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

I. NCAA Transfer Portal Updates

Understanding the Transfer Portal

The episode begins with an in-depth explanation of the NCAA Transfer Portal. Host Chantel Jennings breaks down its functionality and recent changes:

Chantel Jennings [07:11]: "So it's basically like an Excel spreadsheet online, sort of, except with more security. That's run by the NCAA. It’s like a compliance database..."

Recent Transfer Movements

Ben Pickman and Zena Keda discuss significant player movements and their implications:

• Cody McMahon:

  Ben Pickman [11:49]: "Cody McMahon... landed at Ole Miss, which is a good fit. I think it'll be interesting to see how it changes her defense..."

• Tenaya Latson:

  Ben Pickman [11:49]: "Tenaya Latson, the nation's number one scorer, ended up at South Carolina. It’s curious how her role will adapt to a system that typically doesn’t feature a dominant guard."

• Mylesha Folweily and Olivia Miles:

  Ben Pickman [11:49]: "Mylesha Folweily enters the portal... Olivia Miles landed at TCU, a program known for leveraging transfers."

Impact on Programs and Scholarships

The discussion delves into how these transfers affect team dynamics, scholarship allocations, and the broader landscape of college basketball:

Ben Pickman [10:39]: "The house settlement has been pushed back a little bit... revenue share is going to become a big part of this and sort of what that looks like."

Zena Keda [10:19]: "Students first. But you talk about scholarships. That's free money to go to school..."

II. The WNBA’s Most Intriguing Players

Top Picks for the Upcoming Season

The hosts present their selections for the most intriguing WNBA players expected to make significant impacts:

1. Kelsey Plum (Los Angeles Sparks)

   Sabrina Merchant [22:35]: "Kelsey Plum's success is of massive importance to not only the Los Angeles Sparks but also the Seattle Storm..."

   Zena Keda [24:19]: "How does her brand blossom off the court in Los Angeles as the leader of this team?"

2. Jewel Lloyd (Las Vegas Aces)

   Shantel Jennings [24:59]: "Jewel Lloyd... joining a team with three other legitimate all-stars. She could be the difference in them getting back to the title..."

   Ben Pickman [26:52]: "Washington is a big winner here. Tina Langley did well in the Portal to bring in players around Eladin..."

3. Ryan Howard (Atlanta Dream)

   Shantel Jennings [27:19]: "Ryan Howard... if she is going to be a legitimate top 10 player in the WNBA, Atlanta can take the leap."

   Sabrina Merchant [29:23]: "Ryan Howard is at the point of her career where she should be getting better. Atlanta only works if Ryan Howard is a megastar."

Additional Notable Players

• Maddie Seacrest (Dallas Wings):
  Discussed as a versatile forward who could become a foundational player for the Wings.

  Sabrina Merchant [34:18]: "Maddie Seacrest... can provide versatility to space the floor and be a productive player on a really good team."

Honorable Mentions

• Niara Sabali (New York Liberty):

  Sabrina Merchant [38:09]: "Niara Sabali was a huge factor in the Game 5 win over Minnesota in the WNBA final..."

• Janelle Salon (Golden State Valkyries):

  Shantel Jennings [39:16]: "Janelle Salon... playing a big role on the Golden State Valkyries, potentially making an all-rookie team."

III. Two Truths and a Lie: WNBA Predictions

The hosts engage in a fun segment where Sabrina Merchant presents three predictions about the upcoming WNBA season:

1. Nafisa 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 WNBA All-Star Weekend in Indianapolis.

Discussion and Revealing the Lie

• Nafisa Collier as MVP:

  Sabrina Merchant [42:36]: "I legitimately believe that she's going to be the MVP this season."

• Phoenix Mercury Missing Playoffs:

  Zena Keda [43:09]: "The Phoenix Mercury have strengthened their roster, making it hard to see them missing the playoffs."

• NBA Participation at WNBA All-Star Weekend:

  Shantel Jennings [44:56]: "Every year this is talked about, but NBA players are unlikely to participate."

Conclusion:
Sabrina reveals that she believes Nafisa Collier will win MVP and the Phoenix Mercury will miss the playoffs, with the lie being the NBA participation at WNBA All-Star Weekend.

Sabrina Merchant [46:08]: "I do believe that Nafeesa Collier is going to win MVP. I don't believe NBA players are going to show up at All-Star Weekend."

IV. Upcoming Content Teasers

The hosts wrap up by teasing future content, including:

• Big East and Western Conference Previews
• Rivalry Tracking and Analysis
• In-Depth Team Features, Starting with the Dallas Wings

Zena Keda [48:09]: "We've got some good stuff coming up in this preseason moment..."

Notable Quotes

• Chantel Jennings [07:11]: "It's just a big spreadsheet."
• Ben Pickman [11:49]: "Cody McMahon... landed at Ole Miss, which is a good fit."
• Sabrina Merchant [22:35]: "Her season is just gonna be super, super important for... the Los Angeles Sparks."
• Shantel Jennings [27:19]: "Ryan Howard... if she is going to be a legitimate top 10 player in the WNBA, Atlanta can take the leap."
• Sabrina Merchant [38:09]: "Niara Sabali was a huge factor in the Game 5 win over Minnesota..."
• Sabrina Merchant [42:36]: "I legitimately believe that she's going to be the MVP this season."

Conclusion

This episode of No Offseason offers a comprehensive analysis of the latest movements in the NCAA Transfer Portal and highlights the most intriguing players to watch in the upcoming WNBA season. With detailed discussions, expert predictions, and engaging segments like "Two Truths and a Lie," listeners gain valuable insights into the evolving landscape of women's basketball.

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