Thanksgiving week tournaments are bringing a Top-5 matchup between No. 3 UCLA and No. 4 Texas that will cause one of their undefeated streaks to end. Newsletter by @chelsealeite.bsky.social: bit.ly/3KnDLUU

In the WNBA's 30-year history (incl. 2026): 6 seasons have had an even men-to-women coaching ratio 11 seasons have had more women coaches 13 seasons have had more men coaches **When a coach was fired mid-season, @chelsealeite.bsky.social counted the coach who coached more games

This week's rankings saw Michigan enter the top 10 for the first time since 2022, while Notre Dame fell to No. 24 and Duke dropped out of the Top 25. Newsletter by @chelsealeite.bsky.social: bit.ly/4i7NFXk

Per Jake Fischer, the NBA Eastern Asst that is a finalist for the New York Liberty head coaching job: Toronto Raptors Asst Jama Mahlalela. He apparently met with owners while the Raptors were in Brooklyn, and the Raptors are aware of his standing in the process.

It feels too early to let myself get excited for the Tempo’s draft, but then I saw @chelsealeite.bsky.social talk about Awa Fam and Ta’Niya Latson. I don’t think that Awa Fam will be there at 6, but we can still dream.

Proud to have finally converted @chelsealeite.bsky.social into a Cup Respecter www.raptorshq.com/raptors-game...

Tuesday, the Toronto Tempo officially introduced Sandy Brondello as the franchise's first head coach. @chelsealeite.bsky.social was there and has all the details about what Brondello's hiring means to her and the franchise.

Emceeing the Tevlin Challenger in Toronto today! It’s a great day to watch women’s tennis 🎾

Unrivaled announces COACHES for this season: · Breeze BC: Noelle Quinn · Hive BC: Rena Wakama · Laces BC: Andrew Wade · Lunar Owls BC: DJ Sackmann · Mist BC: Zach O’Brien · Phantom BC: Roneeka Hodges · Rose BC: Nola Henry · Vinyl BC: Teresa Weatherspoon

To celebrate the final @unrivaledwbb.bsky.social roster announcements today, I created DREAM TRIOS I'd love to see be drafted together over on @bleachereport.bsky.social - plus, a little bit of info 👀 on how the year 2 draft will work: bleacherreport.com/articles/252...

Wrote more on Rajakovic's reaction to his former colleague's promotion on Raptors HQ: www.raptorshq.com/all-womens-s...

Toronto Raptors Head Coach Darko Rajakovic and new Seattle Storm Head Coach Sonia Raman worked together as assistants for the Memphis Grizzlies. I asked him this afternoon what it was like working with Raman, and his reaction to her being hired by Seattle. Quote below⬇️

“Any questions about the Raptors?” 😂

As @howardmegdal.bsky.social reported yesterday, Sandy Brondello is set to be the first coach of the Toronto Tempo. Our @chelsealeite.bsky.social wrote about the decision and why she is the perfect candidate for the expansion franchise.

For my Toronto-based followers who aren't familiar with Sandy Brondello, here are the short notes: -2x WNBA Champ (Phoenix 2014, New York 2024) -COTY in 2014 -Australian Ntl Team Coach (2 Silver, 1 Bronze in 4 Olympics) -former player (Detroit Shock, Miami Sol, Seattle Storm)

BREAKING NEWS: SANDY BRONDELLO IS THE FIRST HEAD COACH OF THE TORONTO TEMPO

🎥 What, if any, changes would you make to the preseason Top 10? Full Episode: 🍎 bit.ly/47hPonX 📺 youtu.be/rnsXPyOfP3Q Clip from The @herhoopstats.com Podcast Hosts: @brittanycarper.bsky.social and @chelsealeite.bsky.social

I dressed for the occasion lol

Unfortunately some uncontrollable factors made it so my first half marathon experience wasn’t *great* but I finished and I’m super motivated to continue working on my fitness goals. These 16 weeks of training were a great learning experience!!

Never been more nervous for anything! Cool! 😂😂😂 see ya tomorrow!

Weekend plans 🤪🫠

Season previews are in full swing over on Raptors HQ. Here is a thread of the plethora of reading material you have this week as the Raptors start their preseason schedule:

Not often do I get to unplug but I made a commitment this past weekend: no scrolling, no replying to messages (unless they were from my mom lol), no work. Not even checking scores. Gonna pay for it today when I attempt to catch up but… worth it 🥹🫶🏻

This was also my first thought. Rhabdo happens when muscles are under such systemic duress that the body can’t handle to the point the muscle fibers die and infiltrate the bloodstream. It can be fatal. Combined with the number of other injuries in Indiana this season, it raises a lot of questions.

Kelsey Mitchell confirms she developed Rhabdomylosis. The level of over-exertion/dehydration you need to get to in order to develop this is extreme. Getting to that point while under the supervision of a professional sports team staff is pretty blatant malpractice on the team’s part.

New @lockedonraptors.bsky.social where @chelsealeite.bsky.social joins me to try and rank the Raptors bench guys from most to least likely to play heavy rotation minutes. 🏀Gradey the clear 6th man? 🏀Where does Ochai fit in? 🏀Internal competition: it's really good to have! youtu.be/yQIaZF3OadQ

Napheesa Collier started her exit interview with a 2-page statement calling out WNBA leadership. A few of her statements: -Cathy Engelbert told her this year that Caitlin Clark should be grateful she had the WNBA bc that’s where her sponsors come from Cont:

Episode 65 of Pull Up is one of our best. Natasha Cloud joined us for a conversation that had relationships as a through line: with Liberty fans, with media, and with our communities. Her compassion vibrates and, in this clip, Tash opens up about her why. Links below. 🔗👇

New for Bleacher Report this morning, there is growing concern about officiating in the WNBA: bleacherreport.com/articles/252...

First Raptors media of the season was today, Bobby Webster (who will not be at media day) Below are two videos of questions I asked Bobby:

🎥 So far, the WNBA Playoffs have been unpredictable. Full Episode: 🍎 bit.ly/4h0YaeB 📺 youtu.be/9RfW7OEgynM Clip from The @herhoopstats.com Podcast Hosts: @chelsealeite.bsky.social and @acoach4thecoach.bsky.social

What are the X-Factors for each team as we move forward in the @wnba.com Playoffs? @marchmadnesswbb.bsky.social begins official practice, and much more with @chelsealeite.bsky.social and @acoach4thecoach.bsky.social. 🍎 bit.ly/4h0YaeB 📺 youtu.be/9RfW7OEgynM

Me listening to House Tour by Sabrina Carpenter on repeat this week

The women who work in Toronto sports are genuinely the best. It’s such a special sisterhood to be a part of. Some of us got together for dinner tonight and I’m always reminded that this city is filled with the greatest people.

I’ve started at Bleacher Report doing occasional freelance articles, including this on New York’s coaching change! bleacherreport.com/articles/252...

Another head coaching vacancy in the WNBA: the New York Liberty announce they will NOT be renewing Sandy Brondello’s coaching contract. Open jobs in the WNBA: Seattle Storm Toronto Tempo Portland Fire New York Liberty

The Storm are searching for a new coach, Unrivaled is building anticipation for its 2nd season, and Athletes Unlimited stars are shining in the WNBA Playoffs. @chelsealeite.bsky.social and @cbrunsonaz.bsky.social are here to break down all of this and more. 🍎 bit.ly/46fgQmY 📺 youtu.be/Gb3QOLnVeAM

🎥 The Fever’s replacement players are coming up big for them. Full Episode: 🍎 bit.ly/46fgQmY 📺 youtu.be/Gb3QOLnVeAM Clip from The @herhoopstats.com Podcast Hosts: @chelsealeite.bsky.social and @cbrunsonaz.bsky.social

The Toronto Tempo announce this morning that they will play 2 home games in 2026 at the Bell Centre in Montreal. This is in addition to the 2 games in Vancouver. #WNBA

Canada's Bridget Carleton comes up big for the Minnesota Lynx when it matters most - swinging the momentum to allow them to gain a 1-point victory in a series-clinching playoff game against Golden State: www.raptorshq.com/wnba-content...

Natalie Nakase is officially the WNBA Coach of the Year in her first season as head coach of the Golden State Valkyries. Last person to win COTY in their first season as a Head Coach in the WNBA? Becky Hammon, the coach Nakase worked under until she got the Valks job #WNBA

🎥 The 2025 Naismith Hall of Fame inductions, where UConn greats Sue Bird and Maya Moore were inducted. Full Episode: 🍎 bit.ly/4nrPsba 📺 youtu.be/cpc6f_ZPqEY Clip from The @herhoopstats.com Podcast Hosts: @chelsealeite.bsky.social and Maggie Vanoni

In this episode, UConn WBB and Connecticut Sun insider, Maggie Vanoni, joined @chelsealeite.bsky.social to talk about the Huskies, the Sun, a recent trip to the Naismith Hall of Fame inductions, and more! 🍎 bit.ly/4nrPsba 📺 youtu.be/cpc6f_ZPqEY

🎥 Covering a team that’s bound for the lottery comes with its challenges. Full Episode: 🍎 bit.ly/4nrPsba 📺 youtu.be/cpc6f_ZPqEY Clip from The @herhoopstats.com Podcast Hosts: @chelsealeite.bsky.social and Maggie Vanoni

There seems to be a lot more to Kawhi Leonard's exit from Toronto than we originally thought: www.raptorshq.com/nba-news-bas...

The WNBA Playoffs start next week, and TWO Canadians will be in the mix, helping their teams compete for a Championship: www.raptorshq.com/wnba-news/47...

My little side quest these days is training for a half marathon. Ran 15km today and it was gorggggg in Toronto:

🎥 With great stories and a steady upward trajectory, Women’s Basketball deserves the continued support. Full Episode: 🍎 bit.ly/465vR9r 📺 youtu.be/AcBLTK6kFFs Clip from The @herhoopstats.com Podcast Hosts: @chelsealeite.bsky.social and @jsteyz.bsky.social

The Fever will officially be without Caitlin Clark for the remainder of the 2025 WNBA season. The Valkyries make history. The playoff race reaching a fever pitch. All of that and more with @chelsealeite.bsky.social and @jsteyz.bsky.social . 🍎 bit.ly/465vR9r 📺 youtu.be/AcBLTK6kFFs