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Good morning! âď¸
Happy September! Weâve got the FIBA World Cup starting this week and the WNBA postseason right behind it. It should be a fun month of basketball, and weâre glad youâre here for it with us.
What to Know About Womenâs Basketball Today
1. Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen Join Team USA đşđ¸
Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen are headed to the World Cup. The two young WNBA standouts have been added to Team USAâs roster, replacing Aâja Wilson and Kelsey Plum, who will miss the tournament due to injury. (USA Basketball)
WHY IT MATTERS: Thereâs no replacing everything Wilson and Plum bring to Team USA. Wilson is having another MVP-level season and has been a leader for the national team, while Plum brings scoring and an edge that will be missed, especially against a strong French team. But this is also a big opportunity for Citron and Iriafen. Both have previous USA Basketball experience, and now theyâll get their first chance to represent the U.S. at a senior international tournament.
2. Kelsey Plum Is Done for the WNBA Season đ
Kelsey Plum will sit out the rest of the WNBA season as she continues to recover from a lower-leg injury. The four-time All-Star played just 17 games this year after a strong start to the season. (USA Today)
WHY IT MATTERS: Plum joined Phoenix late in the season as the Mercury tried to make a playoff push, but theyâve since been eliminated. Now she can focus on getting healthy. The next question is what Plum does this offseason and whether the injury has any effect on her free agency.
3. Six College Powerhouses Are Headed to Vegas đ°
A major early-season college basketball event is bringing South Carolina, Notre Dame, USC, Texas, UCLA, and Duke to Las Vegas on Dec. 19-20. The Players Era Womenâs Basketball Showcase will feature six games at Michelob ULTRA Arena, along with a seven-figure NIL pool for the participating teams. (ESPN)
WHY IT MATTERS: This is a chance to see some of the countryâs best teams in one weekend, including reigning national champion UCLA. Hannah Hidalgo, JuJu Watkins, Madison Booker, Joyce Edwards and Toby Fournier are among the stars expected to be there. All-tournament passes start at $109, and all six games will air on ESPN or ESPN2 for fans watching from home.
đ Septemberâs Post-Up Club Is on the Way
Iâm dropping the September Post-Up Club issues in the mail today. So get ready to open your envelopes and spend a little time away from your screens with womenâs basketball. I hope they give you something you can actually hold, flip through, and enjoy at your own pace.
OVERTIME âąď¸
World Cup Kicks: Caitlin Clark unveiled the Team USA Nike Caitlin 1 PEs sheâll wear at the upcoming FIBA World Cup.
Rare Turnover: Veronica Burton earned AP honors after posting a 17.5 assist-to-turnover ratio while helping Golden State go 4-0 on its road trip.
Stay Balanced: Sarah Ashlee Barkerâs physical therapist shared a look at her ACL rehab, including rocker-board work while catching a basketball.
đłď¸ Poll Results from Yesterday: We asked how much of the World Cup you plan to watch, and youâre excited for this one. 84% of you said, âAs much as I can.â
