Sidelines with Lily

The WNBA season's two-week break for the 2026 FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup has begun! As numerous players from the W travel to Berlin, Germany to represent their country in the World Cup, we will not only continue to be showered with spectacular matchups, but also with a new level of competition as players look to put it all on the line for the pride of their country. Team USA Player Availability The team with the most WNBA players is none other than Team USA. Through each World Cup and even Olympics, Team USA never fails to rise as the favorite to win each tournament. However, as we approach the 2026 FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup, Team USA has already faced a few challenges and may even face more down the road. Early yesterday morning (August 31), the official accounts for USA Basketball took to social media to announce that neither A'ja Wilson or Kelsey Plum will be able to compete in the 2026 World Cup for "health reasons." Shortly after, Plum also...

  Just as WNBA fans had gained hope in Azzi Fudd's return after missing the past five games for the Dallas Wings, the team announced earlier today that the 2026 No. 1 overall pick will not return for the remainder of the season. Fudd's Historical Rookie Season Comes to an End In the 30 games that Azzi Fudd competed in this season for the Dallas Wings, there's no doubt why she was taken with the No. 1 pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft. Far beyond any statistics or averages, Fudd was the missing piece that the Wings have been looking for. In her rookie season, Fudd became one of the primary scorers as well as the leader of Dallas' defense. It was in this rookie season cut short that Fudd averaged 13.1 points, 1.7 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.7 steals per game. She did so while also shooting an average of 45.6% from the field, 39.7% from three, and 82.6% from the free-throw line. Not only do these stats and shooting splits prove Azzi Fudd's efficiency as she transitions to t...

  Yes, you read that right, Nneka Ogwumike has just announced that she will retire from basketball following the 2026 WNBA season. Now with this comes a lot. It brings sadness that one of the greatest careers is coming to an end, but it also brings an appreciation for all that Madam President has done, to which we can give Ogwumike her hard-earned flowers. A Career Defined by Excellence A Rookie Season That Set the Tone From serving as the president of the Women's National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA), to breaking records and raking in accolades, Nneka Ogwumike has done so much for the WNBA and the position it is in today, but first, let's break down her career. The No. 1 overall pick in the 2012 WNBA Draft, Nneka Ogwumike had all eyes on her when she landed on the Los Angeles Sparks. Coming off her best season yet at Stanford where she averaged 22.8 points, 10.6 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.5 steals, and 1.2 blocks, taking Ogwumike with the first pick was a no-brainer fo...

I have some exciting news that I’ve been looking forward to sharing: my first article with Winsidr is officially out! For me, this is a really exciting step in my journey as a once aspiring sports writer in the world of sports media. When I first started this blog, one of my biggest goals was simply to give myself a place to write about the sports and players I care about while continuing to improve as a writer. I never expected that it would eventually lead to opportunities like this so quickly, and getting the chance to have my work published with Winsidr is something I’m really proud of. My First Winsidr Article My debut article for Winsidr covers the incredible season that the Chicago Sky's undrafted rookie, Sydney Taylor has had. It covers her entire journey to the W from her five collegiate seasons to her overseas play to having a breakout rookie season. I personally have really enjoyed watching her growth and progression this season and can't wait to see what's next...

  Making the decision to move forward from her time with the Chicago Sky was a bold move, but for Angel Reese, in just her first 31 games with the Atlanta Dream, she has already made a lasting impact from the records she's broken to the crucial role she now has in their success. A New Beginning for Reese Building Her Foundation in Chicago Gaining all the traction she needed in her final two collegiate seasons at LSU, Angel Reese had momentum coming into her rookie season for the Chicago Sky. The No. 7 pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft, Reese arguably an underdog having dropped to the middle of the First Round. However, Reese has used these doubts and uncertainties from the media and fans as fuel for an incredible start to her professional career. Despite being a rookie, Reese put the league on notice in 2024 when she averaged 13.6 points, 13.1rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1.3 steals per game. In 27 of the 34 games, she competed in during her rookie season, Reese recorded a double-double. No...

  In a critical point of the season for the Dallas Wings, Azzi Fudd has been ruled out for the second game in a row, another huge loss for the Wings ahead of their matchup with the Lynx. Azzi Fudd's Journey to the WNBA Fudd's Rise at UConn Being the No. 1 pick in any draft brings a lot of attention and high expectations and for Azzi Fudd, although she's always captivated the attention of women's basketball fans since her time in college, she's had more eyes on her than ever. Coming off of a spectacular run at UConn, Fudd was considered a top prospect for the 2026 WNBA Draft for years. In five seasons at UConn, Fudd recorded 14.7 points, 2.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.7 steals per game. Not only are these stats impressive considering that she would truly only play two full seasons at good health, but Fudd also did so shooting 46.9% from the field, 42.2% from three, and 92.5% from the charity stripe in her career. These shooting splits not only prove her dominance t...