Category: Basketball

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Basketball

WNBA Draft 2026: Round One Picks 

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Azzi Fudd with the Dallas Wings Jersey | photo taken from @dallaswings on instagram

On Monday (13th April), the WNBA Draft returned for 2026 and was hosted in New York with multiple rookies turning up to be drafted into the WNBA. Projected #1 in the last couple of weeks was changing between Azzi Fudd, Awa Fam Thiam and Olivia Miles across a number of different news outlets. 

#1 Dallas Wings – Azzi Fudd / Guard 

First pick of the night was UConn’s Azzi Fudd after her impressive collegiate season in the east. Playing as a guard, she spent five years in Connecticut and will now join old-teammate Paige Bueckers in Dallas, giving fans nostalgia. She averaged 14.7 PPG, 2.4 RPG, 2.1 APG and 47.2 FG% across her career so far and looks to improve her statistics in the South. 

Over her career, she has won multiple awards including being the NCAA Champion in 2025 alongside being Tournament MOP the same year. Alongside this, she won WBCA Coaches’ All-American (2026), First-team All-American-AP, USBWA (2026), First-team All-Big East (2025, 2026), Big East All-Freshman Team (2022) and McDonald’s All American (2021).  

#2 Minnesota Lynx – Olivia Miles / Guard

Second pick of the night went to the Lynx where they picked TCU’s Olivia Miles after her standout career in College. Playing as a guard, she spent her previous four years at Notre Dame before moving to TCU last season averaging 15.6 points per game and 6.4 rebounds per game. Her other stats include 6.5 assists per game and 47.2 FG% 

2026 was a big year for Miles after winning multiple awards across the board including Big 12 Player of the year, WBCA Coaches’ All-American, Second-team All-American AP, Second-team All-American – USBWA and First-team All-Big 12. Over her career, she also received Second-team All-American AP (2023, 2025), Second-team All-American – USBWA (2025), and First-team All-ACC (2022, 2023, 2025). 

Seattle Storm – #3 Awa Fam Thiam / Center and #14 Taina Mair / Guard 

Seattle was next to pick with them selecting Spanish Center Awa Fam Thiam. Born in 2006, she is only 19 years old, coming straight from Valencia Basket being a one to watch outside collegiate basketball. Their other pick was Taina Mair (#14 pick) who played as a guard for Duke averaging 9.8 PPG and 4.4 RPG. 

Awa Fam Thiam’s statistics are also impressive at such a young age, with 2024 being a big year for the Spanish international. In 2025, She was the Runner-up for FIBA Women’s EuroBasket, FIBA U19 Women’s EuroBasket All-Star Second Team (2023) and FIBA U16 Women’s European Championship All-Star (2022). In 2024, She was in the U18 Women’s EuroBasket All-Star, FIBA U20 Women’s EuroBasket MVP and All-Star for the same group.

Washington Mystics – #4 Lauren Betts / Center, #9 Angela Dugalić / Forward and #11 Cotie McMahon / Forward 

Mystics had three picks in the top 15 with the first being Lauren Betts from UCLA. The Center is coming off the back of a NCAA Championship win with the Bruins and previously was with Stanford in her first year of college. Her statistics across her career were also impressive but the win helped her cross the line to secure her place in Washington averaging 14.6 PPG, 7.7 RPG, 1.9 APG and 61.9 FG%. 

Her best highlights were across the last two years mainly including NCAA Tournament MOP (2026), 2x Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, 2x First-team All-Big Ten, 2x Big Ten All-Defensive Team, Naismith Defensive Player of the Year (2025), Big Ten Player of the Year (2026) and Big Ten tournament MOP (2025). 

The next pick was Angela Dugalić from UCLA, so the pair will have a familiar face together in their rookie season. The forward was originally at Oregon between 2020-2021 and across her career she won two awards in 2026 which was the NCAA Championship and Big Ten Sixth Player of the Year. She averaged 7.3PPG, 5.4RPG, 1.8APG and 43 FG% across her time so far and hopes to improve during her time with the Washington Mystics. 

Finally, their 11th pick was Cotie McMahon from Ole Miss who plays as a Forward. She was with Ohio State University until her senior year (2022-25) before moving to Ole Miss and received three honours in 2026 including SEC Newcomer of the Year, All-SEC First Team and SEC Championship All-Tournament Team. Across her career, she averaged 16.4 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 2.4 APG and 46.5 RG% and looks to remain consistent in her time at Washington. 

#5 Chicago Stars – Gabriela Jaquez / Guard 

Gabriela Jaquez was 5th pick in the draft and was highly rated after her performance in the NCAA Championship game vs South Carolina. The guard’s stats through her career averaged as 9.9PPG, 5.0 RPG and 1.6APG. 2026 was a big year for the California native winning the Championship, being in the NCAA All-Tournament and Second-team All-Big Ten. 

UCLA contingence (L-R) – Angela Dugalić, Kiki Rice, Gianna Kneepkens, Lauren Betts and Gabriela Jaquez| photo taken from @wnba on X

#6 Toronto Tempo – Kiki Rice / Guard 

UCLA’s Kiki Rice was next, making it three picks in a row for the Bruins as she joined the inaugural side, Toronto Tempo. The guard averaged 13.1 PPG, 4.9 RPG and 4.2 APG with 2026 also being a big year for her highlights. Alongside being a NCAA Champion, in 2026 she was part of the First Team All-Big Ten, Big Ten All-Defense, All-Big Ten Tournament, Big Ten Tournament MVP and NCAA All-Tournament. 

#7 Portland Fire – Iyana Martín Carrión / Guard 

Iyana Martín Carrión was the next pick with the guard originating from Spain and joining from Club Baloncesto Avenida. The 20-year old has career highlights including FIBA Women’s EuroBasket Runner-up (2025), EuroLeague Young Player of the Year (2025) and FIBA Under-19 World Cup MVP (2023) proving her one to watch this season for the new side. 

#8 Golden State Valkyries – Flau’jae Johnson / Guard (later traded to Seattle Storm) 

Being drafted for Valkyries, and then immediately traded to Seattle Storm, Flau’jae Johnson joins from LSU with her averaging 14.6PPG, 5.3RPG and 2.3APG. The guard won the NCAA Championship in 2023 with the highlights for her including 2x First-team All SEC (2025/26), Second-team All-SEC (2024), SEC Freshman of the Year (2023), SEC All-Freshman  Team (2023) and McDonald’s All-American (2022). 

#10 Indiana Fever – Raven Johnson / Guard 

The guard from South Carolina joins Indiana Fever averaging 6.7 PPG, 4.0 RPG and 4.0 APG. Her highlights throughout her college career were impressive too after being two-time NCAA Champion (2022, 2024), 2x SEC All-Defensive Team (2025/26), SEC Defensive Player of the Year (2026), Second-team All-SEC (2026), SEC All-Freshman Team (2023). 

Connecticut Sun – #12 Nell Angloma / Forward and #15 Gianna Kneepkens / Guard 

Connecticut Sun had two picks including Nell Angloma which was first out of the two and 12th overall. The French forward arrives in Connecticut from Basket Lattes Montpellier Association with the 19 year old’s best year in 2025, averaging 11.4PPG, 4.9RPG and 1.9APG in her career. Some of her career highlights include, FIBA U19 Women’s Basketball World Cup All-Star Second Team (2025), FIBA U18 Women’s EuroBasket MVP (2024), FIBA U18 Women’s EuroBasket All-Star (2024), FIBA U18 Women’s EuroBasket Champion (2024), FIBA U18 Women’s European Championship Runner-up (2023), FIBA U16 Women’s European Championship (2022). 

Their second pick was Gianna Kneepkens from UCLA who was last in the first round of picks. The guard was at Utah from 2022-2025 before transferring for her final year and averaged 14.8PPG, 4.4RPG and 2.4APG during her career so far, looking to improve her skills throughout her rookie season. Some of her highlights include Second-team All-Big Ten (2026), First-team All-Big 12 (2025) and 2x All-Pac-12 Team (2022/23). 

#13 Atlanta Dream – Madina Okot / Center 

Madina Okot from South Carolina joins the Dream with the Center averaging across her career 12.1PPG, 10.1RPG and 0.9APG. She was at Mississippi State in 2025 before transferring to South Carolina and was on the All-SEC Second Team across both years. 

(L-R) Olivia Miles, Lauren Betts, Flau’jae Johnson, Raven Johnson and Azzi Fudd | photo taken from @wnba on X
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Basketball

First NCAA National Championship for UCLA Bruins Women’s Basketball 

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UCLA team celebrating | photo taken from @uclawbb on instagram

On Sunday (5th April), UCLA Bruins won their first NCAA National Championship in Women’s Basketball after they won 51-79 against #1 Seed South Carolina Gamecocks. The number one seed had an impressive season themselves but how was the title won for the LA University? 

Throughout the game. UCLA dominated, winning three out of the four quarters (only losing the last one by one point) but managed to secure a dominant lead in prior quarters. UCLA competed in the Big Ten Conference securing number one seed coming into March Madness with their opponents playing in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and becoming number one seed themselves. The 28 point difference from the win was the largest margin of victory against a number one seed, with the other highest being from UConn against lower-seeded sides. 

15,856 fans were in attendance in Phoenix, Arizona as they saw eight seniors starting across both teams (which was the tied most in Championship game history) including five from UCLA. Coming into the game, UCLA had four of their seniors in the projected top 15 for the WNBA draft happening next week, with Lauren Betts projected to be in the top five after the win (Others include, Kiki Rice, Gianna Kneepkens, Gabriela Jacquez and Charlisse Leger-Walker). 

A lucky charm for the seniors was that Cabriela Jaquez, Lauren Betts and Charlisse Leger-Walker all danced alongside their cheerleading squad prior to March Madness. They continued this tradition through the month all the way until the final and what did they do to celebrate after the win? Yes, that’s right. Do the same dance sequence that they have done throughout the last couple of games. 

Kiki Rice and Gabriela Jaquez were standout players for UCLA throughout their college career, having both stuck with the Bruins through their four years. Both players won 121 and 123 times respectively with Kiki Rice having the first three on the night. The Guard playing under #1 is only ranked behind Lauren Betts for the team’s scoring leaders this basketball season with an average of 15.1 points per game. She has a communications major with a 3.85 GPA, and was ultimately awarded the NCAA Elite 90 trophy in 2025 which is given to the student-athlete with the highest GPA at the finals site of each of the NCAA’s 90 championships. 

Ahead of the National Championship, Gabriela Jaquez got an average of 13.3 points per game but smashed it during the night with 21 points, 10 rebounds and five assists. The programme showed her report during the game, saying that she wanted to get a scholarship and head to UCLA as a long and short term goal. Her long term goals as a basketball player was to play in college and as a person was to go to UCLA, of which she did both. 

Lauren Betts Celebrating | photo taken from @laurenmariebetts on instagram

Standout Player at UCLA – Lauren Betts:

Most Outstanding Player of the Tournament went to Lauren Betts of UCLA, scoring the first point of the game and was in the 2026 First Team AP All American. In the first quarter, the Center went off court after only six minutes due to discomfort in her throat – later saying it was due to the heat in Phoenix. She later came back on in the second quarter but this was not the only distraction for the UCLA player. With just 2:37 on the clock in the second quarter, she later changed her shirt due to blood, moving from the iconic 51 to 26 but with under 30 seconds to go in the same quarter, she went back to the number she called home. 

Betts spent one season at Stanford University before moving to LA and stated that teammate Kiki Rice was the reason she moved to the coast (with the pair now being top 2 rated recruits from the College). Betts was the first player to receive both Defensive Player and Player of the Season in Big 10 history this season. Her UCLA Program records were also outstanding throughout her three seasons with the Bruins, prior to the match up. 62% FG, 233 Blocks and 268 Career points across her time in the NCAA Tournament helped the side win their first Championship title under NCAA Conditions. 

So, what’s next? The WNBA Draft is being held on 13th April and the seniors that have featured across the whole of the NCAA Tournament can have a chance of featuring in the WNBA for the 2026 season and beyond. 

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Basketball

Mist are your Unrivaled Champions but how successful was the tournament? 

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photo taken from @unrivaledbasketball and @mistbc on instagram

Mist won their first title as they faced Phantom in the Championship on Wednesday (4th March). After the 80-74 win for Mist, Breanna Stewart won MVP for the playoffs after helping the side win the championship from a two point free throw.

After the inaugural season in 2025, the competition returned for its second in 2026 after initially being founded by WNBA stars Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart. The League allows WNBA players to play domestically and to bypass any complications from the league’s prioritization rule for players who choose to play overseas in the offseason.  

The games are all played on a full court with two ends (being slightly shorter than the ones in the WNBA) and consists of three seven-minute periods. It is then followed by a “winning score” fourth period which is played under Elam Ending conditions (ending the game by playing to a target score). 11 points are added to the leading team’s (or tied teams’) score at the end of the third period with the game continuing with no game clock but with an active shot clock. The first team to reach or exceed the “winning score” wins and the shot clock is shortened to 18 seconds for full possession and 12 seconds for resets. 

Throughout the season: 

The season kicked off with all eight teams playing on the same day (5th January) as Mist, Laces, Rose and Breeze all won their opening games against Hive, Vinyl, Lunar Owls and Phantom respectively. Phantom led the standings after the regular season, winning 11 games and losing just three, with a winning streak of seven in a row. Mist finished in second with 10 wins and four losses with a winning streak of four in a row. The other teams to round out the play off spots were Laces, Rose, Breeze and Vinyl in that order with Vinyl clinching the last remaining spot after five wins and nine losses. 

Lunar Owls and Hive missed out on a play off spot after they both finished with four wins and 10 losses throughout the season and after point difference, Hive finished bottom in their inaugural season. 

In the Semi-Finals, they headed to Barclays Center in New York City where the arena was sold out and hosted 18,000+ fans across the two games.

1on1 Tournament: 

The tournament was held midseason over the week where the world’s best players stood on one court, just themselves and one aim – $200k. After facing Mists’ Allisha Gray in the final, Chelsea Gray from Rose won two out of three of the games in the final. 24 players started the tournament, with Kelsey Plum and Aliyah Boston being the other two to reach the semi final stages. 

In the Final: 

After losing both matchups throughout the season, Mist were coming into this as the underdogs out of the two. Both Breanna Stewart and Kelsey Plum were the stand out performers in the game with the two having 32 and 40 points to their name respectively. For Mist, Veronica Burton, Allisha Gray and Breanna Stewart all started the game with Tiffany Hayes, Kiki Iriafen and Kelsey Plum starting for Phantom. This was Iriafen’s second start in a row after playing the previous game against Vinyl in the Semi-Finals. 

Throughout the quarters, the teams were neck and neck until the third quarter, where Mist ran away with it and went 6 ahead of Phantom – 25-19 (24, 19, 12 each in the other quarters). 

Mist celebrating (L-R: Veronica Burton, Li Yueru, Alanna Smith, Arike Ogunbowale) | photo taken from @unrivaledbasketball and @mistbc on Instagram

Players of the Tournament: 

Roses’ Chelsea Gray was the MVP from the tournament after having four game winning shots, 24.2 points per game and 6.1 assists on average per game. Defensive Player of the year was Phantoms’ Aliyah Boston. She averaged 18.9 points per game, 9.7 rebounds and 2.1 blocks throughout the regular season. This was not the only award for Phantom as Roneeka Hodges got Coach of the Year after bringing her side to the number one seed in the regular season. 

Second Team for 2026 All-Unrivaled saw Brittney Skyes (Laces), Aliyah Boston (Phantom) and Allisha Gray (Mist) all in the team. Laces’ Brittney Skyes saw 20.3 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.9 assists averaged per game in the regular season. Phantoms’ Aliyah Boston averaged 18.9 points, 9.7 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game throughout the regular season. Finally, Mists’ Allisha Gray saw 21.8 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.8 assists averaged per game in the regular season. 

In the first team, we saw Paige Bueckers, Chelsea Gray and Kelsey Plum all take the crown after their efforts in the regular season. Breezes’ Paige Bueckers saw an average of 22.1 points, 6.1 rebounds and 5.5 assists per game. Roses’ Chelsea Gray had averaged 24.2 points and 6.1 assists per game as well as having four game winning shots. Finally, Phantoms’ Kelsey Plum saw an average of 22.6 points, five assists and five game winning shots throughout the regular season. 

What’s Next: 

The WNBA is due to start in two months on May 8th, but will it actually start? There is current controversy over the pay given to the players after some who played in Unrivaled said that they earnt more across one year at Unrivaled than they do across multiple years in the WNBA. 

If the league does start, Opening up the season is Connecticut Sun vs New York Liberty and Washington Mystics vs Toronto Tempo as both start at 7.30pm ET. The WNBA draft for the 2026 season is on April 13th and includes the debut of two additional teams (Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo). The Las Vegas Aces will begin their campaign hunting for another back-to-back title with the first home game being against the same side they faced in the finals last year (Phoenix Mercury). 

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Basketball

Unrivaled Basketball: Back for 2026 

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photo taken from @unrivaledbasketball on instagram

After the inaugural season in 2025, the competition returns in 2026 after initially being founded by WNBA stars Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart. The League allows WNBA players to play domestically and to bypass any complications from the league’s prioritization rule for players who choose to play overseas in the offseason. 

In Summer 2025, there was a group called “The Future is Unrivaled Class of 2025” which included 14 of the best college basketball players to NIL deals (Name, Image and Likeness). The group included: Lauren Betts, Sienna Betts, Madison Booker, Audi Crooks, Azzi Fudd, MiLaysia Fulwiley, Hannah Hidalgo, Flau’jae Johnson, Ta’Niya Latson, Olivia Miles, Kiki Rice, Sarah Strong, Syla Swords and JuJu Watkins. 

Rules and Regulations: 

The games are all played on a full court with two ends (being slightly shorter than the ones in the WNBA) and consists of three seven-minute periods. It is then followed by a “winning score” fourth period which is played under Elam Ending conditions (ending the game by playing to a target score). 

11 points are added to the leading team’s (or tied teams’) score at the end of the third period with the game continuing with no game clock but with an active shot clock. The first team to reach or exceed the “winning score” wins and the shot clock is shortened to 18 seconds for full possession and 12 seconds for resets. 

Another change for the competition is that the free throws resulting from personal fouls and players are awarded different points from different throw zones. The players will get one free throw after being fouled and two points if fouled on the two-point shot or three points on a three-point shot. Free throws are also earned when fouled on a made basket and are worth one point (as well as the WNBA) with the player being disqualified (or foul out) after six personal fouls. 

Breeze: 

Breeze is a new side this season with the roster of the team being decided by a selected committee, sorting them based on position and skill level. Breeze decided on WNBA newbie Paige Bueckers (Dallas Wings – Guard) as their Captain for the season with five additional players being added. 

The rest of the roster includes Aari McDonald (Indiana Fever – Guard), Kate Martin (Golden State Valkyries – Guard), Cameron Brink (LA Sparks – Forward), Dominique Malonga (Seattle Storm – Center) and Rickea Jackson (LA Sparks – Forward). 

Hive: 

Hive is another one of the new sides in the competition with rookie Sonia Citron (Washington Mystics – Guard) being the captain for the season. The rest of the roster includes Monique Billings (Golden State Valkyries – Forward), Saniya Rivers (Connecticut Sun – Guard), Natisha Hiedeman (Minnesota Lynx – Guard), Ezi Magbegor (Seattle Storm – Center Forward) and Kelsey Mitchell (Indiana Fever – Guard). 

Laces: 

Laces return to the competition for their second year with Jackie Young (Las Vegas Aces – Guard) being captain for the season. The rest of the side includes Alyssa Thomas (Phoenix Mercury – Forward), Naz Hillmon (Atlanta Dream – Forward), Maddy Siegrist (Dallas Wings – Forward), Jordin Canada (Atlanta Dream – Guard), and Brittney Sykes (Seattle Storm – Guard).  

Last season, Laces came third in the regular season winning and losing seven games, clinching a play off spot. They lost in the playoffs against eventual winners Rose. 

Lunar Owls: 

Owls are one of the returning groups with Naphessa Collier (Minnesota Lynx – Forward) being captain of the Owls this season. Rounding off the roster are Aaliyah Edwards (Connecticut Sun – Forward), Rebecca Allen (Chicago Sky – Guard and Forward), Skylar Diggins (Seattle Storm – Guard), Marina Mabrey (Connecticut Sun – Guard) and Rachel Banham (Chicago Sky – Guard). 

Lunar Owls were top in the standings during the regular season winning 13 games and losing only the one across the season and was on a five game winning streak. 

Mist: 

Mist are another one of the returning clubs this season with Breanna Stewart (New York Liberty – Forward) being their captain for this round. The other players include Arike Ogunbowale (Dallas Wings – Guard), Veronica Burton (Golden State Valkyries – Guard), Alanna Smith (Minnesota Lynx – Forward), Li Yueru (Dallas Wings – Center) and Allisha Gray (Atlanta Dream – Guard). 

Last season, Mist finished in fifth position just ahead of Phantom. They finished the season winning five games and losing nine games, conceding more than they scored. 

Phantom: 

As like with many of the other teams, Phantom will return for another season with Kelsey Plum (Los Angeles Sparks – Guard) being captain for this season. Alongside Plum, the five that join her are Natasha Cloud (New York Liberty – Guard), Dana Evans (Las Vegas Aces – Guard), Aliyah Boston (Indiana Fever – Center and Forward), Kiki Iriafen (Washington Mystics – Forward) and Tiffany Hayes (Golden State Valkyries – Guard). 

Phantom will look to improve from last season as they finished bottom of the league winning four games and losing on 10 occasions throughout the regular season. 

Rose: 

Coming back as reigning champions, Rose are looking to continue the momentum going into the second season. The six looking to retain the title are Shakira Austin (Washington Mystics – Center and Forward), Lexie Hull (Indiana Fever – Guard), Sug Sutton (Washington Mystics – Guard), Azura Stevens (Los Angeles Sparks – Center and Forward) and Chelsea Gray (Las Vegas Aces – Guard). Kahleah Copper (Phoenix Mercury (Guard and Forward) is their captain for this season. 

Despite coming second in the regular season, Rose won the competition after winning eight games and losing six games being and 350 points behind the league leaders. 

Vinyl: 

Finally Vinyl are returning again this season with Brittney Griner (Atlanta Dream – Center), Rae Burrell (Los Angeles Sparks – Guard and Forward, Erica Wheeler (Seattle Storm – Guard), Rhyne Howard (Atlanta Dream – Guard) and Courtney Williams (Minnesota Lynx – Guard) joining the side. Dearica Hamby (Los Angeles Sparks – Forward) is captain of the side this season. 

Last season, Vinyl managed to reach the play off spots coming in fourth after winning five games and losing nine and they went through after only 24 goals difference compared to Mist. They reached the final and played against Rose but lost 54-62.