The Athletic Women's Basketball Show

No Offseason is The Athletic’s show for all things women’s basketball. Hosts Zena Keita, Chantel Jennings, Sabreena Merchant, and Ben Pickman bring you the stories that matter the most and the insider info you need from the sport that never stops – served up alongside exclusive interviews with the biggest names in women’s hoops, from the NCAA to the WNBA and all points in between. New episodes drop Tuesday and Friday.

Recent Episodes
  • The WNBA’s Most Intriguing Players + NCAA Transfer Portal Updates
    Apr 22, 2025 – 53:52
  • WNBA's new era + Washington Mystics GM Jamila Wideman interview
    Apr 18, 2025 – 55:15
  • Paige Bueckers goes #1 + WNBA draft winners and losers
    Apr 15, 2025 – 01:03:32
  • 2025 WNBA pre-draft predictions + players to know
    Apr 11, 2025 – 55:21
  • 2025 NCAA Offseason: Power Rankings, Star Players + The Transfer Portal
    Apr 9, 2025 – 52:02
  • UConn Wins the 2025 NCAA Women’s Basketball Championship
    Apr 7, 2025 – 48:43
  • The 2025 Women’s NCAA Title Game Preview
    Apr 5, 2025 – 46:22
  • The Great NCAA Women's Final Four Debate of 2025
    Apr 4, 2025 – 51:48
  • The 2025 Women’s Final Four is set + What’s up with NCAA decision-making
    Apr 1, 2025 – 01:01:08
  • The Lowdown on the Elite Eight
    Mar 30, 2025 – 39:06
  • The Sweet 16: Everything you need to know
    Mar 28, 2025 – 59:37
  • JuJu Watkins’ Injury + Takeaways from Early Rounds of the NCAA Tournament
    Mar 25, 2025 – 51:00
  • Listener Mailbag: Biggest Surprises? Can UConn Go All the Way? + Coaching Legend Tara VanDerveer
    Mar 21, 2025 – 01:06:05
  • How to Own Your 2025 Women's NCAA Bracket Pool
    Mar 18, 2025 – 01:02:45
  • The 2025 Women's NCAA Bracket is Live
    Mar 17, 2025 – 56:31
  • Getting Ready for Selection Sunday
    Mar 14, 2025 – 54:52
  • Who's getting that final No. 1 seed?
    Mar 11, 2025 – 55:04
  • The Athletic Women's Basketball Show is now No Offseason!
    Mar 11, 2025 – 00:42
  • Texas' Vic Schaefer and Rori Harmon on Award Surprises, Tournament Play, and Baseball Umpiring
    Mar 7, 2025 – 54:06
  • The Athletic's 2025 Women's Basketball Awards
    Mar 4, 2025 – 01:06:10
  • All-Access: Vanderbilt's Shea Ralph and Mikayla Blakes
    Feb 28, 2025 – 53:52
  • Emergency Pod: Diana Taurasi Retires
    Feb 26, 2025 – 40:59
  • WNBA Draft Prospect Watch
    Feb 25, 2025 – 01:06:20
  • The Athletic All-Access: Geno Auriemma
    Feb 21, 2025 – 56:28
  • A shake up in the top six
    Feb 18, 2025 – 01:05:36
  • Notre Dame's Olivia Miles and Maddy Westbeld, plus Unrivaled’s 1v1
    Feb 14, 2025 – 54:19
  • Taking stock of historic programs
    Feb 11, 2025 – 01:12:01
  • All-Access with Cal's Charmin Smith and Marta Suárez plus NCAA surprises
    Feb 7, 2025 – 01:14:42
  • Will the Big 10 have Two No. 1 seeds?
    Feb 5, 2025 – 45:47
  • A'ja Wilson and the Making of the A'One
    Feb 4, 2025 – 36:20
  • All-Access with Sabrina Ionescu & WNBA free agency winners
    Jan 31, 2025 – 01:02:28
  • Kate Koval's Search for Home
    Jan 29, 2025 – 01:03:50
  • Best (recent) game, best freshmen
    Jan 28, 2025 – 56:50
  • Kelsey Plum, Jewell Loyd blockbuster trade grades
    Jan 27, 2025 – 38:56
  • Rachid Meziane’s journey to the WNBA
    Jan 24, 2025 – 38:32
  • Unrivaled debuts and women's college hoops ... gets paid (finally)
    Jan 21, 2025 – 01:09:14
  • The Launch of Unrivaled
    Jan 17, 2025 – 49:44
  • Final Four contenders ... or not?
    Jan 14, 2025 – 59:35
  • Chris Koclanes is Building Dallas Wings' new foundation
    Jan 10, 2025 – 49:39
  • Bold Predictions for the NCAA in 2025
    Jan 7, 2025 – 51:13
  • 2024 Year-End Superlatives
    Dec 31, 2024 – 46:23
  • What are we expecting from women’s basketball in 2025?
    Dec 24, 2024 – 01:03:27
  • "Cardboard Pictures of Strangers"
    Dec 20, 2024 – 54:01
  • NCAA Power Conference Preview
    Dec 17, 2024 – 52:32
  • The Future of the Connecticut Sun with Morgan Tuck
    Dec 13, 2024 – 39:23
  • South Carolina reasserts itself and Champions Classic takeaways
    Dec 10, 2024 – 52:59
  • Inside the Golden State Valkyries Expansion Draft
    Dec 9, 2024 – 54:47
  • Lynne Roberts: The Sparks' New Head Coach for the Right Reasons
    Dec 6, 2024 – 54:49
  • Trust Scale: Which Teams Should You Believe In?
    Dec 3, 2024 – 01:05:05
  • LA as the epicenter of women's hoops
    Nov 26, 2024 – 55:34
Recent Reviews
  • Coach Magda
    Don’t miss it!!
    My go to basketball source. As a girls basketball coach, college hoops and wnba season ticket holder, I need all the basketball insights. This coverage gives me it! Also, Zena is the best!! She’s engaging, funny, and has an approachable way of framing things. So glad she’s running this!! Keep it up Zena and team!!
  • jennifer in berkeley
    i never miss an episode
    This is such a smart and entertaining pod. Absolutely love all the hosts. Thank you for bringing women’s basketball brilliance into my home!
  • HP_Librarian
    Simply great
    The best women’s basketball podcast, covering all aspects and levels of the sport. Impeccably professional. LOVE Zena, the best host - period.
  • TSuitsNYC
    Best pod on women’s bball
    The energy of Zena as the host and the collective insights of the writers make this one the best out there in a growing pool of podcasts dedicated to women’s hoops. I appreciate the reporting and opinions and roundtables - great listen, always.
  • bethmcel
    perfect in every way
    The four podelists (a take on panelists) are terrific. Thank you!
  • lrh103
    has potential
    I am a loyal listener even through frustration with the failure of the pod to live up to its potential. I especially laud Zena and her approach of asking questions and saying what she means. Sabreena is also great. Because of them, the podcast has historically been way better than the Athletic’s written + paywalled WBB coverage (which disproportionately covers white players and often substitutes mass-emailed anonymous surveys for in-depth reporting). Still, the podcast needs greater depth of reporting and analysis beyond the clickbait of big stars, and more expertise from contributors. Case in point: why is an NFL reporter being invited to give analysis of NCAAW March Madness? Feels disrespectful to the game + the players.
  • Amy-David
    Informed opinion
    As an older woman still developing her basketball IQ — and loving the process! — I find the podcast to be both factual and opinionated, based on solid reporting. Another solid step forward for women’s sports!
  • Katey_Cooper
    Digestible and intellectual!
    As someone who is relatively new to women’s basketball, I cannot recommend this podcast more! It’s super smart, polished, thoughtful, and insightful. I learn something new with every listen and appreciate the varied opinions (often backed up by stats). Every episode is timely, keeping you up to date. Very worth your time.
  • tgjohnsonsc
    Kate Kovac Episode
    I do love this podcast and listen regularly. Chantel this piece on Kate was wonderful. Thanks for the time and effort that went into everyone in making this episode.
  • Bagofpants35
    Best WBB Pod
    As a women’s basketball junkie, I can say hands down this is the best coverage you’ll find in the pod world. I loved the Kate Koval special report - you guys should do that regularly! Sometimes when Ben gets excited he gets a little loud/squeaky audio wise, but other than that I have no notes! Thank you for giving us a solid resource in the podcast world.
  • S Gregory - Time AOTY
    Kate Koval story
    Ok 5 stars for everyone. First for Kate her family and coaches, and next for Chantel and the entire production team. Such a heartfelt way to share Kate and her family’s story - so well done!!!’
  • iaintkaren
    Love the show!
    Regular listener just here to say that today’s special episode from Chantel was so great. Loved it. High five to the team that made it happen. Love learning more about players!
  • SullySC54
    Learning a lot
    This podcast is perfect for me - new (ish) to the wnba and ncaawb. Thanks for keeping me informed and helping me understand what’s going on Go Gamecocks!
  • Dee Breezy
    Great but Inconsistent!
    I echo the sentiments of all the other reviewers that this is a GREAT space for getting intel and learning more about the nuances of a fantastic league… but the content is too unreliable! We just had an INSANE game 1 of the WNBA Finals and CRICKETS from this feed!?!?! I can understand the lag during the season but this is the pinnacle of the sport and game 2 will happen before we hear one word about game 1 😒
  • reviewer ajk
    Fav Basketball Podcast
    I think Ben, Sabreena and Chantel bring great content and Zeina brings great energy. A fun listen and feel like I learn a lot. As a new fan would love more insights into history of different franchises and players, any intriguing drama or storylines we might be missing if it’s our first couple of seasons paying attention!
  • Hawkeye Fan 2-23
    Suggestions
    OK, I’ve only listened to one episode - the most recent one that covered post-Olympics topics & the trade deadline. 1) For covering three topics, the episode seemed too long (> 1 hr) and seemed to repeat comments during each segment. 2) During the last segment on the trade deadline, the comments kept repeating how this is actually not a thing and that there was zero possibility that there would be a trade. Then, the next day, Gabby Williams sings with the Storm. There was a recent article in the Athletic covering this possibility! 3) I know you may feel overloaded with Caitlin Clark talking points, but was it worth a mention that she broke another record in post-Olympics play? (Most assists by a rookie.) Even if you think she is getting too much attention, she’s why the WNBA is getting so much more attention. Give your audience what they want. I don’t mean to be so negative, but I need more relevant, concise, and accurate content if you want to keep me (and I’m guessing others) as listeners. Cheers & good luck.
  • nicolemariebabyy
    BEST women’s basketball content
    I’ve been waiting a long time to find a space that talks basketball with content that’s interesting and a host that can intrigue conversation! This podcast makes me want to jump through the speakers and be at the table with this group of people. With such a packed schedule in the W this season, I was hoping for more episodes but I’ll take what I can get! Endless gratitude for this pod.
  • Cooked Salad
    Great podcast
    Fantastic women’s basketball podcast.. so much knowledge. Thanks!
  • muzik kritik
    Please Make More!
    As you noted, quality WNBA coverage is very thin compared to the huge increase in interest. This pod is the best I could find by far, as a new fan who started watching last season and am trying to get deeper this year (along with several friends). Really love it! But once a week with occasional bonus episode feels way to rare though to cover a whole league which has a condensed season and has a ton of broader dynamics going on outside of the actual play. I'm confused why the Athletic isn't trying to invest more and ramp up coverage and extend a lead they have in this space already. I'd love to listen to you all on wnba content but find myself going to worse pods who are producing several times a week during the season. Or, if the Athletic won't do it, would love the hosts to plug their personal pods / articles where we could read recaps on games throughout the week.
  • maggiewatts
    More episodes!
    This is my favorite women’s basketball/WNBA podcast! I only wish there was more of it. Only 1-2 episodes per week during a very condensed WNBA season just isn’t enough. Truly love this podcast, reading Sabreena and Ben on The Athletic, and the quality of the content and conversation. Just want more of it! Great job guys.
  • B J in San Diego
    Where are you?
    I love this show and have been following for a long time. But six days between episodes?? The W season is rolling and there is nothing for you to talk about?? We’re waiting for an episode. we love you Atlantic crew come on.
  • ceejayoga
    New favorite podcast!
    I am so excited that I found this podcast. I am a sports nerd but a very recent bandwagon fan of women’s basketball, and I love how y’all are able to keep this a sold rigorous sports podcast while understanding that some of your newer listeners may need some background on who these players are, what their history is, relevant pieces of wnba history, etc. I’m learning a lot and it’s helping to grow my excitement around this wnba season! Thank you!
  • Winnalove
    My Favorite New Sports Podcast
    Love listening to this podcast and I really like Zena Keita. Super knowledgeable and fun to listen to. Would love to talk sports with her
  • 002ALA
    Invest in Women’s Sports
    So glad we have a show with great analysis and important behind the scenes content for the WNBA! Need more of this.
  • SharksFan1947
    Great New Podcast
    I just listened to the first show. It was fantastic. The analysts are very professional and knowldegable. The pace resulted in a fast-moving conversation with no gaps. Bravo.
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