Posts by Hunter Cruse

Hunter Cruse covers the Atlanta Dream and the WNBA Draft for The Next.

19-year-old Russian forward Anastasiia Kosu pictured smiling after winning the 2025 Russian Cup (Photo credit: Anastasiia Kosu)

Meet Anastasiia Olairi Kosu, the most underrated prospect in 2025 WNBA Draft

February 16, 2025

The 6’1 Russian forward is a prospect to know in the 2025 Draft

Justė Jocytė shooting free throws during a game in the 2024-25 season (Photo credit: @ASVEL_Feminin on X/Twitter)

Top international prospect Justė Jocytė is eligible for 2025 WNBA Draft

February 10, 2025

The 6’2 Lithuanian guard is a potential first-round pick in the 2025 Draft

Notre Dame guard and WNBA draft prospect Olivia Miles shoots a basketball

Stock up, stock down: Biggest WNBA draft risers and fallers

January 5, 2025

Updating our 2025 WNBA draft evaluations by looking at who has impressed or depressed the most, from Olivia Miles to Kiki Iriafen

NC State guard Aziaha James looks up to the off-camera basket while holding the ball to her chest and getting ready to shoot a free-throw

A deep dive into scouting conversations at The Next

December 15, 2024

Looking at Aziaha James’ jumper

A collage of nine pictures of top 2025 WNBA draft prospects: In the middle, UConn guard Paige Bueckers screams in celebration; surrounding her, from top-left clockwise: South Carolina guard Raven Johnson dribble around an Iowa defender; UCLA forward Janiah Barker holds the ball out in one outstreched arm at the top of a crossover; NC State guard Saniya Rivers dribbles between her legs while looking toward the paint; Notre Dame guard Olivia Miles dribbles up the court; Notre Dame guard Sonia Citron holds her shot release while turning to jog back up the court in front of a full audience; Slovenian forward Ajsa Sivka moves up the court; South Carolina guard Te-Hina Paopao reaches in to deflect the ball from an Iowa player's dribble; Stanford big Kiki Iriafen holds the ball above her head in midair to release a jump shot over the extended arm of a defender.

Who’s Next — The Next’s 2025 WNBA Draft Board, V1.0

October 14, 2024

The most detailed 2025 WNBA draft resource available outside a team’s actual war room

Kate Harpring #15 of the Double Dynasty dribbles the ball up the court during an OT Select game on Sunday, August 4, 2024 at OTE Arena in Atlanta, Georgia.

Top-20 recruit Kate Harpring named inaugural Overtime Select MVP

September 16, 2024

New high school league spotlights 15 top prospects in championship game

Kelis Fisher #8 of the ISO WRLD in action during an OT Select Game on Thursday, August 8, 2024 at OTE Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo credit: Adam Hagy, Overtime)

Get to know 2025 UConn commit Kelis Fisher

August 15, 2024

‘I want to build a legacy, I want to win, and probably be in the Hall of Fame one day’

Kaleena Smith participates in an OT Select Game on Thursday, August 8, 2024 at OTE Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo credit: Adam Hagy, Overtime)

No. 1 sophomore Kaleena Smith is redefining what it means to be a small guard

August 14, 2024

‘I feel like I’m different from everyone else’

Sienna Betts (left) and Jazzy Davidson (right) of the All Knighters during an OT Select Game on Wednesday, August 7, 2024 at OTE Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo credit: Adam Hagy, Overtime)

Top 2025 recruits Sienna Betts and Jazzy Davidson form a dominant duo at Overtime Select

August 11, 2024

Betts: ‘I think she’s my favorite player to ever play with, I’m going to say that now and forever’

Mia Pauldo (3) looks toward a defender and holds the ball toward her left side during a game for Overtime Select team Double Dynasty.

Overtime Select prospects reflect on impact of high school recruit rankings

August 7, 2024

Taylor Brown: ‘When I see those lists come out, and I’m not on them, I just use it as motivation and fuel’