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What to Know About Women’s Basketball Today
1. The WNBA Honors Six Standout Rookies 👏
The W’s freshman class showed out in 2026. The WNBA announced its 2026 All-Rookie Team, recognizing Pauline Astier, Azzi Fudd, Flau'jae Johnson, Olivia Miles, Kiki Rice, and Sydney Taylor. (Bleacher Report)
WHY IT MATTERS: This is one of the league's biggest honors for first-year players, and this year's team includes six players instead of the usual five. Rookie of the Year Olivia Miles was an expected pick, while Astier stepped up for New York during Sabrina Ionescu's injury and Fudd helped Dallas turn things around. Rice contributed to Toronto's inaugural season, Johnson brought energy to a tough year in Seattle, and Taylor became one of the league's feel-good stories in Chicago.
2. The WNBA's Growth Goes Beyond the Court 📈
The WNBA wanted its 30th season to be its biggest yet, and the numbers suggest it delivered. The league reported record growth in TV viewership, attendance, social media engagement, and international interest. (WNBA)
Key 2026 Stats:
90+ million unique viewers across all national television networks
3.8 million fans attended regular season games
WNBA social media channels generated 4 billion social views
WNBA programming reached fans in 214 countries
WHY IT MATTERS: What's especially encouraging is how many different ways fans are connecting with the league. More people are watching games, showing up in person, and following teams and players online. And with broader coverage and new teams bringing the WNBA to more communities, we're seeing just how important accessibility is to the league's growth.
3. The WNBA Takes on Responsible Gambling 💸
In another move in the world of professional sports and competing priorities, the WNBA and NBA are teaming up with the National Council on Problem Gambling for a new campaign encouraging responsible sports betting. The message encourages fans to understand the risks, set betting limits, and only wager money they can afford to lose. (Sports Business Journal)
WHY IT MATTERS: There's a tricky balance here. Both leagues have welcomed sports betting sponsorships while also recognizing the harm gambling can cause for fans and the players involved. The campaign is a positive step, but it also raises a fair question: How do leagues promote sports betting while also warning fans about its risks?
A Little Old-Fashioned Fun 💌
For October's Post-Up Club, Kim made little paper toys called thaumatropes. They create an optical illusion that's been around for about 200 years. You spin the paper disc between two strings, and the pictures on either side appear to become one.
It's exactly the kind of hands-on fun included each month in The Post-Up Club. She made a little video to show you how they work!
OVERTIME ⏱️
Catwalk to Courtwalk: Game 2 of the WNBA Finals will feature Live from the Orange Carpet coverage, hosted by Lilly Singh.
Halloween Hoops: One creative WNBA fan turned her front yard into a ghoulish basketball game featuring Tiffany Hayes and Jackie Young as ghosts.
No Crying: Rhyne Howard got emotional when asked what reaching the WNBA Finals means to her.
🗳️ Poll Results from Yesterday: We asked if you were happy with the WNBA Finals schedule update, and 85% of you said, "Absolutely, the Dream deserve a bigger arena!" Looks like most of you are excited to see Atlanta play in front of a larger crowd.
