August 27, 2022
Daily Briefing — Aug. 27, 2022: Off-season, Overseas, Onward!
Maybe if we say semifinals three times they’ll start now...
Happy Saturday! Welcome to The Next’s Daily Briefing featuring the W Roundup. One more sleep until the WNBA semifinals, if you’ll believe it. Yet, even as the WNBA post-season continues marching ahead, players on eliminated teams have already started to make their moves for the upcoming WNBA off-season. From competing on national teams to playing overseas or in Athletes Unlimited, the range of opportunities for players is vast. Here is some of what we know so far, in the first installment of many overseas updates:
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Washington Mystics:
The Next’s Jenn Hatfield confirmed the status of several Mystics players earlier this morning (modified for clarity):
Per Washington Mystics PR, at least 5 players will play overseas this off-season, and Natasha Cloud will play in AU Pro Hoops.
In addition, several players will compete for national teams, and head coach Mike Thibault will be an assistant with USA Basketball at the World Cup.
| Player | Team | Country |
| Shakira Austin | Elitzur Ramla | Israel |
| Tianna Hawkins | Townsville Fire | Australia |
| Jazmine Jones | Ramat Hasharon | Israel |
| Rui Machida | Fujitsu Red Wave | Japan |
| Shatori Walker-Kimbrough | Maccabi Bnot Ashdod | Israel |
Originally tweeted by Jenn Hatfield (she/her) (@jennhatfield1) on Aug. 27, 2022.
In addition, Ariel Atkins, Shakira Austin, Elena Delle Donne and Myisha Hines-Allen have all been invited to Team USA’s World Cup training camp, which will run from Sept. 6–12.
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Indiana Fever:
Several Fever players have signed to play in the 2022–23 EuroLeague and/or EuroBasket seasons. As of publication, they include:
- Alanna Smith: Signed for AZS-AJP Gorzów (Poland)
- Tiffany Mitchell: Signed with the Melbourne Boomers (WNBL Australia)
- Queen Egbo: Signed to Nesibe Aydin (Turkey)
- Emily Engstler: Signed to Flammes Carolo (France)
- Emma Cannon: Signed to Bursa Uludag Basketbol (Turkey)
- Rennia Davis: Will play for Landerneau (France), also signed to Besiktas HDI Sigorta (Turkey)
In addition, NaLyssa Smith will join the Team USA World Cup training camp.
Next, read:
- Our Hayden Cilley reflects on a tumultuous Phoenix Mercury season, from ever-changing rosters and a new coach, to a rocky road through the playoffs.
- For FiveThirtyEight, our Howard Megdal previews the semifinal round, including key stats and predictions for each matchup.
W Roundup
Seattle: No word yet on whether wing Gabby Williams will be available after she suffered a concussion in the third quarter of last Sunday’s match against Washington. Winsidr’s Hunter Hames reported Friday that she was not in practice with the team.
Written by Isabel Rodrigues
Isabel Rodrigues (she/her) is a contributing editor for The Next from upstate New York. She occasionally covers 3x3 and labor in women's basketball.
