players will participate in WNBA All Star Weekend.
- [45:50]
Zena Kaida
I, this is where I feel like this is the bluff. I, I, I feel like every year this is talked about, it's been, it's been hammered on and those players are trying to enjoy their summers. Now where is the WNBA All Star.
- [46:05]
Ben Pickman
This year is in Indianapolis.
- [46:07]
Zena Kaida
Do we think that NBA players are going to Indianapolis for their summers?
- [46:11]
Ben Pickman
It's a great point, Zena.
- [46:12]
Zena Kaida
So I feel like Sabrina knows this and I think this is her lie and she made it. But, but the thing is, you're right, Ben. That would be too obvious of a lie like that. Be just so you know what? I think she actually believes this, which is crazy. If she thinks NBA players are going to show up, we'll see. Let them call our bluff. But you might be right. She might actually not believe Nafeesa Collier will be the mvp. It's too obvious. Yes. Okay, so we're choosing, we're choosing the Nafeesa Collier MVP is the lie. And Sabrina thinks that NBA players are going to show up to Indianapolis during the summer for All Star. And she also believes that the Phoenix Mercury are going to miss the playoffs. Sabrina, let us know.
- [47:02]
Sabrina Merchant
You know, I really thought the Phoenix one was going to be more of a challenge. I thought we'd have more faith in the Alyssa Thomas, Sanjay Savile, Kalia Copper, Trina. But no, you're absolutely right. I don't believe that Phoenix is going to make the playoffs. That's the take. However, I do believe that Nafisa Collier is going to win mvp. I don't believe I had this in my head that maybe Tyrese Halliburton would Do it for Indiana. That's a thought.
- [47:25]
Zena Kaida
That's a good one.
- [47:26]
Sabrina Merchant
They obviously wanted Caitlin and Sabrina so badly at NBA that maybe this would be their show of goodwill. But no, I don't believe it.
- [47:32]
Chantel Jennings
You're right.
- [47:32]
Sabrina Merchant
They're not going to go their summer is to do that.
- [47:36]
Zena Kaida
Okay. We were thinking that you were trying to be savvy here, Sabrina, but you were as you are the master soothsayer. Oh, I'm so proud of myself for being able to say that. Sabrina, the master soothsayer. Guys, look at us. We're winning here. Thank you, Sabrina. I want to think about the, you know, the FISA Collier though, as MVP really quickly. What were your thoughts? I mean, I'm thinking about her performance last year. Unrivaled, continuously just bringing that in. What was your thoughts on that?
- [48:02]
Sabrina Merchant
Well, I think voters and I count myself obviously among them, so it's a little bit self serv. Really love a narrative. Right. And you think about like Asia Wilson coming off of her, you know, finish in 2023 and just absolutely crushing the league in 2024 and if Isa Collier to go through what Minnesota did during the finals in 2025 and then to have the season that she did an unrivaled where she wins the one on one championship but then also loses before the championship. Right. Like this is very much a I need to prove myself that I am the best player in the world and can win trophies in the best league in the world type of season for Nafisa Collier. And I think Minnesota is going to be very good. So that all just sort of adds together for me, for the Lynx and for Nafeesa Collier. Obviously I think Caitlin Clark is going to be in the discussion. Asia Wilson is going to be in the discussion. Depending on how like Seattle performs or you know, what shakes out with the Liberty. I think there's a lot of other players who could make themselves part of like the first team all W and MVP conversation. But just again, all of the momentum that Fee has coming into this and the fact that I legitimately believe she is playing like the best player in the world right now now makes me think that she's going to be the MVP this season.
- [49:03]
Zena Kaida
Okay. I can't wait to get into MVP talks because I am wondering and we're.
- [49:09]
Sabrina Merchant
Not going to get into some games before we get into mvp.
- [49:11]
Zena Kaida
I know, I know, I know, I know. But I can't wait to get in there because I am curious and this is a preseason thought, but I'm curious if there will be a Candace Parker level, like rookie of the year, MVP caliber type of player potentially in Janelle Salon.
- [49:27]
Ben Pickman
Yeah, Jalal Salon, right? That's who you're referring to here?
- [49:30]
Zena Kaida
Maybe. I don't know. We'll see. We'll see what happens. We'll see what happens. Anyways. All right, that's it for today. We got some good stuff coming up in this preseason moment. It's a little quiet right now, so we're going to be able to do a lot more. Just digging in, of course, into the Big east and Western Conference previews, some rivalry tracking. The WNBA came out with their rivalry weeks. I know y'all had some questions about some of those matchups. We're going to get into the true rivals rivalries in the wnba, some big prediction pods and we're also going to dive deep into a few select teams, starting with the Dallas Wings this coming Friday. So y'all need to get ready. Lots of good content coming up. And if you're new here, hit that follow button wherever you're listening so you can stay up to date with us. And please come Find us on YouTube. Leave a Comment wherever you're listening, we read them. And if you be so kind, give us a rating. Y'all, I fought through my tooth today, my teeth, to make sure that we could say things clearly. Please. Five stars. It's worth it, okay? And it also helps new people find the show. Don't forget, as always, there's more to read and watch over at our partner, the Yahoo. Sports Sports hub. So check it out at sports.yahoo.com women-sports on behalf of the athletic, I'm Zena Caida. Thanks for listening. We will see you next time. No off season is hosted by Zena Keda with Chantelle Jennings, Sabrina Merchant and Ben Pickman. It's produced by Tanika Perot. Our executive producers are Andrea B. Scott and Cassius Fleming. Part theme music is by Marcus Begala. Brenna Haupt is our video editor. Shannon Ryan is managing editor of women's basketball at the Athletic. Jesse Burton is our head of audio and Tim McMaster is our Director of Audio Operations. 21 year old flaw J. Johnson has built an impressive career making strides on the basketball court and the rappers scene. A national champion and rising music star, she embodies the passion and determination required to excel in both worlds. But Flauje's success hasn't come without challenges. The financial services industry has often overlooked the needs of women, leaving many feeling misunderstood or treated differently by financial professionals. For flaujay this reality strengthened her resolve to take control of her financial future. Just as Flage trains for success on the court, she understands the importance of preparation when it comes to her finances. MassMutual, a leader in helping people create a strong financial future, understands the unique financial challenges that women face. That's why they offer tools and personalized help so that women like flaujay can confidently plan and protect their financial futures, all with the goal of creating better financial outcomes for women everywhere. Visit massmutual.com stayready to learn more.