The Next

2 days ago | thenexthoops.com | Deyscha Smith

UNCASVILLE, CONN. — In front of a sold-out crowd at Mohegan Sun arena, Dallas Wings guard DiJonai Carrington is underneath the basket, ready for what’s about to happen next. With 6:40 remaining in the fourth quarter, her teammate Aziaha James attempts a three that bounces off the rim when Carrington suddenly leaps above Sun rookie Aneesah Morrow, who, at 6-1, is two inches taller than Carrington’s own 5-11, and manages to get a hand on the ball, which she effortlessly swats to herself.

5 days ago | thenexthoops.com | Jackie Powell

Sabrina Ionescu is superstitious. If she sets a routine, said routine ought to be followed. That was the case on Saturday in Indianapolis, Indiana, moments before tipoff against the Indiana Fever when she pantomimed her handshake with Liberty starting center Jonquel Jones, who didn’t make the trip due to a sprained right ankle. It’s three hand slaps of Jones followed by a quick hug, all of which Ionescu did with an imaginary person on Saturday afternoon.

1 week ago | thenexthoops.com | Grant Afseth

When the Dallas Wings traded for 6-foot-7 center Li Yueru on Saturday, the move was as much about need as it was about fit. With Teaira McCowan and Luisa Geiselsöder away competing in FIBA EuroBasket, Dallas suddenly found itself without a traditional center. Less than a full day after the deal, Yueru was on the floor in Arlington for her first practice.

1 week ago | thenexthoops.com | Jenn Hatfield

WASHINGTON — Throughout a 33-point loss to the Atlanta Dream on Sunday, Georgia Amoore sat forward in her chair in the second row of the Washington Mystics’ bench. She wore a jean jacket over a white T-shirt and wide-legged black pants that covered her injured right knee, and she held an orange padfolio bearing the Wilson basketball logo. Get unlimited access to women’s basketball coverage and help support our hardworking staff of writers, editors, and photographers by subscribing today.

1 week ago | thenexthoops.com | Jenn Hatfield

Since he was introduced as the Washington Mystics’ head coach in February, Sydney Johnson has emphasized playing fast offensively. In his system, players are looking to get a good shot within the first eight seconds of a possession. That requires pushing the ball in transition, spacing the floor well and making quick decisions. Get unlimited access to women’s basketball coverage and help support our hardworking staff of writers, editors, and photographers by subscribing today.