Elaine Blum

Elaine Blum

Joined: Mar 21, 2026

Elaine Blum covers women’s basketball for On SI from Europe. She has been writing about women's hoops since 2023 and holds a Bachelor’s degree in English and Journalism and a master’s degree in American Studies with a focus on women’s and gender studies. She started playing basketball when she was 10 years old and won several league and state championships at the youth and senior level.

May 9, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Atlanta Dream forward Angel Reese (5) celebrates a basket against the Minnesota Lynx during the first half at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

Apr 27, 2026; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Wings forward Alanna Smith (8) poses for a photo during the 2026 Dallas Wings media day at College Park Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Apr 30, 2026; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Valkyries forward Gabby Williams (1) during media day at the Sephora Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-Imagn Images

Apr 30, 2026; Los Angeles, CA, USA; LA Sparks forward Cameron Brink (22) poses during media day at El Camino College. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Apr 25, 2026; San Francisco, CA, USA; Seattle Storm guard Zia Cooke (7) is surprised by a foul call during a game against the Golden State Valkyries in the third quarter at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: David Gonzales-Imagn Images

News

As the new season starts, all eyes are on the stars, but there are also some underrated players who could have big seasons.

Apr 30, 2026; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Valkyries center Iliana Rupert (12) during media day at the Sephora Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-Imagn Images

WNBA

The Golden State Valkyries are hoping to get a replacement for Iliana Rupert, who will miss the season.

Apr 30, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) before the game against the Dallas Wings at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

WNBA

A new season brings a new string of questions for every WNBA team.

Apr 20, 2026; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Mystics guard Georgia Amoore (8) poses for a portrait during Mystics Media Day at CareFirst Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

WNBA

This year’s Rookie of the Year race should be a thrilling one. Azzi Fudd and Olivia Miles aren’t the only candidates for the award.

Apr 25, 2026; Brooklyn, NY, USA; New York Liberty head coach Chris DeMarco reacts during the first half against the Indiana Fever at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images

WNBA

The Liberty are already facing their first big challenge before the season even started.

Apr 20, 2026; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Mystics center Lauren Betts (51) poses for a portrait during Mystics Media Day at CareFirst Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

WNBA

Lauren Betts’s showing against the Atlanta Dream suggests that one concern about her transition to the WNBA isn’t as serious as some people thought.

Sep 6, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Minnesota Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve addresses the media before the game against the Golden State Valkyries at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: David Gonzales-Imagn Images

WNBA

The Lynx’s offseasons losses hinted at the possibility of Lauren Betts landing with them in the draft. Cheryl Reeve went with a different choice, and it makes perfect sense.

Apr 30, 2026; Los Angeles, CA, USA; LA Sparks forward Cameron Brink (22) poses during media day at El Camino College. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

WNBA

There are plenty of players teams cannot afford to lose this season, including some primed for breakout seasons.

Sep 14, 2025; College Park, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Dream head coach Karl Smesko on the sideline against the Indiana Fever in the second quarter during game one of round one for the 2025 WNBA Playoffs at Gateway Center Arena at College Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

The Atlanta Dream have a stacked roster, but their biggest advantage may actually be on the sideline.

Apr 27, 2026; Toronto, CA, USA; Toronto Tempo guard Brittney Sykes (20) poses for a photo during Media Day. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images

The Toronto Tempo will open their inaugural season in just over a week. The team still has some questions to answer.

Jun 22, 2025; College Park, Georgia, USA; Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese (5) warms up before a game against the Atlanta Dream at Gateway Center Arena at College Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Angel Reese will make her preseason debut with her new team, and there’s plenty to look out for.

May 19, 2023; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; New York Liberty center Han Xu shoots during a pregame shoot around prior to the game against the Washington Mystics at Entertainment & Sports Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

The Liberty lost their first preseason game, but still got some good performances from their reserves.