2025 WNBA Pre-Season Thread | Page 7 | The Boneyard

2025 WNBA Pre-Season Thread

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Dillon77 said:
Sonia Citron got a "welcome to a WNBA screen" today, courtesy of Brittany Griner, which resulted in her "starfishing" on the floor.
She's ok...

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Must have been loud and painful because the dribbler just stopped in her tracks.
 
Waived players today... bummed for Anna...

Queen Egbo was waived by the Las Vegas Aces.
Harmoni Turner was waived by the Las Vegas Aces.
Anna Makurat was waived by the Phoenix Mercury.
Shyla Heal was waived by the Phoenix Mercury.
Yvonne Ejim was waived by the Indiana Fever.
Ajae Petty was waived by the Minnesota Lynx.
Camryn Taylor was waived by the Minnesota Lynx.
Diamond Johnson was waived by the Minnesota Lynx.
Dalayah Daniels was waived by the Minnesota Lynx.
 
Does Haley Jones make the roster in Atlanta. Im a bit surprised with her career. I just remember her winning a natty as a sophomore and looking like such a matchup nightmare. Obviously she's living out her dream and has had some solid outings in the W but it seems she was in the back of the rotation today, even behind Paopao
 
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jdote33 said:
Does Haley Jones make the roster in Atlanta. Im a bit surprised with her career. I just remember her winning a natty as a sophomore and looking like such a matchup nightmare. Obviously she's living out her dream and has had some solid outings in the W but it seems she was in the back of the rotation today, even behind Paopao
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She’s on the cusp for sure. One of the more puzzling careers in recent years. Absolutely tore up the NCAA tournament in 2021 and was far and away the best player in that Final Four but didn’t get better (and arguably regressed) after that. She’s a good playmaker, I think the issue is she’s not quick enough to play PG and is far from a good enough shooter to play SG or SF.

I think she’s someone who could go overseas for a few years and then come back and break out in the W. She is talented and a very likable person, just needs to develop her identity as a player at the pro level. Not sure I see it happening with the Dream behind two of the better wings in the league in Gray/Howard.

I actually think five or six years ago this Dream roster would be a contender for best in the league. Canada/Gray/Howard/Jones/Griner is a really good lineup. But the talent in the league now is on another level.
 
cancontent said:


Nice start especially for a pre-season game.
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It’s really encouraging to see. The Valkyries are very likely going to be at the bottom of the league this year, but this kind of fan support (added to the fact that the Bay Area is one of the nicer team locations to live in) will incentivize free agents to pick up the phone next year.
 
EricLA said:
Waived players today... bummed for Anna...

Queen Egbo was waived by the Las Vegas Aces.
Harmoni Turner was waived by the Las Vegas Aces.
Anna Makurat was waived by the Phoenix Mercury.
Shyla Heal was waived by the Phoenix Mercury.
Yvonne Ejim was waived by the Indiana Fever.
Ajae Petty was waived by the Minnesota Lynx.
Camryn Taylor was waived by the Minnesota Lynx.
Diamond Johnson was waived by the Minnesota Lynx.
Dalayah Daniels was waived by the Minnesota Lynx.
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Harmoni being waived doesn't surprise me (she was not equipped to play the role she was asked to play by the Aces, and she never should've been drafted ahead of players who may have been better equipped to play said role e.g. Diamond Johnson), but I don't think she's completely done with the WNBA. She'll get another crack at it.
 
JellyBean said:
I know it is only preseason, but I like the grit of the Golden State Valkyries squad. That was a pretty intense game. Kate Martin is something special. The way the crowd reacted to her every shot, make or miss. She is a joy to watch.
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Loved seeing the effort from so many of the Valkyries! They're clearly getting (and following) direction from their head coach.

On the flip side, I have no idea what LA is doing. The Plum/Hamby 30+ thing doesn't move me because they're two "stars" on what's likely to be a mediocre team. Franchise should've rebuilt around Rickea, young PG, Brink, Burrell, and potentially Malonga. Not sold on the coach, either.
 
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Note sure if it's been noted in this thread but no sighting of Prince anywhere in training camps or preseason games. She's reportedly headed to Lebanon to play overseas.
 
GoChips20 said:
It’s really encouraging to see. The Valkyries are very likely going to be at the bottom of the league this year, but this kind of fan support (added to the fact that the Bay Area is one of the nicer team locations to live in) will incentivize free agents to pick up the phone next year.
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I think they're well positioned. Immediately they have huge fan support, they will get a high draft pick next year and anyone no longer on a rookie contract will be a free agent next year. I imagine they'll have a great shot of landing Sabrina in in the offseason.
 
bballnut90 said:
I think they're well positioned. Immediately they have huge fan support, they will get a high draft pick next year and anyone no longer on a rookie contract will be a free agent next year. I imagine they'll have a great shot of landing Sabrina in in the offseason.
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Interesting. Free agency in 2026 hasn't crossed my mind yet. If potential moves like this are possible, I'll have my popcorn ready. ;)
 
Dillon77 said:
Matthew Collier of HerHoopsStats Takes a look at what each first-round draft choice can bring to her team.

herhoopstats.substack.com

Where does every WNBA first-rounder fit in?

Projecting the role and analyzing the circumstances of each top 2025 rookie
herhoopstats.substack.com herhoopstats.substack.com
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Thanks for sharing. Pretty decent breakdown by Matt. I have been a subscriber of his website for a few years now and he does a decent job on the players and their programs. I am really high on Sonia, Kiki, and Georgia. Talk about right fit. Those three with Washington and that teams rising core of players. They could be on to something positive.
 
cancontent said:


Nice start especially for a pre-season game.
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Mad respect to the Golden State fans for showing up and showing out! Like others have said, and I agree 100%. Watching that game, a preseason game at that, the Valkyrie fans energy was off the charts!! Love it!!
 
jdote33 said:
Does Haley Jones make the roster in Atlanta. Im a bit surprised with her career. I just remember her winning a natty as a sophomore and looking like such a matchup nightmare. Obviously she's living out her dream and has had some solid outings in the W but it seems she was in the back of the rotation today, even behind Paopao
Expand ...
Oh, she will make the roster. Haley has always been a unique player with a team first mindset. To me, her WNBA career is going as expected. Her personality does not scream or demand that she be the focal point of anything. She is in a good space.
 
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Matthew Collier and Richard Cohen of Her Hoops Stats Newsletter do their annual pre-season ranking of players in the W.
This one has 50-26. Many players moving into the rankings for the first time.

herhoopstats.substack.com

Ranking the W 2025: The countdown begins, from 50 to 26

The first set of results of this year's #RankingTheW, detailing our expert panel's consensus view of the best 50 WNBA players in 2025
herhoopstats.substack.com herhoopstats.substack.com
 
Stagnant said:


Wow. Out of nowhere! I like Jensen but hard to imagine she can make the team in 5 days.
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Lauren Jensen is very much an off-ball guard whose main game is shooting.
So, makes me wonder if the Mystics aren't that gung ho on the other rookie shooting guards:
  • Lucy Olson is 1-6 and 1-8 in the two pre-season games so far
  • Zaay Green is 3-9 overall, but I'd forgotten she spent 7 years in college (in some capacity).
Maybe the Mystics brass/staff want to do a quick kick of Jensen's tires to see what she's got. Interesting in that Jensen started her career at Iowa before transferring to Creighton, while Olson graduated from Villanova and took a grad year at iowa.
 
GoChips20 said:
It’s really encouraging to see. The Valkyries are very likely going to be at the bottom of the league this year, but this kind of fan support (added to the fact that the Bay Area is one of the nicer team locations to live in) will incentivize free agents to pick up the phone next year.
Expand ...
I bought season tickets and it was my first visit to the Chase Center. Just wow. We walked from BART (there is a streetcar line but it was a beautiful day). The entire Mission Bay area has been so transformed...even since the Giants' ballpark was built years ago. It was a long walk along the Bay Trail...walking/bike paths, urban parks, etc....not a cloud in the sky. Had a nice meal at a restaurant overlooking the bay, then across the street to the mobbed Chase Center. Used the "Clear" line (who knew) and and found our seats. I have to say I've never been a fan of all the rah-rah noise, etc. but they did a great job with the music, the video screens, etc. The game was great fun and afterwards, it was a smooth trip back to BART via the streetcar (free). Overall, I think the team is poised to do well and offering games in the summer is a plus for fans coming into the city.
 
Cuts so far today:

Caitlin Bickle was waived by the Connecticut Sun.
Kamila Borkowska was waived by the Connecticut Sun.
 
Dillon77 said:
Lauren Jensen is very much an off-ball guard whose main game is shooting.
So, makes me wonder if the Mystics aren't that gung ho on the other rookie shooting guards:
  • Lucy Olson is 1-6 and 1-8 in the two pre-season games so far
  • Zaay Green is 3-9 overall, but I'd forgotten she spent 7 years in college (in some capacity).
Maybe the Mystics brass/staff want to do a quick kick of Jensen's tires to see what she's got. Interesting in that Jensen started her career at Iowa before transferring to Creighton, while Olson graduated from Villanova and took a grad year at iowa.
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My thoughts are that Washington decided they needed to get a shooter in quick. And Jensen was a name that came to mind. I was thinking of some other shooters and have no idea what their status is. Overseas/injured/not interested. Abby Meyers came to mind as someone that has been with Washington before. And I can’t believe Sara Scalia has never gotten a look in the wnba. She has a beautiful stroke.

Jensen is a good shooter. And a borderline pro. I am not sure about the wnba because of how physical the league is. And I think she might struggle to guard. I also don’t think Washington has any more preseason games. So, it really is hard to imagine her making the team. But she can get a taste of what it is like. And that might be a good experience for her.
 
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Dillon77 said:
Lauren Jensen is very much an off-ball guard whose main game is shooting.
So, makes me wonder if the Mystics aren't that gung ho on the other rookie shooting guards:
  • Lucy Olson is 1-6 and 1-8 in the two pre-season games so far
  • Zaay Green is 3-9 overall, but I'd forgotten she spent 7 years in college (in some capacity).
Maybe the Mystics brass/staff want to do a quick kick of Jensen's tires to see what she's got. Interesting in that Jensen started her career at Iowa before transferring to Creighton, while Olson graduated from Villanova and took a grad year at iowa.
Expand ...
Exactly. I love Lucy, somewhat pun intended but she hasn't played great in the pre season games. She for sure can get to her mid range and create her shot at this level but it has to go in. She also has to be a bit better defensively. I wonder how the head to head matchups went.
 
Stagnant said:
My thoughts are that Washington decided they needed to get a shooter in quick. And Jensen was a name that came to mind. I was thinking of some other shooters and have no idea what their status is. Overseas/injured/not interested. Abby Meyers came to mind as someone that has been with Washington before. And I can’t believe Sara Scalia has never gotten a look in the wnba. She has a beautiful stroke.

Jensen is a good shooter. And a borderline pro. I am not sure about the wnba because of how physical the league is. And I think she might struggle to guard. I also don’t think Washington has any more preseason games. So, it really is hard to imagine her making the team. But she can get a taste of what it is like. And that might be a good experience for her.
Expand ...
Along similar lines, Abby Hsu, who got professional experience overseas last year but didn't last past the obligatory cup of coffee with the Sun.
 
Maria Gakdeng was waived by the Atlanta Dream.
Emani Jefferson was waived by the Atlanta Dream.
 
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