The Athletic Women's Basketball Show

By The Athletic

What's The Athletic Women's Basketball Show about?

The Athletic Women's Basketball Show brings you the latest news from the WNBA, Women's College Basketball and more each week. Zena Keita hosts along with Sabreena Merchant, Ben Pickman, Chantel Jennings and guests from around the sport.

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The Athletic Women's Basketball Show episodes:

05.16.2024
Opening Night Reactions And A Look At The Overall Growth In The WNBA
Zena, Ben, and Sabreena discuss what the WNBA's record-breaking opening night means for the league as a whole before diving into what we learned about each team and celebrating the milestones of DeWanna Bonner and Alyssa Thomas. They then pivot...
05.14.2024
WNBA Kickoff - Charter Planes, Power Rankings, and Preseason Award Predictions
Zena, Ben, and Sabreena comb through the big news heading WNBA tip-off, including travel upgrades and a potential expansion team in Toronto. They then preview the opening night matchups and break down some 2024 award races. -Follow Zena on X: @itszenakeita -Follow...
05.07.2024
Preseason Takeaways, Training Camp Cuts, and Who is Golden State’s New GM?
Zena, Ben, and Sabreena break down the latest news heading into the start of the regular season, including what we learned from preseason games, the WNBA’s broadcast challenges, roster crunches, and a home-run hire in the Bay Area. -Follow Zena on...
04.26.2024
What will Candace Parker's legacy be? And is there a new transfer portal winner?
In what has been a busy week in women's basketball, Zena Keita, Ben Pickman and Sabreena Merchant discuss the potential new winner of the college basketball offseason. Then, they reflect on Candace Parker's retirement from the WNBA and her impact...
04.24.2024
Transfer portal winner and losers: Iowa, Stanford, Maryland and more
With just a few days to go until the transfer portal closes, Zena, Ben and Chantel discuss the college teams that have had the best (and the worst) times with the portal this offseason. And with WNBA training camps around...
04.16.2024
WNBA Draft Reaction: What Were the Biggest Surprises, Steals and Memorable Moments?
Zena, Ben, and Sabreena break down the most anticipated WNBA Draft in history. Ben shares stories from on the ground in Brooklyn. They also dive into the frontcourt duos that were created in the first round as well as what...
04.15.2024
WNBA Draft Preview: Will Caitlin Clark Immediately Star for the Fever?
Zena, Ben, and Sabreena go deep on the WNBA Draft. They outline the projected outcomes of the lottery picks, highlight players who could go higher than expected, and make bold predictions for Monday. -Follow Zena on X: @itszenakeita -Follow Ben on X:...
04.12.2024
Coaching carousel: Can Tennessee succeed under Kim Caldwell?
Zena Keita, Ben Pickman and Chantel Jennings discuss the new Tennessee coach, Kentucky’s hiring of Kenny Brooks, Tara VanDerveer’s sudden retirement and the names filling up the transfer portal in women’s college basketball. -Follow Zena on X: @itszenakeita -Follow Ben on X:...
04.09.2024
South Carolina’s the national champion. Will Dawn Staley win it again in 2025?
Sabreena Merchant, Ben Pickman and Chantel Jennings reconvened the morning after the national title game to discuss how the Gamecocks — with an entirely new starting lineup — found a way to win their program's third championship. Then, Sabreena and...
04.06.2024
Iowa-South Carolina national title game: Who wins it all?
From Cleveland, Ben Pickman, Sabreena Merchant and Chantel Jennings preview the national championship match up between the nation's two top teams — South Carolina and Iowa. They examine the keys for each team, discuss the legacy implications for the potential...
04.05.2024
Final Four Predictions: Will Iowa make it back to the national championship?
From Cleveland, Sabreena Merchant, Ben Pickman, Grace Raynor and Chantel Jennings gather for another floor episode of the podcast. They discuss Iowa’s chances of returning to the title game, NC State’s shot at an upset and deliver their most important...
04.03.2024
Final Four breakdowns: Iowa, UConn, South Carolina, NC State
Zena Keita and Sabreena Merchant break down the Elite Eight games from Portland, explaining how UConn managed to get to Cleveland with four first-year players in their seven-player rotation and how NC State controlled games with its guard group. Then,...
03.29.2024
Setting the Sweet Sixteen Table
Zena and Sabreena preview what they're looking forward to in Portland while Chantel and Ben set the scene for what to expect in Albany. Tune in for breakdowns, predictions, and behind-the-scenes stories from the regionals! -Follow Zena on X: @itszenakeita -Follow Ben...
03.27.2024
Sweet 16 Preview and Predictions
The tournament field is now merely sixteen, after four days of tightly-contested games. Sabreena and Ben touch on the madness that was, and wasn't, before diving into the news around Virginia Tech, breaking down the stellar freshman performances, and providing...
03.22.2024
A March Madness Pre-Tournament Mailbag
The NCAA Tournament is about to begin and Sabreena, Chantel and Ben put the final touches on previewing the field. They discuss the impact of Elizabeth Kitley's injury, answer reader questions and shine a light on some of the stories...
03.18.2024
Selection Sunday Reactions
After Selection Sunday, Zena, Ben, Mark and Sabreens discuss notable snubs, toughest regions and teams that have a potential to make a Cinderella story. -Follow Zena on X: @itszenakeita -Follow Ben on X: @benpickman -Follow Mark on X: @MG_Schindler -Follow Sabreena on X: @sabreenajm Learn more...
03.15.2024
March Showcases Progress and Parity in Women's Hoops
Zena, Ben and Chantel check in ahead of Sunday's selection show to discuss the parity we've seen in the women's game, and how that was especially evident during conference tournaments. Then, they ponder: With talent dispersed across the country, could...
03.12.2024
End of an era for the Pac-12
Zena and Sabreena go deep on the final Pac-12 tournament and what it means for the NCAA Tournament prospects for USC, UCLA, and Stanford. Then, Mark joins Zena to talk about how the conference tournament results shook up the bracket. -Follow...
03.08.2024
THE ATHLETIC ALL ACCESS - USC's Coach Lindsey Gottlieb
USC coach Lindsay Gottlieb joins the show to discuss her unique start in college coaching, recruiting JuJu Watkins while building the Trojan program and how her experience in the NBA has informed her during her time in Los Angeles. -Follow Zena...
03.05.2024
Breaking Down Bracketology
After another confusing top 16 seed reveal, Zena brings on Mark and Sabreena to discuss the mechanics of bracketology. They get into the thought process behind seeding and determining the field of 68 and as well as what hangs in...
03.01.2024
The Athletic All-Access: Ohio State's Cotie McMahon
Zena, Sabreena and Chantel sit down with Ohio State sophomore and Big Ten champ Cotie McMahon to discuss what she has learned since early enrolling at Ohio State, how her experience with Team USA has changed her as a player...
02.27.2024
It’s That Time—Who’s the Conference POY?
Zena and Sabreena break down the player of the year races across the power five conferences (plus the Big East). While some leagues have a clear-cut favorite, the abundance of great candidates in other conferences forces the two hosts to...
02.23.2024
The Athletic All-Access: Notre Dame's Niele Ivey and Hannah Hidalgo
Notre Dame head coach Niele Ivey and freshman Hannah Hidalgo join Sabreena and Chantel to discuss the biggest storylines from South Bend this season. Ivey and Hidalgo dig into how Hidalgo has gotten to five steals a game, what that...
02.20.2024
Bracket breakdowns and an exciting finish in college hoops
Mark Schindler is back to join Zena to take a look back on the week in women's basketball. With the NCAA tournament on the horizon, Mark explains how brackets, being in the bubble and quadrants work in the tournament. Then,...
02.16.2024
The Athletic's All Access: Virginia Tech's Elizabeth Kitley and Georgia Amoore
The Queens of Cassell join Chantel, Sabreena, and Zena to discuss their role in turning Virginia Tech into a must-watch team. Liz and Georgia share the origins of their chemistry on and off the court, how they're gearing up for...
02.13.2024
A Super Week from NCAA to Team USA
Zena, Chantel and Sabreena are back together to break down several headlines from the past week, touching on Oregon State's recent rise, Nebraska upsetting Caitlin Clark and Iowa on Super Bowl Sunday, Team USA's trip to Belgium and SC's dominant...
02.09.2024
The Athletic All Access: Iowa AHC Jan Jensen
While in Iowa City, Chantel sits down with Iowa associate head coach Jan Jensen to discuss Caitlin Clark as she nears the Division I scoring record, Iowa's legacy of 6-on-6 girls basketball and the moments from that last's title game...
02.06.2024
NCAAW's Scoring Dominance on Full Display
Zena and Ben cover several hot topics in women's basketball, including the history-making offense of Caitlin Clark and JuJu Watkins, speculation on Clark's transition potential to the WNBA, WNBA Free Agency updates, views at USA Camp and what Ben learned...
02.02.2024
The Athletic's All-Access: Las Vegas Aces head coach Becky Hammon
Becky Hammon joins Ben and Sabreena to relive the 2023 Las Vegas Aces title run. Hammon shares how the team dealt with the super team expectations, the grind of repeating, some special moments that buoyed them throughout the year, and...
01.30.2024
What A Weekend in Women's Hoops
Zena and Chantel recap the biggest game of the regular season (South Carolina-LSU) and examine what UConn's loss to Notre Dame might mean in the college hoops landscape. Plus, a look behind the curtains at The Athletic's All-America teams. -Follow Zena...
01.26.2024
The Athletic's All Access: Greg Bibb, President, CEO and Partner of the Dallas Wings
Greg Bibb, the team president, CEO, and a partner of the Dallas Wings, joins the show to talk about the life of a front-office executive during free agency. He gives his perspective on the draft/scouting, and some of his favorite...
01.23.2024
After all the Upsets, Tara Makes History
It was a week full of upsets in college basketball. The Athletic's Zena Keita and Ben Pickman break down the results that caught their eyes over the past week. Then, they discuss the scene and significance from Stanford coach Tara...
01.19.2024
The Athletic's All Access: Tara VanDerveer and Kiki Iriafen on the Journey to the All-Time Wins Record, Plus DeWanna Bonner on Her Jersey Retirement
As Stanford Hall of Fame coach Tara VanDerveer closes in on the all-time college basketball wins record, The Athletic’s Chantel Jennings, Ben Pickman and Zena Keita chat with VanDerveer and star forward Kiki Iriafen about their respective journeys, the role...
01.16.2024
Conference Play is Heating Up!
No one’s having more fun this college season than Iowa State and their five fabulous freshmen. Except maybe USC and the Trojans’ ever-growing crowds in L.A. all clamoring to see JuJu Watkins. Or perhaps Florida State and the Seminoles’ sharpshooting...
01.12.2024
The Athletic's All Access: Brooke Wyckoff and Ta'Niya Latson
Florida State coach Brooke Wyckoff and guard Ta'Niya Latson join the podcast to discuss the depth of the ACC, how both have grown as leaders in their respective roles and how they'd spend a rare off-day in Tallahassee. -Follow Zena on...
01.09.2024
Legal Battles Against the NCAA Could Impact College Basketball’s Future
A handful of prominent lawsuits the NCAA is facing could impact the future landscape of college athletics. The Athletic’s college football and basketball writer Justin Williams and Ben Pickman join Zena Keita to discuss the implications of a recent subdivision...
01.05.2024
NCAAW’s Media Deal - Money, Madness or Both?
The NCAA reached an eight-year agreement with ESPN worth $115 million annually to televise 40 college sports championships, including women's basketball. Chantel Jennings joins Zena Keita to discuss the deal, what is and isn't in the agreement and what the...
12.29.2023
The End Of Year Women's Hoops Mailbag
The whole team gets together to discuss some reader-submitted questions as they close out 2023. Will Caitlin Clark be on the Olympic team (should she be)? Is player of the year too weighted on offensive production? What should Atlanta do...
12.22.2023
Longhorns' Madison Booker and Rori Harmon Join the Show!
Rori Harmon and Madison Booker, two stars of the undefeated no. 5 Texas Longhorns, join Chantel and Sabreena to share some behind-the-scenes stories about Texas practices, how much Coach Vic Schaefer really talks about defense, and what they're looking to...
12.19.2023
Checking In: Transfer Tiers and the Undefeated Club
We're going deep in the Pac-12 this week, as Zena and Sabreena discuss the remaining undefeated teams on the West Coast, specifically what to make of Washington and Oregon State as we head into conference play. Then, it's a reassessment...
12.15.2023
Talkin’ Money with Napheesa Collier
Zena has a real conversation about money and financial literacy in the world of women’s basketball with 3x WNBA All-Star, Olympic Gold Medalist, and NCAA Champion Napheesa Collier. Napheesa shares how the WNBA’s official banking partner, US Bank, helped get...
12.12.2023
WNBA Draft lottery reaction and major conference previews
The Indiana Fever won the Caitlin Clark draft lottery and the Los Angeles Sparks, with pick No. 2, feel pretty good, too. Plus, we take a look at the top six conferences to determine how many Final Four contenders are...
12.08.2023
"Here comes the Caitlin Clark WNBA Draft Lottery, with Fever GM Lin Dunn"
Indiana Fever general manager Lin Dunn joins the podcast to talk about the Fever's outlook heading into the WNBA Draft lottery. Dunn shares some stories from draft lotteries past, when she had the opportunity to select Lauren Jackson and Sue...
12.05.2023
Put Some Respect on These Names!
Sabreena and Zena chat about this week's Power Rankings and give some love to teams and players that haven't shared enough of the spotlight despite their undefeated seasons and impactful performances, respectively. -Follow Zena on X/Twitter: @itszenakeita -Follow Sabreena on X/Twitter: @sabreenajm Learn...
11.30.2023
Cori Close, the Uncommon Coach
Zena sits down with UCLA Bruins Head Coach Cori Close to talk about what makes UCLA a special place to be, the importance of leading with transparency and authenticity in today’s age of sports and the various people who poured...
11.28.2023
Hindsight is 20/20: Three teams that have exceeded expectations already
South Carolina has a high-powered offense that rivals its elite defense, NC State has found a clear identity around elite guard play and Stanford has a dynamic duo in the paint — A few weeks into the season, these three...
11.21.2023
NCAAW Making Rankings A Tough Task
After another chaotic week of upsets, Zena and Sabreena break down the latest power rankings and what goes into ordering teams at this point in the season. They also tap into Zena's post-player roots and highlight some of the standout...
11.17.2023
Charmin Smith, A Woman of Many Talents
Zena chats with Cal Berkeley's Head Women's Basketball Coach, Charmin Smith on her fascinating journey from playing at Stanford to playing in the WNBA to now being a head coach in one of the country's toughest conferences--all while staying true...
11.14.2023
First week surprises, plus bold season-long predictions
A rare in-person conversation between Chantel, Ben and Sabreena breaking down the three biggest shockers from the first week of action. Then, a three-pack of bold predictions about the National Player of the Year race, Final Four sleepers and if...
11.10.2023
The Freshman Are NOT Freshmen
From Paris (where South Carolina's Milaysia Fulwiley and Notre Dame's Hannah Hidalgo showed out) to Cali (where USC's JuJu Watkins impressed) — some of week 1's best performances in NCAA women's hoops came from the first-year players. Plus: Why LSU's...

What's The Athletic Women's Basketball Show about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

The Athletic Women's Basketball Show episodes:

Opening Night Reactions And A Look At The Overall Growth In The WNBA

WNBA Kickoff - Charter Planes, Power Rankings, and Preseason Award Predictions

Preseason Takeaways, Training Camp Cuts, and Who is Golden State’s New GM?

What will Candace Parker's legacy be? And is there a new transfer portal winner?

Transfer portal winner and losers: Iowa, Stanford, Maryland and more

WNBA Draft Reaction: What Were the Biggest Surprises, Steals and Memorable Moments?

WNBA Draft Preview: Will Caitlin Clark Immediately Star for the Fever?

Coaching carousel: Can Tennessee succeed under Kim Caldwell?

South Carolina’s the national champion. Will Dawn Staley win it again in 2025?

Iowa-South Carolina national title game: Who wins it all?

Final Four Predictions: Will Iowa make it back to the national championship?

Final Four breakdowns: Iowa, UConn, South Carolina, NC State

Setting the Sweet Sixteen Table

Sweet 16 Preview and Predictions

A March Madness Pre-Tournament Mailbag

Selection Sunday Reactions

March Showcases Progress and Parity in Women's Hoops

End of an era for the Pac-12

THE ATHLETIC ALL ACCESS - USC's Coach Lindsey Gottlieb

Breaking Down Bracketology

The Athletic All-Access: Ohio State's Cotie McMahon

It’s That Time—Who’s the Conference POY?

The Athletic All-Access: Notre Dame's Niele Ivey and Hannah Hidalgo

Bracket breakdowns and an exciting finish in college hoops

The Athletic's All Access: Virginia Tech's Elizabeth Kitley and Georgia Amoore

A Super Week from NCAA to Team USA

The Athletic All Access: Iowa AHC Jan Jensen

NCAAW's Scoring Dominance on Full Display

The Athletic's All-Access: Las Vegas Aces head coach Becky Hammon

What A Weekend in Women's Hoops

The Athletic's All Access: Greg Bibb, President, CEO and Partner of the Dallas Wings

After all the Upsets, Tara Makes History

The Athletic's All Access: Tara VanDerveer and Kiki Iriafen on the Journey to the All-Time Wins Record, Plus DeWanna Bonner on Her Jersey Retirement

Conference Play is Heating Up!

The Athletic's All Access: Brooke Wyckoff and Ta'Niya Latson

Legal Battles Against the NCAA Could Impact College Basketball’s Future

NCAAW’s Media Deal - Money, Madness or Both?

The End Of Year Women's Hoops Mailbag

Longhorns' Madison Booker and Rori Harmon Join the Show!

Checking In: Transfer Tiers and the Undefeated Club

Talkin’ Money with Napheesa Collier

WNBA Draft lottery reaction and major conference previews

"Here comes the Caitlin Clark WNBA Draft Lottery, with Fever GM Lin Dunn"

Put Some Respect on These Names!

Cori Close, the Uncommon Coach

Hindsight is 20/20: Three teams that have exceeded expectations already

NCAAW Making Rankings A Tough Task

Charmin Smith, A Woman of Many Talents

First week surprises, plus bold season-long predictions

The Freshman Are NOT Freshmen