How International Players Are Quietly Reshaping Basketball

Zena and Sabreena open their conversation with the latest updates on the CBA negotiations, discussing what comes next as talks hit their deadline with no agreement. From there, they shift to a recap of the association, covering Texas’ first loss of the season, Ohio State’s rise as a contender, Notre Dame’s unusual campaign, and the need for UNC and Duke to find consistency.
Next, the duo explore the evolving landscape of women’s college basketball, focusing on the growing impact of international players in the NIL era and implications for the WNBA. They discuss how the influx of international talent brings excitement and challenges for college programs, introduces diverse playing styles, and highlights different pathways to the professional level—where international players often have more flexibility than American players facing strict draft eligibility rules. They also examine the need for clearer NCAA regulations around international participation.
Finally, we wrap things up with one of our recruiting games: “Something in Common”.


No Offseason is a part of The Athletic Podcast Network: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/

00:00 Intro
00:48 WNBA CBA negotiations continue without an agreement
02:58 The next steps once a deal is finalized
05:07 What is the players’ position on the salary structure?
05:43 What the league is proposing as a salary structure
08:02 Texas suffers first loss of the season, falling to LSU 70-65
11:24 Is Mikaylah Williams the best player on LSU?
13:47 Ohio State defeats Maryland 89-76
18:00 Ohio State remains among the teams to beat
20:07 UCLA’s defense remains excellent
21:31 Notre Dame has had a peculiar season
25:45 How international players have been a part of the WCBB landscape
30:32 The NCAA’s rules for international play remain complex
34:55 The positives of international play in college basketball
41:40 Do WNBA rules restrict the professional opportunities of American-born players?
43:30 A look at the impact of Nastja Claessens at Kansas State
45:31 What Blanca Quinonez brings to UConn


Related links and articles:

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6959... by Sabreena Merchant

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6964... by Sabreena Merchant

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6962... by Sabreena Merchant

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Credits:
-Zena on BlueSky: @zenakeita
-Ben on BlueSky: @benpickman
-Sabreena on BlueSky: @sabreenajm
-Chantel on BlueSky: @chanteljennings
-Produced by Taneka Burrell
-Executive Produced by Andrea B. Scott

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