No Offseason: The Athletic Women's Basketball Show

Zena, Sabreena and Chantel are back to talk through all the latest transfer portal updates - including Audi Crooks’ commitment to Oklahoma State, Kymora Johnson’s decision to stay at UVA, and Justice Carlton’s move to another city in Texas.

Then, the crew breaks down their way too early predictions for the 2027 WNBA Draft Class – where players like Juju Watkins, Hannah Hidalgo, Madison Booker, Audi Crooks and more may land in the pecking order come next April.

Plus, our favorite training camp cliches.

REFERENCES: 

USC’s JuJu Watkins, Notre Dame’s Hannah Hidalgo headline 2027 WNBA Draft class by Sabreena Merchant

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Sabreena and Chantel take you inside Azzi Fudd and Olivia Miles’ introductory press conferences in Dallas and Minnesota, and in particular - an awkward moment where Azzi was asked about her status with Paige. Then, they dive into the latest entries and commitments from the NCAA transfer portal.

Next, it’s onto Winners & Losers of the WNBA Offseason, through the lens of how money is changing the landscape of women’s hoops. They break down A’ja Wilson’s historic contract, the smart free agency moves of Dallas and Indiana, why the Lynx are both winners and losers, and why international talent is flocking to the W more and more.

Plus, Sabreena and Chantel’s favorite training camp contracts.

REFERENCES: 

A’ja Wilson, Paige Bueckers’ aura, Lynx among WNBA offseason winners and losers by Sabreena Merchant and Chantel Jennings

A’ja Wilson signs 3-year, supermax contract; richest in WNBA history: Source by Sabreena Merchant

USC’s JuJu Watkins, Notre Dame’s Hannah Hidalgo headline 2027 WNBA Draft class by Sabreena Merchant

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#wnba #wbb #ajawilson #azzifudd #dallaswings #lynx

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Zena and Layshia break down the 2026 WNBA Draft, drilling into the story behind Golden State trading Flau’jae Johnson to the Seattle Storm, and detailing why Seattle is actually a better fit for Flau’jae, plus the reality behind trades as business.

Then, they turn their attention to the wild past week of free agency signings and movement – highlighting how these new rosters might come together on the court, with a special focus on the New York Liberty, the Dallas Wings, the Minnesota Lynx, the Chicago Sky, and the Seattle Storm.

They wrap up by talking about the story behind the story of Raven Johnson and the Indiana Fever – the made-up beef with Caitlin Clark from back in the NCAA day, the racism lurking beneath the surface, and the real story of how excited Raven is to be joining the squad.

REFERENCES: 

Raven Johnson, Caitlin Clark reunite with Fever after wave-off: ‘Maybe I needed that’ by James Boyd

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After months of speculation, the final picks for the 2026 WNBA Draft are in -- and the No Offseason crew is breaking it all down. Join Zena, Sabreena, and Chantel as they dig into the draft's biggest winners and losers: did Dallas make the right choice with Azzi Fudd? What’s the strategy behind the Mystics’ six picks? And was Golden State’s trade of Flau’jae Johnson to Seattle a smart move? The crew also talks team fit, including who’s primed to get minutes right away.

REFERENCES: 

Dallas Wings select Azzi Fudd with No. 1 pick of 2026 WNBA Draft by Chantel Jennings and Sabreena Merchant

Grading every 2026 WNBA first-round draft pick from Azzi Fudd to Lauren Betts by Sabreena Merchant and Chantel Jennings

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7194986/2026/04/14/wnba-draft-winners-losers-ucla-engelbert-fudd/

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Chantel and Sabreena break down the massive impact of the college basketball transfer portal, where more than 1,200 Division I players have entered their names. But where will Audi Crooks go? Can South Carolina Gamecocks land Kymora Johnson? And how will the UCLA Bruins approach the portal? The duo also discuss how coaches are adapting to this new reality and examine which programs are feeling the greatest impact.

We close out with predictions for who will go No. 1 in the WNBA Draft.

REFERENCES: 

Virginia, Amaka Agugua-Hamilton part ways after ending 8-year NCAA Tournament drought by Grace Raynor

Virginia hires Richmond’s Aaron Roussell as new women’s basketball coach by Sabreena Merchant

Eight Tennessee women’s basketball players are transferring. None are returning by Rebecca Tauber

Women’s basketball portal rankings: With more than 1,000 names in, who can make the most impact? by Chantel Jennings

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Huge WNBA trade news! Zena and Layshia kick things off with the blockbuster trade of Angel Reese to the Atlanta Dream, breaking down how she’ll fit with the team.

From there, the duo dives into the Washington Mystics’ recent changes, including the departure of GM Jamila Wideman over strategic differences, with head coach Sydney Johnson stepping in to take on GM responsibilities as well. 

With the WNBA Draft coming up next week, Zena and Layshia break down which players boosted their stock during the tournament and which ones left lingering questions. They also highlight the lack of a clear favorite for the number one pick, putting players like Lauren Betts, Olivia Miles, and Azzi Fudd in the mix for number one.

They wrap it all up with a fun round of “Match That Player.”

REFERENCES: 

Chicago Sky trade Angel Reese to Atlanta Dream for 2 first-round picks by Sabreena Merchant

Angel Reese’s trade another example of Chicago Sky’s inability to hold onto stars by Shakeia Taylor

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Together in Phoenix after the national championship game, the whole No Offseason crew dives deep into UCLA’s decisive win over South Carolina. With a spotlight on UCLA’s six seniors — including Most Outstanding Player, Lauren Betts, and star guard, Gabriela Jaquez — Zena, Layshia, Sabreena and Chantel dissect UCLA head coach Cori Close’s incisive game plan to take down South Carolina, and her players’ elite execution of that plan. They also break down what went wrong for South Carolina, outside of not getting their shots to drop. Then, the crew speculates on what might come next for UCLA, with so many roster spots to fill next year and a newly open transfer portal.

REFERENCES: 

UCLA clobbers South Carolina for first NCAA national title in program history by Cameron Teague Robinson

How UCLA’s super senior class, led by Lauren Betts, set the championship standard by Sabreena Merchant

For UCLA, a championship lesson came from losing by Jerry Brewer

Dawn Staley isn’t here for the drama. She’s here to protect the game by Jerry Brewer

Sacrifice and selflessness define coach Cori Close’s UCLA championship run by Chantel Jennings 

What went wrong for South Carolina? The main thing: UCLA’s dominating defense by Grace Raynor

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What exactly happened between Geno Auriemma and Dawn Staley at the end of UConn-South Carolina game? The No Offseason crew are live to dive into the behind-the-scenes of that moment, plus all the moments from last night's Final Four. Then, a look-ahead to the title game, where UCLA and South Carolina will meet for all the glory on Sunday afternoon. Plus, thoughts on the WNBA Expansion Draft.

REFERENCES: 

The night Geno Auriemma snapped — and Dawn Staley showed the game has changed by Jerry Brewer

Geno Auriemma apologizes for behavior after heated exchange with Dawn Staley  by Shannon Ryan

UConn’s chase for perfection ends with imperfect Final Four loss to South Carolina by Chantel Jennings

UCLA women’s basketball regained its focus to set sights on national championship by Sabreena Merchant

First look at the women’s national championship: Who will win? South Carolina or UCLA? by Cameron Teague Robinson  

WNBA expansion draft winners and losers: Portland’s depth, Toronto’s future scoring by Sabreena Merchant

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Chantel and Sabreena kick off their discussion by exploring potential strategies for the Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo in the expansion draft—who might be protected, and which players could come as surprises?

Then the duo get us ready  for the Final Four by breaking down the South Carolina–UConn rematch and the potential pressure for UCLA and Texas as they chase a championship. They discuss what this moment means for players and coaches, the influence of new faces, and the expectations surrounding these games. The conversation also highlights the quest for redemption for teams that fell short in previous tournaments and the excitement of these matchups, even amid predictions of chalk outcomes.

Finally, they share their predictions for the national title game.

REFERENCES: 

First look at the Final Four: Who has the edge? South Carolina or UConn? Texas or UCLA? by Sabreena Merchant 

How Dawn Staley reinvented South Carolina without losing its edge by Jerry Brewer

Texas is 2 wins from Vic Schaefer’s first title and him saying it’s his best team by Chantel Jennings

Lack of parity isn’t a problem. Goliaths in women’s Final Four is good for the sport by Sabreena Merchant

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Zena and Layshia open their conversation with the return of A’ja Wilson and Napheesa Collier to USA Basketball, discussing how Team USA is shifting its focus toward developing younger talent and moving away from a more exclusionary approach. 

They then dive into the transition of the Connecticut Sun to the Houston Comets, highlighting the excitement surrounding the Comets’ return and the challenges facing the Sun’s fanbase. The duo also explores the role of NBA ownership in providing resources and stability, along with the cultural differences between Connecticut and Houston. 

We wrap things with a story on how WNBA players connected with a key figure in negotiations.

REFERENCES: 

A’ja Wilson, Napheesa Collier head to Team USA camp; Caitlin Clark to sit out session by Sabreena Merchant

Rockets owners to purchase Connecticut Sun, relocate team to Houston: Sources by Mike Vorkunov

Houston Comets expected to return after WNBA’s Connecticut Sun relocate to Texas  by Mike Vorkunov

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