The world is still buzzing about women's basketball
The GIST: It’s been over a week since LSU claimed the national championship, but the world is still buzzing about women’s basketball. With super-high demand for next season’s tickets, a ton of momentum heading into media rights negotiations, and even SNL taking notice, the sport’s party is still raging. Here’s what has the women’s hoops world wired this week.
The Draft: Monday’s record-breaking WNBA Draft lit Twitter on fire, and not just because the draftees left no crumbs. South Carolina’s four “Freshies” were all selected in the first two rounds, led by the inevitable No. 1 overall pick, Aliyah Boston. Victaria Saxton was the first third-rounder, bringing the Gamecocks’ draft total to five and making HC Dawn Staley proud.
- UConn’s Lou Lopez Sénéchal surprised as the No. 5 overall pick, but it was LSU’s Alexis Morris who really shone: Her standout NCAA tourney performance boosted her from below the WNBA radar to the No. 22 overall pick. Talk about a glow-up.
The transfer portal: The portal also popped off over the weekend, headlined by announcements that Hailey Van Lith is looking for a post-Louisville home while Sedona Prince jumped from Oregon to TCU. A ton of talent remains in transfer limbo, leaving fans wondering how this pseudo-free agency period will inject chaos into next season.
- However, lots of players are choosing to stay put, including four of Iowa’s starting five. Though they’ll be without the freshly drafted Monika Czinano, these Hawkeyes’ loyalty could land them next year’s natty.
Zooming out: Just two years ago, women ballers were barred from using March Madness branding all while being subjected to the world’s sh!ttiest weight room. Now, their game is garnering more attention and hype than ever — arguably, even more than the men’s collegiate game is receiving right now. HYFR.
