hasteinbrenner

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				Katie Lou Samuelson of the Dallas Wings, Nneka Ogwumike of the Los Angeles Sparks and Layshia Clarendon of the New York Liberty attend the 2020 Jr. NBA Day.
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				Renee Montgomery of the Atlanta Dream coaches at the 2020 Jr. NBA Day.
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				Layshia Clarendon speaks at the 2020 Jr. NBA Day.
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				Renee Montgomery plays defense at the 2020 Jr. NBA Day.
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				Nneka Ogwumike smiles at the 2020 Jr. NBA Day.
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				Renee Montgomery laughs at the 2020 Jr. NBA Day.
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				Nneka Ogwumike looks on at the 2020 Jr. NBA Day.
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				Katie Lou Samuelson is interviewed during the 2020 Jr. NBA Day.
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Editor&#8217;s Note: Read more WNBA coverage from the Athletic <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/wnba/">here</a>. The views on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of the WNBA or its teams.
***
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-201242" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/07/Thumbnail-32.png" alt="" width="2560" height="1440" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/07/Thumbnail-32.png 2560w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/07/Thumbnail-32-300x169.png 300w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/07/Thumbnail-32-1024x576.png 1024w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/07/Thumbnail-32-768x432.png 768w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/07/Thumbnail-32-1536x864.png 1536w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/07/Thumbnail-32-2048x1152.png 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" />
Tiffany Hayes breathes harder now.
So hard, she can hear herself. Sometimes, she’ll just be sitting, fully relaxed. But her breathing would sound as if she were running. Like she’s mid-workout. Like it’s a struggle.
It’s been some two months since Hayes took a blow to the nostrils on a post-up by Washington Mystics center Shakira Austin. The injury leaves her nasal passage still restricted. The wheeze lives with her for now, until she can address it comprehensively in the offseason. A black protective mask covers her face during games. Multiple hits to the face since then remind her of its necessity.
“The mask is staying for now,” said Hayes, affectionately dubbed “Tip” by most. “It’s chippy out here. People just do a little too much sometimes. So, yeah, it’s definitely going to stay. I like the mask. ‘Masked Tip’ be hooping.”
The irony, though, is that Hayes is breathing easier than she ever has.
Because what she’s inhaling now isn’t the stale, recycled air of others’ expectations. The pressurized toxicity of outside validation no longer fills her lungs. That was another life. Another version of Tip. The Hayes who did what others thought was best. Who quietly pursued affirmation in praise and accolades, who found value in their attainment.
This Hayes, the one who came out of retirement and won Sixth Woman of the Year in 2024, the one who assumed the leadership role of the expansion Golden State Valkyries, has found something rare in pro sports.
Peace.
“I used to do things that were best for other people, and I regret it,” she says now. “So I just try to do what’s best for me. And it’s been working out great.”
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
Perfect tip to Tip 🎯
Kayla Thornton finds Tiffany Hayes for three!
PHX-GSV | League Pass <a href="https://t.co/Aoavmk8xMv">pic.twitter.com/Aoavmk8xMv</a>
&mdash; WNBA (@WNBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/WNBA/status/1944960882087182531?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 15, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
The signing of Hayes, infusing her into the building blocks of this infant franchise, has been one of the best moves in this surprising season.
It took Hayes a long time to reach this enlightenment. She’ll be 36 in September. She’s in her 13th season. But she looks and plays 10 years younger thanks to the fresh air she’s found above the fray. Her value, she’s convinced, is independent of accolades. Her game, her character, her contributions to whatever team she’s on — they’re valuable no matter who sees them.
The peace she owns made jumping into the expansion life an easy call for Hayes. It explains why she seems to be loving it, why she embraces being in the center of this patchwork huddle.
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She came to the Bay without fanfare. No billboard. Just a lowkey deal between a veteran who’d seen it all and a franchise just opening its eyes. Golden State needed credibility. Someone who wouldn’t flinch at what was to come. Hayes needed freedom to be herself, play her game. A place where she could be Tip.
They found each other at the perfect time.
“To be a pioneer is hard,” Valkyries general manager Ohemaa Nyanin said. “This was an opportunity to co-create an experience that would be beneficial for both. She has a beautiful entrepreneurial spirit. And what I pretty much told her was that this is a class in entrepreneurship — 101 to 501 in one year. To really put an idea to paper. To give us a precious year of her career to help build what we thought would be something amazing. … And she took a chance.”
Expansion teams can be a mess. Overwhelmed to the point of disorganization. A locker room lacking cohesion from its hurried collaboration, loaded with misfit pieces and fringe players hoping to carve out relevance.
But the Valkyries? They’ve been shockingly cohesive. Professional. Even joyful at times. They hit a rough patch before the All-Star break, losing five of six. But they’re still in the playoff hunt.
Somehow, Golden State has made it work. In part because of Hayes.
Hayes starred at UConn — from the 90 straight wins era — and spent 10 years with the Atlanta Dream. She made her lone WNBA All-Star appearance in 2017. Should have been more than one, if you ask her. Hayes is now on her third team in three seasons. She retired and came back. She’s started and come off the bench. She excelled at scoring and played defense. She’s played for Team USA and the Azerbaijan women’s national team. Her wealth of experiences made her ideal for this inaugural season. She came in equipped to deal with just about whatever would come.
Including the warmth she’s found. The camaraderie of being on a team furnished with overcomers.
“I still believe that I was an underdog in most of my career,” Hayes said, “and kind of unseen for most of my career. I’ve been having my head down and being a good professional and playing my hardest every single season I’ve been in the league. So to be on a team full of people like that, and a team full of people who want everybody to the left and right to succeed, it’s super dope to be part of. So I’m grateful.”
Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase predicted this. She told Nyanin to go and get Hayes. Nyanin didn’t know Hayes. She knew she’d never heard a bad word about her, and remembers appreciating her reasoning for opting out of the WNBA bubble in 2020.
But Nakase was with Hayes last season in Las Vegas. Nakase was an assistant coach as Hayes came out of retirement to average 9.5 points in 21 minutes off the bench — shooting 50 percent from the field and 40.2 percent from 3.
According to Nyanin, Nakase was certain Hayes would be ideal for the locker room. Nakase knew she’d need a true vet. She also knew Hayes deserved an opportunity like this, to be liberated as a player and leader.
Nakase was proven right immediately. One illustrative moment came after she sustained a nose injury. Hayes missed the next three games. Upon her return, coaches were considering lineup combinations — including Hayes coming off the bench. An early chance to create tension in this new relationship.
But Hayes was clear. She told coaches she didn’t come to the Valkyries to start. She came to win. Whatever it takes.
“And to hear that from your ultimate vet, the person who took a chance on this new franchise,” Nyanin explained. “There’s been a ton of growth (in Hayes), and I’m just grateful to be a part of it.”
Her teammates call her auntie. Auntie Tip.
Auntie is a term of endearment, a reference to the mom-aged woman young people like being around. Aunties are cool, with their cocoa butter and classic music. They don’t call her Auntie Tip just because she’s the eldest on the squad and eight years above the league average. It’s an appreciation of her sophistication and polish. Recognition of the swag that comes with her experience.
“I don’t mind it though,” Hayes said. “It’s whatever. I don’t look like your auntie. I probably look younger than you. But go off.”
Hayes embodies the Valkyrie’s personality. The urgency. The rebellious energy. The aggressiveness. It’s the character of the roster and the foundation of the new franchise. The freedom to compete, to be uninhibited in pursuit of victory.
One play in Minnesota earlier this month, she lost her shoe during a possession and tossed it aside. She ended the same possession by draining a 30-footer. The type of moment to laugh about in film sessions. The type of moment that’s memorable because it meant more than it looked. It was gritty. Unorthodox. Unbothered. Just like this team.
Hayes sets the whatever-it-takes tone. Whether being glued to Caitlin Clark — which is why she’s 7 of 26 from the field against the Valkyries this season, including 2 of 12 from 3 — or lighting up Seattle like she did at Chase Center in June. Hayes’ energy, which still seems endless, feeds the team.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
TUFF BUCKET TIFFANY HAYES!
Tip is up to 14 PTS and counting for the <a href="https://twitter.com/valkyries?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@valkyries</a> 
NYL-GSV | League Pass <a href="https://t.co/Iz8xT2a2R9">pic.twitter.com/Iz8xT2a2R9</a>
&mdash; WNBA (@WNBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/WNBA/status/1938066307871584733?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 26, 2025</a></blockquote>
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Mask on, motor humming, cutting through defenders like it’s 2015 again. There’s still fire in her game. She still boasts the first-step quickness that made her a menace in Atlanta. But what Hayes has now is a calm spirit to match.
Hayes worked for this peace. Earned it. Built it brick by brick out of heartbreak, hard lessons, and a whole lot of self-reflection. Emotionally. Mentally. She’s never been clearer.
She meditates. She prays. She enjoys uplifting music. She savors good food. She consumes fashion. And that’s not to say she likes nice clothes. She can rock gigantic fur pants, or shorts with a blazer, or incorporate 10 ties into her outfit — and make it all look fly.
It’s all part of her bent to stimulate her mind and body.
“I don’t even like to be associated with negativity,” Hayes continued. “Nowadays it’s just like people feed off that, especially in the W. People, the fans, feed off of negativity, and it just seems like that’s growing a little too much for me. And I don’t really like that. So I try to stay out of it. I try to duck the smoke, like the kids say, whatever that is.”
It’s easier to breathe that way.
<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/author/marcus-thompson-ii/">Marcus Thompson II</a> is a lead columnist at The Athletic. He is a prominent voice in the Bay Area sports scene after 18 years with Bay Area News Group, including 10 seasons covering the Warriors and four as a columnist. Marcus is also the author of the best-selling biography &#8220;GOLDEN: The Miraculous Rise of Steph Curry.&#8221;
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tiffany-hayes-breathes-life-into-valkyries-inaugural-season

How Masked Veteran Tiffany Hayes Has Breathed Life into the Valkyries’ Inaugural Season

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
REGARDING THE MAKING OF THE WNBA SCHEDULE
Why are there multiple games on at the same time? Unless a specific game time is required for an allotted national broadcast/streaming window, each WNBA team selects the start time for their home games, taking into account the optimal start times for fans in their market. The WNBA is similar to other sports leagues that have a lot of regular season games start at the same time to accommodate fans who attend games (such as NFL Sundays, NBA, MLB, NHL, etc.). 
 
Who is responsible for scheduling? The league office works with the teams and arenas, who submit to the league a list of dates on which the venues are available. The league then creates the schedule while factoring in additional elements such as, game density, travel, available windows provided by the broadcast networks and streaming partners, key matchups creating compelling national broadcast content, etc. 
 
Why do some teams play games on consecutive days? While WNBA teams infrequently play games on back-to-back dates, “back-to-backs” do occur in the WNBA as teams play more games than those on the college level.  In scheduling games, the WNBA, teams, and our broadcast and streaming partners take into account such variables as arena availability, the maximization of weekend games, travel efficiency, etc. and work to minimize the number of back-to-backs or where possible, schedule them so that the team having the back-to-back has two home games in a row.
Why are there some dates with no games? Dates on which there are no games are a product of a variety of factors including the potential lack of arena availability, an effort to reduce back-to-back games for a team(s), scheduling for reasonable travel by teams, fan demand in attending games on weekends versus weeknights particularly during the school year, filling predetermined broadcast windows (such as scheduling a minimum of two games on Fridays for the standard ION doubleheader the next night, having teams available for predetermined CBS and/or ABC windows on Saturdays, etc.).
Why aren&#8217;t games being televised? There are no other sports televised today, and all these games are on League Pass. Not all games are intended to be nationally televised (similar to other sports with a number of games at or above that of the WNBA). The WNBA has a set number of national TV games as agreed upon with our broadcast and streaming partners, some games are purposely reserved for local/regional broadcast partners, and all non- nationally broadcast or streamed games are available on WNBA League Pass.

the-making-of-the-wnba-schedule

FAQ: The Making of the WNBA Schedule

With All-Star in the rearview, it is full speed ahead as the Playoff push begins.
Only 45 days remain in the regular season, which means every winning streak, every shooting slump, every missed game takes on added importance as the days tick down toward the regular-season finale on Sept. 11.
With the calendar flipping to August this week – and the trade deadline just 10 days away – here’s a look at how the teams stack up entering the home stretch.
1. Minnesota Lynx (22-5)
Last Week: 1 ↔️
This Week: Wed. vs. NYL, Sat. at LVA
It took 15 tries, but a team finally beat the Lynx in Minnesota this season. Sunday’s 90-86 loss to Atlanta snapped Minnesota’s franchise-record 14-game home win streak.
The Lynx became the fourth team to open a season with 14+ home wins, joining the 2001 Sparks (16-0) 2010 Storm (17-0) and 2023 Aces (16-0), who all went on to win the championship that same season.
The next team to test the Lynx at home? The defending champion Liberty, who visit Minnesota on Wednesday (8 ET, ESPN).
2. New York Liberty (17-7)
Last Week: 3 ⬆️
In addition to welcoming Kia Skills champion Natasha Cloud and two-time Starry 3-point champ Sabrina Ionescu back from the All-Star break, the Liberty also saw reigning Finals MVP Jonquel Jones return to the court after a monthlong absence (ankle).
New York is 10-2 with Jones in the lineup, but that record will be tested as the Liberty open a four-game road trip tonight in Dallas without Breanna Stewart, who suffered a lower leg injury early in Saturday’s loss to Los Angeles. Stewart is expected to accompany the team on the trip as they continue to monitor her progress.
The Liberty are the busiest team this week with four games on their plate, highlighted by the Finals rematch with Minnesota on Wednesday.
3. Atlanta Dream (15-10)
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-201186" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/07/Thumbnail-29.png" alt="" width="2560" height="1440" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/07/Thumbnail-29.png 2560w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/07/Thumbnail-29-300x169.png 300w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/07/Thumbnail-29-1024x576.png 1024w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/07/Thumbnail-29-768x432.png 768w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/07/Thumbnail-29-1536x864.png 1536w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/07/Thumbnail-29-2048x1152.png 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" />
Last Week: 6 ⬆️
This Week: Tue. vs. GSV, Wed. at DAL, Fri vs. PHX, Sun. vs. WAS
After falling to Las Vegas in their first game since All-Star,  the Dream knocked off two of the top three teams in the standings to close out the week – defeating the Mercury for the second time in three meetings this season before handing the Lynx their first loss at Target Center this season.
Keep an eye on Brittney Griner, who dropped a season-high 22 points in Sunday’s win over the Lynx. 
4. Phoenix Mercury (16-9)
Last Week: 2 ⬇️
This Week: Wed. at IND, Fri. at ATL, Sun. at CHI
Sunday’s win over the Mystics snapped a season-long three-game losing streak for the Mercury. But double-digit losses to the two teams directly ahead of them in the rankings – Atlanta and New York – drop the Mercury to fourth.
In the win on Sunday, Alyssa Thomas put up numbers (27 pts, 11 reb, 8 ast) only matched by four other players in WNBA history. AT’s season numbers (15.7 ppg, 8.0 rpg. 9.4 apg) have been matched or topped by no player in league history. She is simply a class of one.
5. Seattle Storm (15-11)
Last Week: 4 ⬇️
This Week: Mon. at CON, Fri. vs. LAS, Sun. vs. IND
The Storm are 1-2 coming out of All-Star. In the two losses, Seattle was held to 63 and 58 points, respectively. Sunday’s 58-point total marked the third time the Storm have scored fewer than 60 points this season, and both their offensive rating and scoring average rank ninth in the league – the lowest among all teams playing above .500 ball.
6. Indiana Fever (14-12)
Last Week: 5 ⬇️
This Week: Wed. vs. PHX, Fri. at DAL, Sun. at SEA
Kelsey Mitchell dropped a season-high 35 points with seven 3s to lead the Fever past the Sky to close out a 2-1 week for Indiana. With the win, the Fever improved to 6-7 without Caitlin Clark in the lineup this season (they’re 8-5 when she plays).
On Thursday (July 24), the Fever released an update on Clark, saying there was no set timetable for her return as she continues to recover from a groin injury that has kept her out since July 15.
7. Las Vegas Aces (13-13)
Last Week: 8 ⬆️
This Week: Tue. at LAS, Sat., vs. MIN, Sun. vs. GSV
No team was busier coming out of the break than the Aces, who split four games this past week to remain at .500 ball for the season so far. In Sunday’s win over the Wings, it was Jackie Young (24 pts, 8 ast, 5 3pm) and Jewell Loyd (20 pts, 4 3pm) that combined for 44 points and nine 3s to lead Aces.
With A’ja Wilson leading the WNBA in usage rate (30.2%), getting big nights from players like Young and Loyd eases some of the burden that the three-time MVP brings to the court every night. 
8. Los Angeles Sparks (11-14)
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-201187" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/07/Thumbnail-30.png" alt="" width="2560" height="1440" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/07/Thumbnail-30.png 2560w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/07/Thumbnail-30-300x169.png 300w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/07/Thumbnail-30-1024x576.png 1024w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/07/Thumbnail-30-768x432.png 768w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/07/Thumbnail-30-1536x864.png 1536w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/07/Thumbnail-30-2048x1152.png 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" />
Last Week: 11 ⬆️
This Week: Tue. vs. LVA, Fri. at SEA
The Sparks are the hottest team in the league at this very moment – making a four-spot  rise in this week’s rankings thanks to a five-game win streak that was capped by Rickea Jackson’s game-winning layup at the buzzer.
Jackson finished with 22 points – her third game with 22+ points in the past four contests — as the sophomore forward is one of four Sparks averaging 17+ points during their longest win streak since Aug. 2023: Dearica Hamby &amp; Kelsey Plum (20.8 ppg), Jackson (18.2 ppg) and Azurá Stevens (17.0 ppg).
Can L.A. keep its streak alive when they host the Aces Tuesday and visit the Storm on Friday?
9. Washington Mystics (12-13)
Last Week: 7 ⬇️
This Week: Tue. vs. CHI, Thur. vs. GSV, Sun. at ATL
After winning three straight games prior to All-Star – all decided in clutch time by five points or less – the Mystics have dropped three of their last four contests to fall back below .500 on the season.
The Mystics are 8-5 at home this season and have two more home games this week – Sky on Tuesday and Valkyries on Thursday – as they try to get back on track before hitting the road for four straight. The Mystics are just 4-8 outside of Washington this season
10. Golden State Valkyries (11-13)
Last Week: 9 ⬇️
This Week: Tue. at ATL, Thur. at WAS, Fri. at CHI, Sun. at LVA
On Friday, the Valkyries used a big second half to rally past the Wings for their 11th win of the season. However, they also announced a key loss on that same day – All-Star Kayla Thornton will miss the remainder of the season after suffering a knee injury in practice that required surgery.
Two days later, the Valkyries struggled to score in a loss to the Sun, scoring just 64 points (their second lowest output of the season) in the first game of a five-game road trip that the squad will close out this week.
11. Chicago Sky (7-18)
Last Week: 10 ⬇️
This Week: Tue. at WAS, Fri. vs. GSV, Sun. vs. PHX
After defeating the Lynx on July 12 behind a pair of double-doubles from Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso, the Sky have not won since. Chicago has dropped five straight games by an average of 25.2 points per game.
In order to turn things around, Chicago must find its offense. The Sky rank 12th in scoring on the season (76.8 ppg), but have averaged nearly 11 fewer points during this losing streak (66.0 ppg). 
12. Dallas Wings (7-19)
Last Week: 12 ↔️
This Week: Mon. vs. NYL, Wed. vs. ATL, Fri. vs. IND
Dallas opened its post All-Star schedule with a 24-point over the Storm in Seattle, but was unable to carry that momentum through the remainder of the week – falling to Golden State and Las Vegas.
The Wings have lost six of their last seven games, but have five of their next six contests at home, beginning tonight with the Stewie-less Liberty. It’s the first of three matchups with New York in the span of 11 days.
13. Connecticut Sun (4-20)
Last Week: 13 ↔️
This Week: Mon. vs. SEA, Fri. vs. NYL, Sun. vs. NYL
The Sun didn’t just snap a four-game losing streak with their 95-64 win over the Valkyries on Sunday, they posted their largest win of the season in terms of point differential (+31). It was the 15th win by 30+ points in franchise history.
This week, the Sun continue their season-long six-game homestand by welcoming the Storm (15-11) and Liberty twice (17-7) to Mohegan Sun – two teams that are well above .500. So far this season, Connecticut is 2-11 against winning teams.

2025-wnba-power-rankings-week-9

2025 WNBA Power Rankings: Week 9

The WNBA has officially named 2x WNBA Champion and 3x MVP, Las Vegas Aces star A’ja Wilson, as the first-ever Global Ambassador for the Jr. WNBA. The announcement marks a pivotal moment in the league’s mission to empower young girls through basketball, leadership, and community. 
 “Connecting with youth in the future of this game, it&#8217;s so near and dear to my heart,” Wilson said in an interview with WNBA.com. “I was once in their position, literally not even knowing if I wanted to play basketball, not even knowing if I wanted to stay in sports. And because I did, it allowed me to be the person that I am today.”  
Since 2018, the NBA and WNBA have focused on keeping girls ages 5 through 17 engaged in sports through the Jr. WNBA. The program offers impactful initiatives like Belonging in Basketball resources, created in partnership with non-profit partner Girls Leadership and designed for and by girls to recruit and keep all girls in the game. Jr. WNBA participants also gain access to the Jr. WNBA Vision Box, allowing girls to embrace their creativity and construct a vision board that reflects their passions, dreams, and goals for the future.   
Wilson will participate in Jr. WNBA events hosted at NBA and WNBA marquee events, including on-court instruction &amp; competition and off-court programming aimed to help girls gain confidence, face challenges, and learn the importance of physical and mental wellness.  
Wilson will also serve as the Strategic Advisor to the Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA Court of Leaders, a comprehensive development program for select top high school basketball players who receive support and mentorship from the NBA and WNBA. The program fosters basketball development, personal growth, social impact, and leadership. 
<div id="attachment_201069" style="width: 970px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-201069" class="wp-image-201069" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/07/RS25178_A1308093.jpg" alt="" width="960" height="640" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/07/RS25178_A1308093.jpg 8640w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/07/RS25178_A1308093-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/07/RS25178_A1308093-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/07/RS25178_A1308093-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" />A&#8217;ja Wilson talks to children during the WNBA x AT&amp;T Community Clinic in Indianapolis, Indiana</div>
<h2>More Than a Game </h2>
Candice Haynes, Director of Youth Basketball Development, emphasized the program’s inclusive approach. “We really look at the Jr. WNBA as an opportunity to educate girls on different things they can do, not just as basketball players, but as young women,” she said. “Whether that&#8217;s setting goals, thinking through different career opportunities, or just falling in love with the game and being a fan.”  
Haynes noted that the Jr. WNBA creates a space where girls feel they belong. “We want them to look at the game of basketball as that space.”  
<h2>A Role Model Who Reflects the Mission </h2>
Wilson’s authenticity and relatability made her a natural choice for ambassador. “She already embodies the values of the Jr. WNBA,” Haynes said. “She genuinely cares about young people and the future of young women.” 
 Wilson’s message to young players is simple yet powerful: “If you can see her, you can be her.” She hopes her presence in Jr. WNBA programs will help girls realize their own potential. “If I can just be seen in these spaces and make it look like, ‘Yes, they can do this. You guys are no different from me,’ that’s what I hope my role could be.”   
Wilson’s commitment to youth development extends far beyond the hardwood; the same spirit of visibility and empowerment drives the <a href="https://www.ajawilsonfoundation.org/">A’ja Wilson Foundation</a>, which supports young people with dyslexia in reaching their full potential through workshops, programming, and camps. 
<h2>Leadership Starts Early </h2>
Wilson believes leadership at the youth level is about self-discovery. “It can vary in so many different ways because you&#8217;re still in this stage of figuring out who you are,” she said. “It comes in friendships, and it comes in losses sometimes, but you continue to persevere and know that it&#8217;s always brighter on the other side.”  
She also sees her platform as a tool for advocacy and inclusion. “I&#8217;m blessed to have a platform that can reach the masses. So I’ll continue to speak up for them, being the voice for the voiceless and giving them something they can see, dream of, and want to pursue.” 
<div id="attachment_201071" style="width: 970px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-201071" class="wp-image-201071" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/07/RS25028_A5L03720-a.jpg" alt="" width="960" height="640" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/07/RS25028_A5L03720-a.jpg 8640w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/07/RS25028_A5L03720-a-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/07/RS25028_A5L03720-a-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/07/RS25028_A5L03720-a-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" />Jr. WNBA Host Ari Chambers and A&#8217;ja Wilson sit for a discussion at the WNBA x AT&amp;T Community Clinic in Indianapolis, Indiana</div>
WNBA media personality Ari Chambers regularly hosts Jr. WNBA events and attended the Jr. WNBA x AT&amp;T Community Clinic during AT&amp;T WNBA All-Star 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. More than 100 girls ages 7 and up were able to participate in basketball clinics, vision board sessions, and sit and listen to WNBA players such as Wilson, Courtney Williams, and Dijonai Carrington. Chambers sees the program as a catalyst for connection. “The whole point is to keep girls in sport past the age of 14,” she said. “Most of them said what they love most about basketball is the friendships they make. These are core memories they experience with their friends.” 
Chambers added that the Jr. WNBA is more than skill development on the court. “Not only do we build better basketball players, but we build better character along the way.” 
<h2>A Vision for the Future </h2>
Looking ahead, Wilson hopes her work will inspire a new generation of leaders. “I would love to see someone take my space,” she said. “A young girl who was once sitting down on that basketball is now coming back when she&#8217;s a WNBA All-Star, and she&#8217;s now ‘the new A’ja.’ That is what I see for the longevity of this program.”  
Haynes echoed that vision: “She’s where these young people want to be. She’s an MVP, she’s a champion. But she’s also been successful off the court. That example is so important.” 
With Wilson at the helm, the Jr. WNBA is poised to reach new heights both in the U.S. and globally. Her message to young girls everywhere is clear: “You guys are no different from me… dream big and believe in yourselves.”  
 
The Jr. WNBA is the WNBA’s initiative dedicated to championing change on behalf of girls and women and providing them with ways to connect, collaborate, and actively engage with basketball and one another. For more information, visit the website <a href="https://jr.nba.com/hertimetoplay/">HERE</a>.

aja-wilson-named-jr-wnba-global-ambassador

A'ja Wilson Champions Next Generation as Jr. WNBA Global Ambassador

Now that the All-Star break has come and gone, the second half of the WNBA’s regular season gets underway on Tuesday. The focus will soon shift to the playoff picture for the final months of the 2025 campaign.
The Minnesota Lynx might stand alone atop the latest WNBA standings, but the New York Liberty remain the betting favorites to win this year’s championship at the BetMGM <a href="https://sports.betmgm.com/en/sports">online sportsbook</a>. The Liberty defeated the Lynx in last year’s WNBA Finals for their first title.
New York is now trading at +140 to win the championship, translating to an implied probability of 41.67% to go back-to-back. The Liberty, who started with a +200 value when the market opened, have received 9.6% of all championship bets and 11% of the handle at BetMGM.
The Liberty began the year with a 9-0 record, which was tied for the fourth-best undefeated start in WNBA history. They have gone 6-6 since then, a stretch that coincides with Jonquel Jones being sidelined with an injury. Jones is expected to return after the break.
Minnesota also started 9-0 this year and has maintained that momentum. The Lynx are 20-4 coming out of the break, which includes a 12-0 clip at home. They have gone from +400 to +200 (33.33% implied probability) in the <a href="https://sports.betmgm.com/en/blog/wnba/wnba-championship-odds-bm23/">WNBA championship odds</a> market, receiving 14% of bets and 11.4% of the handle.
The biggest risers in this market have been the Phoenix Mercury, who are now +600 to win it all after starting with a +4000 price tag. They are currently the No. 3 seed in the updated WNBA playoff picture.
Despite a 12-11 record at the break, the Indiana Fever are the only other team listed better than 20/1 to claim the title. They are +700 due to the betting action, having received 41.3% of bets and 59.6% of the handle.
The Las Vegas Aces (+2000), Seattle Storm (+2000), and Atlanta Dream (+2200) round out the teams better than 80/1. Las Vegas opened at +400, while Seattle started at +900. Atlanta has climbed from its starting price tag of +4000.
WNBA Championship Odds 2025
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Liberty +140</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Lynx +200</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Mercury +600</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Fever +700</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Aces +2000</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Storm +2000</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Dream +2200</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Valkyries +8000</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Mystics +17500</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Sky +40000</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Sparks +40000</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Wings +50000</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Sun +75000</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
Visit the BetMGM sportsbook throughout the season for updated WNBA futures, including <a href="https://sports.betmgm.com/en/sports/basketball-7/betting/usa-9/wnba-402">WNBA Finals odds</a>. You can also view updated <a href="https://sports.betmgm.com/en/blog/latest-sports-betting-promotions-offers-betmgm-2/">sportsbook promos</a>, including a First Bet Offer for eligible new customers.

liberty-remain-betting-favorites-second-half-of-season

Liberty Remain Betting Favorites to Begin Second Half of WNBA Season

<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-201011" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/07/Thumbnail-25.png" alt="" width="2560" height="1440" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/07/Thumbnail-25.png 2560w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/07/Thumbnail-25-300x169.png 300w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/07/Thumbnail-25-1024x576.png 1024w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/07/Thumbnail-25-768x432.png 768w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/07/Thumbnail-25-1536x864.png 1536w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/07/Thumbnail-25-2048x1152.png 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" />
2025 All Star weekend happened in the blink of an eye. Team Clark was handed a hearty loss by Team Collier this past weekend, and both the Skills Challenge and 3-point contest were dominated by New York Liberty guards. 
The game, specifically, offered a great glimpse into the camaraderie shared by WNBA players right now, with mostly goofy moves and ridiculous shot attempts making up the contest that ended up being a blowout thanks to All Star game MVP Napheesa Collier.  
Another aspect to the contest that really showed the support offered by WNBA players to one another was the three rookies featured during this weekend’s festivities. Washington Mystics rookies Kiki Iriafen and Sonia Citron, and Dallas Wings rookie Paige Bueckers, were all over the place representing the neophytes of the league. 
Citron participated in the 3-point contest alongside Indiana Fever guard Lexie Hull, Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu, Atlanta Dream guard Allisha Gray, and Los Angeles Sparks guard Kelsey Plum. While she didn’t advance to the final round, she still ended up walking home with half of the winnings from the challenge &#8211; and, that’s all thanks to Ionescu promising Citron half of her $62,575 prize. 
“Well, I told Sonia I would give her half if I won when we were sitting on the bench, as being the only rookie, and she was nervous. I was nervous for her. I’ll obviously hold up my end of the bargain. So, half is gonna go to her. Just for participating. That takes a lot of courage to do that as a rookie, I was really proud of her,” <a href="https://x.com/robinlundberg/status/1946385105938731105">said Ionescu</a> in a press conference after winning her second 3-point contest in three years. 
Citron’s teammate, Iriafen, also received some grace from a Liberty player over the weekend. During the All-Star game, Iriafen badly airballed her first three point shot attempt, holding her hands to her head in disbelief at how bad the shot ended up being. Then, in the final seconds of the fourth quarter, she attempted another deep shot &#8211; a 4-pointer &#8211; and made it with ease. 
This time, that shot attempt was only possible thanks to a turnover-slash-assist from Breanna Stewart off a rebound on a missed shot by Team Clark. Stewart saw Iriafen standing in front of her and gave her the ball for a last second shot, which she completed. It was a wonderful showing of sportsmanship from the veteran Stewart, and it gave Iriafen a signature All-Star game moment in her very first appearance. 
As for Bueckers, the third rookie featured over the weekend, she didn’t have as many noteworthy moments thanks to veterans other than clips in practice of her <a href="https://x.com/WNBA/status/1946227045509271913">going at it with Collier</a>, her team captain, <a href="https://x.com/YahooSports/status/1946238733646229793">and Plum</a>, her Team Collier teammate. Both obviously respect Bueckers’ weapons on offense, even though she’s a first year player. 
All three of the rookies featured in this year’s All-Star events are considered the front runners for Rookie of the Year honors at the end of the year. Bueckers had a slow start to the season with Dallas, but has begun to heat up as we head into the second half of the year. She’s currently averaging 18.4 points per game along with 5.5 assists, 1.7 steals, and four rebounds. She leads the rookie class in scoring, with Citron on her tail with 14.1 points per game.
Citron does hold the best three point shot percentage amongst rookies that have taken more than 60 attempts from deep this season, hitting her three pointers at a clip of 36.5 percent so far this year. Citron is also averaging five rebounds per game, which is second-best amongst rookies in the league this year &#8211; second best to her teammate, Iriafen, who is averaging 8.5 rebounds per game.
Iriafen is nearly averaging a double double in her rookie season, touching almost 12 points per game in addition to her rebounding. 
Often, in a race this tight, you look to see how much each rookie has impacted winning. Last year, it was obvious that Caitlin Clark was the rookie impacting her team’s ability to win the most amongst all first year players that qualified for the award. This year, the Mystics do have the edge in terms of their record headed into the second half of the season. But, Bueckers’ impact on the Wings could sway things in her favor &#8211; she’s one of their most consistent scorers this season, helping to lessen the blow of a down year from Arike Ogunbowale. 
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-201013" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/07/Thumbnail-26.png" alt="" width="2560" height="1440" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/07/Thumbnail-26.png 2560w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/07/Thumbnail-26-300x169.png 300w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/07/Thumbnail-26-1024x576.png 1024w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/07/Thumbnail-26-768x432.png 768w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/07/Thumbnail-26-1536x864.png 1536w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/07/Thumbnail-26-2048x1152.png 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" />
Player Impact Estimate, or PIE, is a good tool to use to figure out the individual impact that a player is having on their teams’ chances at winning contests. Right now, Bueckers has the biggest PIE (​​12.7) amongst rookies who have played a majority of games this year, with Seattle Storm rookie Dominique Malonga right behind her at 12.5. Washington’s rookies follow her, with Iriafen earning a 12.1 PIE and Citron an 11.8. 
All three rookies are set to make their respective pushes for the award in the second half of this season, and the momentum they’re carrying from a successful All-Star weekend should make that push must-watch television for WNBA fans. 
WNBA reporter Candace Pedraza writes columns on <a href="http://wnba.com/">WNBA.com</a> throughout the season. The views on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of the WNBA or its teams.

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