The9450

This week, Kevin "Kdot" Lewis and Lolivia Pope take a step away from the box scores and dive into the bigger stories shaping the WNBA.

As the league celebrates its historic 30th season, Kdot and Lo discuss whether the WNBA is doing enough to honor its rich history and the legends who built the game. They also examine the rise of Minnesota Lynx rookie Olivia Miles and why she already looks like one of the league's next stars.

Plus, the crew explores the growing impact of French basketball on the WNBA, highlighting Pauline Astier, Marine Johannès, Janelle Salaün, and Dominique Malonga, while discussing what international talent means for the future growth of the league.

Topics: • WNBA Season 30 and league storytelling • Olivia Miles' impressive rookie campaign • Pauline Astier's emergence with New York • Marine Johannès' continued impact • Janelle Salaün's breakout season • Dominique Malonga's long-term potential • The globalization of the WNBA • What's next for the league's future

Follow: 📲 @kdotlew3h 📲 @lolobyke 📲 @The9450

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Olivia Miles is 11 games into her rookie season and she’s already a star. 17.2 points, 6.4 assists, 5.0 rebounds per game. A WNBA rookie record for three-pointers in a single game. Double figures in every game she’s played. Today we give her her flowers, and talk about why her game is built different.

Cast your mind back to Paris 2024: Team USA vs. France, and Gabby Williams’ foot just inches on the three-point line. That moment proved the global talent gap has vanished. This week, Daniel Artest responds directly to online criticism regarding the influx of international players in the expanded 15-team league. A rising tide lifts all boats. Find out how international eyeballs turn into higher salaries for your favorite American superstars.

Follow: @The9450 @danielmartest

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Description: The 2026 WNBA rookie class isn’t waiting. Daniel Artest breaks down who’s showing out and who’s arrived.

Follow: @The9450 @danielmartest

Subscribe to Keep’n It 9450 on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube and everywhere you get your podcasts.

The WNBA season is already delivering surprises and this week on Keep’n It 9450, Kevin “Kdot” Lewis and Lolivia Pope break down the biggest storylines from opening week.

The crew dives into the Atlanta Dream nearly shocking the defending champion Las Vegas Aces, why Chicago Sky and Washington Mystics are playing well above expectations early, and what’s going wrong with the Los Angeles Sparks. Plus, discussions on Sonia Citron’s breakout performance, Rickea Jackson’s emergence, Chelsea Gray’s clutch gene, and early concerns surrounding Indiana’s defense.

Topics Include:

• Dream vs Aces recap
• Sky vs Valkyries recap
• Mystics vs Fever overtime thriller
• Chicago Sky exceeding expectations
• Washington Mystics young core discussion
• LA Sparks struggles
• Teams and players making early statements

Follow: @The9450 @KdotLew3h @Lolobyke

Subscribe to Keep’n It 9450 on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube and everywhere you get your podcasts.

Daniel Artest opens the first ever episode of Real Basketball Talk: No Hot Takes with something personal. TC31 has officially retired. Tina Charles. Queens bred, UConn made, WNBA legend announced her retirement after 15 years of professional basketball, and Daniel gives her every flower she deserves. Then we talk about Chennedy Carter reminding this league exactly who she is in Las Vegas. The Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo both get their first franchise wins, and the stories behind them are bigger than the scores. And we close on a somber note, honoring Cigi McCollin, a Queens girl, a Hofstra legend, and someone Daniel knew personally, who passed away following a battle with cancer.

No hot takes. Just real basketball talk. Every week.

🎙️ Subscribe: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the9450/id1563350360

This week on She’s Always Had Game, Ruthie Bolton joins Zachary Draves for a powerful conversation about legacy, perseverance, faith, and the evolution of women’s basketball.

Known as “Mighty Ruthie,” Bolton was one of the original stars of the WNBA and the face of the Sacramento Monarchs franchise. A two-time Olympic Gold Medalist, Women’s Basketball Hall of Famer, All-WNBA selection, and former standout at Auburn Tigers women’s basketball, Ruthie reflects on her historic basketball journey and the sacrifices made by the pioneers who helped build the foundation of today’s game.

Zach and Ruthie discuss:

• The early days of the WNBA
• The impact of the legendary 1996 USA Olympic Team
• Playing for the Sacramento Monarchs
• Overcoming adversity on and off the court
• Faith, purpose, and healing through basketball
• The growth of women’s basketball across generations
• Why today’s players should understand the history of the game

Ruthie also opens up about life beyond basketball, including her advocacy work, motivational speaking, and commitment to empowering young athletes through her life experiences and testimony.

This is more than a basketball conversation — it’s a reflection on resilience, legacy, and the women who paved the way for the modern game.

The WNBA is BACK and Keep’n It 9450 returns with Kevin “Kdot” Lewis and Lolivia “Lolo” Pope breaking down everything from opening weekend of the 2026 WNBA season.

From Toronto Tempo’s historic debut to overtime battles, rookie standouts, MVP-level performances, and controversial officiating discussions — the league wasted absolutely no time delivering storylines.

This episode includes:

• Washington Mystics vs Toronto Tempo reactions
• New York Liberty vs Washington Mystics OT thriller
• Golden State Valkyries vs Phoenix Mercury takeaways
• Las Vegas Aces vs Los Angeles Sparks breakdown
• Seattle Storm vs Connecticut Sun reactions
• Atlanta Dream vs Minnesota Lynx analysis
• Rookie debut evaluations
• Early MVP conversations
• League-wide officiating discussion
• Biggest surprises from opening weekend

Kevin and Lolo also discuss:

• Marine Johannès catching fire
• Pauline Astier’s breakout performance
• Expansion team expectations
• If officiating is already becoming a problem league-wide

Follow: @kdotlew3h @The9450 @lolobyke

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🎙️ The9450 Presents: Daniel Artest’s 2026 WNBA Season Preview

Get ready for a deep dive into the 2026 WNBA season as Daniel Artest breaks down everything you need to know heading into tip-off. From title contenders to breakout stars, this episode sets the stage for what could be one of the most competitive seasons in league history.

🔥 Episode Breakdown

🏆 Championship Contenders

• Can the Las Vegas Aces maintain their dominance with their core still intact?
• Are the New York Liberty positioned to finally get over the hump after multiple deep playoff runs?
• Where do the new expansion teams fit in the contender tier?

📈 Teams on the Rise

• The evolution of the Indiana Fever as they continue building around their young core.
• Atlanta Dream and their system identity heading into a full season under their current coaching philosophy.
• Dallas Wings and their ability to turn talent into consistent wins.

👀 X-Factors & Wildcards

• The ceiling of the Phoenix Mercury and how roster balance impacts their playoff push.
• What to expect from the Chicago Sky in a transitional phase.
• Can the Minnesota Lynx outperform expectations yet again with a new look roster?

🌟 Players to Watch

• MVP candidates and early favorites shaping the narrative.
• Second-year leaps (including the continued evolution of rising stars across the league).
• Impact rookies entering the league and how they fit immediately.

🧠 Key Storylines

• Pace, spacing, and the evolution of offensive systems across the league.
• Defensive versatility becoming a defining trait for contenders.
• The growing impact of analytics and player tracking.

🎯 What Makes This Episode Different

Daniel Artest brings a film-room meets culture perspective—blending X’s and O’s with the energy, storytelling, and real conversations that define the WNBA space.

📲 Stay Connected

• Follow: @The9450
• Subscribe to The9450 on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube
• Tap in for weekly WNBA coverage, breakdowns, and exclusive interviews

💬 Tap in, subscribe, and don’t miss a moment of the 2026 WNBA season.

In this episode, we delve into one of the most significant eras in women’s college basketball—the mid-2000s Rutgers program—and explore the enduring legacy established under Hall of Fame coach C. Vivian Stringer.

From the historic 2007 National Championship run by the Rutgers Scarlet Knights women’s basketball team to the national attention surrounding the Don Imus Rutgers controversy, this program transcended mere competition. It played a pivotal role in shaping culture, fostering resilience, and redefining what it meant to represent something greater than basketball.

Joining the show is Brittany Wallace (formerly Brittany Ray), a Bronx-born guard who emerged from Rutgers during that transformative era. She became an integral part of the foundation that sustained the program’s unparalleled excellence. Brittany shares her journey, the rigorous standards set within the program, and how playing under Stringer profoundly influenced her approach to the game and her life beyond it.

This conversation goes beyond statistics and accolades, delving into the realm of legacy, identity, and the profound impact of Rutgers women’s basketball on the sport.

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and share with someone who understands the culture of the game.

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