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.

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

A collage of seven pictures of top WNBA draft prospects: In the middle, UConn guard Paige Bueckers screams in celebration while clenching her fists and flexing; surrounding her, from top-left clockwise: Notre Dame guard Hannah Hidalgo holds the ball while looking into the distance; South Carolina guard MiLaysia Fulwiley jumps in midair higher than every other player on the court to release a floater; Stanford big Kiki Iriafen holds the ball above her head in midair to release a jump shot over the extended arm of a defender; Texas A&M big Janiah Barker looks down; Texas wing Madison Booker leans over and yells in celebration, while teammates yell in random directions in celebration as well; JuJu Watkins holds the ball over head to release a free-throw.

Who are the top WNBA draft prospects in college basketball?

April 23, 2024

The future has never been brighter

Mystics guard Rui Machida sits on the bench during practice with two assistants. They are all looking at a computer screen.

Inside the data revolution coming to the WNBA

April 9, 2024

Second Spectrum, a real-time data tool, to come online for teams in 2024

A collage of four pictures of 2024 WNBA draft prospects: top left, Iowa point guard Caitlin Clark looks down in thought; top right, Stanford center Cameron Brink smiles while looking down; bottom left, UConn center Aaliyah Edwards celebrates during a game; bottom right, Angers combo guard Leïla Lacan looks ahead while crouched over to dribble forward.

Who’s Next — The Next’s 2024 WNBA Draft Board v2.0

April 8, 2024

In-depth scouting reports on every potential major contributor