Sabreena Merchant

Los Angeles

Staff Writer at The Athletic

Podcast Host at No Offseason: The Athletic Women's Basketball Show

L.A. lifer | @DukeU alum | ✍🏽🎙️🏀 @TheAthleticWBB

Articles

How competitive can the Valkyries be this WNBA season?

1 week ago | nytimes.com | Ben Pickman |Sabreena Merchant

On Wednesday, the Golden State Valkyries - the WNBA's first expansion team since 2008 - will take to the court for the first time when they face the Los Angeles Sparks at Chase Center in their first preseason game. On the latest episode of "No Offseason," Zena Keita, Ben Pickman and Sabreena Merchant discussed what success might look like for the Valkyries' inaugural season. Watch the full discussion below. A partial transcript has been edited for clarity and length.
What we learned from WNBA preseason debuts of Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers, Angel Reese

1 week ago | nytimes.com | Sabreena Merchant |Ben Pickman

The WNBA tipped off its preseason this weekend, with many of the league's biggest stars in action. Coming off its buzziest season in history, the WNBA televised all of its preseason games for the first time, including an ESPN showcase for Caitlin Clark's return to Iowa with her revamped Indiana Fever squad. The Fever won their first two exhibition games, even with Clark sitting out their opener against the Washington Mystics.
Wings' Paige Bueckers gets first shot at WNBA defenses in preseason debut loss to Aces

1 week ago | nytimes.com | Sabreena Merchant

The WNBA preseason tipped off Friday with Paige Bueckers making her pro debut for the Dallas Wings against the Las Vegas Aces. Facing an Aces squad returning four starters from their back-to-back title teams in 2022-23, plus two-time champion Jewell Loyd in the mix, Dallas faced an uphill battle as Las Vegas won in a rout 112-78.
Can the Liberty repeat as WNBA champions?

1 week ago | nytimes.com | Sabreena Merchant |Ben Pickman

With the WNBA season tip off on May 16 fast approaching, the New York Liberty are aiming to become the first team since the L.A. Sparks 23 years ago to defend their title successfully. On the latest episode of "No Offseason," Zena Keita, Ben Pickman and Sabreena Merchant discussed the Liberty's chances of repeating this season. Watch the full discussion below. A partial transcript has been edited for clarity and length.
Mystics rookie Georgia Amoore suffers ACL injury during training camp

2 weeks ago | nytimes.com | Sabreena Merchant

Washington Mystics training camp is off to an inauspicious start, as the team announced Wednesday that rookie Georgia Amoore suffered an ACL injury during Tuesday's practice. Amoore was the sixth pick in this month's WNBA Draft, coming off a college career when she was one of three players in Division I history to post at least 2,300 points and 800 assists (joining Sabrina Ionescu and Caitlin Clark).
Who will be the best players in the 2026 WNBA Draft? Our big board examines the options

4 weeks ago | nytimes.com | Sabreena Merchant

After three years of wire-to-wire No. 1 picks (Aliyah Boston, Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers), the WNBA is entering a draft cycle with a little more mystery. The top of this class is talented, but no single player stands head and shoulders above the rest as we take an early look at the best prospects for the 2026 draft. The best players represent three positional archetypes: multi-talented wing, table-setting lead guard and paint-bound center.
Which WNBA Draft players are the best fit with their new teams?

4 weeks ago | nytimes.com | Zena Keita |Sabreena Merchant

For the 38 college and international stars who heard their names called during the 2025 WNBA Draft, Monday night was the first step towards realizing their childhood dreams of playing in the WNBA. While not every draftee is guaranteed a roster spot when the season tips off on May 16, all will have a chance to make their case during training camp in a few weeks.
Dallas Wings, UConn players and Sedona Prince

1 month ago | nytimes.com | Sabreena Merchant

The 2025 WNBA Draft is in the books, and the Dallas Wings hope that it will be another transformative event in the league's history, much like the 2024 draft was for the Indiana Fever. As expected, Paige Bueckers was the top overall selection - though perhaps unexpectedly, walking the stage in her second outfit of the evening - and there weren't too many surprises through the evening until the third round.
Would Paige Bueckers still be No. 1 if all college players were WNBA Draft-eligible?

1 month ago | nytimes.com | Sabreena Merchant

As Sarah Strong dominated the South Carolina frontcourt during UConn's national championship victory, gobbling up rebounds, protecting the rim and scoring from everywhere on the court, it was easy to imagine her also doing so at the next level. WNBA executives had to be drooling over the idea of drafting the next Huskies star. But they'll have to wait another three years.
What's the WNBA Draft order? Who are the likely first-round picks?

1 month ago | nytimes.com | Sabreena Merchant |Ben Pickman

The 2025 WNBA Draft is set for Monday night at The Shed at Hudson Yards in New York City. It is the second straight season the event will be open to the public, and all eyes will be on Paige Bueckers, as the UConn star and newly crowned national champion is expected to be selected first by the Dallas Wings. Here is what you need to know about the draft.