✊🏽 HAPPY BLACK HISTORY MONTH

Hi Hoops Fans!

Although February may be the WNBA offseason, women’s hoops are serving plenty of excitement!

This includes the most Diana Taurasi way to retire– on a random Tuesday.

Here’s what we have on deck for today’s newsletter:

• 🥊 NC State Wolfpack takes a bite out of the Fighting Irish

• ‼️ Skylar Diggins-Smith said to put some respect on the Lunar Owls

• 🤔 Will the WNBA benefit from ESPN’s breakup with MLB?

• 🎙️ How are the Seattle Storm retooling after offseason exits?

• 📚 WBB stories & content worth your time

BLACK HISTORY FACT

Teresa Weatherspoon wants you to know about her father, Chuck, the 1961 MiLB Most Valuable Player (MVP). That year, Spoony, as he was known, hit seven grand slams in 1961 for the Wilson Tobacconists.

“He never made it to the Major Leagues, but for us, he was a major man,” Teresa Weatherspoon told MiLB.Com in a February 2020 interview.

If you really know me, then you know I love baseball. I cannot wait to ask Teresa Weatherspoon more about her father!

With love,

Erica L. Ayala, Head Black Rosie in Charge (HBIC)

🦉 THE G.O.A.T SAYS FAREWELL

After 20 incredible seasons with the Phoenix Mercury, Diana Taurasi has called it a career.

DT announced her retirement in an exclusive for Time Magazine. Our very own Erica L. Ayala joined CBS Sports HQ to discuss the breaking news.

Hate her or love her, Diana Taurasi is a central force in the growth of women’s basketball over the years.

Although Taurasi hasn’t committed to her next moves, it’s hard to imagine she’ll be away from the game for too long.

📈 AP TOP 25 - WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

It was another big weekend of college hoops, and all eyes were on Raleigh, North Carolina.

With the eyes of the basketball world on them, the NC State Wolfpack took on #1 Notre Dame and gave them all they could handle.

It took two overtime, but NC State got some revenge from last year’s ACC Tournament final and came away with a victory.

The Notre Dame loss placed Texas at the top of the standing for the first time in over 20 years. The win was NC State’s first win against the number one ranked team since 1978.

AP Rankings (as of February 25):

1 Texas (↑1)

2 UCLA (↑1)

3 Notre Dame (↓2)

4 Southern California

5 UConn

6 South Carolina

7 LSU

8 North Carolina(↑1)

9 North Carolina State (↑4)

10 TCU

11 Tennessee (↑4)

12 Ohio State (↓4)

13 Oklahoma (↑3)

14 Kansas State (↓2)

15 Kentucky (↓1)

16 Duke (↓5)

17 Baylor (↑2)

18 West Virginia (↓1)

19 Maryland (↑2)

20 Alabama (↓2)

21 Oklahoma State (↑3)

22 Creighton (↑1)

23 Michigan State (↓1)

24 Florida State

25 Louisville

🦉 LUNAR OWLS STILL RUN UNRIVALED

The Lunar Owls have been that team in the inaugural season of Unrivaled. Led by Napheesa Collier and Skylar Diggins-Smith, they have dominated everyone in their path.

It took over a month to slow down the Lunar Owls.

On Friday night, Rose BC pulled off the upset as Angel Reese’s 22 points and 21 rebounds led the way in a 72-63 victory.

The Lunar Owls weren’t down for long and returned to the win column in a dominant win over the injury-laden Laces BC.

After the game, Skylar Diggins-Smith reminded everyone who runs this

HOOTIE HOO!!!!!!!!!

Unrivaled is off until February 28, when Vinyl BC faces Laces BC and Mist BC takes on the Phantom BC.

Here are the current standings:

 💰 MONEY MOVES

Major League Baseball is leaving ESPN at the end of the 2025 season. Sunday Night Baseball, Home Run Derby, etc.? All gone.

How will ESPN fill their schedule?

Enter the WNBA.