Posts by Emily Adler

Emily Adler (she/her) covers the WNBA at large and college basketball for The IX Basketball, with a focus on player development and the game behind the game.

Dallas Wings forward Haley Jones smiles while holding both arms out to the side and making the 3-point sign with each hand.

WNBA Notes: Haley Jones’ new home and personnel problems in Atlanta and Seattle

August 9, 2025

Plus, a look at Carla Leite’s struggles from three for Golden State

Connecticut Sun guard Leïla Lacan dribbles the ball past a Los Angeles Sparks defender who has her hands up in an attempt not to foul. Other Sparks look on from the background, in front of a blurry arena crowd.

WNBA Notes: Leïla Lacan debuts, Steph White confuses

July 26, 2025

Plus more Mike Thibault wizardry

A picture taken from the 2022 WNBA Draft, looking out across tables with potential draftees and their friends and families, and a stage with an orange WNBA branded podium and screens showing the night's draft picks so far.

WNBA Notes: Reviewing the 2022 draft board

July 19, 2025

Plus, Las Vegas’ first time on the tankathon chart

A shot of New York Liberty forward Breanna Stewart from the shins down standing on a basketball court, her black sweatpants tucked into black tube socks, wearing two shoes of different color schemes: on her left foot, white and gray designs resembling owl wings all over the sneaker, with the logo accents in gold; on the right foot, designs meant to look like the fangs and/or the outline of a snake mouth in white on a navy blue background across the shoe with the logos in gold

How Breanna Stewart struggles to balance love of Harry Potter with combating J.K. Rowling

July 18, 2025

Stewart: ‘How can I have a world where I can do both’

Chicago forward Angel Reese dribbles toward the viewer while Minnesota guard Natisha Hiedeman faces her in a defensive stance while shuffling backward. Next to them, Sky guard Rachel Banham is screening Lynx big Jessica Shepard away from Reese. Dozens of rows of a tightly packed crowd sit in the background and to the side of the court.

WNBA Notes: Breaking down the Angel Reese breakout

July 13, 2025

How Tyler Marsh changed her role and supercharged her game

Golden State Valkyries players Kayla Thornton, Tiffany Hayes, Janelle Salaün, and Cecilia Zandalasini huddle up in the paint during a break in play. A tightly packed crowd fills the seats of an arena in the background.

WNBA Notes: Which teams already regret their choices for the Valkyries expansion draft?

July 6, 2025

Welcome back to WNBA Notes, your journey into trends and analysis around the WNBA. Today we’re looking at the expansion draft and regrets. For reference, since this notebook comes out over the weekend, I define “this week” as the prior Sunday through last night (Saturday, July 5). Tankathon Check-in To be clear, no one in…

Washington Mystics center/forward Shakira Austin is shown from behind. She is getting her right hand up high enough to block a hook shot from Atlanta Dream center Brittney Griner in the paint.

WNBA Notes: From Te-Hina Paopao’s historic stretch to Shakira Austin’s second breakout

June 28, 2025

Shakira Austin has resumed her leap after years of injuries, and Te-Hina Paopao is joining elite company as a rookie sharpshooter.

Connecticut Sun wing Saniya Rivers blocks a jump shot by Dallas Wings guard Arike Ogunbowale using her outstretched fingertips. A packed arena is out of focus in the background.

WNBA Notes: Good and bad defensive play from Saniya Rivers and NaLyssa Smith

June 22, 2025

Plus, what’s both different and familiar about Lexie Hull’s shooting form

Las Vegas Aces guard Jewell Loyd holds the ball in front of her face as she shoots a jump shot. She is shown from the side, and a packed but out-of-focus crowd is in the background behind her.

WNBA Notes: Problems with Teaira McCowan’s effort, Jewell Loyd’s 2-point shooting and Indiana’s roster-building

June 7, 2025

Plus, checking in on the teams that might be bound for the draft lottery

Phoenix Mercury player Alyssa Thomas stands near the top of the key holding her follow-through on a bounce pass that is moving toward the camera, while Washington Mystics big Kiki Iriafen stands in front of her in a defensive stance

WNBA Notes: Alyssa Thomas wreaking havoc, DeWanna Bonner struggling to fit

May 31, 2025

Exercises in how to make the sum either more or less than its parts!