Posts by Emily Adler

Em 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.

Seattle point guard Skylar Diggins-Smith stands in front of Storm head coach Noelle Quinn, both looking out at the court, with fans packed behind them to watch a WNBA game

Sunday Notes, Week 9: Skylar Diggins-Smith, Aari McDonald star; Wings fall further in standings

July 14, 2024

Our weekly look around the WNBA looks at Skylar Diggins-Smith and Aari McDonald both turning the clock back to 2024, plus more research

Los Angeles Sparks forward Stephanie Talbot has the ball at the top of her dribble as she drives against Connecticut Sun guard Tyasha Harris, who holds out an arm onto Talbot's side while trying to run side-by-side with her in a WNBA game

Sunday Notes, Week 8: Utility wings resurge, Dream fall to lottery

July 7, 2024

It’s a light one this week

Washington Mystics center Stefanie Dolson holds out her hand with three fingers up to celebrate hitting a 3-pointer in a WNBA game

Sunday Notes, Week 7: All-Star picks, Storm suffocate Sun and more

June 30, 2024

Your weekly look at trends around the W

Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson shoots a layup off her fingertips next to the rim as Minnesota Lynx center Alanna Smith reaches out and up to contest the shot in a WNBA game.

Sunday Notes, Week 6: A’ja Wilson’s dominance, Connecticut’s loss and more!

June 23, 2024

Our weekly look around the WNBA looks at A’ja Wilson reaching new heights, how the Sun lost, which teams have good spacing, and more!

Dallas Wings combo forward Maddy Siegrist rises midair with the ball in her hand to shoot over Connecticut guard Tyasha Harris while Sun forward DeWanna Bonner stands next to them with a raised arm trying to help contest the shot. Behind the three of them, a packed crowd in the stands for this WNBA game.

Sunday Notes, Week 4: Maddy Siegrist, Aaliyah Edwards adjusting to speed of the game

June 9, 2024

The Next’s weekly journey into trends and analysis from around the WNBA

Players on the Minnesota Lynx bench hold three fingers up in the air to celebrate a teammate, off screen, hitting a 3-pointer in a WNBA game. In front of them, a ref is pointing out to show she is counting, while a crowd celebrates behind.

Sunday Notes, Week 3: The good, the bad and the interesting — Lynx offense, Dream defense and Sun offense

June 2, 2024

Your weekly journey around the WNBA takes a couple deep dives into the top teams in the league … and also the Dream

Aliyah Boston (7) drives toward the basket while being defended by Olivia Nelson-Ododa (10).

Sunday Notes, Week 2: Indiana Fever need ‘point five’ mentality; replacement-level centers

May 26, 2024

Pacing issues in Indiana; Mercury find another quality backup center

Shakira Austin yells in celebration in front of a packed Connecticut Sun crowd during a WNBA game, while Sun players at the edge of the frame catch their breath

Sunday Notes, Week 1: Collier, Jones, Austin shine; Indiana, Seattle struggle

May 19, 2024

A “who’s hot and who’s not” of opening-week showings

Phoenix Mercury combo guard Skylar Diggins-Smith releases a free-throw-line jumper off her fingertips, while Washington Mystics defenders look on

The Next’s 2024 WNBA preseason awards and predictions

May 13, 2024

MVP, ROY and off-the-wall questions asked and answered

Minnesota Lynx guard Natisha Hiedeman cradles the ball while extending her arm to shoot a layup around the reach of Chicago Sky center Elizabeth Williams during a WNBA preseason game.

Sunday Notes, preseason edition: Concerns in Atlanta and Dallas

May 12, 2024

Plus, observations about Indiana, Minnesota and Phoenix