The previous week was full of women’s basketball news. Here are the key updates:
Hall of Fame Nominees
The nominees for the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2025 were announced on Thursday, featuring several women’s basketball legends.
Notable first-time player nominees include Sue Bird, Sylvia Fowles, and Maya Moore. However, the list also includes other deserving candidates like Chamique Holdsclaw, Ticha Penicheiro, Taj McWilliams-Franklin, Ruth Riley, Jennifer Azzi, and Cheryl Ford.
The list of coaching nominees includes Lisa Bluder and Mike Thibault, among others.
Penny Taylor, the 1982 Cheyney State Final Four team, and other veterans are also part of the nominee list.
Unrivaled Updates
Cameron Brink and Katie Lou Samuelson have joined Unrivaled, a 3×3 professional league.
Brink will be part of the Lunar Owls, while Samuelson will play for Phantom.
There was also a trade involving Courtney Williams, Natasha Cloud, Jackie Young, and Tiffany Hayes.
The players have been shuffled between different clubs.
Unrivaled also announced new investors, including notable names from the sports world.
USC sophomore JuJu Watkins is one of the investors with plans to play in the league professionally.
The league also partnered with Miller Lite.
A’ja x Nike
A’ja Wilson signed a contract extension with Nike for her signature shoe line.
Las Vegas Aces star A’ja Wilson – a three-time WNBA MVP and two-time league champion – is signing a six-year contract extension with Nike in one of the richest shoe deals for a women’s basketball player, sources told ESPN. pic.twitter.com/oJRMJx7mRB
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) December 17, 2024
WNBA Goes International
The WNBA will play a regular season game in Canada in 2025.
The Atlanta Dream and Seattle Storm will face off in Vancouver for the third WNBA Canada Game.
Vancouver, it’s YOUR time
For the first time ever, the W will play an international regular-season game. Watch the Atlanta Dream take on the Seattle Storm on August 15, 2025, at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, B.C. for the 3rd WNBA Canada Game.
️ Register for presale tickets… pic.twitter.com/O3b5RK6rLL
— WNBA (@WNBA) December 16, 2024
Mystics GM and Head Coach
The Washington Mystics are close to naming their new GM and head coach.
Eli Horowitz and Monica Wright Rogers are among the candidates for the GM role.
Lindsey Harding is a potential candidate for the head coaching position.
Courtney Paris Joins Sky Staff
Courtney Paris has been hired as an assistant coach for the Chicago Sky.
Paris brings a wealth of basketball experience to her new role.
Every time we played Dallas, I always found myself watching Courtney’s pregame work with their post players & loved what she was doing. She brings so much value on & off the floor. First hire & couldn’t be happier to have Court on board & believing in the vision! https://t.co/ew5ymWzVCr
— Tyler Marsh (@hoop4thought) December 18, 2024
Paris is excited to work with Coach Marsh and the Sky players.
She is committed to supporting the players both on and off the court.
Paris is looking forward to contributing to the team’s success.
Athletes Unlimited Updates
The roster for the upcoming season of Athletes Unlimited continues to grow with players like Elizabeth Williams and Charisma Osborne joining.
Several players have been active in Nashville, engaging with the community.
