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What to Know About Women’s Basketball Today
1. The Rookie Race Is Already Getting Crowded 👀
A few unexpected names are making noise in the way-to-early-to-predict Rookie of the Year race, and they’re not necessarily who you thought. Olivia Miles is averaging 17 points and 7.5 assists in her first two Lynx games, while Mercury guard Jovana Nogic has put up 12.3 points per game across her first three appearances. Over in New York, Pauline Astier has stepped up for the Liberty, averaging 15.7 points and 4.7 assists per game. (SB Nation)
WHY IT MATTERS: Most seasons feature a rookie who changes the league, and this year looks no different. Miles was expected to contribute right away as the No. 2 pick, but she already looks completely comfortable running a WNBA offense. The bigger surprise is how quickly Nogic and Astier have stepped in and produced. It’s a reminder that impact players can come from all kinds of paths, not just the top of the draft board.
🗳️ Which rookie start has impressed you most so far?
2. South Carolina and UConn to Meet Again 🍿
The Basketball Hall of Fame Women’s Showcase is officially set for next fall, with South Carolina, UConn, UCLA, and St. John’s all participating. The headline matchup will be South Carolina vs. UConn, marking the first meeting between the programs since the tense Final Four interaction between coaches Geno Auriemma and Dawn Staley. (Yahoo Sports)
WHY IT MATTERS: This was already going to be one of the biggest non-conference games of next season. Now there’s even more attention surrounding it because of the heated exchange between coaches last month. Auriemma has apologized since then, but fans and media are still going to circle this matchup.
3. The WNBA’s Viewership Keeps Growing 📺
You said you were ready for the WNBA to start, and you meant it. Last weekend’s Wings vs Fever match-up averaged 2.5 million viewers, making it the second most-watched regular season WNBA game ever on the network. Overall, opening weekend’s Wings-Fever and Mercury-Aces doubleheader averaged 1.9 million viewers, producing the second-best opening weekend in league history. (ESPN Pressroom)
WHY IT MATTERS: The appetite for women’s basketball clearly isn’t slowing down. If you show the games, fans show up. Now broadcasters are seeing the value. Strong ratings help strengthen future media rights negotiations and continue building the league’s long-term financial momentum.
📫 Working on the Next Letter
Over the past few days, I’ve been working on the second Post-Up Club letter, and honestly, it’s been one of my favorite things I’ve made in a while.
There’s something really nice about slowing down and writing something people can actually hold onto.
The feedback from the first group has been really encouraging (thank you to those who emailed afterward!), and I’m excited to keep building this little community around women’s basketball.
If you want to check it out, you can here:
-Kim
OVERTIME ⏱️
Slammin’: The Washington Mystics’ young core of Kiki Iriafen, Georgia Amoore, Lauren Betts, and Sonia Citron landed on the newest cover of SLAM magazine.
Don’t Give Up: Sarah Ashlee Barker delivered an incredible hustle play and buzzer-beating put-back to give the Portland Fire its first franchise win.
Rad Grad: The Wings held a special graduation ceremony for rookie Azzi Fudd who just earned her MBA degree.
🗳️ Poll Results from Yesterday: We asked if you think UCLA can repeat as champs, and so far readers are pretty split. About 35% think another Final Four run or championship is possible, 39% said no way, and 26% feel it’s still too early to tell.
