From USA Basketball’s first camp of the new Olympic cycle to major developments around Unrivaled’s second season and ongoing WNBA labor negotiations, the sport’s professional ecosystem took center stage this week. In Friday’s episode of The IX Sports Podcast, hosts Howard Megdal and Jackie Powell analyze news from a busy week in women’s basketball.
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The biggest storyline came from USA Basketball’s December camp, which signaled a new era under the growing influence of Sue Bird. A wide-ranging player pool featured headline-grabbing young stars like Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, Paige Bueckers and Cameron Brink, alongside veterans and under-the-radar contributors such as Veronica Burton. The camp also highlighted intentional coaching selections designed to balance head coach Kara Lawson’s defensive strengths with more offensive-minded voices.
Attention then turned to Unrivaled, the 3×3 league preparing for its second season beginning on Jan. 5. Founders Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier addressed health concerns following injury-plagued WNBA seasons, while league leadership emphasized improved facilities and expanded medical support.
Finally, news broke that the WNBPA authorized its executive committee to call a strike if necessary. While negotiations continue, both hosts emphasized that an eventual agreement remains the most likely outcome in a rapidly evolving women’s basketball landscape.
Make sure to subscribe to The IX Sports Podcast for in-depth coverage of women’s soccer, hockey and basketball; and tune in each weekday morning for a quick overview of the biggest headlines on Women’s Sports Daily.
