Diana Taurasi inducted into the Arizona Sports Hall of Fame | The IX Basketball Diana Taurasi was inducted into the Arizona Sports Hall of Fame. We take you inside the festivities. Hear from Taurasi and many others.

Diana Taurasi, widely considered one of the greatest women’s basketball players in history, was inducted into the Arizona Sports Hall of Fame.

✍️ @ayabdeen.bsky.social

When she was hired by ESPN in 2018 at 26, @chineyogwumike.bsky.social became one of the youngest regular national sports studio analysts.

Her career - and impact - has only accelerated since.

Our @knoxrob1.bsky.social talked with her about her journey and how she's truly found her voice.

Inside Final Four Reporting: I Shot My Shot and Found the Story Outside the Stat Sheet Lessons from a Final Four moment on how to see, report, and write the human story you didn’t expect—beyond what the stats can capture. Taking you inside of how my story on Maddy McDaniel came together

Want to see how a story really comes together?

At the Final Four, I shot my shot & found a human story about South Carolina's Maddy McDaniel the stats couldn’t capture.

My latest Substack post: Breaking down the reporting, trust, & detail behind it.

robknox.substack.com/p/inside-fin...

Sienna Betts shines for UCLA in national championship spotlight | The IX Basketball Freshman Sienna Betts played a crucial role off the bench to help UCLA win a national championship on Sunday.

Lauren Betts has been UCLA's star all season. But when she subbed out early in Sunday's national championship game, her sister Sienna was called upon — and came up big.

Our @teebaker-wbb.bsky.social dives into that moment and the lessons Sienna has learned throughout her freshman year. #NCAAWBB

Gabriela Jaquez shines for UCLA in national title game | The IX Basketball UCLA senior Gabriela Jaquez, a native of greater LA, helped lead the Bruins to their first national championship in the NCAA era.

“When you think of UCLA ... you think of Gabriela Jaquez," Angela Dugalic said after UCLA won a national championship on Sunday.

So it was fitting that Jaquez saved one of her best performances for her last college game, our David Mendez-Yapkowitz writes. #NCAAWBB

UCLA's 1978 AIAW winners finally have company after NCAA title | The IX Basketball Though not recognized by the NCAA, UCLA won its first national title in 1978 under the AIAW. On Sunday, the program won its second title.

After digging in to learn the full history of women’s basketball at UCLA, it becomes clear that the program’s second national title is momentous for reasons that stretch far beyond the passage of time. 

www.theixsports.com/the-ix-baske...

What to expect in free agency from the Phoenix Mercury | The IX Basketball The Phoenix Mercury are ready to face a fast-paced free agency with new opportunities and challenges after a historic CBA agreement.

The WNBA offseason is here, and what will the Phoenix Mercury do?

www.theixsports.com/the-ix-baske...

Toronto Tempo select Marina Mabrey in 2026 expansion draft | The IX Basketball Fan favorite Connecticut Sun guard Marina Mabrey was selected by the Toronto Tempo in the first round of the 2026 WNBA expansion draft.

One of the more shocking moves in expansion so far: Marina Mabrey goes to Toronto

www.theixsports.com/the-ix-baske...

Atlanta Dream pull off blockbster, acquire Angel Reese in trade with Chicago Sky YouTube video by The IX Sports

WNBA free agency has started with a blockbuster. The IX Basketball's Wilton Jackson breaks down what the Dream trading for Chicago's Angel Reese means for Atlanta: youtube.com/shorts/fCyCJ...

How the Seattle Storm head into free agency | The IX Basketball With Dominique Malonga as the centerpiece, a new head coach, and seemingly endless free agents, Seattle has a lot of decisions to make

Our @munson-bella.bsky.social takes a look at the Seattle Storm free agency road ahead:

www.theixsports.com/the-ix-baske...

Angel Reese fully embraced Chicago. But as @maggiehendricks.bsky.social breaks down, the Sky trading Reese to the Atlanta Dream is just the latest chapter in a troubling trend in Chicago: youtube.com/shorts/v7oy9...

Fitting New York Liberty championship core under new salary cap What does Nyara Sabally's departure in the 2026 expansion draft mean for the New York Liberty salary cap heading into free agency?

Our @classicjpow.bsky.social reported last night that Jonquel Jones intends to re-sign with the New York Liberty. In her latest, she breaks down what that makes New York's math look like in free agency #WNBA www.theixsports.com/features/new...

Atlanta Dream offseason shaping up with Angel Reese trade | The IX Basketball The Atlanta Dream acquired Angel Reese from the Chicago Sky, reshaping their roster as WNBA free agency begins after expansion draft losses.

Three days after losing Maya Caldwell and Nyadiew Puoch in the expansion draft, the Atlanta Dream picked up Angel Reese in a trade.

@wiltonreports.bsky.social explains what this means for the Dream, who are hoping to build on last year's success:

www.theixsports.com/features/how...

The Washington Mystics' first free agency move? Parting ways with general manager Jamila Wideman YouTube video by The IX Sports

On Monday, the Washington Mystics made a stunning move, parting ways with general manager Jamila Wideman right as #WNBA free agency is starting. @jennhatfield.bsky.social, our Mystics beat reporter, explains what she's learned about the decision and how the team will build its 2026 roster from here.

Wins and losses for the Sparks after the expansion draft   | The IX Basketball The Los Angeles Sparks will need to fill an essential role at the point guard position after losing Julie Allemand to the expansion draft.

The Los Angeles Sparks were lucky to retain Rae Burrell and Azurá Stevens after the expansion draft, but the loss of Julie Allemand means big shoes are left to fill at the point guard position.

✍️ @cruby14.bsky.social

www.theixsports.com/features/spa...

Basketball is more than wins and losses for the NCAA's stars | The IX Basketball A champion may have been crowned over the weekend, but the losing teams don't feel that they went home empty-handed.

The college season may be over, but for many of the country's best players, this tournament, season and sport are about so much more than wins and losses.

✍️ Kiri Oler on the lifetime impact of the game:

www.theixsports.com/the-ix-baske...

On the latest episode of Women's Sports Daily, Stephanie Kaloi breaks down the Angel Reese trade and predicts what's yet to come in WNBA free agency:

open.spotify.com/episode/3HDi...

Collage of players who have entered the portal.

Ready for another day of #ncaaw transfer portal chaos?

Bookmark these links for the latest names who have officially entered.

Power 5 - www.theixsports.com/the-ix-baske...

Mid-majors - www.theixsports.com/the-ix-baske...

Tony East on the Fever coring Kelsey Mitchell & extending a restricted qualifying offer to Lexi Hull YouTube video by The IX Sports

The Fever have extended a core qualifying offer to Kelsey Mitchell and extended a restricted qualifying offer to Lexi Hull.

Our @tonyreast.bsky.social on the latest in Indy:

The Sky have extended a qualifying offer to Ariel Atkins. Here’s what that means. YouTube video by The IX Sports

The Sky have extended a core qualifying offer to Ariel Atkins.

Our @maggiehendricks.bsky.social on what that means for Chicago:

What the Aces should focus on in free agency | The IX Basketball The 2026 season is ramping up. If the Aces want to win another championship, they need to make moves in this free agency period.

What do the Aces need to do to ensure they continue to win?

Our Kelly Johnson takes a look at what Vegas should focus on in free agency.

Napheesa Collier receives core qualifying offer from Minnesota Lynx The next major domino of free agency has fallen for the Minnesota Lynx. The team extended a qualifying offer to 2025 MVP runner-up Naphees Collier. Find out from Terry Horstman what it means.

The next major domino of free agency has fallen for the Minnesota Lynx. The team extended a qualifying offer to 2025 MVP runner-up Naphees Collier.

Find out from @terryhorstman.bsky.social what the move means.

youtube.com/shorts/RY_R4...

Los Angeles Sparks send core qualifying offer to Kelsey Plum The Los Angeles Sparks extended a core qualifying offer to star player Kelsey Plum. Cameron Ruby explains the move's impact on the team.

The Los Angeles Sparks extended a core qualifying offer to star player Kelsey Plum. @cruby14.bsky.social explains the move's impact on the team.

youtube.com/shorts/yERNt...

Toronto Tempo extend core qualifying offer to Marina Mabrey The Toronto Tempo selected Marina Mabrey as their lone unrestricted free agent in the expansion draft and have now sent her a core qualifying offer. Chelsea Leite explains the upside of the decision.

The Toronto Tempo selected Marina Mabrey as their lone unrestricted free agent in the expansion draft and have now sent her a core qualifying offer.

@chelsealeite.bsky.social explains the upside of the decision.

youtube.com/shorts/fUOAp...

Cori Close's calling finally turns into a UCLA national title | The IX Sports "It's immeasurably more than I could ask or imagine.”

Cori Close has long called coaching her calling. On Sunday, the lifetime of work turned into a coronation as the UCLA coach finally became a national champion. From @macsmith413.bsky.social: www.theixsports.com/features/cor...

And @howardmegdal.bsky.social has updated with additional analysis and postgame reaction from both UCLA and South Carolina. www.theixsports.com/newsletter/b...

An important note: the only two programs to win both AIAW and NCAA championships are Louisiana Tech and now, UCLA. That is how you bridge eras. And it is why Cori Close is so quick to credit Ann Meyers Drysdale and the ‘78ers.

Of course: story TK @theixsports.bsky.social.

How Maddy McDaniel's game is an act of gratitude | The IX Basketball In helping South Carolina end UConn’s 54-game winning streak, McDaniel played with strength, poise and purpose.

As Maddy McDaniel subs in for South Carolina, take a minute to bookmark this story from @knoxrob1.bsky.social for later. He does a phenomenal job of telling her story:

Takeaways from UCLA's dominant win over South Carolina in national championship game #ncaaw YouTube video by The IX Sports

Our @knoxrob1.bsky.social comes to you live from Phoenix after UCLA won its first NCAA championship with a blowout of South Carolina. Here are several takeaways from the game, including how one graduating player has a list of accomplishments "longer than a CVS receipt." 🧾 #NCAAWBB

Raven Johnson leaving South Carolina in a better place | The IX Basketball Raven Johnson’s career at South Carolina was defined by resilience, joy, and quiet toughness. She leaves as one of the most decorated players.

Raven Johnson's career at South Carolina ended on Sunday. But as our @knoxrob1.bsky.social writes, the senior's impact on the Gamecocks is going to last far longer than the pain of the loss to UCLA in this final game: www.theixsports.com/features/why...