Geno Auriemma has released an update on his conversionsation with Dawn Staley (with details that he apologized to Staley): “Friday, I lost something more important. I lost myself … Women’s basketball deserved better.” 📸: UConnWBB on X

Reserve: Player with 3 years of service or less, whose receives an offer. Team has exclusive negotiation rights. Restricted: Player with 4 years of service, whose team extends an offer. Player can negotiate with other teams, but previous team has first right of refusal. Team can match other offers.

Some noteworthy reserved/restricted offers today: Sparks: Rae Burrell Aces: NaLyssa Smith Mystics: Shakira Austin Sun: Olivia Nelson-Ododa Dream: Rhyne Howard, Naz Hillmon Valkyries: Veronica Burton, Janelle Salaün Mercury: Natasha Mack, Monique Akoa Makani

A fury of core designations are now in: Napheesa Collier - Lynx Kelsey Plum - Sparks Marina Mabrey - Tempo Allisha Gray - Dream Ezi Magbegor -Storm Arike Ogunbowale - Wings Sabrina Ionescu - Liberty Bridget Carleton - Fire

Dawn Staley has released a statement on Geno Auriemma: “I spoke with Geno, and I want to be clear - I have a great deal of respect for him and what he's meant to this game. … So, I'm asking everyone to turn the page. Let's refocus on what matters most.” 📸 GamecockWBB on X

Some action today per the WNBA's transactions page: The Indiana Fever extended a core qualifying offer to Kelsey Mitchell. The Chicago Sky extended a core qualifying offer to Ariel Atkins.

IMO, Angel is getting traded anywhere without being a starter. Heck of a defender and can rebound. That alone is worth the start. Smesko can help improve offense. Naz off the bench behind Angel? 😮‍💨 I think they’re going to cook. Huge fan of her game. Also think Atlanta gets Bri Jones back.

If you’re wondering how Angel Reese might fit with the Atlanta Dream roster, here’s my high-level thoughts. Immediate winners? Atlanta’s rebounding and ability to clean up plays.

NEWS: The Mystics and GM Jamila Wideman are parting ways due to “strategic differences.” Wideman started with Washington in 2024. Head coach Sydney Johnson is expected to assume control of basketball operations.

The Atlanta Dream’s bio change. 10/10. No notes.

Angel Reese is headed to Atlanta. I broke down what it means for the Sky and the Dream, including who won the trade with instant analysis.

Good morning. Per Taylor Rooks, Angel Reese is going to the Dream. Sky and Dream reportedly have a trade.

WNBA Free agency dates are now available. April 6-7 is the designation period April 8-10 is the negotiations period April 11 is when signings can happen The Draft is April 13. Buckle up, friends.

Cori Close on winning a title after 15 years: “It’s not so much about winning a national championship, it’s the validation that it could be done differently.” Says she never listened to what people said. Says she felt at peace today, that she knew she was going to win.

I asked Cori Close on how she evolved as a leader: “I had truth tellers around me to tell me the hard things … and I had to have a humble heart to say ‘OK’ I receive that.’” Says UCLA had to decide to choose discipline in the pain after last year’s Final Four.

Cori Close on winning a championship and then turning to the offseason: “Well, the transfer portal just got easier.”

Lauren Betts on seeing the predictions of outlets picking South Carolina: “I did, but I don’t care … We just won a championship”

Lauren Betts on her coughing issues she had in the first half: *jokingly clears her throat* “I’m fine. Now I am. I feel fine. It was dry out here, man. I don’t know.”

Kiki Rice on when UCLA knew they could be champions: “Right from the beginning, right from when we got on campus … I think you just know when you have that competitive DNA in you.”

Lauren Betts on winning today: “The confidence that we came out with, we just knew we were gonna win.” Says the way they prepped helped them today vs. South Carolina. “No one was gonna stop us.”

The champs are here. Lauren Betts. Kiki Rice. Gabriela Jaquez. Cori Close. Kiki Rice has goggles still on. So does Cori Close — plus a net.

Dawn Staley on Geno Auriemma allegedly reaching out: “That’s a Geno question … I have not heard from Geno … it’s UCLA’s day. Let’s keep it there … We’re not gonna damper UCLA’s day with that.” Says she has 800 text messages. Said Geno may be in there, but she is unsure.

Dawn Staley on South Carolina’s standard: “We do feel the pressure … how long you sustain that? We don’t know … to get here is hard, and to win here is harder … obviously we got smacked today and gotta figure out we smack back to put ourselves in a position to lift a trophy.”

Dawn Staley on UCLA’s Gabriela Jaquez: “Hard matchup … she’s relentless.” Says you come in the game knowing what she’s gonna do and she does it anyway.

Dawn Staley on UCLA today: UCLA is quality team with very experienced players … From last year to this year, they played determined last year, but they played determined this year … and they took advantage of it.

The All-Tournament Team: Tessa Johnson (South Carolina) Ta'Niya Latson (South Carolina) Kiki Rice (UCLA) Gabriela Jaquez (UCLA) Lauren Betts (UCLA) is the MOP.

Dawn Staley on today’s game feeling like last year’s championship vs. UConn: “It kinda felt like the same thing …We just don’t have it today … It was a direct reflection of what they did to us.” Says UCLA “Out-worked” and “out-executed” them today. Credited Bruins.

Tessa Johnson and Ta’Niya Latson on UCLA: Johnson: “I think they did every little thing.” Latson: “Every 50-50 ball went there way. Every 2nd and 3rd, 4th chance points … we didn’t (have) the intangibles.”

Ta’Niya Latson and Raven Johnson on what they’ll take into the WNBA from Dawn Staley: Ta’Niya: Just patience … She taught me a lot about myself. She believed in me as a player. Raven: “Pro habits and leadership ability. Just being who I am really.”

Ta’Niya Latson. Tessa Johnson. Raven Johnson. Dawn Staley. Tessa Johnson: “We got here. No one thought we would.”

UCLA wins its first title in the NCAA era. 79-51 masterclass. Sends its 6 seniors off into the sunset with a trophy.

She’s gonna be just fine. She’ll make a roster, imo.

Oh, I’ve been on the hype train for any team to draft her.

Gabriela Jaquez. Exclamation point 3-pointer and she checks out with 21 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists.

Lauren Betts and Kiki Rice just checked out for their last time in a Bruins uniform. Cori Close is teary-eyed on the UCLA bench. Also hugged Kiki Rice for a while after hugging Lauren.

Raven Johnson just took a bit to sit down (was an exaggerated sit), seemed to be processing (perhaps her last game). Ta'Niya Latson asked her if she was okay. She nodded yes, but her face was telling. Very somber.

All five starting Bruins are in double figures, in case anyone had any doubt about that. Gabriela Jaquez leads the way with 16 points, 9 rebounds. Lauren Betts has a double-double. 12 points and 11 rebounds.

All five Bruins are in double figures, in case anyone had any doubt about that.

UCLA is up 61-32 after 3. This is a really good display from the Bruins who have looked in firm control from the opening tip. It's a collective effort and a heck of a coaching job from Cori Close. Four Bruins in double figures and holding South Carolina to 24% shooting.

With South Carolina down 20+ in the third, it reminds me of what Dawn Staley said to USA TODAY on Feb. 8: "This year's team is a lot different than our previous championship teams. One, the previous championship teams had a core that had been together for at least an entire season or two.” (1/2)

48-26, UCLA, with 5:41 left in the third. They are getting it done with everyone. Now have 2 Bruins in double digits. South Carolina can't seem to sustain offensive rhythm and now getting cooked defensively, too. Size, speed and height a problem.

Olympian Ilona Maher and Red Panda for today’s halftime show. Legend recognizes legend. Maher missed a few of her throws to Red Panda, but stuck with it. Heck of a crossover.

Halftime: UCLA 36, South Carolina 23 Gamecocks handled UCLA's push a lot better in second quarter, but Bruins offense is clicking. Bruins shooting 43% on the day and six players have scored. Tessa Johnson is the hot hand for South Carolina. She has 10 points. SC shooting 26%.

Gotta had to this. UCLA is just 1 of its last 8 FG's. South Carolina locking in on defense in the second quarter. It's 11-11 in the period.

A Ta'Niya Latson steal and score causes a UCLA timeout. UCLA up 32-21 with 2:48 left in the half.

Timeout on the floor. 4:54 mark of the first. UCLA up 13-6. UCLA is shooting 63% early. 5-of-8. South Carolina 20%. Have only made 2 of 10 baskets.

UCLA's length and size is a problem early forth South Carolina. Gamecocks taking tough shots, not able to finish the easy one.

Can confirm opposing coaches hugged pre-game. Dawn Staley and Cori Close hugged just a moment ago and exchanged pleasantries. Staley looked around after to people on the bench, like, “See?”

The arena was playing a montage of past championship games, and every time UConn was showed (and Geno Auriemma), fans booed. Whew.

📍Phoenix National Championship game. UCLA. South Carolina. For all the glory.