Posts by Hunter Cruse

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

Aliyah Boston carries the ball as she strides past a defender and towards the rim

Who’s Next — The Next’s 2023 WNBA Draft Board v2.0

April 6, 2023

In-depth scouting reports on every potential major contributor

Duke coach Kara Lawson watches her team against Iowa

‘My first and last time’: On endings, with Iona and Duke

March 23, 2023

A column on NCAA Tournament grief

Chicago Sky point guard Courtney Vandersloot dribbles in the backcourt with her left hand while looking upcourt.

After accidental Instagram post, Courtney Vandersloot to sign with New York Liberty

February 2, 2023

Super team in New York? Super team in New York

Seattle Storm combo forward Stephanie Talbot holds her hands on her hips while looking down

Sources: Los Angeles Sparks signing former Seattle Storm forward Stephanie Talbot

February 1, 2023

Seattle’s supporting cast loses key shooter

Chicago sky big Azurá Stevens dribbles while posting-up Washington Mystics big Myisha Hines-Allen, as Stevens puts a hand on Hines-Allen's hip and starts to spin around her

The Offseason Matrices: The Next’s 2023 WNBA offseason and free agency tracker

January 20, 2023

The Next’s 2023 offseason and free agency tracker is here! WNBA contracts and team interests, cap sheets, trades, coaching changes, and more.

Seattle Storm big wing Breanna Stewart stands with her hands on her hips, photographed from a side angle.

The Next’s 2023 free agency projections, part 2: Unrestricted free agents

January 20, 2023

Where will Stewie sign? Our team predicts it all.

Seattle Storm point guard Sue Bird enters the Entertainment and Sports Arena. She's wearing shades, gold chains and a dark blue velvet shirt.

Seattle Storm to retire Sue Bird’s jersey in 2023

January 19, 2023

The Storm announced Thursday that they will be retiring Bird’s No. 10 jersey on June 11, 2023

Two images side-by-side. On the left, Dallas Wings wing Marina Mabrey dribbles the ball up the court. On the right, Seattle off-ball guard Gabby Williams points ahead while running up the court as teammates celebrate on the Storm bench to her right and fans celebrate beyond the baseline in the background.

The Next’s 2023 free agency projections, part 1: Restricted free agents

January 19, 2023

Projecting Pancake Gustafson’s landing spot and much more

Two pictures of 2023 WNBA draft prospects side-by-side: on the left, Aliyah Boston carries the ball as she strides past a defender and towards the rim; on the right, Stanford Cardinal big wing Haley Jones holds the ball by her midsections as she drives forward past the free-throw line while looking ahead

Who’s Next — The Next’s 2023 WNBA Draft Board, V1.0

November 7, 2022

The most detailed 2023 WNBA draft resource available outside a team’s actual war room

Four images of All-WNBA selections in a collage: on the top-left, a shot of Las Vegas point guard Kelsey Plum from behind, holding her follow-through as the ball falls through the hoop, with fans in the background celebrating but out of focus; on the top-right, Phoenix Mercury point guard Skylar Diggins-Smith drives from the key past Connecticut Sun combo guard Natisha Hiedeman, who is falling over towards her; on the bottom-left, Los Angeles Sparks big Nneka Ogwumike jogs up the court while pointing ahead; on the bottom-right, a shot of New York Liberty combo guard Sabrina Ionescu from behind, holding a finger up while looking out towards her teammates and Washington Mystics players

The Next’s 2022 WNBA Awards: All-WNBA

September 14, 2022

The Next’s official 2022 WNBA awards wrapping up with All-WNBA