Down Under, early-season WNBL trends are holding steady, as the Bendigo Spirit remain unbeaten, while Adelaide Lighting and UC Capitals are still winless. More importantly, the Spirit’s Sami Whitcomb continues to play as if she’s determined to win her first WNBL championship.

Sami Whitcomb has been the MVP so far—and it’s not even close

At 36, Sami Whitcomb is the best player on the best team in the league. Her averages of 26.6 points and 4.6 made 3s per game are way above the competition. Apart from the shooting, Whitcomb is also a great passer, averaging five dimes per game, while sharing playmaking duties with Kelly Wilson, who’s second in the WNBL with 5.4 assists per contest—and at 40 years old is playing in her 22nd pro season.

On her third team in three seasons, Whitcomb continues to find ways to challenge herself and become better, all while chasing that elusive WNBL championship. She already has two WNBA rings and seeing her triumph in her second homeland—she got Australian citizenship in 2018—would be a perfect summary to one of the more interesting careers this side of the Pacific.

As Indigenous Round begins, Shaneice Swain stars

To honor the Indigenous peoples of Australia, the WNBL will feature eight beautiful Indigenous-inspired jerseys, referee uniforms and basketballs during this round of games, which begins Nov. 20 and will conclude on Nov. 24.

The league features one Indigenous player, Shaneice Swain of the Sydney Flames. Selected No. 14 overall in the 2023 WNBA Draft by the Los Angeles Sparks, Swain is just 21 years old and is currently averaging 18.7 points, 4.7 dimes and 3.3 boards, as well as one steal and 1.3 blocks per game. Los Angeles still retains rights to Swain, as she was an unsigned draftee. So while Sparks fans rue missing out on the No. 1 pick in the WNBA Draft Lottery for the second-straight year, they can regain a measure of optimism by imagining Swain one day (maybe) wearing purple and gold.

Seeing Swain and the Flames face off against the Perth Lynx will be the highlight of the Nov. 23 triple-header. The game of Round 4, though, will occur on Nov. 24, with the Spirit playing against the reigning champs, the Southside Flyers.

League standings

1. Bendigo Spirit (5-0)

2. Perth Lynx (3-1)

3. Townsville Fire (2-1)

4. Geelong United (2-2)

5. Southside Flyers (1-2)

6. Sydney Flames (1-2)

7. Adelaide Lightning (0-3)

8. Canberra Capitals (0-3)

If No. 5 UCLA needed a dress rehearsal for their upcoming battle with No. 1 South Carolina, they couldn’t have asked for a better one than they had against Arkansas this past Sunday.

In routing their opponents, the Bruins outrebounded them 65-27, while dishing 22 assists and committing just 11 turnovers. Lauren Betts, Angela Dugalic and Janiah Barker each had double-doubles, while Timea Gardiner scored a team-high 23 points. None of the nine who took the floor logged more than 27 minutes, highlighting the team’s depth and efficiency.

Unlike their first three games of the season, in which they overcame some slow starts and stutter-steps, the win over the Razorbacks was a complete start-to-finish effort in which the UCLA offense seemed to flow effortlessly. Dugalic, a starter who missed the previous two games in Europe at FIBA qualifiers for Serbia, said the win was a boost for all.

“This gives us a lot of confidence,” she said. “We’ve been building it slowly, and we did it today. Everyone was moving, scoring and rebounding, whether on offense or defense. It was a total team effort – players and coaches included.”

The Bruins were bolstered by the return of junior point guard Kiki Rice, who had been sidelined with a shoulder injury. Though she played just 11 minutes, her presence on the floor got her teammates going, beginning with the pre-game warmup.

“We were thankful to get Kiki back for even a few minutes today, earlier than we thought,” coach Cori Close said. “We had our best warmup of the year – the most focused, the most urgent – because of Kiki’s example. We started hot because of the tone she set in warmups.”

Dugalic agreed.

“Kiki is such a big part of this team, and when she’s on the floor, you know she’s going to do something good,” Dugalic said. “It started with her (demeanor) in warmups, and when I saw that I was like, let’s go.”

UCLA scored 30 points in the first quarter, 32 in the second, and added defense in the last period, holding Arkansas to 14 points as they hit the century mark for the 101-52 win. Betts scored 20 points and grabbed 12 rebounds; Dugalic had 18 points and 15 boards; and Barker added 17 points and 12 rebounds. Freshman Elina Aarnisalo dished out 11 assists, and freshman Kendall Dudley scored 7 points, to go along with 9 rebounds.

Close said the Bruins took advantage of the Razorbacks’ triple-teams on Betts, and exploited it to their advantage.

“Timea came out and kept hitting those shots, Kendall was hugs, Lauren was a facilitator, and everyone got rebounds,” Close said. “That’s selflessness.”

Close said she was most pleased with the low turnover total, which met one of their goals. Gardiner said she and her teammates enjoyed running in transition more because they were making defensive stops.

“Everyone shared the ball tonight, and it was really fun,” she said.

UCLA’s cohesion so early in the season is even more impressive because 7 of the 13 on the roster are newcomers.

Gardiner, a junior transfer from Oregon State, has started 3 games and averages 14 points and 4.5 rebounds per game. Aarnisalo, a freshman from Finland, is averaging 12.5 rebounds, 7.5 assists and 4.3 rebounds in 4 starts. Barker is a junior transfer from Texas A&M who has visibly improved with each game. She averages 11.3 points and 9.8 rebounds.

Another impressive freshman is Kendall Dudley, who rose for 7 points and 9 rebounds against the Razorbacks. Close said she had challenged both Barker and Dudley to step it up, and they answered the call.

“Kendall and Janiah are two people who showed huge growth today, and today was about growth,” Close said.

Gardiner said it was easy for new players to fit in.

“Kudos to the whole team, who have welcomed us with open arms,” she said. “We are truly family here…everyone cares about each other on a deep level. Cori has built a great culture.”

Returners have shown a lot of growth as well. Close has said that junior guard Londynn Jones has taken the biggest steps forward from last year with both her game and her approach.

Betts, a junior, is visibly more confident this season, and is averaging 21.5 points, 11.5 rebounds and 2.2 blocks per game. Her coach said that her biggest improvement, however, has been in her mindset.

“The thing I’m most happy about with Lauren is her steadiness in the face of adversity,” Close said. “Almost every game we’re having to take her out with blood on her jersey, because she’s just getting scratched and clawed. A year ago that would have been a distraction to her, and stopped her from playing as she got to a frustration level.”

“Now for three straight games she has had to stop and change her jersey, and she just keeps on going. I’m so proud of her maturation process and her mental toughness.”

Arkansas coach Mike Neighbors, who used to coach across from Close for the University of Washington, told reporters that this year’s squad is the best he’s seen under Close’s time in Westwood.

Close said that even more than the talent the Bruins have on the floor, she is excited about the qualities that she sees budding on her roster.

“Habits, mindset, toughness and character – that’s your ceiling,” she said. “We’ve known for a long time that we have a talented roster, but we need to have the consistency of having great habits and great toughness. Grit.”

UCLA will have their hands full with the defending championship Gamecocks coming to town this Sunday, but they will have more rest, as they have no games this week. South Carolina, by contrast, plays tonight.

Close said Rice is expected to play in the game, which she calls “a great opportunity.”

Gardiner said that although the team is excited about a top 10 matchup in front of what will likely be a sold-out arena, they are preparing one step at a time.

“We’re focused on what we can do,” Gardiner said. “They’re a great team, but all we can control is our program. We’re going to go out and execute the scout.”

UCLA-South Carolina tips off at 1 p.m. Sunday at Pauley Pavilion.

The 2024 national team break has passed, and basketball competitions all over Europe are resuming. EuroLeague Women is set to play its fifth first-round group play matchups this week, and there’s plenty on the line as the clubs that have not yet qualified for the second round will try to clinch their respective spots.

There’s also a bit of roster activity to get caught up on, as is typical around this time of year. Let’s start with the big one: 6-foot-7 center Teaira McCowan, who was previously competing for the Turkish national team in the 2025 Women’s EuroBasket qualifiers (McCowan is an American and Turkish dual citizen) will now play for Turkish club ÇBK Mersin. Mersin is already looking strong at 4-0 in group play, and McCowan’s addition will further fortify the club’s frontcourt depth.

Elsewhere, veteran Canadian center Kayla Alexander has arrived in Valencia, where Valencia Basket Club (3-1) will look to strengthen its resume heading into the second round of group play. UNI Győr (0-4) will not be as fortunate, though it will soon have the services of Canadian guard Bridget Carleton, who played for the Hungarian club last season.

You can watch for these new faces in Week 5, as well as the clubs that will be playing for a spot in the next round of group play, live and for free on FIBA’s EuroLeague Women YouTube channel. Here’s an overview of the week’s matchups, including which players and storylines to follow.

Wednesday, November 20

ÇBK Mersin (4-0) vs. Žabiny Brno (2-2)

When: 11 a.m. ET

Where: Starez Aréna Vodova in Brno, Czech Republic

How to watch: FIBA YouTube live stream

Notable players: Marine Johannès, Natasha Howard, Teaira McCowan, Karlie Samuelson, Yvonne Anderson, Iliana Rupert, Marine Fauthoux, Regan Magarity (ÇBK Mersin); Elissa Cunane, Eliška Hamzová (Žabiny Brno)

Matchup details: McCowan was likely brought to Mersin to start, though the Turkish club certainly has options in its frontcourt with her, Howard and more of a “stretch” big in Rupert. They’ll probably be hashing things out against Brno, which, like Mersin, has already qualified for the second round of group play. Mersin outshot Brno when the two clubs last met in Week 2 and won comfortably, but we’ll see if the 3-pointer is as big of an emphasis this time around with McCowan in the lineup.

Perfumerias Avenida (2-2) vs. Basket Landes (2-2)

When: 1:30 p.m. ET

Where: Espace François Mitterrand in Mont-de-Marsan, France

How to watch: FIBA YouTube live stream

Notable players: Arella Guirantes, Sika Koné, Mikiah Herbert Harrigan, Arica Carter (Perfumerias Avenida); Destiny Slocum, Leïla Lacan, Sam Fuehring, Luisa Geiselsöder (Basket Landes)

Matchup details: This is a huge game in Group A—the only group in which no club has clinched a spot in the second round. If Week 2’s results are any indication, Avenida should have little trouble with Landes here, but since no team from Group A has been eliminated, it’s going to be treated as a must-win game for both sides. The team that wins this game will officially advance. We’ll see if Landes can shoot the ball a little better from the field than it did against Avenida in their first meeting (32.8 percent).

Olympiacos B.C. (0-4) vs. Tango Bourges Basket (2-2)

When: 2 p.m. ET

Where: Palais des Sports du Prado in Bourges, France

How to watch: FIBA YouTube live stream

Notable players: Kyra Lambert, Ivana Raca, Rebecca Tobin (Olympiacos B.C.); Amy Okonkwo, Morgan Green, Pauline Astier, Kariata Diaby (Tango Bourges Basket)

Matchup details: In a good example of point differential silliness, Olympiacos is technically still able to advance to the second round of group play, but will need a 35-point win over Bourges in order to do so, according to FIBA. This is, needless to say, quite unlikely. Bourges won every quarter when it last played Olympiacos, and nothing since then has instilled any additional confidence in the Greek club, which has been at an overall talent disadvantage in just about every game it’s played this season.

KGHM BC Polkowice (1-3) vs. Villeneuve-d’Ascq LM (0-4)

When: 2 p.m. ET

Where: Palacium in Villeneuve-d’Ascq, France

How to watch: FIBA YouTube live stream

Notable players: Alexis Peterson, Amanda Zahui B., Rennia Davis, Emma Cannon (KGHM BC Polkowice); Shavonte Zellous, Kelsey Bone, Carla Leite, Haley Peters (Villeneuve-d’Ascq LM)

Matchup details: In Group C, things are simple: If Polkowice wins against Villeneuve-d’Ascq, it advances as the group’s third and final club in the second round. Things were not particularly close back in Week 2, with the Polish club riding a huge second quarter to a comfortable victory over Villeneuve-d’Ascq. To say things have been disappointing for Villeneuve-d’Ascq after a second-place finish last season would be an understatement. Even if the French club wins for the first time this week, it would be a massive long shot to make the second round with a game against Zaragoza looming.

Fenerbahçe Opet (4-0) vs. Casademont Zaragoza (3-1)

When: 2 p.m. ET

Where: Pabellón Príncipe Felipe in Zaragoza, Spain

How to watch: FIBA YouTube live stream

Notable players: Ariel Atkins, Emma Meesseman, Tina Charles, Gabby Williams, Julie Allemand, Nikolina Milić, Sevgi Uzun (Fenerbahçe Opet); Markeisha Gatling, Helena Pueyo, Tanaya Atkinson, Stephanie Mawuli (Casademont Zaragoza)

Matchup details: Can Zaragoza finally get over the Fenerbahçe hump? The Spanish club has been one of the few to give the reigning champions consistent challenges since the start of last season, and while Fenerbahçe will once again be favored this week (and for good reason), perhaps Zaragoza having home court advantage will be enough to tilt things the other way. In any case, there are no second-round implications to be had here; both Fenerbahçe and Zaragoza have already clinched their spots.

Umana Reyer Venezia (3-1) vs. Valencia Basket Club (3-1)

When: 2 p.m. ET

Where: Pabellón Fuente de San Luis in Valencia, Spain

How to watch: FIBA YouTube live stream

Notable players: Awak Kuier, Lorela Cubaj, Kamiah Smalls (Umana Reyer Venezia); Alina Iagupova, Stephanie Mavunga, Yvonne Turner, Kayla Alexander, Leticia Romero, Bernadett Határ, Alba Torrens (Valencia Basket Club)

Matchup details: Venezia’s Week 2 win over Valencia was just one of several early-season successes for the Italian club, which has somewhat surprisingly already clinched its spot in the second round of group play. Valencia, too, will be moving on, though as a club widely expected to compete for a championship this season, it probably won’t be content with simply coasting onto the next round; look for the veteran-laden Valencia to show out at home as it looks for revenge against its Group D rival.

Thursday, November 21

ZVVZ USK Praha (2-2) vs. UNI Győr (0-4)

When: 12 p.m. ET

Where: University Hall of Györ in Győr, Hungary

How to watch: FIBA YouTube live stream

Notable players: Brionna Jones, Isabelle Harrison, Maite Cazorla, Valeriane Ayayi, Maria Conde, Emese Hof (ZVVZ USK Praha); Bridget Carleton, Cyesha Goree (UNI Győr)

Matchup details: Somewhat surprisingly, Praha has yet to clinch a spot in the second round, but there’s a good chance the Czech club officially makes it this week. According to FIBA, Praha will advance with a win or a loss by 12 points or fewer. While Ezi Magbegor still has yet to make her season debut for Praha, her services may not be necessary in this matchup; Praha defeated Györ comfortably back in Week 2 without Magbegor or Jones, and though Györ absolutely must win this game in order to stay in the second-round hunt, it’s not looking like a realistic outcome on paper.

DVTK HUN-Therm (1-3) vs. Beretta Famila Schio (3-1)

When: 2 p.m. ET

Where: Palazzetto Livio Romare in Schio, Italy

How to watch: FIBA YouTube live stream

Notable players: Kaila Charles, Aleksa Gulbe (DVTK HUN-Therm); Kitija Laksa, Jasmine Keys, Janelle Salaün (Beretta Famila Schio)

Matchup details: DVTK is hanging on for dear life to its hopes of making the second round, having previously defeated Schio in Week 2 but losing the rest of its games to this point. The Hungarian club would have to hope for a big amount of outside help, starting with a Landes victory over Avenida, in order to remain in the picture. Schio, on the other hand, hasn’t qualified just yet, but according to FIBA, will make the second round either by winning against DVTK or by watching Landes defeat Avenida. Either way, Schio has been the most impressive club in Group A, and don’t be surprised if it takes care of its own business here at home.

In Sunday’s 2025 WNBA Draft Lottery, the Chicago Sky won the No. 3 pick in April’s WNBA Draft. They also have No. 10 pick, a product of a trade with the Connecticut Sun during the 2024 season.

On the opportunity that awaits the franchise in the draft, general manager Jeff Pagliocca said:

We are ecstatic to receive another top-four draft pick, along with our No. 10 pick, to build on our roster and create a winning franchise. As the draft talent pool continues to expand, we look forward to adding exceptional new stars to the Chicago Sky on draft night in April.

After hiring Tyler Marsh as the new head coach, the Sky are hoping to heed his call and improve the team’s shooting. As UConn standout Paige Beuckers is likely to be selected by the Dallas Wings with the No. 1 pick, the Sky are setting their sights on shooters, as well as players with height and length. Paigliocca asserted:

The top priority is going to be shooting. I’ll always look at positional size. If we can find a point guard that’s over 6 feet tall, that would be great. If we’re looking at a wing, it could be 6-foot-1 to 6-foot-3 in a perfect world. With that type of length, it gives them a lot of different abilities during the course of a game when it comes to making plays in the paint, seeing over defenses to make plays for other people and getting their shots off over maybe guards or matchups at their size.

The names circulating as potential candidates for the No. 3 pick include forward Kiki Iriafen of USC, guard Azzi Fudd of UConn and point guard Olivia Miles of Notre Dame. Iriafen is averaging 17.3 points and 7.5 rebounds per game and shooting 54 percent from the field. Miles is averaging 18.3 points, 8.0 rebounds and 6.8 assists per game while shooting 55.1 percent from the field. Fudd has yet to make her season debut.

Conference play doesn’t start until December for the Big Ten, but women’s college basketball is well underway, and so far, all the contenders have gone unbeaten. Here’s how each of the seven teams ranked in the Top 25 have performed:

No. 3 USC reigns supreme

They had a scare in their first game, squeaking by No. 20 Ole Miss 68-66, but the Trojans got the win and have never looked back. Still ranked No. 3 nationally, they’ve been impressive at 4-0 and set a record point total for the program with their 124-39 victory over CSUN.

Sophomore superstar JuJu Watkins has picked up where she left off last year, averaging 21.5 points, 6.3 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game. She also became the fastest Trojan to reach 1,000 career points.

Her new partner in crime, senior forward Kiki Iriafen, has made the adjustment from Stanford to USC well and is putting up 17.3 points and 7.5 rebounds per game. Watkins, Iriafen and the Trojans will face their first big test on Saturday when they play No. 6 Notre Dame at home.

No. 5 UCLA is right there

USC might reign supreme, but UCLA is breathing down their necks. The Bruins remain at No. 5 in the nation and have won all four of their games. Junior center Lauren Betts has been a superstar, averaging a double-double.

This Sunday, they will play No. 1 South Carolina, and winning that game would be historic, ending the Gamecocks’ 42-game winning streak. If they do that, they will undoubtedly move up in the rankings and be labeled as the team to beat in the Big Ten.

No. 11 Maryland has an elite wing

Junior guard Kaylene Smikle is taking charge, leading the No. 11 Terrapins in scoring at 18.6 points per game, and doing it on 52.6 percent shooting.

Their most impressive win so far was an 85-80 victory over No. 14 Duke. Given that they have no ranked opponents until January, they should be able to stack up wins in November and December.

No. 12 Buckeyes cruising in Columbus

At No. 12 in the nation, the Buckeyes have jumped up two spots from their preseason projection. Junior forward Cotie McMahon is averaging 16.3 points per game, and guard Chance Gray is having a breakout junior year, scoring 17.3 points a game.

The rest of their non-conference schedule is smooth sailing, so they should enter Big Ten play undefeated.

Here come the No. 21 Cornhuskers

No. 21 Nebraska has steamrolled their competition early. Across four contests, they are winning by a margin of 29.75 points per game, and with no ranked opponents until late December, expect that to continue.

The Cornhuskers have a balanced attack, which is why they tied the program’s single-game record for made 3s with 20 against South Dakota, and why four players are averaging double digits. And senior guard Alberte Rimdal is just decimal points away from 10, scoring 9.8 per game. Until they play anyone of merit, they’re doing what they’re supposed to do by beating the teams in front of them.

No. 22 Illinois impressive early

The No. 22 Fighting Illini took on the tough challenge of facing then-No. 19 Florida State in the season opener. They passed with flying colors, winning 83-74.

Their backcourt of senior guards Adalia McKenzie and Makira Cook have combined for 27.3 points and 7.5 rebounds per game, and senior forward Kendall Bostic has been a walking double-double, averaging 11.3 points and 10.3 rebounds per game.

On Nov. 27, they’ll take on their biggest test yet, playing No. 15 Kentucky in the Music City Classic in Nashville.

How about those No. 23 Ducks!

The conference’s surprise early on has to be the No. 23 Ducks. They shocked the basketball world by defeating No. 12 Baylor in a thrilling 76-74 game. Graduate guard Deja Kelly scored 20 points in the upset win, and junior guard Nani Falatea had a big game, scoring 12 points off the bench.

Now ranked, they are in prime position to remain undefeated and climb even higher in the rankings if they win their non-conference matchups.