No Offseason: The Athletic Women's Basketball Show

From JuJu Watkins to Hannah Hidalgo, the battle for the best college player across the country is wide open. In this episode, Sabreena Merchant and Chantel Jennings discuss their Player of the Year candidates and others catching their attention early on in the season.
Also, the duo unpack the implications of the NCAA’s “Five-in-Five” eligibility ruling.
Plus: get ready to set your screen this weekend. Chantel and Sabreena share what games you should be watching.

REFERENCES:

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7694465/2026/11/03/womens-college-basketball-most-intriguing-players-tessa-johnson/

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7386334/2026/06/23/ncaa-age-athlete-eligibility-rule-changes/

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7774502/2026/11/12/wnba-mock-draft-2027-watkins-hidalgo/
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The WNBA season may be over, but the work toward 2027 is already underway. Zena and Annie break down this week’s Competition Committee meeting and what it could mean for the future of the game. From officiating consistency and player safety to the expanded 50-game schedule, developmental player rules and the possibility of a draft combine, Annie shares what she’s hearing about the biggest issues on the table. Plus, how does the Competition Committee differ from the Board of Governors, and what decisions could shape the league’s next chapter?
Then, we take a closer look at the growing tension between Golden State Valkyries rookie Justė Jocytė and the franchise after a frustrating first season. What led to her concerns about playing time and communication, and what does the future hold? Could a trade be on the horizon, or is there a path toward repairing the relationship?
And finally, Unrivaled is gearing up for Season 3! Zena and Annie break down the intriguing new roster combinations, share their early championship picks and identify a few potential dark horses.
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The 2026 WNBA season may be over, but there’s no shortage of decisions ahead. With free agency approaching, teams are already evaluating their rosters, weighing their options and figuring out what moves they need to make to compete in 2027. Zena, Annie and Sabreena go team by team to break down what every WNBA franchise needs most heading into next season.
Plus, the crew dives into the latest women’s college basketball storylines, including Michigan’s statement win over UConn, what the early-season loss means for the Huskies, Iowa’s reliance on key players and Kentucky’s impressive start under Kenny Brooks.
And to close things out, Zena puts Annie and Sabreena to the test with a round of Two Truths and a Lie.

REFERENCES:
No. 2 UConn women’s basketball suffers upset defeat at No. 5 Michigan by Chantel Jennings

Is UConn’s early loss a sign or a wake-up call? The Huskies’ tough schedule will be revealing by Chantel Jennings

Women’s basketball top 25: How Shaq’s daughter and a WNBA draftee have Kentucky humming by Sabreena Merchant

What’s the No. 1 offseason priority for every WNBA team? by Sabreena Merchant
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No Offseason is a part of The Athletic Podcast Network

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Angel Reese and the Atlanta Dream may have fallen one game short of a WNBA championship, but Angel's third season was a statement. Zena is joined by senior writer Brian Hamilton to break down Angel’s statement third season, how she helped transform the Dream into championship contenders, and what’s next for one of the league’s brightest young stars. From her growth under head coach Karl Smesko to the work she's putting into rebuilding her jump shot, they dig into how far Angel has come, where she can still take her game, and what it will take for Atlanta to make another run at a title.

To wrap things up, Zena and Brian discuss Unrivaled gearing up for Season 3 with a roster packed with exciting new talent, then look ahead to the must-see women’s college basketball matchups coming up this weekend.

REFERENCES:

Angel Reese had statement season, just not the last word in the WNBA Finals by Brian Hamilton
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No Offseason is a part of The Athletic Podcast Network

Email us: NoOffseason@theathletic.com

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YT: @No-Offseason
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The Golden State Valkyries’ historic championship has us asking: Is the formula for winning a WNBA title changing? Chantel and Annie break down how the Valkyries and Atlanta Dream challenged traditional ideas about championship contenders, proving that depth, chemistry, defense and impactful role players can be just as valuable as superstar power. They also discuss the importance of strong player-coach relationships and how record-breaking viewership reflects the continued growth of women’s basketball.

Plus, JuJu Watkins makes her highly anticipated return to the court. What does her comeback mean for USC’s championship aspirations? The duo also weighs in on the New York Liberty’s decision to part ways with head coach Chris DeMarco after just one season. What does this move mean for the franchise moving forward?

And finally, with the WNBA’s 30th season officially in the books, we take a look back at our favorite moments from a memorable season in women’s basketball.

REFERENCES:
USC star JuJu Watkins dazzles in first game in 588 days, scoring 21 points in rout by Bob Harkins

New York Liberty fire coach Chris DeMarco after 1 season by Annie Costabile

Who will the New York Liberty hire at head coach to replace Chris DeMarco? 8 names to watch by Annie Costabile

WNBA Finals Game 7 draws record 3.3 million viewers, most in playoff history by Emily Ohman
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Email us: NoOffseason@theathletic.com

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YT: @No-Offseason
IG: @tanooffseason
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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.