Posts by Em Adler

Em Adler (she/they) covers the WNBA at large and college basketball for The Next, with a focus on player development and the game behind the game.

A three-picture collage of the leading WNBA MVP vote-getters: on top-left, Breanna Stewart releases a deep jump shot over the outstretched arm of a defender; on the top-right, A'ja Wilson shoots a fadeaway jumper over a defender; on the bottom, Alyssa Thomas.

The Next’s 2023 WNBA Awards: MVP

September 25, 2023

Do you think they’ll cut the trophy in half horizontally or vertically?

A screenshot from the video game NBA 2K24 featuring a team selection screen where the chosen teams are the Las Vegas Aces but with A'ja Wilson five times and the Atlanta Dream with Rhyne Howard five times.

Choosing the 2023 WNBA MVP with video games and clones

September 23, 2023

Welcome to the WNBA Clone League, a truly absurd endeavor

A three-picture collage of the leading WNBA Most Improved Player vote-getters: on top, Jordin Canada dribbles past a Connecticut Sun defender who has fallen over; on the bottom-left, Satou Sabally drives baseline into the paint; on the bottom-right, Alanna Smith looks surprised.

The Next’s 2023 WNBA Awards: Most Improved Player

September 20, 2023

Jordin Canada takes the internal vote from The Next staff

A three-picture collage of the leading WNBA Sixth Player of the Year vote-getters: on top, Alysha Clark shoots a 3-pointer; on the bottom-left, Dana Evans fights to keep ahold of the ball as she weaves through traffic; on the bottom-right, DiJonai Carrington makes the "count it" gesture to celebrate an and-1.

The Next’s 2023 WNBA Awards: Sixth Player of the Year

September 17, 2023

Former starter Aces combo forward Alysha Clark earns the honor

A three-image collage of the WNBA's leading Coach of the Year candidates on their respective sidelines: Stephanie White, Latricia Trammell and Cheryl Reeve.

The Next’s 2023 WNBA awards: Coach of the Year

September 16, 2023

First-year Sun head coach Stephanie White takes home the hardware

Members of the Indiana Fever stand huddled up in the paint during a WNBA game while some members of the Minnesota Lynx stand behind them at the free-throw line in a huddle, as they all wait before a Lynx takes free-throws.

Sunday Notes, Week 15: Let’s talk about the future, with Indiana, Phoenix and more!

September 10, 2023

Our weekly look around the WNBA dives into the four teams missing the playoffs and measures how bright their futures are, from Fever to Storm

Chicago Sky guard Dana Evans dribbles downhill in a WNBA game while looking across the court past her defender, Washington Mystics wing Shatori Walker-Kimbrough, side-stepping alongside

Sunday Notes, Week 14: Point guard growth, from Dana Evans to Sabrina Ionescu

September 3, 2023

The Next’s weekly journey into trends and analysis from around the WNBA

Washington's Ivory Latta (12) looks to pass during the WNBA basketball game between the Washington Mystics and the Connecticut Sun at the Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville, Connecticut, USA on August 07, 2015.

Sunday Notes, Week 13: It’s time to remember some gals

August 27, 2023

Welcome back to Sunday Notes, your weekly journey into trends and analysis around the WNBA for week 13

New York Liberty point guard Courtney Vandersloot looks up the court while throwing a no-look cross-court pass in a WNBA game against Washington Mystics wing Brittney Sykes, who is guarding Vandersloot but not looking in the direction of the pass.

Sunday Notes, Week 12: Is Courtney Vandersloot, a superstar, overlooked? Let’s discuss

August 20, 2023

Every superteam has at least one star who is overshadowed – not underrated – and Courtney Vandersloot is one of a handful of Liberty players in that boat.

Minnesota Lynx big Napheesa Collier releases a jump shot off her fingertips as Las Vegas Aces big A'ja Wilson jumps toward her with an outstretched arm to contest the shot in a WNBA game.

Sunday Notes, Week 11: Napheesa Collier is a star, Azurá Stevens is good again, and more

August 13, 2023

It’s your weekly journey into trends and analysis around the WNBA for the week of Aug. 6-12