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With the WNBA Draft tipping-off Monday night, many players will find new homes. Some players anxiously await their name being called at the draft, while others could be on the move via trade.
With the WNBA world sitting front and center during ESPN's coverage of the 2025 WNBA Draft, player updates are swirling around the basketball community.
Turning back the clock to last year's draft, Cameron Brink didn't have to wait long for her name to be called. She was selected No. 2 overall to the Los Angeles Sparks after presumptive No. 1 pick, Caitlin Clark.
Unfortunately, Brink's rookie-season was cut short when she tore the ACL in her left knee last June.
The Sparks were active this offseason, reconfiguring their roster with multiple moves. And Monday night, at the draft, the world received a major update on Brink's recovery on live television from Holly Rowe.
Rowe said Brink will likely return to WNBA action this coming June.
CAM BRINK WILL LIKLY RETURN TO WNBA ACTION IN JUNE ACCORDING TO HOLLY !!
— Vanshay Murdock (@VanshayM) April 15, 2025
Brink showed flashes of potential during the 15 games she appeared in last season, averaging 7.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.3 blocks, 1.7 assists, and 1.1 steals per game.
While the Sparks finished in last place in the WNBA last season (8-32), the hope is their new-look-roster will provide the "spark" they're looking for. They acquired two-time All-Star, Kelsey Plum via trade, and they've also added five new players to the roster.
The Sparks also made a leadership change, bringing in a new head coach in Lynne Roberts.
The latest addition to the roster is the Sparks first-round selection (No. 9) from Monday night. They selected Sarah Ashlee Barker, a six-foot shooting guard from the University of Alabama.
Barker brings a wide range of offensive talent to Los Angeles and could pair nicely with the defensive stylings of Brink.
More must-reads:
- Fever extend winning streak without Caitlin Clark
- Are Lynx clear championship favorite after blockbuster trade?
- The 'NFL mascot names' quiz
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Paige Bueckers Receives Brittney Griner Comparison That Demands Explanation
WNBA icon Brittney Griner was ejected from the Atlanta Dream's 88-85 win against Paige Bueckers and the Dallas Wings on Wednesday. Griner, 34, received two technical fouls in short succession while arguing a call. The second, which sent her to the locker room early, was for making contact with an official. In the Wings' next game against the Indiana Fever on Friday, Bueckers was caught on camera doing the exact same thing — perhaps even more obvious — and escaping any punishment for her actions. The All-Star rookie understandably drew comparisons to Griner, and when you see the two incidents side-by-side, they are very hard to explain. The Paige Bueckers Video That Demands an Explanation During the frustrating loss to the Fever, who beat the Wings 88-78 without Caitlin Clark, Bueckers made clear contact with an official. The official appeared to acknowledge the contact and give Bueckers a warning, but she did not receive a technical foul. For comparison, here is the incident involving Griner from the Wings vs. Dream game. She makes contact with the official for her second technical foul at the end of the clip. By physically contacting an official, Bueckers should have received a technical foul, just like Griner did. WNBA Rules and Fines for Technical Fouls The WNBA rulebook includes several examples of "unsportsmanlike tactics" involving interactions with officials that may result in technical fouls, including: Disrespectfully addressing an official Physically contacting an official Overt actions indicating resentment to a call Additionally, the rulebook states that "cursing or blaspsheming an official shall not be considered the only cause for imposing technical fouls." However, "running tirades, continuous criticism or griping" can lead to a technical at the official's discretion. A player's first three technical fouls in a season result in a $200 fine. The next three incur a $400 fine. When a player reaches the seventh technical foul, it results in an $800 fine and a one-game suspension. Every technical beyond the seventh receives the same $800 fine and one-game suspension. WNBA Technical Foul Leaders: Where Bueckers, Griner, Clark and Reese Rank After her double tech, Griner is up to three technical fouls during the 2025 WNBA season. Bueckers' tally should have been doubled, but for now, she remains at one during her rookie campaign. As of August 2, here are the WNBA leaders in technical fouls. 7 — Angel Reese, Chicago Sky 5 — Shakira Austin, Washington Mystics 4 — Stephanie White, Indiana Fever (head coach) 4 — Allisha Gray, Atlanta Dream 3 — Griner, Kelsey Plum, Becky Hammon, Lynne Roberts, Natasha Cloud, Bria Hartley, Alyssa Thomas 18 players and coaches have received two technical fouls, including Caitlin Clark, who has only played in 13 games for the Fever.
Surprising Marlins earn MLB first in sweep of Yankees
The Miami Marlins achieved a franchise first on Sunday. In doing so, they carved out an interesting place in MLB history. With a 7-3 victory over the Yankees, the Marlins swept New York for the first time in a series of three or more games. In doing so, the Marlins became the only team to have a winning record, including the postseason, against the Yankees. The Yankees now have a 22-21 record against the Marlins in the regular season. However, the Marlins won the 2003 World Series against the Yankees in six games, giving the Fish a 25-24 record all-time. The Marlins' victory on Sunday meant more than a unique place in baseball history. That victory evened the Marlins' record at 55-55, the first time they have been at .500 or better since April 15 (8-8). The Marlins are 30-14 in their last 44 games, tying the 2003 championship team for the best stretch (last done from June 18-Aug. 9) in franchise history. The Marlins defied expectations at the trade deadline, holding on to pitchers Sandy Alcantara and Edward Cabrera. Their only trade involved sending outfielder Jesus Sanchez to Houston, acquiring pitcher Ryan Gusto and a pair of prospects. Expectations were that the Marlins were simply waiting for the offseason to trade those pitchers, as there may be a larger market. Instead, the generally inexperienced Marlins roster is growing and improving by the day. They have clawed back from a 24-40 start to the season to pull themselves into the NL wild-card conversation. Although a lot would need to go right for the Marlins to reach the playoffs this season, they could be a dangerous team over the rest of the season and beyond. The Yankees found that out the hard way.
Bills GM says James Cook decision was 'disappointing'
On Monday, Buffalo Bills general manager Brandon Beane responded to James Cook's decision not to practice with the team on Sunday. Cook, who had been practicing with the Bills through training camp until that point amid contract negotiations, told ESPN's Alaina Getzenberg that he made a "business" decision not to practice with his teammates. During an appearance on WGR 550, Beane said the team did not know of Cook's plan until right before practice. He was disappointed that the situation deteriorated to a point where the star running back felt the need to miss a practice. "There's been constant communication between the two sides....at the end of the day I wish we weren't here," Beane said, via WGR's Sal Capaccio. "This is my ninth season and have never had a player miss practice due too a contract, so it's disappointing for me." Beane doesn't believe Cook's negotiations will cause a distraction in the locker room unless players "let it become" a distraction. The negotiations between the Bills and Cook could continue past training camp. "We'd love to keep him, but I have to make sure it all fits under an umbrella, not in a silo... If we don't get something done now it doesn't mean we can't before (Cook) becomes a free agent," Beane said. Cook is looking for a $15 million per year deal after earning his second consecutive Pro Bowl appearance and earning the NFL rushing touchdowns co-leader (tied with Derrick Henry and Jahmyr Gibbs with 16) in 2024. Beane said he isn't taking a hard line on not paying Cook because he's a running back, saying the Bills want to sign him at the "sweet spot." The Bills need the "sweet spot" to come sooner rather than later. It's common for teams to deal with sit-outs and holdouts during the preseason. What Buffalo doesn't want is a distraction during the regular season or postseason, and that could be where this is headed.
UDFA ready to carry Dallas Cowboys offense on his back
The Dallas Cowboys ground game has gotten a lot of attention this offseason. Following their struggles to run the ball in 2024, Dallas signed Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders in free agency. They also added two rookies in the 2025 NFL draft, taking Jaydon Blue from Texas in the fifth round and Phil Mafah from Clemson in the seventh. While all the attention seems to be focused on their new additions, the coaching staff has been spending time working with one of the returning backs, Hunter Luepke. According to The Athletic’s Jon Machota, coaching staff has been thoroughly impressed with Luepke, and they’re using him at multiple positions. His role has become so versatile that Luepke claims he plays “everything” on offense, while adding that he will do whatever is asked of him. “Any way I can be on the field, I’m going to try to do it. Whatever they ask me to do, I’m going to do it. … Coach is trying to be as multiple as possible out there, so I just think me being able to play multiple positions and being able to shift and move around and see different IDs, or go in on pass pro for running backs, run routes with tight ends, the more you can do, the better for this offense. And I think I can do that.” — Luepke, via Machota Undrafted out of North Dakota State in 2023, Luepke has been used sparingly on offense through two seasons. He has just 57 yards and one touchdown on 18 attempts and 129 yards receiving on 15 receptions. Despite the small sample size, his versatility stands out every offseason. That said, it appears new head coach Brian Schottenheimer might be willing to put more on his plate in 2025.
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