There are plenty of intriguing storylines heading into the 2025 WNBA season. It will be the first time a subsection of players will come out of the offseason having played competitive basketball, as the Unrivaled Basketball League has done what it was intended to do. One specific player from that league who will have a lot of eyes on her in 2025 is Angel Reese.
The Chicago Sky All-Star is a bit of a polarizing player and personality. On the court, her tenacious playstyle has led to some criticism, as has her offensive repertoire. Off the court, her brash attitude rubs some people the wrong way. But Reese continues to have a lot of fans, especially on social media, where she reigns supreme across various platforms.
Angel Reese’s floor moment stuns teammates as she reacts in unexpected fashion
Angel Reese named “TikTok Barbie” for viral video with Napheesa Collier
Reese hasn’t missed an opportunity to be active on social media while playing for Rose BC in Unrivaled. In fact, she got help from fellow WNBA star Napheesa Collier to put together a stellar recreation of a trending meme.
The Unrivaled social media account felt it apt to dub Reese the “TikTok Barbie“. Reese’s new nickname is a play on her “Bayou Barbie” moniker that came to fruition during her college basketball days at LSU.
“Barbie” appears to always be a part of her nicknames, as the other two that have been given to her are “Chi Barbie” and “Rebounding Barbie“. It’s only a matter of time before she does something noteworthy to get a new one.
Caitlin Clark’s every move has become a headline, and for good reason. The Indiana Fever’s rising star has been a transformative figure in the WNBA, captivating fans and driving viewership to record levels in her rookie season. So, when whispers about her potential participation in the inaugural season of the Unrivaled 3-on-3 basketball league began circulating, excitement was palpable.
Unrivaled, set to debut in Miami this January, boasts a roster packed with WNBA superstars. Fans eagerly awaited Clark’s inclusion among the final names announced for the league, hopeful she would bring her dynamic playmaking to the innovative competition. However, Clark stunned supporters on Wednesday when it was revealed she had opted out, choosing to remain focused on her WNBA career instead.
Unusual autograph request leaves Caitlin Clark uncomfortable on the golf course
The decision sparked heated debates online, and few voices were louder-or sharper-than Skip Bayless. The outspoken sportscaster wasted no time sharing his unfiltered opinion, praising Clark’s choice. “Good for Caitlin Clark not playing in this new 3-on-3 league,”Bayless posted on X. “After all the jealousy and resentment she felt last season- all the cheap shots and bullying attempts- she made a late-season run at MVP. SHE’S the reason WNBA popularity exploded last season. She doesn’t need 3-on-3.”
Bayless’ commentary struck a nerve, framing Clark’s absence as a power move. He emphasized how her resilience during her rookie year, overcoming intense scrutiny and physical play, established her as the WNBA’s marquee attraction. In his eyes, participating in Unrivaled would have been a step down for a player who had already become the face of the league.
Star-studded Unrivaled debut faces a Caitlin Clark-sized void
Unrivaled, meanwhile, has drawn considerable star power for its debut season. Founders Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier will suit up alongside league headliners such as Chelsea Gray, Kelsey Plum, and Arike Ogunbowale. Even Clark’s fierce rival, Angel Reese, has committed to the tournament, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the event.
Interestingly, Clark’s decision leaves her Indiana Fever teammates, Aliyah Boston and Lexie Hull, as two of the players representing the franchise in Unrivaled. The Fever duo joins a roster stacked with talent, but Clark’s absence is undeniably the most significant storyline surrounding the league’s launch.
For fans, the decision may feel bittersweet. On one hand, Clark’s choice solidifies her focus on building her legacy in the WNBA. On the other, it underscores the challenge Unrivaled faces in securing all of the league’s top-tier stars. With its current roster, the league is poised for an exciting debut, but Clark’s absence serves as a reminder of just how influential she has become in such a short time.
As the debate rages on, one thing is clear: Caitlin Clark’s every move will continue to shape the narrative of women’s basketball. Whether on or off the court, her decisions carry weight-and Skip Bayless, for one, believes she’s made the right call.
Las Vegas Aces forward A’ja Wilson was the unanimous choice as the WNBA MVP, the league announced Sunday.
She is only the second player to win the award unanimously, joining Cynthia Cooper, who did it in the league’s inaugural season of 1997.
Caitlin Clark sinks deep shot and lets out fierce scream during Indiana Fever shootaround
Wilson received all 67 first-place votes from a national media panel and now has won the award three times. The Aces’ star forward was also honored in 2020 and 2022. She’s the fourth player in WNBA history to do that, joining Lisa Leslie and Lauren Jackson.
Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier (467 points) finished in second place, followed by New York Liberty forward Breanna Stewart (295 points), Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (130 points) and Connecticut Sun forward Alyssa Thomas (83 points) in fifth.
Wilson finished the regular season with 1,021 points, 451 rebounds and led the league with 98 blocks. Last year she was third in the WNBA MVP voting .
Since the historic WNBA season resumed after the Olympic break, one of the hottest and most in-form teams is the Indiana Fever (18-17), led by rookie sensation Caitlin Clark. The Fever have secured a playoff spot for the first time since 2016. With seven of the eight playoff teams already decided, the final 12 days of the season will determine playoff seeding and who claims the eighth spot among the Chicago Sky (12-22), Atlanta Dream (12-22), and Washington Mystics (11-23). However, whoever clinches that final spot will likely face a daunting challenge against the potential top-seeded New York Liberty (28-6), who are poised for a deep playoff run.
Clark’s Explosive Emotions
In yesterday’s 88-99 loss to the Minnesota Lynx (25-9), the Fever had a strong start, leading 50-45 at halftime. However, the Lynx made key adjustments in the third quarter, while some Fever players seemed to lose focus, allowing Napheesa Collier (26 points, 10 rebounds) and the Lynx to outscore them 29-12 in the third quarter, taking a 12-point lead into the final period. The youth of the Fever was evident as several foul calls were met with increasing disbelief. Emotions ran high as Clark and Aliyah Boston focused as much on the officials as on the game itself, with Boston earning her third technical of the season.
In the post-game press conference, Clark expressed her frustration:
I was frustrated and thought I got fouled a couple times in the second half on mid-range jump shots. It happens. Sometimes you get calls, sometimes you don’t. It is what it is… I think I could have done a little bit better job controlling my own emotions. I think there’s a line and sometimes your passion, your emotion can get to you, but that’s not something I would ever change or anybody on our team would ever change.
Clark, at just 22 years old, is still learning to control the highs and lows of playing in high-stakes games. While her passion is undeniable, she must harness it as the playoffs approach in two weeks, where composure will be crucial. Indiana coach Christie Sides also felt the intensity of the game: “That felt like playoff basketball and that’s what I just kept telling our players.” With the Fever likely facing either the Lynx or the Connecticut Sun (24-10) in the playoffs, the stakes are only getting higher.
Fever’s Remaining Games
The Fever have five games left in the regular season, with four of them at home, giving them a chance to climb higher in the standings. Two of these games will be particularly challenging, as they face the defending champions, the Las Vegas Aces (22-12), who boast MVP favorite A’Ja Wilson, a top-five player in nearly every statistical category. Beyond those matchups, the path seems “easier” for the Fever and Caitlin Clark, but games are won on the court, not on paper.
Clark, the frontrunner for Rookie of the Year and a top-three candidate for MVP according to several sportsbooks, leads all rookies in nearly every category and tops the league in assists and three-pointers made. She also has the rookie record for most three-pointers and is the first rookie to record a triple-double in WNBA history, shes’s now done it twice, among many other accolades
