Literally jumping for joy
From The GIST (hi@thegistsports.com)
Leveling The Playing Field
Gotta get down on Friday!
Catch us channeling NY Mets pitcher Jefry Yan’s energy all weekend long. Jumping for joy…literally.
FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup
🏀 Euro summer, extended version
The GIST: USA Basketball managing director Sue Bird dropped the red, white, and blue’s 12-player FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup (WWC) roster yesterday — and it’s 100% stacked. Here’s more on the tourney before it tips off in Berlin next month, plus the WNBA superstars who’ll be repping the stars and stripes.
🏆 The tournament: Just like its soccer counterpart, the FIBA WWC is held every four years. The 2026 edition will run from September 4th to 13th in Berlin while the WNBA is on international break. Team USA has won 11 of the 19 WWCs contested and is seeking its sixth consecutive gold medal.
- Unfortunately, Team Canada won’t be in action after they failed to qualify for the WWC in March. Thankfully, there’ll likely be some familiar Toronto Tempo faces to cheer for, including head coach Sandy Brondello who’ll helm Australia.
💪 The Team USA roster: A star-studded mix of vets and first-timers, Team USA boasts four-time W MVP A’ja Wilson, two-time MVP Breanna Stewart, and defensive legend Napheesa Collier, along with WWC newbies like Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers, and Angel Reese.
- As for the snubs, fans were surprised to see hoopers like FIBA 3x3 gold medalist Kelsey Mitchell (Indiana Fever), Olympic gold medalist and 2022 WWC player Sabrina Ionescu (NY Liberty), and rookie WNBA MVP contender Olivia Miles (Minnesota Lynx) left off the roster.
📅 Mark your calendar: The U.S. will face China (September 4th), Italy (September 6th), and Czechia (September 7th) in the group stage. Yes, they’re loaded with talent, but their gold medal pursuit won’t be without challenges. Other squads are only getting more competitive, including France, who gave Team USA a tough time at the 2024 Olympics. No pressure, no diamonds.
⚽ The WAFCON quarter-finals kick off tomorrow, with hosts Morocco chasing a storybook run to the semis before defending champs Nigeria look to keep their trophy chase alive on Sunday.
🏀 The Las Vegas Aces got their revenge last night, silencing the Indiana Fever with an 86–84 overtime road win behind 26 points from who else but A’ja Wilson and a game-winner from Chelsea Gray. So clutch.
🏈 Detroit Lions running back (RB) Jahmyr Gibbs signed a three-year, $67.5M extension yesterday, making him the NFL’s highest-paid RB ever. The Motor City is keeping its engine.
📅⚽ The NWSL released their 2027 calendar on Wednesday, confirming the regular season will begin on February 11th in order to accommodate a seven-week summer pause for both CBA–mandated rest and the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
⚾ NY Yankees superstar Aaron Judge was cleared for “light activity” earlier this week, great news for Pinstripe fans as the slugger works his way back from a rib injury that’s sidelined him for over two months.
💰 Eleven men’s World Cup U.S. host cities are still waiting on their FIFA promised $1 million “legacy” contributions to be used for local soccer projects. Hmmm.
🎾 World No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz’s US Open title defense just hit a snag. The reigning champ withdrew from the upcoming Cincinnati Open with a lingering wrist injury that’s kept him out of competition since April, casting further doubt on his Flushing Meadows return.
🥎 Softball fans, rejoice. The AUSL All-Star Cup — an individual tournament featuring AUSL’s top 45 players — begins tomorrow, kicking off four consecutive weekends of play to crown a winner. Hey now.
TOGETHER WITH BMO
⚽️ Coach said it best back in June: Our team are "Canadian heroes for the children of this country,” and BMO is turning that inspiration into opportunities for the next generation of soccer players.
- ⭐ Through grassroots initiatives like BMO Girls Play, Kids Play, and Gen26, BMO is giving more athletes the chance to fall in love with soccer.
📈 It's just part of a long-term commitment to growing the beautiful game: BMO supports more than one million young athletes, coaches, and volunteers across North America. Not all heroes wear capes — some wear cleats.
🎾 Canadian Open: Round of 32 — Leylah Fernandez vs. Mirra Andreeva — Today at 1:40 p.m. ET — Sportsnet
- Hometown hero No. 34 Fernandez takes on Russian rising star Andreeva in today’s day session. Fernandez enjoyed the home-court boost while cruising past Mexico’s Renata Zarazúa yesterday but will now have to contend with a 19-year-old phenom skyrocketing up the rankings.
⛳ Golf: Wyndam Championship — Ongoing — TSN+
- It’s crunch time in Greensboro, NC, after No. 165 Beau Hossler jumped out to an early lead in yesterday’s opening round. Playoff spots are on the line at this tourney, giving golfers one last chance to secure their place in the upcoming FedEx Cup field.
⚽ NSL: Ottawa Rapid FC vs. AFC Toronto — Sunday at 2 p.m. ET — TSN
- Fresh off securing the thrilling first win of the inaugural W Canadian Championship, league-leading Ottawa heading to the 6ix riding an NSL regular-season record nine-game unbeaten streak. Will third-place Toronto be the team to break their stride?
Today’s email was brought to you by Alessandra Puccio, Lauren Tuiskula, and Grace DePaull. Fact-checking by Elisha Gunaratnam. Ops by Elisha Gunaratnam and Briana Ekanem. Managing edits by Lauren Tuiskula. Head of content Ellen Hyslop.