Posts by Emily Adler

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.

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

Two pictures side-by-side, of Seattle Storm big wing Breanna Stewart on the left and a smiling and jogging-upcourt Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson on the left

The Next’s 2022 WNBA Awards: MVP

September 7, 2022

Our unofficial tally has Stewart-Wilson as close as it gets

Four pictures in a collage: on the left, Seattle Storm big wing Breanna Stewart, mid-air, leaps from under the rim to Dallas Wing big Isabelle Harrison and blocks Harrison's shot with her fingertips; on the top-right, Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson extends a hand up and out to deter a shot while keeping her back between Minnesota Lynx center Sylvia Fowles and the basket, as Fowles catches the ball just outside Wilson's reach; on the bottom-left, Connecticut Sun big wing Alyssa Thomas keeps a hand on the side of Washington big wing Elena Delle Donne while they jockey for post position

The Next’s 2022 WNBA Awards: Defensive Player of the Year and All-Defense

September 2, 2022

Breanna Stewart rises to the top

Connecticut Sun center Brionna Jones goes up towards the rim to shoot a layup

The Next’s 2022 WNBA Awards: Sixth Player of the Year

August 31, 2022

Brionna Jones wins it in a walk

Four pictures in a collage: on top, Las Vegas Aces wing Jackie Young has the ball at the top of her dribble while looking out the court; on the bottom-left, Minnesota point guard Moriah Jefferson drives downhill from the slot around a pick-and-roll screen from Lynx center Sylvia Fowles, who is beginning to roll after screening Dallas Wings wing Marina Mabrey off of Jefferson; on the middle of the bottom, Seattle Storm big Ezi Magbegor celebrates a teammate's three from the bench, while the crowd celebrates in the background; on the bottom-right, New York Liberty combo guard Sabrina Ionescu holds the ball above her head while releasing a jumper

The Next’s 2022 WNBA Awards: Most Improved Player

August 29, 2022

The Next’s 2022 WNBA Most Improved Player is Las Vegas’ Jackie Young

Connecticut Sun big Alyssa Thomas runs up the court while looking towards the fans and holding a finger to her mouth to shush them

Daily Briefing — Aug. 25, 2022: ICARUS — Wings fly too close to the Sun

August 25, 2022

Sun advance to the semifinals

Chicago Sky big Candace Parker releases a free-throw off her fingertips

Daily Briefing — Aug. 24, 2022: BLUE YORK — Liberty eliminated in Game 3

August 24, 2022

Sky advance to semifinals

Washington Mystics guard Ariel Atkins kneels on the court after failing to prevent an errant pass from going out of bounds.

Film room: How the Storm defense stonewalled the Mystics in Game 1

August 20, 2022

There truly are no answers for the Storm defense