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What to Know About Women’s Basketball Today
1. The Valkyries Are 2026 WNBA Champions 🏆
The Golden State Valkyries defeated the Atlanta Dream 68-63 in a winner-take-all Game 7 to win the WNBA Finals 4-3 and claim the title in just their second season. Gabby Williams scored 30 points, including 28 in the second half, and was named Finals MVP. (CBS Sports)
WHY IT MATTERS: No WNBA franchise has won a championship this quickly. The Valkyries did it without an All-WNBA First Team selection or a traditional superstar, relying instead on teamwork and tough defense. Both Golden State and Atlanta built their success around defense, but it was especially important for the Valkyries, who struggled to score throughout the Finals. Their defense kept them in games and ultimately helped carry them to a championship.
🗳️ Do you think the Valkyries can repeat as champions next year?
2. Team USA Brings Home 3x3 Silver 🥈
Team USA earned silver at the FIBA 3x3 AmeriCup, falling 21-12 to top-ranked Canada in the final. The U.S. roster included Aziaha James, Flau’jae Johnson, Aerial Powers and Sydney Taylor, who made the all-tournament team in her AmeriCup debut. (USA Basketball)
WHY IT MATTERS: The U.S. entered as defending champion and jumped ahead 3-1 in the final, but Canada's size helped it take control. The Americans have now won three of the six women's AmeriCup titles, with this year's finish marking their second silver medal.
3. College Basketball Is Back, and It Started in Rome 🏀
The 2026-27 women's college basketball season tipped off over the weekend with a game in Rome, Italy, where No. 13 Notre Dame beat Villanova 99-75. Now the rest of the country gets its turn, with 16 games involving Top 25 teams today. (Yahoo Sports)
WHY IT MATTERS: There’s a lot to look forward to this season. JuJu Watkins returns from injury, making USC a national title contender again. South Carolina and UConn are loaded with talent, while defending champion UCLA has a new-look roster after losing six seniors. And those are just a few of the teams worth watching, with plenty of talented players and potential surprises across the country.
A Gift That Keeps the Hoops Coming 🎁
Know someone who can't get enough women's basketball? The Post-Up Club is a snail-mail membership that delivers a personal letter about the sport and fun paper goodies every month. Holiday gift memberships are available for three, six, or twelve months, with special extras like a purple keepsake box and handmade letter opener included in select bundles.
OVERTIME ⏱️
Weiner to Winner: Valkyries guard Kaitlyn Chen handled the pressure of a Halloween Game 7 by showing up dressed as a hot dog.
Basketball Brush: Watch an artist paint Gabby Williams using a basketball instead of a paintbrush.
Trojan Cover: USC's Jazzy Davidson, JuJu Watkins and Saniyah Hall star in SLAM's latest cover story.
🗳️ Poll Results from Friday: We asked which championship story you'd rather see, and 74% of you picked Golden State winning it all in Year 2. Well, you got your wish!
