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The GIST: Hours into National Girls and Women in Sports Day (NGWSD) on Wednesday, President Trump signed an executive order barring trans athletes from competing in women’s sports. And the NCAA followed suit yesterday, limiting collegiate women’s competition to athletes who were born female, effective immediately.

The context: While not law, an executive order is a written directive from the highest office in the land, ordering the U.S. government to prioritize whatever policies the president sees fit — and Trump is no stranger to anti-trans rhetoric, a stance that unfortunately sees widespread support across the country.

• But from the youth level to high school to college, it’s difficult to know exactly how many trans athletes there are in the U.S., though it is not believed to be many.

• In December 2024, NCAA President Charlie Baker testified that he was aware of fewer than 10 trans athletes among the 544K student-athletes competing at the NCAA level.

• Yesterday, Baker cited the “clear national standard” established by Trump as the basis for the NCAA’s new trans athlete ban.

The impact: Under Trump’s order, schools and athletic programs can now be held liable for violating Title IX — the U.S. federal law that forbids discrimination on the basis of sex — if trans athletes compete in girls’ or women’s sports. Infractions could result in federal funding being pulled.

• One day after the order, the Education Department is already investigating San Jose State University and the University of Pennsylvania, where Title IX violations have been reported regarding trans athlete participation on women’s teams.

• As the stats and stories shared on NGWSD show, participating in sports has an immeasurable positive impact, on the field and beyond. To strip trans folks of that opportunity marginalizes an already-vulnerable group — sports are for all girls and women. Full stop.

How to help: Consider supporting groups like Athlete Ally and You Can Play, who work tirelessly to ensure the LGBTQIA+ community, and specifically trans athletes, are welcomed in sport. The fight has only just begun.

The GIST: The postseason is only a month away, adding a little extra spice to intraconference showdowns. These latest top-25 matchups have everything from major seeding implications, to history-making outcomes, to jaw-dropping stats. Lock in now.

No. 19 Tennessee stuns No. 5 UConn: For the first time since 2007 — when Candace Parker played for the Vols — Tennessee defeated the Huskies 76–80 last night. Junior Zee Spearman led the way with 16 points and seven rebounds, while Samara Spencer, Jewel Spear, and Talaysia Cooper also finished in double-figures for the well-balanced, history-making Vols. Rocky Top, indeed.

No. 1 UCLA stays undefeated: The Bruins passed yet another test, handing No. 8 Ohio State just their second loss of the season with a 65–52 rout on Wednesday. Bruins center Lauren Betts continued to garner Player of the Year buzz with 19 points and 14 rebounds. A true LA star.

Sundell leads No. 12 Kansas State past No. 9 TCU: With K-State star center Ayoka Lee out due to injury, point guard Serena Sundell put the team on her back in Wednesday’s 59–50 win over TCU. Sundell scored a season-high 27 points, including 15 in the third quarter alone, to help the Wildcats capture the Big 12’s top spot from the Horned Frogs. Feeling hot, hot, hot.

Eleven players score in South Carolina blowout: The No. 2 team in the country is synonymous with depth, but the Gamecocks took it to another level in their 74–42 win over Georgia, with 11 of 12 players scoring at least a point. The game’s two leading scorers, sophomores MiLaysia Fulwiley and Tessa Johnson, led the way off the bench with 13 and 12 points, respectively. Sharing the love.

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🤸 Women’s gymnastics: No. 1 Oklahoma Sooners vs. No. 8 Kentucky Wildcats — Tonight at 8:15 p.m. ET — SEC Network

• The country’s top team is looking for its 14th straight win against SEC opponent Kentucky. Prep for a star-studded clash between Big 12 all-around champion Jordan Bowers of Oklahoma and Kentucky’s Skylar Killough-Wilhelm, who’s coming off all-around wins in two consecutive meets. Let’s go, girls.

🏒 Women’s hockey: No. 1 Wisconsin Badgers vs. No. 3 Minnesota Golden Gophers — Tomorrow at 3 p.m. ET and Sunday at 1 p.m. ET — Big Ten Plus

• With just three weekends left until conference tournaments, this border battle is extra important. Wisconsin hasn’t lost since November 16th, while Minnesota needs to bounce back after last Sunday’s brutal 7–3 loss to No. 2 Ohio State.

🏀 Men’s basketball: No. 1 Auburn Tigers vs. No. 6 Florida Gators — Tomorrow at 4 p.m. ET — ESPN2

• Florida is seeking its second win over a No. 1 team after knocking off Tennessee on January 7th. The Gators are known for their defense, but will it be enough to hold Auburn forward Johni Broome, who averages 18.1 points a game, in check?

🥎 Softball: NFCA Leadoff Classic: No. 15 Missouri Tigers vs. No. 8 Duke Blue Devils — Tomorrow at 1 p.m. ET — Streaming on the GameChanger App

• It’s all about the youngsters for Missouri, with three players — Madison Uptegrove, Saniya Hill, and Nevaeh Watkins — named to the 2025 Softball America Freshman watchlist.

• Meanwhile, Duke will lean on a trio of juniors, who were all named to the Preseason All-ACC team: Cassidy Curd, D’Auna Jennings, and Aminah Vega. It is so on.

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