No Offseason: The Athletic Women's Basketball Show

The end of the regular season is upon us, which means it is time give out accolades for the 2026 WNBA season. Annie joins Zena and Sabreena to unpack how the votes shook out for several categories. Does A’Ja Wilson repeat as MVP? Who deserves Defensive Player of the Year?

Plus, Zena and Sabreena break down what you need to know about postseason seeding and which games to keep an eye on during the last night of the regular season.

And to wrap things up, Zena and Sabreena share their takeaways from The Athletic’s All-WNBA first and second teams. Find out who headlines the list— and who didn’t make the cut.

References:

What’s still at stake in the WNBA regular season. Plus: Lisa Leslie gets the statue treatment - The Athletic

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Olivia Miles’ rookie campaign has been nothing short of extraordinary. From breaking the WNBA rookie scoring record to stepping up in Napheesa Collier’s absence, the Minnesota Lynx guard is a frontrunner for Rookie of the Year. In this episode, Chantel and Sabreena welcome senior writer Brian Hamilton to discuss his piece, “The curious spectacle of Olivia Miles.” The three dive into Miles’ inquisitive nature, her record-setting rookie season, and how her quiet demeanor meshes with the stardom brought on by Minneapolis. 

Plus, Zena, Sabreena, and Chantel break down the last Sabreena Scale of 2026 and get you caught up on all the playoff seeding possibilities as the regular season comes to a close.

And to wrap things up, our hosts revisit some of their boldest predictions. Which hot takes have turned cold?

References:

https://youtu.be/3b2RgueOkHA?si=CuNw89SSrGZwsnrS

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The Dallas Wings have had a turnaround season! Dallas Wings forward Alysha Clark joins Zena and Annie to break down the Wings’ turnaround season under new head coach Jose Fernandez, from building a new culture and establishing accountability to developing trust and confidence behind the scenes. She shares what fans may not see from the outside and explains how the team’s identity, adaptability and preparation will be tested as the playoffs approach.

Plus, Alysha opens up about her new children’s book, Paw Paw’s Playlist, a deeply personal project inspired by the loss of her father and her desire to help kids understand and process grief and big emotions.

And to wrap things up, Alysha joins Zena and Annie for a fun game of “Build the Playlist,” revealing favorite songs, nostalgic tracks and the music that has soundtracked her life.

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The WNBA returns Thursday night, and with just four games remaining, the playoff picture is still to be determined. Zena, Annie and Sabreena break down what’s at stake, including the latest from the Lynx, Wings, Liberty and Aces, key lineup changes, player health and how the FIBA World Cup break could impact the postseason. Plus, they look ahead to potential playoff matchups and ask: How much can these final four games change the playoff picture?

But first, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver weighs in on what the WNBA needs in its next commissioner, emphasizing the importance of a leader who can bring players and owners together.

Plus, Zena and Chantel sit down with Maryland guard Oluchi Okananwa, who reveals that more than 100 women’s college basketball players have joined the push to unionize through the United College Athletes Association.

REFERENCES: 

Adam Silver says next WNBA commissioner should help ‘unify’ the league by Annie Costabile

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Chantel and Annie react to the U.S. capturing its fifth consecutive FIBA World Cup gold medal, breaking down how Team USA overcame the challenges of the gold medal game and what ultimately made the difference in another championship run.

The duo also spotlight Sue Bird’s leadership as Managing Director of the USA Basketball Women’s National Team and the impact she has had on a program that continues to set the standard on the international stage.

They also break down Breanna Stewart’s standout performance and leadership, while also highlighting the contributions of the roster’s “young and turnt” group and the veterans who stepped up when Team USA needed them most.

With another gold medal secured, the duo looks ahead to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and explores how USA Basketball will balance its emerging young stars with the veteran leaders who have set the standard.

REFERENCES:

Team USA takes down France for fifth consecutive World Cup gold medal by Annie Costabile

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With a spot in Sunday’s gold medal game on the line, Chantel and Annie preview Team USA’s highly anticipated World Cup semifinal against Spain. They break down Spain’s strengths, the challenges this matchup presents and what the U.S. will need to do to keep its championship run alive.

The duo also look ahead to Sunday’s gold medal game and who could be waiting for Team USA if the U.S. advances.

REFERENCES: 

Team USA moves on to World Cup semifinals after blowout win over Hungary by Annie Costabile

Team USA helped raise the bar on worldwide competition. Now it must stay ahead by Chantel Jennings

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Team USA is finding its footing at the World Cup, while one of the most iconic stories in women’s basketball gets the documentary treatment. We kick things off with Chantel and Annie breaking down Team USA’s World Cup run, taking a closer look at their matchups against China, Italy and Czechia. They examine the team’s evolving chemistry, the challenges it has faced and the players emerging as leaders.

Then, Annie and Sabreena go behind the scenes of The Dynasty: UConn Huskies with co-directors Matthew Hamachek and Erica Sashin. They reveal what went into capturing the history and legacy of UConn women’s basketball, from the complexities of telling Geno Auriemma’s story to his relationships with players like Paige Bueckers. The directors also open up about their creative process, building trust with their subjects and finding the emotional moments that helped shape the series.

REFERENCES: 

Team USA dominates China to open FIBA Women’s World Cup by Jenna West

Team USA struggles and survives World Cup scare from Italy by Chantel Jennings 

Team USA bounces back from rough outing by dominating Czechia by Sabreena Merchant

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Chantel, Annie and Sabreena go LIVE to discuss WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert’s tenure coming to an end after the 2026 season. They look back at Engelbert’s impact on the league, as well as the biggest moments and challenges of her tenure. Plus, they discuss potential candidates who could be in the mix to become the WNBA’s next commissioner.

REFERENCES:

WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert retiring at end of 2026 by Annie Costabile

Who should be the next WNBA commissioner? Potential candidates to replace Cathy Engelbert by Sabreena Merchant and Annie Costabile

Cathy Engelbert did her job. Now the WNBA needs a true visionary as commissioner by Brian Hamilton

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French talent is making a major impact in the WNBA — and now some of those same players could stand in Team USA’s way at the FIBA World Cup. Sabreena and Annie are joined by Eden Laase to break down the growing pipeline of French players to the WNBA, what’s made the league an increasingly attractive destination, and whether that experience could help France pull off a World Cup upset.

Before Eden joins, Sabreena and Annie discuss the latest developments surrounding Kate Koval’s departure from LSU following the program’s recruitment of a Russian player, which left Koval without a new landing spot as the NCAA transfer window closed before she could make her move. They also break down the passport issue that has kept Li Yueru from playing for Team China, before turning to Satou Sabally being ruled out for the remainder of the season and what that could mean for her future and the New York Liberty.

Finally, the trio look beyond Team USA and France to preview the rest of the FIBA World Cup field, highlighting the teams and players they’ll be watching closely throughout the tournament.

REFERENCES: 

Ukrainian center Kate Koval details leaving LSU after recruitment of Russian player by Annie Costabile and Chantel Jennings

Wings center Li Yueru can’t play with China in World Cup due to lost passport by Sabreena Merchant

The WNBA has experienced a French influence. It could also cause chaos in the World Cup by Eden Laase

What to know about Team USA and the World Cup women's basketball field as play begins by Sabreena Merchant

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The FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup tips off Friday, and Team USA is chasing its fifth consecutive gold medal. Sabreena, Annie and Chantel preview the tournament and take a closer look at a new-look Team USA without leading scorer A’ja Wilson. With seven World Cup debutants on the roster, what will the roster changes mean for Team USA’s strategy, chemistry and chances of staying on top? Plus, France could be one of the biggest threats to the U.S. with an experienced roster.

But first, we kick off our conversation with the second annual Players Era Women’s Showcase coming to Las Vegas this December. We break down the loaded matchups, what’s at stake and what this event means for women’s college basketball.

Then, we discuss Skylar Diggins being placed on the Chicago Sky’s season-ending injury list and what it means for both Diggins and the Sky moving forward.

And to wrap things up, we play another round of “Something in Common.”

REFERENCES: 

UCLA, USC, South Carolina among women’s basketball teams in Players Era showcase by Sabreena

Sky guard Skylar Diggins done for season, calls effort to get healthy an ‘uphill battle’ by Annie Costabile 

Why isn’t the WNBA playing for 2 weeks? Here’s what to know about the FIBA World Cup by Annie Costabile

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No Offseason is a part of The Athletic Podcast Network

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