Unrivaled Opening Night, Candace Hall of Fame Nominee & Women’s College Hoops Upsets | Ep.21

Summary

Podcast Summary: Post Moves with Candace Parker & Aliyah Boston

Episode 21: Unrivaled Opening Night, Candace Hall of Fame Nominee & Women’s College Hoops Upsets
Release Date: January 7, 2026
Hosts: Candace Parker & Aliyah Boston

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Episode Overview

This vibrant episode rings in the new year with signature humor, real talk, and an in-depth breakdown of the biggest stories in women’s basketball and beyond. Candace and Aliyah catch up about the holidays and dive into personal updates before tackling major headlines: the launch of Unrivaled’s new season, Candace’s Hall of Fame nomination, WNBA labor talks, and a flurry of women’s college basketball upsets. An extended Q&A and a viral TikTok challenge round out an episode packed with stories and playful banter.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Holiday Recap & Family Stories (00:00–05:30)

• Candace shares a hilarious story about receiving bedazzled Victoria's Secret underwear from her mom (“It’s the Post Moves After Dark”—[00:15]) and the joy of gifting her kids a vintage McDonald’s playset:

  “When you give your kids gifts that you got as a kid... and it hits with them like it hit with you… That warmed my heart.” —Candace (05:26)

• Aliyah reflects on the meaning of family during the holidays and sharing experiences with her cousin, to whom she gifted Uggs (03:16).

• Both commiserate about the realities of traveling with young kids and the ever-present waves of post-holiday illness.

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2. NFL, Family vs. Fandom, and Fantasy Football Frustrations (05:33–08:12)

• Candace juggles between attending her nephew's graduation and major NFL playoff games:

  “I have a tough choice to make: be at Soldier Field on Saturday or be at my nephew’s graduation party. So stay tuned.” —Candace (07:56)

• Discussion of fantasy football, auction drafts, and missing the playoffs:

  "Saquon Barkley… Derrick Henry went off the week I didn’t have him. I wasn’t in playoffs." —Candace (07:14)

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3. Unrivaled Pro League: Opening Night & Behind the Scenes (08:12–14:00)

• Aliyah previews Unrivaled’s Opening Night (“There’s always that excitement, right?”—Candace, 08:30), giving a glimpse into team chemistry, scrimmages, and the differences in style compared to regular league play:

  “I just know the pace of Unrivaled is unbelievable.” —Candace (09:15)

• Aliyah emphasizes team dynamics with Kelsey Plum, Dana Evans, Natasha Cloud, and others, and discusses being coached by former rival Renneke Hodges:

  "That’s how old I am now. All my opponents are coaches now. All of them." —Candace (09:37)

• Practice structure in Miami: Two-hour practices, open gym slots, and utilizing team chefs for meals (13:16–14:24).

• Notable mention of star rookies (Paige, Dominique Malanga, Kate Martin) and preseason highlights (“Paige was throwing lobs to Dominique. That’s actually wild.” —Candace, 11:37).

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4. WNBA Headlines: Player Movement, Injuries & CBA Negotiations (14:45–23:25)

Notable News

• Napheesa Collier’s injury and replacement:

  “Napheesa Collier will be missing the entire season... surgery on both ankles.” —Candace (14:45) “Obviously we wish her health and her to heal and take her time necessary to get back.” —Candace (15:18)

• Candace’s Hall of Fame Nomination

  • Emotional reflection on being nominated alongside Elena Delle Donne, Blake Griffin, Jamal Crawford, and the 1996 Women’s National Team:

    “I don’t think you ever set out to get an orange jacket… But as you get older, you realize what comes with that and all the people that you idolize.” —Candace (16:16–17:40)

  • Aliyah’s reaction:

    “Like, why would they not? Are you kidding me? They would be deep fried, actually.” —Aaliyah (16:04)

• Players Becoming Coaches

  • Sylvia Fowles joins Portland Fire as assistant coach. Candace and Aliyah reminisce about Fowles’ post dominance and the legendary Minnesota Lynx lineup:

    “If you never tried to get around her in the post…” —Candace (18:04) “I couldn’t imagine my rookie self... AB, go guard Sylvia. No, help me, AB.” —Aliyah (18:34)

CBA Standoff

• The hosts explain the tense labor situation and collective bargaining proposals:
  • Candace: “WNBPA proposed a model... salary cap of 10.5–12.5 million… league says that plan would cause 700 million in losses.” (20:14–21:32)
  • Gross versus net revenue debate outlined for listeners; Candace breaks it down:

    “Gross revenue… all money coming in. Net revenue is money left after paying expenses.” (21:32)

  • Both joke about learning to read a paycheck—with taxes and deductions:

    “Who the hell is FICA? FICA taking way too much money!” —Candace (22:02)

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5. College Hoops Upsets and Trends (23:38–29:56)

Recap of a Wild Week

• Eight undefeated women’s teams fall; major upsets include LSU, Maryland, Nebraska, and TCU (23:38–24:07).

• Four remaining unbeatens: Vanderbilt, UConn, Texas, Texas Tech.

  “It’s the best UConn has had since 2017–18.” —Candace (24:18)

Spotlight: Kentucky’s Buzzer Beater vs. LSU

• Tony Morgan hits a game-winner and exchanges heated words earlier (“get her ass up”—25:13).
• Aliyah and Candace relish the “get back” of buzzer beaters on the road.

Texas Tech’s 7-1 Center, Stephanie Okachukwu

• Discussion on how her debut could change the game and the growing impact of NIL in recruiting international talent (26:45–27:36).

  “This is insane... the tallest player in women’s college basketball.” —Candace (26:48)

African Talent Pipeline

• Praise for NBA Africa and the influx of international prospects.

Passing the Torch Moment

• Candace highlights how Lauren Betts credits Aliyah as a mentor:

  “She told her to trust herself and to not worry about missed shots, and to take open midrange looks.” —Candace (29:16) "I love Lauryn... she makes it hard, you have to double.” —Aliyah (29:34)

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6. TikTok Trend Challenge: “Say the Word on the Beat” (31:45–36:40)

• The hosts have a playful showdown, struggling and laughing as they try to keep up with the word challenge, layered with classic generational humor:

  “I love you saying hoes—that was my favorite thing.” —Candace (34:46)

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7. Fan Q&A (36:40–41:48)

• “Big Guard” Discussion:

  • Humor around Joel Embiid’s viral “big guard” introduction and who qualifies in the W:

    “Aaliyah, must be Candace, you kind of big guard.” —Aliyah (37:29)

• Candace on Retirement:

  “When I get that urge, I just take my family out to our court at our house... and I enjoy beating them mercilessly.” —Candace (38:04)

  • “I go back in the house and sit on the couch… I don’t get up for shootaround, I don’t ride any buses or planes… My body doesn’t hurt. So, no, I’m happy where I’m at.” —Candace (38:43)

• Aaliyah’s Favorite 2025 WNBA Moment:

  • The Commissioner’s Cup win (“Yes, because of the money,” [39:12]) and the “insane” semifinals with the Aces.

• On a Possible ‘Love & Basketball’ Remake:

  “I think nowadays... could the love interest be a same sex relationship? I don’t know. There’s just so many possibilities.” —Candace (40:16)

• Life Lessons from Basketball:

  “Don’t get too high with the highs, or low with the lows… positive self-talk, regardless of what’s happening.” —Aliyah (41:18)
  “Sports is a microcosm of life… apply it in the boardroom, at home… how to be a good teammate, all those things.” —Candace (41:48)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Candace on Unrivaled’s pace:

  "I just know the pace of Unrivaled is unbelievable." (09:15)

• Aliyah roasting Candace on team performance:

  "Whatever happened last year has nothing to do with me, you know that." (12:46)

• Candace on Hall of Fame:

  “I got emotional… I don’t think you ever set out to like get an orange jacket. As you get older, you realize what comes with that...” (16:16–17:40)

• Aliyah on rookie growing pains:

  “Could you imagine if I… they would have probably read every play for Sylvia coming down the floor immediately.” (18:34)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Holiday catch-up & gifts: 00:00–05:33
• NFL & family priorities: 05:33–08:12
• Unrivaled league talk & inside scoop: 08:12–14:24
• Player news (Napheesa Collier injury, Hall of Fame, CBA): 14:45–23:25
• College basketball chaos (upsets, stars, international arrivals): 23:38–29:56
• Mentorship & player development: 29:09–29:56
• TikTok challenge segment: 31:45–36:40
• Fan Q&A: 36:40–41:48

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Tone & Atmosphere

The episode is energetic, teasing and supportive, with authentic storytelling, inside locker room jokes, and unfiltered reactions to both basketball news and life milestones. Candace and Aliyah’s chemistry is playful, bringing out each other’s competitive and comedic sides while digging deep into topical analysis.

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For First-Time Listeners

This episode offers the perfect blend of basketball expertise, personal narrative, and comedy. Whether you’re a seasoned WNBA fan or a newcomer interested in women’s sports, the show demystifies news, celebrates athletes’ voices, and invites you inside the modern women’s hoops community.

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Next Episode:
New episodes every Wednesday. Subscribe and follow @postmovesshow for more behind-the-scenes content and community engagement.

Transcript

[A]

Christmas. What did you get?

[B]

Just the life of the life and experience with family. That's what I got.

[A]

You didn't get any gifts.

[B]

That's what I got right there. There's nothing better I would trade for that.

[A]

Okay. My mom got me bedazzled Victoria's Secret underwear.

[B]

No. Honestly, no.

[A]

Like, I have them on right now if you guys want to see them. It's a. It's the Post Moves After Dark. I'll show you. I'll show you my Victoria's Secret under no. Like, my mom. I love her so much because those gifts are the gifts that I think are my favor. What's up, everyone? We're back with a new episode of Post Moves. It's been a minute. Happy New Year. Happy holidays. Merry Christmas. Happy Kwanzaa. You know, happy Hanukkah. We hope you had amazing holidays. I'm Candice Parker, here with my co hosts, Aaliyah Boston.

[B]

That's me. Welcome back.

[A]

Oh, we're singing in 2026.

[B]

Yeah, we are.

[A]

Make sure and follow us on ostmoveshow on all socials, and don't forget to hit that subscribe button on YouTube, Spotify, Apple, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[B]

And we're back with new episodes dropping every Wednesday. Keep sending us your fan questions. You can send DMs to Postmove's Instagram or leave in the comments on YouTube.

[A]

So how are your holidays?

[B]

Holidays were great. Ozzy and I, we went to Massachusetts, so we spent Christmas there. Ozzy's first snow. He actually really loved the snow. I was actually very impressed. But I did get hit with that little, like, cold right after Christmas. So I was, like, tucked out the bed by 4pm why would you say that?

[A]

I got the cooties.

[B]

Like, are you kidding me?

[A]

The heebie jeebies. Yeah. I think everybody, my son has a fever right now. I'm like, how convenient. You know, going back to school. Everybody's starting stuff. Perfect timing, tries to extend holiday break. We had a great time. We went to Mexico as a family trip. Met my dad there. And the kids were a lot. I don't know. For anybody that travels with two under three, it's not fun. Like, that first day, we, you know, did the airport, and we were great. And then we were ahead. You know how you had to, like, run and get ahead of the line and customs? So we were running, getting ahead of the line. We got through. We're like, yeah, we forgot the car seats behind customs. So what do you do? Because you can't Just walk back.

[B]

You can't just go back.

[A]

And then at that moment is when our kids lost it and it was our fault. We were idiots. And, yeah, we forgot the car seats, but amazing time. Played sports, chilled by the pool. It was obviously a different vacation than just, you know, the two of us, but it was a family trip we want to. We want to try to do every year. So it's a lot of togetherness, a lot of dominoes. And then Christmas. What did you get? What was your. What was your primetime gift that you get that you got? I should say?

[B]

Oh, just the life of. The life and experience with family. That's what I got.

[A]

You didn't get any gifts.

[B]

That's what I got right there. There's nothing better I would trade for that.

[A]

Okay, but what physical gift?

[B]

You should ask me what I did. I got my cousin's. Oh, you did my cousin some Uggs. It was actually kind of funny. So she asked for these shoes, like, a while ago, and I was like, yeah, yeah, no problem. So then she text me. She goes, hey, like, I'm heading back around this time. Like, I'm just letting you know. I was like, oh, I probably should get to ordering, you know? So it was delayed, Right? But it got there, and that's the most important thing.

[A]

Yeah. That's amazing. What did. So you gave that. What did you give?

[B]

Yes, I just told you. I got the gift of family. My aunt actually got me some stuff from. She took a trip to South Africa, so she got a bunch of, like, souvenirs and stuff for me, and so. That was really cute.

[A]

Well, so your aunt got that for you or your mom? Your aunt. Okay. My mom got me bedazzled Victoria's Secret underwear. And it was like, no.

[B]

Honestly, no.

[A]

Like, I have them on right now if you guys want to see them. It's a. It's the post Moves After Dark. I'll show you. I'll show you my bedazzo Victoria's Secret under. No, like, my mom, I. I love her so much because those gifts are the gifts that I think are my favorite. I. My daughter got me some Japanese skincare, which was really cool.

[B]

Okay, Period. Clear skin.

[A]

Let me know if it works.

[B]

It was really cool.

[A]

So she was showing me how to apply it, and, yeah, I got some really cool, really cool gifts. Gave some really cool gifts. The gift I was most excited about, and this is terrible. And when you become a mom to a human, not a dog, you will understand this. When you give your kids gifts that you got as a kid. And it hits with them like it hit with you when you were a kid. I got the McDonald's set when I was a kid and I have a picture of myself in front of it with the McDonald's headset on. And there's like the doors that open, the drive through and the french fries. And my brothers would come up and they'd rob me with their blast mattocks. And it was just like a whole thing. And I was looking on Etsy one day and I saw the exact replica of that.

[B]

That's actually kind of crazy.

[A]

And so my boys got that and my sons absolutely love it. Like, they wake up and go straight to the McDonald's and start like hitting the cash registers.

[B]

They should.

[A]

That warmed my heart. So. All right, I think it's time for what we want to talk about.

[B]

Let's do it. Yeah. I feel like I know where you want to start.

[A]

Where? Where do you want with those Bears? Well, not after the last two weeks. Yeah, but it's because the last we've gotten two L's.

[B]

Hey, it's. It's not about how you're currently doing. It's about how you're going to finish. You know what I'm saying?

[A]

Well, it is actually about how we're doing currently because we are the number two seed, um, despite losing to the Lions. But you're still number two, which all my Lions haters hit me, tell me.

[B]

Oh, we beat you.

[A]

And it's like, ha, ha ha, go back to your couch. Cause that's where you're going to be until next season. Uh oh, that was a very. Eagles blew it. You know what else is new? Eagles fans? We finished the regular season 11 and 6. At one point we were 11 and 4. We'll open the playoffs against the packers on Saturday. Okay. So. And I have a tough decision to make.

[B]

What's your decision?

[A]

Post ups. Maybe you can help me make this decision. My nephew graduated from college. His college party is on Saturday.

[B]

Just email the gift. I don't, I don't. I don't know what to tell you. Well, now that I've broadcast this out to. I don't, I don't.

[A]

I'm already rsvp.

[B]

Personally, I've always. You can cancel though. That's the beauty of family is you can cancel and you can send the gift. You can.

[A]

Honestly, as my first next generation nephew.

[B]

Yeah, but you have.

[A]

I know, I know. And what's crazy is I'm going to NBA Europe, so I can't see the next game. It's just a mess.

[B]

So this season though, you did fantasy football? No.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

And how did you do?

[A]

I usually did an auction draft. Saquon Barkley. Actually. Derrick Henry won a run for 122 yards in the first half on the week that I don't have him because I wasn't in the playoffs. Yeah, I didn't make the playoffs. Barely missed it, in fact. Sorry, I will not even give credit to next time.

[B]

Let me do it because I can. I can do that whole thing.

[A]

Yeah, we definitely need you in the playoff spot. Oh, I forgot to tell you guys. I went to the Niners Bears game, which was actually, I mean, a movie, to be honest with you. It's so fun at Levi's Stadium. Like, we had a great time. My nephew and I went, not the one that's graduating, another one.

[B]

Of course you wouldn't take him. And knowing he's graduating, it's fine.

[A]

So listen, I have a tough choice to make. Be in at Soldier Field on Saturday or be at my nephew's graduation party. So stay tuned.

[B]

You and your nephew should just skip the graduation party.

[A]

So I said, would it be great? Wouldn't that be epic?

[B]

Show up. Like, who cares?

[A]

Yeah, I think his parents would be upset. Unrivaled. Opening night is actually tonight. Now that we're shooting, it'll be two days ago when we, you know, when this airs. But you about to nap. I am about to do your thing for the first game. There's always that excitement, right?

[B]

I know. I'm excited that we're starting. Cause this year we had a little bit more time. So we had like training camp and the whole shebang. So that was definitely different. But I'm excited to just get to playing. So we have the Breeze.

[A]

Yeah. Opening night Breeze Page, Dominique Malanga, Cambrink, Rakia, Eric Donald, Kate Martin. I can't. I can only imagine. So, like, what's the difference in shoot arounds with unrivaled versus like 5 on 5? Cause I'm really confused with scouting. Like, what. How do you.

[B]

You still have the guys. But I mean, it's so much. It's like I don't know what you're supposed to scout because we did each have a scrimmage. But like we. No one was really running anything. It wasn't. It's just so different. You just have to be ready to guard.

[A]

I just know that the pace of unrivaled is unbelievable. So what's it like? I mean, you did have your one preseason game. You guys won in that preseason game I watched.

[B]

Oh, did you? Yeah, I watched you.

[A]

Okay. Clean up them boards, sis.

[B]

Thanks so much.

[A]

Clean up them boards. But you. You're. You're on a team with Kelsey Plum, Dana Evans, Natasha Cloud, Kiki, and Tiffany Hayes. Your coach is Renneke Hodges, which is really crazy because I played against her when she was in college. That's how old I am now. All my opponents are coaches now. All of them.

[B]

Yeah. I mean, I love our squad, though. Like, we're very competitive, so I'm excited to see us get out there and actually play for the real thing.

[A]

So, yeah, it'll be.

[B]

Gotta get that money.

[A]

It'll be exciting to watch you guys play. Cause I know last year, we gonna skip over last year. Like, we gonna skip over my fantasy football standings.

[B]

Cause why would you bring that up? You know what I'm saying? Like, we could have literally went this entire episode of Dominant.

[A]

I'm saying.

[B]

Cause y' all can't do no worse than last year. Except I wasn't even on that team last year, technically. Okay, so I know you weren't on.

[A]

The team, but the team that you're on currently, which is what you're repping, which is the Phantom, could not do any worse than they did last year. So there's only room for up that's positive. What was it like screening Lexi Hall? Cause you guys played the Rose during preseason, and I always know that that first screen, when you're running into screen, you're tv.

[B]

Yeah, it was actually kind of funny. So she. There was one position where she actually set a screen on me, and I was, like, fighting to get over the top, and I did, like, run through her. And the next day she was like, are you kidding me? She's like, why did you run me over in the screen? I was like, I had to get over. She was like, aaliyah. But you weren't getting over. You just decided you were gonna run the. And I was like, listen, sometimes things happen, and you're not going to put me on film. Leslie, on the screen when you said.

[A]

Go upstairs, I'm looking out for your Leslie Jones chat. Jump scared, man. That was stupid. Sorry. Jump scared.

[B]

That was funny.

[A]

Okay, so we've seen some highlights that have come out. We've seen Kiki Duncan during practice. We saw Dominique Malanga take.

[B]

Yeah. Paige was throwing halves. I'm like, girl, slow down.

[A]

Paige was throwing lobs to Dominique. That's actually wild.

[B]

No, it is.

[A]

Dominique Malanga doing that half court. Oh, my goodness. It was with ease. Other Than your team. Because I'm commentating the games tonight on tnt, which I'm really excited about.

[B]

Gosh, girl.

[A]

Yeah, I'm commentating those games. I'm gonna have a lot to say. And you better do our pregame interviews, too. But, man, watching the Breeze play, like, just in terms of their youth and everything like that.

[B]

Yeah. They don't want to get up and down Breeze.

[A]

And also the Hive, like, how they're gonna, you know, be able to guard different positions and things like that. So I actually have to come out with my preseason picks. I gotta get, you know, so make.

[B]

Sure Phantom's in there.

[A]

Okay. Make sure y'.

[B]

All. Why did you say it like that?

[A]

Last year was not a good representation.

[B]

I was not on the Phantom. I. My team actually made it to the chip.

[A]

Okay. And I was there for that.

[B]

Exactly.

[A]

So, yeah, you played your butt off not disagreeing.

[B]

So then that has nothing to. So whatever happened last year has nothing to do with me. You know that.

[A]

Okay, So a lot of listeners, we're going to transition because I see that you're getting heated. A lot of listeners are wondering, like, how it goes in Miami and training and meals and what, like, a typical week looks like. Because now the games are Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday.

[B]

Yep.

[A]

Did they add Tuesday?

[B]

No, just those four days.

[A]

Just those four days.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

I'm tripping.

[B]

What do we practice? We practice, like, the rest of the days. I think we have our off days. Everything is, like, Tuesday. But all that can depend on, like, your schedule. And so we just practice. I mean, practice. Do you have, like, a two hour slot?

[A]

How long is. Oh, it's two hours.

[B]

So you have two hours slot.

[A]

Slot for two hours or you gotta get off the court?

[B]

Yeah. So you have a slot during the day, and then at night, like, you have, like, an open gym slot. So if you wanted to come back, get shots up, you could do that, too.

[A]

Who are the ones that are always coming back for the open gym slot?

[B]

Well, I don't know, because I don't go back.

[A]

I just hope Layla's not listening into this, because I've been emphasizing this entire Christmas break about the greatness of going back and putting in extra work.

[B]

I shoot after practice. So, like, we'll get done and we'll have, like, an extra 30 minutes. And that's like, I. I get my stuff in there, so I just feel like once I come back and I see my son, it's like I have to take a nap and I have to get up. I don't get you we don't get.

[A]

You back in getting extra shots.

[B]

I did in the gap after practice. What are we talking about?

[A]

Okay, so tell us. So you have Tuesday off days usually. How do meals work? Like, are you guys. Do you guys have.

[B]

Yeah, they. So they have a chef. So we have like breakfast and lunch and so like I'll come in and sometimes get breakfast, but I'll definitely get lunch and then take extra to go so that I have that for dinner too. Yeah. So that's kind of how it goes. Easy peasy loving squeezy.

[A]

You all just had your kickoff. I saw that the stud buds were.

[B]

They went live.

[A]

Some hilarious comments that came out of that went straight. In other news, we saw that Nafissa Collier will be missing the entire season to undergo surgery on both ankles and will be sidelined four to six months. And it could impact the start of the WNBA season. So I always mess up. Her name. Temi Fag.

[B]

Fagbenle.

[A]

Fagbenle is taking her spot on the Lunar Owls. So rehabbing for Nafeesa, it's always really tough, especially when you're doing both sides. So obviously we wish her health and her to heal and to take her time necessary to get back to where she is. Because you talk about the MVP last year and Nafisa was on one for the Lunar Owls last season.

[B]

Yeah. Well, I feel like we should do like a dun, dun, dun, dun, dun. Well, now you're probably wondering, like, Aaliyah, why would you even do that? I just feel like you needed some more pizzazz because you're eligible for the Naismith Basketball hall of Fame. Hey, get a girl. Get it, girl.

[A]

Keyword. Keyword eligible.

[B]

So yeah, but girl who is not. Like, why would they not? Are you kidding me? Like, they would be fried. They would be so fried. Deep fried, actually. So how do you feel? How'd you find out? What was your reaction?

[A]

Well, our main guy, Zach Miller, my agent hit me and kind of just told me when they were gonna be announcing. And so that was kind of the first on the radar. I found out that, you know the other eligible hall of famers for 2026, Elena Deludon, Blake Griffin, Jamal Crawford, Bruce Perrell, Joe Johnson, Kelvin Sampson, the 96 USA Basketball Women's National Team are some of the other first time nominees. And so to be in a class with people that I really have kind of measured my game up against and have been going through the grind alongside, I have so many connections to so many people in this class. So I just, I mean, it's an honor to even be, you know, eligible for it. And so slay. Yeah, it's surreal. I got emotional. I didn't think I would. I don't think you ever set out to like get an orange jacket. Like, that's not your whole point. But as you get older, you realize like that what comes with that and all the people that you idolize and you know, I've given so much of the game habit and so it's a special club. So I'm grateful for it, man. Grateful. Entering 2026, this is. I'm entering my 40s in this year. And so it's just like. It kind of is surreal a little bit. I'm old and girl.

[B]

Bye. Ain't nobody hearing all that.

[A]

Listen, last year's class who is a first ballot hall of Famer was Ms. Sylvia Fowles. And we learned that she is going to be joining as assistant coach of the Portland Fire and she'll be under Alex Sarama. And she played in the WNBA from 08 to 2022. And we played against each other when she was at LSU. We played against each other since we were 14, 15 years old. Started off in Chicago. I love when like players of her stature come back and coach and give back to the game because why wouldn't you listen to Sylvia Fowles and have to dominate the post? Because if you never got tried to get around her in the post.

[B]

Honestly, I was just about to say that. Her last year being 2022 and me coming out in 2023, I just couldn't imagine my rookie self trying to be like, ab, go guard. Sylvia. No, help me, AB I just couldn't imagine as a. Because I think about Big T and like Asia and Bree Jones and how like my rookie season I was like, holy smokes, can I have a possession where I don't foul somebody? Could you imagine if I. They would have probably read every play for Sylvia coming down the floor immediately.

[A]

AB I don't think you understand. Yes, like getting around Sylvia and like fronting her and then like her ducking in and the coach being like, just don't let her duck in. And it's like, yeah, okay.

[B]

Oh my gosh. I couldn't imagine what that would have been like for me.

[A]

But Aaliyah, the craziest thing was, you know, I say this all the time. Minnesota runs the same offense because Sheryl Reeves. So they run the same system that they had. It's just kind of plug, plug in bodies, you know, whatever. And so sometimes Nafeesa runs the, you know, Maya spot. Sometimes she runs the Simone spot like it's crazy. But you had Lindsay Whelan bring the ball up. You had Maya coming off a stagger. You have Simone coming off a curl. You had Sylvia ducking in, and then you had Rebecca Brunson cleaning up anything that they wanted.

[B]

What are you supposed to do with that, though?

[A]

And so, honestly, the fact that we won, I'm gonna just be honest. It's been 10 years. The fact that we won in 2016 is actually remarkable because I look back.

[B]

At those series and I'm like, how did we defend this? That's actually od. I can't lie. That's od.

[A]

How do we defend it? But hopefully Sylvia gets a chance to coach in this upcoming WNBA season, and hopefully you get a chance to play in this upcoming WNBA season, because the CBA does officially expire on January 9th, and if there's no deal by then, the season doesn't automatically start. Stop. Instead, things go into temporary status quo, where the current rules stay in place and talks continue. However, without an extension, a strike or a lockout becomes possible. And so players have already voted to allow a strike if needed. WMBPA has proposed a model where they'll get 30% of gross revenue, which would support a salary cap around 10 and a half to 12 and a half million, which is 10 to 12 times what it is today, which is 1.5 today, an average salary of about 1 million, and a max salary of up to 2.5. The league says that this plan would cause about 700 million in losses, which it believes would seriously hurt the league. The players union says that the loss number is wrong because they count expansion fees as real revenue while the league doesn't. I know this can be confusing, but basically the core disagreement is about gross versus net revenue, which we learned in business class back in the day. A gross revenue, anybody? It's all money coming in.

[B]

It's everything for expenses.

[A]

Net revenue is money left after paying expenses. So there's a minus, and then you get the net revenue.

[B]

Wow, you must have, like, slayed those classes, girl.

[A]

I was finance major, and then I wasn't a finance major, so all my electives are financed. Holla at your girl.

[B]

Okay. Period.

[A]

I could read a balance sheet now. Okay, man. That first check I got, though, I'm not gonna lie. When I got to the wnba, I was like, who the hell is fica? Fica. Taking way too much money.

[B]

I remember my first check, though. I was looking at it, and they like pulled out all the things and I was just looking like, is this real?

[A]

Oh, no. When they pull out. And then if you.

[B]

I was like, who told them they need to pull all that out? And then my mom was like, well, you're gonna give your, your 25% to the. The retirement. But I'm like, Babe, yo, 401k.

[A]

You gotta max out. Max out on 401k.

[B]

And so I maxed out on. On it. And I was like, wow. I mean that. Just keep it.

[A]

Just keep the check for my check. When we got in that fight in Detroit and I was suspended for the Connecticut game the next day, I wish I would have had a camera phone or take a picture. I still had a BlackBerry at that time, so there was no. And probably would have been all blurry, but My check was $12.34.

[B]

I can't lie. I would have just rather they kept it like you, you didn't need to give me that. Don't hand me over $12. I promise you you can keep your $12. Save it. Roll it over.

[A]

I thought it was a great story though.

[B]

I'd rather not get paid.

[A]

I'm like, $12. I. Yeah. So anyway, conclusion of this is we hope that this gets concluded and you know, we can find a common ground so that the, the season can continue. I think now is a period where everybody talks to talk, but as the season gets closer, you understand how seasons and moving things in the right direction so that we can have a season to play in or you can have a season because I'm not.

[B]

Thank you. And you can always come back if you want.

[A]

No Philip Rivers here. WNBA is set to start in May, so obviously they got a lot to figure out before then in college basketball.

[B]

What a shake up this week. Are you kidding me?

[A]

Eight undefeated teams lost this week.

[B]

Yeah, that was crazy.

[A]

Iowa State lost to Baylor. TCU lost to Utah in overtime. Arizona State lost to byu. LSU lost to Kentucky on a last second buzzer beater, which we'll get to. Maryland lost to Illinois. Georgia lost to Ole Miss. Alabama lost to South Carolina. Nebraska lost to USC. So there's four undefeated teams remaining and.

[B]

Those four teams are Vandy, UConn, Texas.

[A]

I actually don't even know you're in Texas. Come on. Texas Tech.

[B]

Texas Tech.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

Geez.

[A]

Yes. And it's the best start UConn has had since 2017. 2018, when it started. 36, 0. Vanderbilt. Looks like it's for real.

[B]

Yeah, Vandy is good. Vandy. I feel like Vandy has always Been good. And then they, even when I was there, like, just getting like good quality wins. But the SEC is hard. But I mean, this game against LSU that they just had was. That was good. Mikayla Blake's, man, she 32 points.

[A]

Yeah, she's on a heater. And I think in the sec, you know, obviously you're built around kind of your athletic post player. And Mikayla Blake's causes a lot of problems just in terms of her activity. She moves crazy. They have her off that ball coming back, athleticism. So it's been fun to watch her play this season. Um, Kentucky versus lsu. We gotta talk about this.

[B]

That was so much.

[A]

We gotta talk about that really was Kentucky versus LSU. Okay. Tony Morgan hit a buzzer beater against LSU to win 80 to 78. That was the game that Kim Mulkey brought out. Lane Kiffin holds his hands up. You know, everybody goes crazy. Whatever. LSU got the swag, man. Earlier in the game, Ashley LSU player told Tony Morgan to get her ass up when she hit her in the eye.

[B]

Well, but it was crazy because she didn't really even hit her like Tiana Key hit her. So it was like. I was like, you just did all that and you didn't even hit her?

[A]

Yeah, but you gotta turn around and tell her to get her ass up after you hit a bucket like that to go up 65, 60.

[B]

That was actually.

[A]

So a few minutes later or a few moments later, we should say, boom. That player that was told to get her ass up, Tony Morgan, finished with a game high bang. 24 points in 12 assists. You need to tell somebody else to get they ass out.

[B]

That was crazy.

[A]

That. That get back. There is nothing like hitting a buzzer beater on another team's floor. Like, I would rather hit a buzzer beater on an opposing floor. Look at Flage.

[B]

They were hyped. Man, that was a good game. That really was a good game at first because LSU started off real hot and Kentucky started off real cold. And I was like, ooh, this can get ugly quick.

[A]

Sec, baby, sec. Texas Tech, who is amongst the undefeated, just added a seven footer to their roster.

[B]

That's literally crazy. And I'm just glad I'm no longer.

[A]

This is insane. In college hoops, Stephanie Okachukwu, who is seven foot one, is the tallest player in women's college basketball. That's so crazy. She's from Nigeria and she could make her college debut in February in cwa, approves her eligibility, which they will.

[B]

They are. Look at that.

[A]

NCAA at this Point is improving everybody's eligibility. I'm actually having, I have another year of college. I'm thinking about going back, getting that NIL money. That's crazy. But just I love the fact that NIL is bringing more talent to the States. You talk about just being able to develop foreign players now. And it's not just them deciding to like stay in their home country and play now. They're coming to America and making basketball better here.

[B]

So that's going to be so interesting because when you look at Texas Tech offensively though, like they, they play inside out, but they space the floor. What is going to happen when they're lighting up threes and you have a seven footer? What, what are you doing with that? How many bodies can you send?

[A]

I'm talking about more so on the defensive end.

[B]

I mean, you're not coming in the.

[A]

Pain, you're not drop coverage. Everybody just force go over the top and make them curl into seven foot center. So it's going to be fun to watch how they adapt to, you know. Well, I should say women's college basketball adapts to this. But also, I mean, listen, let's talk about the continent of Africa and the development that's going on there in terms of basketball players. NBA Africa. You talk about the Nigerian national team playing, advancing out of their pool play for the first time. So I think there's big things that are going on in the continent of Africa and you know, obviously US has taken notice. USC versus ucla. Aaliyah. I heard a familiar voice.

[B]

Yes, I worked that game. I was so excited.

[A]

Cheryl and Reggie Miller were courtside. I know Cheryl, USC alum, two time champ, Reggie Miller. I mean, you know, he's one of the greatest shooters to ever play the game. So watching that game, I mean obviously it got ugly. No judgment.

[B]

Started good though.

[A]

80 to 46. Lauren Betts dominated 18 12, 4, 3.

[B]

That's a full stat sheet right there.

[A]

That's a full stat sheet. And recently Lauren Betts spoke out about how she looks up to ab.

[B]

Look at you passing a torch.

[A]

Passing a torch. And how she had the chance to talk to you at USA Basketball camp and the advice you gave her. He told her to trust herself and to not worry about missed shots and to take open mid range looks when they're available. So like what was that like now a mentor.

[B]

I know it was kind of crazy, but I love Lauryn. Like I think just watching her play and just knowing how great she can be, like there was, I was excited that she was at USA but that she's dominating. I mean, she's. You look at her. Even in this USC game, the rim runs, the deep seals. Like she makes it hard. You have to double. You have to double. And if you don't, she's going to have a field day.

[A]

And I think the thing I love that she's added this year is her passing. She is a deadly passer out of the double, which makes it even harder. So as a defensive player, you're. You're hesitant to go double because she has good two points. Yeah. Yep, yep, yep. Well, I enjoyed this. What we have to talk about, what we get to talk about, what we want to talk about, I don't know. But I enjoyed this segment because it's been too long. Aaliyah.

[B]

I know.

[A]

Happy 2026.

[B]

Happy 2026. You know, do that. Do that one time.

[A]

I'm not even.

[B]

Okay, whatever.

[A]

I can't.

[B]

I didn't want to do it anyway, so it doesn't matter.

[A]

Can't wait till Lauren Betts asks you to do some. Some stuff. So how you feeling now that the holidays are over?

[B]

Honestly, still getting into full go with on rival. Starting doing a little bit of NBC here and there. I'm fully getting back into myself.

[A]

Yeah, same this time of year always gets busy fast. And I've learned I don't need a huge overhaul. I just try to slow things down where I can and keep things simple. Like during winter break. I mean, just relaxation.

[B]

Exactly. That's how I feel. I take it one day at a time, one thing at a time. Especially because our schedule is so packed. It's like you never have a minute to yourself.

[A]

And that's where having everything in one place helps. When you're ready to reset, even in the small ways, whether it's what you're wearing or how your space feels, Macy's just makes it easier for me.

[B]

Feeling put together usually comes down to comfort before and after games. You know, I love me a good hoodie combo. That is my go to. Macy's has Adidas matching sets that make it easy without overthinking it.

[A]

And that's really the vibe for the new year. A clean slate, but on your terms. So whether you're jumping straight into a busy season or still shaking off the holiday haze, Macy's makes starting fresh feel manageable.

[B]

Shop now in store or@macy's.com. so we we're kind of late to the trend, but in our defense, we gave y' all a little break. But we are about to do the say the word on the beat challenge. Have you seen it? Like Tyrese did it, Like Lamelo did it. People out unrivaled it. Like you do you know. Do you know what it is?

[A]

Yes. I. I'm almost. I am not living under a rock. I do have a teenage daughter, so we did do it on vacation a little bit, so.

[B]

Oh, so you have practiced. So do you want to go first?

[A]

No, I haven't practiced. I'm saying they did it on vacation like my daughter.

[B]

Okay. Okay. So who should go first? We should rock, paper, scissors for it, right?

[A]

No, you already said that.

[B]

You read. Come on. Ready, set. Come on. Rock, rock, paper, scissors, Shoot. No. See, why are you.

[A]

And I still lost.

[B]

You still lost, so it's your turn.

[A]

You go first.

[B]

No, no, no. We already agreed.

[A]

You're going first.

[B]

All right.

[A]

Okay. So quick warning, though. If you're listening to this episode, audio only, you may have absolutely no idea what's happening. But that's okay. A lot of times we don't. Meetings and things like that. I have no. No idea what's going on either, so. Okay.

[B]

All right.

[A]

Let's see how this goes. All right, Aaliyah.

[B]

Frog, frog, frog, frog. Dog, dog, dog, dog. Frog, frog, dog, dog, frog, frog, dog, dog, frog, frog, dog, frog, dog, dog, frog, dog. What? Cat, frog, frog, Cat, dog, cat, cat, frog, dog, cat, frog, frog, dog, cat, frog, dog ate that up. Oh, that was the easy one. Okay, stop, stop, stop, stop. Spot, spot, spot, spot. I'm good at this. What? Stop, stop, post, post, stop.

[A]

Oh, she messed up.

[B]

Stop, spot, stop, spot, post, stop, post, stop, spot, post, stop, post, post, spot, post, stop, spot, spot, stop, post, post, stop, stop, spot. Okay, okay. I did my up one time, but that's nothing.

[A]

You killing it.

[B]

Rose, Rose, Rose, Rose. Nose, nose, nose, nose. What is that? Rose nose. Stove horse. What is that? Horse, purse, nose. I think this is a scam. Stove nose, hose, purse.

[A]

Oh, hose, man. Yeah, good try. Yeah. You know when you just give up? When you know you're not gonna make a sprint and you just like, I'm gonna save my energy because we gonna have to run again.

[B]

I can't lie. That last one was. What was. What was I supposed to.

[A]

I have no idea. But I love you saying hoes. That was my favorite thing. That was my favorite thing.

[B]

I really just got played. That one really just did it. Okay, whatever's your turn. You're not slick. You're not getting out of this either. Let's go.

[A]

Okay, hold on, hold on, hold on. I gotta uma. Okay, I Gotta get ready.

[B]

Hold on.

[A]

Because I'm really. Shoe, shoe, shoe, shoe, shoe, shoe, shoe, shoe, shoe, shoe, shoe, shoe, shoe Glue, glue, glue.

[B]

Yo, yo.

[A]

Shoe Shoe glue, glue, shoe shoe glue, glue.

[B]

Blue, blue, zoo, zoo, blue, blue, zoo, zoo.

[A]

Shoe glue, blue, zoo, Shoe glue, blue, zoo.

[B]

Moon, moon, moon, moon.

[A]

June. June, June, June, Moon, moon, June, June, Moon, moon, June, June. Spoon, spoon. Balloon, balloon. Spoon, spoon. Balloon, balloon.

[B]

Moon.

[A]

June, Spoon. Balloon, moon. June, balloon.

[B]

That was close. Balloon, spoon, moon. Give it, June. We got one more level.

[A]

I had to, like, slow it down. Paul Wall style. Pirate, pirate, parrot, parrot. Pirate, pirate, parrot, parrot.

[B]

I can't lie. This one's hard.

[A]

Ferret, ferret, carrot, carrot, ferret, parrot, ferret, carrot, carrot, parrot, pirates. Carrot, ferret, parrot, pirate. It's.

[B]

Oh, my gosh. Carrot, parrot, pirate, ferret, you.

[A]

Actually, they're playing carrot, pirate, parrot, ferret, ferret, parrot.

[B]

Yo, they played. They played.

[A]

Yeah, that was crazy.

[B]

No, they played.

[A]

Yeah, they did. They played in my face. It's okay. Listen, that was fun. I'm not gonna lie. I see the trend. I see the trend there. That was entertaining there. That was pretty good. Good job, Aaliyah. Good job. All right, before we wrap things up, we got some fan questions. If you wanna be featured on the show, keep sending them in and you can DM to the post move's Instagram or leave it in the episode comments on YouTube. The first question. Have either of you watched the clip of Joel Embiid claiming big guard? You who is tutoring him? I need to see the clip.

[B]

Tyrese Maxi, University of Kentucky.

[A]

Fi.

[B]

Jaziel Bailey University. Dominic Barlow, overtime elite. Paul George, Fresno State.

[A]

Joanna Big.

[B]

Big guard.

[A]

University. No one.

[B]

He's literally not real.

[A]

Knowing he went to Kansas.

[B]

He's.

[A]

I mean, Aaliyah. That must be Candace, you kind of big guard.

[B]

No, it has to be you.

[A]

What are you talking about?

[B]

No, I literally think it's you. I vote you. It has to be.

[A]

I think you. Big guard.

[B]

Big guard.

[A]

I know Derick Hamby claims. Claims to be big guard. We've had some Elizabeth Camb, big guards. Elena Delladon, big guard. Yeah.

[B]

Hmm.

[A]

Yeah, but he definitely went to Kansas. He's a Jayhawk. Stop lying. Indeed.

[B]

Next question from MrickyBoy4. Candace, do you ever get the urge to return to basketball?

[A]

And when I get that urge, I just take my family out to our court at our house. Or I play basketball on vacation and I enjoy, like, beating them mercilessly.

[B]

I love that. No matter what, you still make sure you let everyone knows that you Mercy.

[A]

Listen, how do you Say it. Merciful.

[B]

It's okay.

[A]

It's okay.

[B]

What is the word? Tennessee.

[A]

I did, but South Carolina helped me out.

[B]

No.

[A]

Merciful. Merciful.

[B]

Well, I don't know why you're trying to create new words anyway.

[A]

I enjoy beating them. Relentlessly. There you go. I relentlessly beat them and then talk junk and they get mad, and then that satisfies my needs.

[B]

You. Of course it does.

[A]

And then I go back in the house and I sit on the couch and I don't get up for shoot around. I don't ride any buses or planes. I don't have to stretch. My body doesn't hurt. So, no, I'm happy where I'm at. All right. Too many cats. 443. What was your favorite moment from the WNBA in 2025? Aaliyah?

[B]

Ooh. I would definitely say the Commissioner Cup Championship. That one was really fun.

[A]

Was it because of the money?

[B]

Yes, because of the money. But we were, like, just down. Like, we were just down players. And so for us to come back in that fourth and then when was actually just so entertaining. That was really fun. But then I kind of felt like everything went really downhill from there, so.

[A]

I mean, downhill. You guys made the semifinals game.

[B]

Yeah, but I'm talking about. We had some more injuries from then, though. Like, we had, like, three more.

[A]

And I understand that, but you can't say that the season as a whole went downhill.

[B]

No, it just.

[A]

I mean, overtime in game five, which.

[B]

I go to the. That was my second favorite was the Aces series. That was, like. That was very fun. It was. It's, like, so intense, but it's like, that's what you literally want to play.

[A]

And you guys beat them. Game one. I remember that.

[B]

Yeah. That was so.

[A]

Those two insane.

[B]

All right, so next question from or. Chloe. I love this podcast. I'm a new basketball fan. Started watching the W last year. But watching and listening to this podcast has really helped me gain perspective, understanding, and appreciation. So well put together. Funny, and I just love it. Question for Candace. You mentioned remaking love and basketball. Would this model the original, or would this be a possible plan on your own relationship?

[A]

Oh, okay, Cool. I can't give away the tea of the movie that I haven't created yet, but I think nowadays it would be insane to think about love and basketball. You know, what you could do with it. Back then, it was like they were bringing in pictures. Now it's like social media. It's nil where women's sports is right now. Yeah. Could the. Could the love interest be a same sex relationship. I don't know. So I think there's just so many possibilities. But I know I saw myself so much in Monica Wright. Like I had my basketball with my name on it. Like Monica. I memorized that whole first part of the movie. It's like you do act different. Yeah. Ball better than you. So I think it would be a remake of the original, but like, you know, some differences. Like Fresh Prince of Bel Air, how they did it when they remade Bel Air. I liked how they did it.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

@ cynthia garcia, 582 8. What are some life lessons you learned from playing.

[B]

Basketball? Oh, I feel like the biggest, the two biggest ones is one, don't get too high with the highs and low at the lows. Like, I feel like I take that everywhere with me. And then recently it's definitely just been about positive self talk, regardless of what's happening. Because obviously on basketball court, like I crash out the first comment. It might not be a nice comment, but it's coming out. And so now, now I like trying to be more aware of what I say and then I take that off the court too. Just the way I just talk about anything that I'm doing in life.

[A]

So. And again, sports is a microcosm of life. And so I encourage everyone out there to play a team sport. No matter if you're trying to go pro or not, you learn a lot of lessons that you can apply in the boardroom at home. How to be a good teammate, all those things. Thanks everyone for your questions. We really appreciate you sending them in. Continue to send those questions in. We enjoy connecting with our post ups. That's a wrap for the first episode of the new year. Yay. Thanks for tuning in, everyone. New episodes drop every Wednesday. Subscribe on YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts and follow postmooshow on all socials. Ostmooshow. That's two.

[B]

S's. Bow, bow, bow. That's a.

[A]

Wrap. Some things never change, even in the new.