2 months ago
The WNBA season is coming to a screeching halt for two weeks because of the Fiba Women's World Cup, which runs from 4-13 September in Berlin. Yes, it's weird timing this close to the playoffs, but also yes, the World Cup is really important.
Maybe you're reading this thinking about how the Atlanta Dream have won five of their last six games and need to keep riding the momentum, but I personally will never say no to more women's basketball. You get to watch your favorite W players compete on the world stage, you get to watch Olympic-level competition in a non-Olympic year, and you get a reminder that Dominique Malonga could dunk in a World Cup game while repping France. All of the tournament's games will stream live on HBO Max, with select games airing on TNT and TruTV. Consider this your all-in primer to get you hyped to keep watching hoops during this WNBA hiatus.
The Fiba Women's Basketball World Cup is held every four years and features the world's best national teams competing for a gold medal. The US have earned gold at four straight World Cups and have won 11 ***** les overall.
The winner of the World Cup will automatically qualify for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. There are other pre-qualifying tournaments (EuroBasket, Asia Cup, AmeriCup, and AfroBasket) next year, and then the final spots will be secured at the Fiba Olympic qualifying tournament in February 2028.
As hosts, the US automatically qualified for the Olympics, so if they win the World Cup, another qualifying spot will be added at the February 2028 tournament.
#olympic #olympics
Maybe you're reading this thinking about how the Atlanta Dream have won five of their last six games and need to keep riding the momentum, but I personally will never say no to more women's basketball. You get to watch your favorite W players compete on the world stage, you get to watch Olympic-level competition in a non-Olympic year, and you get a reminder that Dominique Malonga could dunk in a World Cup game while repping France. All of the tournament's games will stream live on HBO Max, with select games airing on TNT and TruTV. Consider this your all-in primer to get you hyped to keep watching hoops during this WNBA hiatus.
The Fiba Women's Basketball World Cup is held every four years and features the world's best national teams competing for a gold medal. The US have earned gold at four straight World Cups and have won 11 ***** les overall.
The winner of the World Cup will automatically qualify for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. There are other pre-qualifying tournaments (EuroBasket, Asia Cup, AmeriCup, and AfroBasket) next year, and then the final spots will be secured at the Fiba Olympic qualifying tournament in February 2028.
As hosts, the US automatically qualified for the Olympics, so if they win the World Cup, another qualifying spot will be added at the February 2028 tournament.
#olympic #olympics
2 months ago
Unrivaled announced several high-profile returnees to the 3x3 women's basketball league Thursday afternoon, including a "multi-year deal" with former UConn women's basketball star Paige Bueckers.
Bueckers was among the league's premier players last season, averaging over 22 points and five **** ists for a youth-laden Breeze BC squad to earn First-Team All-Unrivaled honors. The 23-year-old point guard indicated that she will rejoin the team this winter, reposting Thursday's news on her Instagram story with the caption "Breeezeeeee."
Her Breeze BC teammate, Courtney Williams, also announced her plans to rejoin Unrivaled Thursday. The remainder of last year's Breeze squad includes young post talents Cameron Brink, Rickea Jackson and Dominique Malonga, along with fan-favorite Kate Martin and Fever guard Aari McDonald.
Fellow UConn alums Naphessa Collier and Breanna Stewart co-founded Unrivaled in 2023, seeking to provide a domestic alternative for WNBA players to pursue off-season basketball. Bueckers became one of the league's earliest high-profile partners, signing a groundbreaking NIL deal with Unrivaled in August 2024 that made her the first NCAA student-athlete to receive an ownership equity stake in a professional sports league. A year later, she signed a three-year contract to play for the league.
The trio's equity in the league has skyrocketed in recent months, with Unrivaled reporting a $650 million valuation earlier this week, which nearly doubled last year's figure. A recent Series C fundraising round included several high-profile investors, including UConn coach Geno Auriemma, NBA stars Carmelo Anthony and Trae Young, and actor Ashton Kutcher.
#Basketball
Bueckers was among the league's premier players last season, averaging over 22 points and five **** ists for a youth-laden Breeze BC squad to earn First-Team All-Unrivaled honors. The 23-year-old point guard indicated that she will rejoin the team this winter, reposting Thursday's news on her Instagram story with the caption "Breeezeeeee."
Her Breeze BC teammate, Courtney Williams, also announced her plans to rejoin Unrivaled Thursday. The remainder of last year's Breeze squad includes young post talents Cameron Brink, Rickea Jackson and Dominique Malonga, along with fan-favorite Kate Martin and Fever guard Aari McDonald.
Fellow UConn alums Naphessa Collier and Breanna Stewart co-founded Unrivaled in 2023, seeking to provide a domestic alternative for WNBA players to pursue off-season basketball. Bueckers became one of the league's earliest high-profile partners, signing a groundbreaking NIL deal with Unrivaled in August 2024 that made her the first NCAA student-athlete to receive an ownership equity stake in a professional sports league. A year later, she signed a three-year contract to play for the league.
The trio's equity in the league has skyrocketed in recent months, with Unrivaled reporting a $650 million valuation earlier this week, which nearly doubled last year's figure. A recent Series C fundraising round included several high-profile investors, including UConn coach Geno Auriemma, NBA stars Carmelo Anthony and Trae Young, and actor Ashton Kutcher.
#Basketball
3 months ago
Dominique Malonga ends Storm nightmare with monster performance originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Seattle Storm finally have a reason to celebrate again. After enduring more than a month without a victory, Seattle snapped its franchise-record-tying 11-game losing streak Monday night with a 97-88 win over the Chicago Sky at Climate Pledge Arena.
Dominique Malonga made sure the painful skid ended there. The 20-year-old All-Star delivered 26 points, 10 rebounds, three blocks and two steals, shooting 9-of-14 from the field in one of her most complete performances of the season.
Seattle never trailed, built a 17-point advantage and survived a dangerous late push from Chicago to secure its first victory since defeating the Los Angeles Sparks on July 6.
"We were fed up," Malonga said afterward.
#malonga #victory #preferred
The Seattle Storm finally have a reason to celebrate again. After enduring more than a month without a victory, Seattle snapped its franchise-record-tying 11-game losing streak Monday night with a 97-88 win over the Chicago Sky at Climate Pledge Arena.
Dominique Malonga made sure the painful skid ended there. The 20-year-old All-Star delivered 26 points, 10 rebounds, three blocks and two steals, shooting 9-of-14 from the field in one of her most complete performances of the season.
Seattle never trailed, built a 17-point advantage and survived a dangerous late push from Chicago to secure its first victory since defeating the Los Angeles Sparks on July 6.
"We were fed up," Malonga said afterward.
#malonga #victory #preferred
3 months ago
NEW YORK — Just like they did on Monday night, the young core of the Seattle Storm fought hard.
But they came up short yet again — this time falling 92-86 to the Liberty at Barclays Center Wednesday. The Liberty victory pushed the team's win streak to three games.
Breanna Stewart led the Liberty with 28 points, eight rebounds, two ****** ists and one block.
And the team's overall effort was enough despite Dominique Malonga's impressive stat line: 31 points, 10 rebounds, three ****** ists, two steals and a block.
Malonga, the second-year star primed to lead Seattle's rebuild, showed why the Storm organization are trusting in her to propel the franchise back to winning basketball.
#rebounds
But they came up short yet again — this time falling 92-86 to the Liberty at Barclays Center Wednesday. The Liberty victory pushed the team's win streak to three games.
Breanna Stewart led the Liberty with 28 points, eight rebounds, two ****** ists and one block.
And the team's overall effort was enough despite Dominique Malonga's impressive stat line: 31 points, 10 rebounds, three ****** ists, two steals and a block.
Malonga, the second-year star primed to lead Seattle's rebuild, showed why the Storm organization are trusting in her to propel the franchise back to winning basketball.
#rebounds
3 months ago
The Kelsey Plum era is over in Los Angeles. The Sparks are sending the five-time All-Star to Phoenix in exchange for Monique Akoa Makani, the Mercury's 2027 first-round pick and a 2028 second-rounder, league sources confirmed to The Athletic. ESPN was first to report.
The Sparks traded the No. 2 pick in the 2025 draft (which became All-Star Dominique Malonga) to acquire Plum in the 2025 offseason in an attempt to end their rebuild and get to the playoffs for the first time since 2020. That plan didn't pan out: Los Angeles came up two games short of the postseason in 2025, and Plum's lower leg injury in 2026 dug the Sparks a hole they could not get out of.
At 10-17 and 5 1/2 games out of a playoff spot, Los Angeles is pulling the plug on this season, and that means moving on from Plum, who will be an unrestricted free agent in the offseason. Plum has only played 12 games in 2026, but is second in the league in scoring (23.9 points per game) and sixth in ***** ists (6.4). She is arguably the most efficient No. 1 option as a guard in the league — her field-goal percentage only trails A'ja Wilson among top-10 scorers — and she has also been a secondary (even tertiary) scoring option on a two-time ***** le team in Las Vegas.
As reported by The Athletic, the sense from executives around the league was that Plum wouldn't re-sign in Los Angeles, forcing the Sparks' hand to trade her and recoup some of the value they lost in acquiring the five-time All-Star guard. Even so, there have rarely been trades involving all-WNBA players during the season. The last time it happened was in 2015 when the Chicago Sky dealt Sylvia Fowles to Minnesota. The Lynx ultimately won the championship that season and Fowles was named finals MVP.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
#angeles #star #Athletic
The Sparks traded the No. 2 pick in the 2025 draft (which became All-Star Dominique Malonga) to acquire Plum in the 2025 offseason in an attempt to end their rebuild and get to the playoffs for the first time since 2020. That plan didn't pan out: Los Angeles came up two games short of the postseason in 2025, and Plum's lower leg injury in 2026 dug the Sparks a hole they could not get out of.
At 10-17 and 5 1/2 games out of a playoff spot, Los Angeles is pulling the plug on this season, and that means moving on from Plum, who will be an unrestricted free agent in the offseason. Plum has only played 12 games in 2026, but is second in the league in scoring (23.9 points per game) and sixth in ***** ists (6.4). She is arguably the most efficient No. 1 option as a guard in the league — her field-goal percentage only trails A'ja Wilson among top-10 scorers — and she has also been a secondary (even tertiary) scoring option on a two-time ***** le team in Las Vegas.
As reported by The Athletic, the sense from executives around the league was that Plum wouldn't re-sign in Los Angeles, forcing the Sparks' hand to trade her and recoup some of the value they lost in acquiring the five-time All-Star guard. Even so, there have rarely been trades involving all-WNBA players during the season. The last time it happened was in 2015 when the Chicago Sky dealt Sylvia Fowles to Minnesota. The Lynx ultimately won the championship that season and Fowles was named finals MVP.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
#angeles #star #Athletic
4 months ago
The WNBA All-Star Game is a testament to player talents and fan cultures. It's also a good measure of this league's ongoing evolution.
In its first season, the brand-new WNBA didn't even have an All-Star celebration. A decade after that, both All-Star coaches hailed from franchises soon to be relocated or disbanded. Two decades after inauguration, Maya Moore led the field with around 33,000 fan votes. Now cut to 2026, when both Paige Bueckers and Caitlin Clark exceeded the 1 million mark.
This year's All-Star Game shows how much the W has going for it right now. Bueckers, Clark, Olivia Miles, Dominique Malonga and Angel Reese lead the next generation into the spotlight. They're joined by enduring superstars like A'ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart. Gabby Williams highlights the instant success of the Golden State Valkyries, and Marina Mabrey gets love on behalf of one of this year's expansion teams, the Toronto Tempo. There are twerking mascots and blue-haired goofballs for those with eyes to see them.
Here's what to know ahead of the main event. All times listed are ET.
Venue: United Center — Chicago
#star #moore #olivia
In its first season, the brand-new WNBA didn't even have an All-Star celebration. A decade after that, both All-Star coaches hailed from franchises soon to be relocated or disbanded. Two decades after inauguration, Maya Moore led the field with around 33,000 fan votes. Now cut to 2026, when both Paige Bueckers and Caitlin Clark exceeded the 1 million mark.
This year's All-Star Game shows how much the W has going for it right now. Bueckers, Clark, Olivia Miles, Dominique Malonga and Angel Reese lead the next generation into the spotlight. They're joined by enduring superstars like A'ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart. Gabby Williams highlights the instant success of the Golden State Valkyries, and Marina Mabrey gets love on behalf of one of this year's expansion teams, the Toronto Tempo. There are twerking mascots and blue-haired goofballs for those with eyes to see them.
Here's what to know ahead of the main event. All times listed are ET.
Venue: United Center — Chicago
#star #moore #olivia
4 months ago
Why Dominque Malonga's Kevin Durant workout should scare the rest of the WNBA originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Remember when Victor Wembanyama worked out with Hakeem Olajuwon?
Less than a year later, Wembanyama guided the San Antonio Spurs to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2014.
Dominique Malonga is hoping to have a similar impact on the Seattle Storm, who find themselves lingering around the WNBA basement right now but may be ticketed for a competitive leap in 2027.
MORE: Kim Mulkey celebrates Angel Reese, Flau'jae Johnson reunion before Dream-Storm game
Remember when Victor Wembanyama worked out with Hakeem Olajuwon?
Less than a year later, Wembanyama guided the San Antonio Spurs to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2014.
Dominique Malonga is hoping to have a similar impact on the Seattle Storm, who find themselves lingering around the WNBA basement right now but may be ticketed for a competitive leap in 2027.
MORE: Kim Mulkey celebrates Angel Reese, Flau'jae Johnson reunion before Dream-Storm game
4 months ago
The WNBA announced All-Star reserves Tuesday evening, and the Atlanta Dream are the most represented.
Angel Reese and Dream guards Rhyne Howard and Allisha Gray are among those voted as reserves by the league’s 15 head coaches. The Dream had no players voted as All-Star starters to the dismay of Reese, who called their exclusion “disrespectful.”
This will be Reese’s third All-Star nod and the fourth for Gray and Howard.
Joining the Dream’s three leading scorers are Washington Mystics guard Sonia Citron and forward Kiki Iriafen, Los Angeles Sparks teammates Kelsey Plum and Nneka Ogwumike, Las Vegas Aces guard Jackie Young, New York Liberty forward Jonquel Jones and Minnesota Lynx guard Courtney Williams.
Toronto Tempo guard Marina Mabrey and Seattle Storm center Dominique Malonga join starters Olivia Miles and Jessica Shepard as first-time All-Stars.
Angel Reese and Dream guards Rhyne Howard and Allisha Gray are among those voted as reserves by the league’s 15 head coaches. The Dream had no players voted as All-Star starters to the dismay of Reese, who called their exclusion “disrespectful.”
This will be Reese’s third All-Star nod and the fourth for Gray and Howard.
Joining the Dream’s three leading scorers are Washington Mystics guard Sonia Citron and forward Kiki Iriafen, Los Angeles Sparks teammates Kelsey Plum and Nneka Ogwumike, Las Vegas Aces guard Jackie Young, New York Liberty forward Jonquel Jones and Minnesota Lynx guard Courtney Williams.
Toronto Tempo guard Marina Mabrey and Seattle Storm center Dominique Malonga join starters Olivia Miles and Jessica Shepard as first-time All-Stars.
4 months ago
The WNBA announced its All-Star reserves on Tuesday, completing the player pool following last week's reveal of starters for the game.
A trio of Atlanta Dream players in Angel Reese, Rhyne Howard and Allisha Gray were among the 12 players revealed to round out the All-Star rosters.
Angel Reese, Atlanta Dream
Rhyne Howard, Atlanta Dream
Allisha Gray, Atlanta Dream
Nneka Ogwumike, Los Angeles Sparks
Kelsey Plum, Los Angeles Sparks
Sonia Citron, Washington Mystics
Kiki Iriafen, Washington Mystics
Marina Mabrey, Toronto Tempo
Courtney Williams, Minnesota Lynx
Jackie Young, Las Vegas Aces
Jonquel Jones, New York Liberty
Dominique Malonga, Seattle Storm
The selection for Ogwumike marked the 11th of her career, tying her with Diana Taurasi for the second-most in WNBA history. Sue Bird is in first place with 13 career All-Star selections.
The reserves were selected by the league's 15 head coaches. Coaches were prohibited from voting for players on their own teams.
A trio of Atlanta Dream players in Angel Reese, Rhyne Howard and Allisha Gray were among the 12 players revealed to round out the All-Star rosters.
Angel Reese, Atlanta Dream
Rhyne Howard, Atlanta Dream
Allisha Gray, Atlanta Dream
Nneka Ogwumike, Los Angeles Sparks
Kelsey Plum, Los Angeles Sparks
Sonia Citron, Washington Mystics
Kiki Iriafen, Washington Mystics
Marina Mabrey, Toronto Tempo
Courtney Williams, Minnesota Lynx
Jackie Young, Las Vegas Aces
Jonquel Jones, New York Liberty
Dominique Malonga, Seattle Storm
The selection for Ogwumike marked the 11th of her career, tying her with Diana Taurasi for the second-most in WNBA history. Sue Bird is in first place with 13 career All-Star selections.
The reserves were selected by the league's 15 head coaches. Coaches were prohibited from voting for players on their own teams.
5 months ago
Paris Saint-Germain academy product Hermann Malonga (18) is set to sign his first professional contract at Manchester City, as per a report from Le Parisien.
Last summer, it was Mahamadou Sangaré who left PSG to sign for Manchester City. The centre-forward impressed with the academy side, notably in the UEFA Youth League, and he now looks set to be joined in Greater Manchester by another ******* i Parisien.
Le Parisien understands that Malonga, a centre-back, is also set for a move to the Premier League side. Like Sangaré, he will move on a free transfer. PSG had looked to sign Malonga to a first professional deal, but their attempts to retain the centre-back have seemingly failed.
Instead, he will join the Cityzens. He will sign a five-year deal with the club, who have scouted him intently, particularly in the UEFA Youth League. Le Parisien understands that a loan move away from the Etihad is likely.
GFFN | Luke Entwistle
Last summer, it was Mahamadou Sangaré who left PSG to sign for Manchester City. The centre-forward impressed with the academy side, notably in the UEFA Youth League, and he now looks set to be joined in Greater Manchester by another ******* i Parisien.
Le Parisien understands that Malonga, a centre-back, is also set for a move to the Premier League side. Like Sangaré, he will move on a free transfer. PSG had looked to sign Malonga to a first professional deal, but their attempts to retain the centre-back have seemingly failed.
Instead, he will join the Cityzens. He will sign a five-year deal with the club, who have scouted him intently, particularly in the UEFA Youth League. Le Parisien understands that a loan move away from the Etihad is likely.
GFFN | Luke Entwistle
