In the Paint: WNBA Preview & Draft Review, WNCAA Boom, Can W Capitalize?

On Episode 159 of the Ballislife In The Paint Show, Ronnie Flores hosts its annual WNBA Preview with ITP co-host and analyst Chelsea Hopkins, who takes an in-depth look at the '23 WNBA Season and recent WNBA Draft and NCAA and WNCAA Tournaments!

As an alum, Chelsea gives her insight on SDSU's incredible run to the NCAA Championship Game and background on the program built by former coach Steve Fisher and current HC Brian Duthcher. What does the portal and NIL do to future Cinderella runs? How does men's CBB deal with high roster turnover?

As far as the WNCAA, the stars of the most-watched WNCAA Tournament will be back in 23-24. Nearly 10 million people watched LSU-Iowa final and there is great anticipation for next season and the '24 WNBA Draft. Who is the NCAA favorite next year. Is NIL darling Angel Reese of LSU a sure-fire W star? Is Iowa's Caitlin Clark a generational prospect? Chelsea answers those burning questions!

What is the WNBA's next step to capitalize off the enormous popularity of women's NCAA basketball? Does the W need to expand? What areas is the 75 million dollar capital investment making inroads in? How can the W increase brand awareness?

The ITP crew also welcomes on a special guest for the WNBA preview in which Chelsea gives a in-depth rundown of each of the 12 teams, and offers her odds-on favorites (W title, reach the championship round, MVP and ROY).

Chelsea feels the W needs to do a better job of story-telling and marketing players other than the top stars and the ITP crew welcomes on a special guest Rebekah Gardner (Chicago Sky) to talk about her incredible W journey. She was named to the '22 W all-rookie team at 32, the oldest player ever to do so. Gardner talks about her journey from UCLA to pro ball and finally getting a shot in a WNBA training camp!

After breaking down the W, Chelsea dishes on '23 NBA Draft and whom she feels was the best pick and which team has best draft. Chelsea also dishes on what impact she expects Aliyah Boston (South Carolina) to have with the Indiana Fever and gives her overall perspective on this current draft class? Is it a strong or average class and are there any generational players? Chelsea breaks it all down!

The ITP Crew closes out the show taking a look into the future and the 2024 WNBA Draft. Clark and Reese have been getting unprecedented press, but what are their WNBA games like? Is Clark a generational prospect for next year? What kind of long-term prospect is Reese? Will W teams tank to have the top pick next season?

The ITP crew and special guest Rebekah Gardner offer some terrific insight on the girls game, both college and pro, on this special two-hour episode, so make sure to tune in to Episode 159 from start to finish!

(0:00) - Intro
(2:19) - NBA Playoffs & Play-In: Quick Reaction!
(5:32) - Ballislife A-A Game (5/6) & Upcoming Pods
(6:14) - Chelsea’s Reaction to SDSU's Title Game Run
(10:52) - SDSU Alum’s Reaction to Final Four Run
(14:16) - Reaction to NCAA Portal Reality & W NCAA Boom!
(24:00) - Can the W Capitalize on NCAA Popularity?
(26:08) - Who is the Early Line WNCAA Favorite?
(33:26) - How Will the W Capitalize on NCAA Boom & NIL Brand Buildup?
(46:23) - WNBA Preview: Team-By-Team Rundown (Phoenix Mercury)
(50:55) - Washington Mystics Preview
(52:09) - Seattle Storm Preview
(54:53) - Atlanta Dream Preview
(58:28) - Indiana Fever Preview
(1:01:22) - Minnesota Lynx Preview
(1:03:53) - Dallas Wings Preview
(1:10:17) - Connecticut Sun Preview
(1:14:56) - L.A. Sparks Preview
(1:19:03) - Chicago Sky Preview
(1:19:03) - N.Y. Liberty Preview
(1:25:07) - Las Vegas Aces Preview
(1:28:14) - Rebekah Gardner (Sky) Interview
(1:45:57) - Reaction To 'Bekah Interview
(1:50:20) - Advice For Sticking in W From a Pro
(1:53:50) - Chelsea’s WNBA Predictions
(1:57:08) - '23 W Draft Grades & ’24 W Draft Preview
(2:09:45) - Caitlin Clark & Angel Reese: Translatable Games?
(2:19:07) - Ballislife.com Shout-Out & ITP Schedule

							

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