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What to Know About Women’s Basketball Today
1. Angel Reese Returns to Rose 🌹
Angel Reese, the 2025 Unrivaled Defensive Player of the Year and rebounding leader, has officially returned to Rose for the remainder of the 2026 season. She’s set to rejoin the lineup on February 20 when Rose BC takes on Hive BC. (AP News)
WHY IT MATTERS: This is a surprising move this late in Unrivaled’s short season. With just three regular-season games left, Reese will have to get up to speed quickly if Rose wants to grab a playoff spot and make a real push for back-to-back titles. The good news is that she’s rejoining a team she played for last year, so the transition should be smooth. Rose BC currently sit in fifth place, and this move could be the boost they need.
It’s also notable because Unrivaled has a development player pool ready to fill roster spots when injuries happen. Instead of pulling from that group, Rose has taken a big swing by bringing Reese back.
🗳️ Does Angel Reese’s return change Rose’s playoff chances?
2. Hall of Fame Finalists Announced 🏆
Candace Parker, Elena Delle Donne, Chamique Holdsclaw, Jennifer Azzi, and the 1996 U.S. Women’s National Team are among the Naismith Hall of Fame Class of 2026 Finalists. Molly Bolin-Kazmer, the first player signed in the Women’s Professional Basketball League, is also a finalist through the Women’s Veterans Committee. (Naismith Hall of Fame)
WHY IT MATTERS: Being inducted into the Naismith Hall of Fame is the highest honor in basketball. It’s the ultimate acknowledgment of talent and impact. Every name on this list helped shape the game, whether through championships, Olympic gold, or on-court leadership. And several, like Delle Donne (USA Basketball) and Azzi (Las Vegas Aces), are still contributing to the game today.
3. Team USA Sets World Cup Qualifying Roster 🇺🇸
USA Basketball announced its 12-player roster for next month’s FIBA Women’s World Cup Qualifying Tournament, which runs March 11–17 in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The group blends experienced vets like Jackie Young and Kahleah Copper with young stars stepping into their first senior national team competition, including Paige Bueckers, Caitlin Clark, and Angel Reese.
WHY IT MATTERS: The U.S. already qualified for the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup in Berlin by winning the 2025 AmeriCup. So this tournament is less about qualifying and more about development and chemistry as the team builds toward the World Cup, and eventually the Olympics.
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OVERTIME ⏱️
1v1 Shut-out: Veronica Burton blanked her opponent 11–0 in just 80 seconds in the first round of the Unrivaled 1v1 Tournament.
Hidden Talent: When Texas senior guard Sarah Graves isn’t playing basketball, she’s making art. She recently gifted a custom painting to the ESPN College GameDay crew.
Cozy Up: Stay warm as temperatures drop with these soft Velveteen blankets featuring your favorite W team.*
*If you buy through this link, 30 Second Timeout will earn a commission. Thank you for supporting our work.
🗳️ Poll Results from Yesterday: We asked if you planned on watching Unrivaled’s 1-on-1 tournament and it was not even close. You’re as excited as us, with 83% of you saying absolutely yes, you’re watching.
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