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What to Know About Women’s Basketball Today
1. Athletes Unlimited Introduces Real Team Identities 🎨
Athletes Unlimited is heading into its fifth season with a fresh look. The league officially introduced four permanent team identities for the upcoming season: Eclipse, Glow, Gold Rush, and Rhythm.
WHY IT MATTERS: This is a real shift for AU. Until now, teams were tied to captains and changed week to week. Having set team identities gives fans something familiar to root for, gives players another way to build connection, and opens the door to stronger storytelling and merch around the league. The format and rules stay exactly the same, so AU keeps what makes it special while giving us more to grab onto.
2. The Top 25 Is Shuffled Again 👀
Another week, another shake-up in the AP Top 25 after a fresh round of upsets across the country. LSU made the biggest move, jumping six spots after handing Texas its first loss of the season. (Swish Appeal)
WHY IT MATTERS: Vanderbilt is now up into the top five and remains one of just three undefeated teams left, yet still feels oddly overlooked. Texas slid to No. 4 after being upset by LSU, but now sits behind two teams it has already beaten, South Carolina and UCLA, which tells you just how messy the rankings are right now. One thing is clear though: the SEC is still running the show, claiming half of the top 10.
3. Kaleena Smith Drops 50 in a Top-Five Showdown 💎
High school junior Kaleena Smith exploded for 50 points in a 96–87 win for No. 1 Ontario Christian over No. 4 Archbishop Mitty last week. She hit five threes and went 9-for-10 from the line in what was already one of the biggest matchups on the high school schedule. (MaxPreps)
WHY IT MATTERS: Smith is one of the top recruits in the Class of 2027, and this is exactly why. Doing it against elite competition, in a game with real stakes, only adds to the buzz. She’s already drawing comparisons to fellow Southern California standout JuJu Watkins. If her name isn’t on your radar yet, now’s a good time to change that.
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OVERTIME ⏱️
Gymnastics Era: Monique Billings showed Hive teammate Natisha Hiedeman how to do a headstand. Do they give points for trying?
Red Carpet Ready: Skylar Diggins turned heads at the Golden Globes on Sunday night with a standout look on the red carpet.
Pressing Pause: WNBA free agency is officially on hold after the league and players’ union agreed to a temporary moratorium.
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