Ahead of Paige Bueckers’ official return from her ACL injury, the UConn basketball star gave credit to late NBA star Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gigi.

On Tuesday, Bueckers wore a shirt reading: “If you think you can’t, UConn.” The quote is attributed to noted UConn fan Gigi Bryant, who died in a helicopter crash alongside her father and seven others in January 2020.

Paige Bueckers’ T-shirt for media today.

The 2021 National Player of the Year makes her highly anticipated return to the court tomorrow vs Dayton pic.twitter.com/TubXLzXvy9

— Maggie Vanoni (@maggie_vanoni) November 7, 2023

The Huskies first wore the warmup shirts with the quote, which comes from a letter Bryant wrote to the team after a loss, back in January 2021.

Ahead of UConn’s season opener Wednesday against Dayton, Bueckers shared how Kobe Bryant’s “Mamba Mentality” helped her as she rehabbed the ACL injury that kept her out all of last season. Speaking with ESPN, she said that she read Bryant’s book, which helped her as she navigated the injury and rehabilitation process.

Kobe’s “mentality, his approach, just how much he dedicated his life to the game” helped her through that time, Bueckers said.

“When this injury first happened, I thought a lot about Kobe,” she said. “I read ‘The Mamba Mentality’ book. And he just looked at his injury as another way to prove people wrong and as another thing to accomplish. I mean, Kobe loved challenges, so anything that he could face, that people had doubts that he could overcome, is what made him want to do it even more.”

The 22-year-old guard also turned to her UConn teammates, and to other athlete’s successful returns from ACL injuries, to inspire her.

“A lot of my teammates have gone through ACL injuries, have gone through major injuries,” she said. “I watched, in the WNBA, in the NBA, in the NFL, people coming back from ACL injuries. Klay Thompson came back from two major injuries to win a NBA championship.

“I see inspiration around me every day with my teammates and just be able to lean on them and ask some questions and ask how their process went. There was a lot of things that kept me going.”

The 2025 NWSL Best XI presented by Amazon Prime is in, as the league honored the year’s top performers at the first-ever NWSL Awards ceremony in San Jose, California — home to NWSL Championship Weekend.

One storyline stole the spotlight: the overwhelming dominance of the Kansas City Current. The 2025 Shield-winners earned five First Team selections — the most in league history — reinforcing the Current’s status as an NWSL powerhouse despite their quarterfinal playoffs exit.

“The season didn’t end the way that we wanted to, and we’re still very hungry for more next year,” said Kansas City defender Kayla Sharples told JWS after landing on the 2025 NWSL Best XI. “But the thing is our last result doesn’t define our whole season.”

The NWSL Awards — a nationally televised event complete with a blue carpet for VIPs — showcased the celebrated the standout players who ruled the pitch in 2025. Below is a full breakdown of the NWSL Best XI First Team, diving deep into how each player earned their spot at the top this season.

2025 NWSL Best XI First Team presented by Amazon Prime

Goalkeeper: Lorena (Kansas City Current)

Kansas City’s Brazilian goalkeeper acted as the backbone of the league’s best defensive unit. Lorena, who developed through Brazil’s youth and senior national team system, secured 14 clean sheets thanks to quick reactions, aerial command, and elite ball distribution. Throughout 2025, she transformed from solid starter to winning NWSL Goalkeeper of the Year in addition to Best XI honors.

Defender: Izzy Rodriguez (Kansas City Current)

Former US youth international and Ohio State star Izzy Rodriguez has evolved into one of the NWSL’s premier two-way fullbacks. Her overlapping runs, precise crossing, and ability to defend in transition gave Kansas City unmatched width. The 26-year-old’s end-of-season honor solidifies her transformation from promising draft pick to elite defender.

“It’s so nice to celebrate your teammates, especially when you know how much work they put in the entire year,” Rodriguez said after the ceremony.

“It was so cool to have an event like this. It’s something that’s just elevating women’s sports all around and I hope we get to continue things like this and add on from here.”

Defender: Kayla Sharples (Kansas City Current)

After being drafted in 2019 and persevering through both injuries and trades, Kayla Sharples reemerged as one of the league’s most reliable center backs. Her dominance in the air, calm under pressure, and organizational presence allowed Kansas City to set a franchise-best defensive record this season. Sharples’s late-career breakout earned widespread praise — and a spot on the 2025 NWSL Best XI.

“It’s an incredible honor,” said Sharples. “This season has been very rewarding, and to see a lot of a lot of the players get recognition, it’s just a testament to this team, the coaching staff, all the time and work that’s been put in.”

Defender: Tara McKeown (Washington Spirit)

Washington Spirit’s 2025 Defender of the Year made headlines after seamlessly transitioning from standout college forward to top-flight pro center back and USWNT regular. McKeown’s background as an attacker gave her heightened anticipation and footwork in defensive situations. That combined with her ability to shut down strikers while confidently building out of the back made her one of 2025's most important defensive players.

“Honestly, I didn’t think I’d be here when I did switch to defender, so now that I have, I’m really grateful and having a lot of fun,” McKeown reflected. “I enjoy playing back there, which I didn’t think I would say when I first switched.”

Midfielder: Claire Hutton (Kansas City Current)

One of the youngest players in this year’s Best XI, 20-year-old Claire Hutton has surfaced as a foundational midfielder for the Current. A product of youth and senior US national teams, Hutton excelled at ball retention, tempo control, and breaking pressure. Her defensive engine and range fueled Kansas City’s possessive excellence, while mirroring the shift toward a younger, more technical midfield.

“I’ve learned that expectations can create disappointment, so that isn’t something I ever put out there,” Hutton told JWS. “The work speaks for itself. It’s consistency. Day in, day out, putting the work in and committing to the grind and the love of the game brings us out.”

Midfielder: Sam Coffey (Portland Thorns)

A cornerstone for both Portland and the UWSNT, Sam Coffey remains one of the NWSL’s most consistent playmakers. A Penn State graduate, she joined the Thorns in 2022 and quickly became a midfield leader thanks to her ability to dictate matches. And with the team navigating roster turnover after an up-and-down season, Coffey’s reliability stood out more than ever in 2025.

Midfielder: Manaka Matsukubo (North Carolina Courage)

At just 21 years old, Japanese phenom Manaka Matsukubo delivered one of the best midfield seasons in NWSL history. She recorded 11 goals and four assists while leading the midfield in total goal contributions. With prime footwork, vision, and creativity, she elevated North Carolina’s attack and earned recognition as one of women’s soccer’s fastest-rising stars.

“To be a part of the [NWSL] is a really big thing in this extremely extraordinary country,” Matsukubo said. “I think I was able to demonstrate to my fellow Japanese, younger Japanese, that even if you’re small, you’re still able to demonstrate yourself.”

Forward: Esther González (Gotham FC)

The World Cup-winning Spanish striker saw yet another strong NWSL run this year. Known for her intelligent movement and sharp instincts, Esther provided consistency for a Gotham squad that battled availability issues all season. A true contender for the 2025 Golden Boot award, her ability to finish half-chances and pressure defenses earned her a well-deserved place in the league’s top attacking trio.

Forward: Temwa Chawinga (Kansas City Current)

Malawi international Temwa Chawinga won her second straight NWSL MVP and Golden Boot this year, taking the NWSL Awards by storm and cementing herself as one the world’s best forwards. Her blistering speed, clinical finishes, and ability to break open games propelled Kansas City’s historic season. Chawinga’s journey from Malawi to Europe to NWSL superstardom is one of the league’s defining success stories.

“We fight hard, we push,” said Chawinga, defining the Best XI lineup. “The way we play the game, we put [in] effort and heart. That’s why you have a lot of players in the Best XI.”

Forward: Olivia Moultrie (Portland Thorns)

At 19, Olivia Moultrie has moved from teen prodigy to NWSL and USWNT mainstay. Her creativity, decision-making, and defensive prowess turned her into a central figure in Portland’s attack. For both club and country, 2025 confirmed Moultrie as one of US soccer’s most exciting young stars.

How the Kansas City Current crushed the NWSL Awards

Kansas City’s five selections reflect a roster that blended international talent, US youth products, and tactical cohesion. The Current set franchise and league records in wins, scoring, and defense, with this year’s Best XI mirroring that all-around excellence. Their success also signals the broader league trend of deep investment in analytics, recruiting, and development.

What the 2025 NWSL Best XI says about the league’s future

This year’s Best XI highlights the NWSL’s evolution into a global, youth-driven league. International stars Chawinga, Matsukubo, and Esther share the stage with homegrown talents Hutton and Moultrie. Veteran leaders Coffey and Sharples show that domestic experience still matters, while positional conversions like McKeown’s demonstrate coaching innovations.

As the NWSL makes strides in expansion, broadcast deals, and international influence, the 2025 NWSL Best XI serves as a snapshot of a league in transformation — competitive, diverse, and teeming with world-class talent.

“This event and the ceremony was truly incredible,” added Hutton. “I’m grateful for the league, for women’s sports, giving us this platform to appreciate where we are and be where our feet are. I love it.”

Article written in partnership with Amazon Prime

Just before the final event of the 2025 Tour, the LPGA raised the stakes for pro women's golf, announcing this week that the governing body is expanding both player paydays and live broadcast coverage for the 2026 season.

For the first time in the sport's history, the LPGA's upcoming 76th Tour will see every round of every tournament broadcast live in the US.

The Tour will also add 50% more camera equipment —  including slow-motion and drone cameras — than used in this year's tournaments, with most 2026 LPGA action airing live on the Golf Channel or CNBC.

"For us to finally get our shot at having live TV and for people investing in our product out here has been amazing," US star and world No. 2 Nelly Korda said on Wednesday. "I can't wait to see where it's going to go."

Even more, next season's total prize money will reach $132 million across the Tour's 33 tournaments, a record-high sum after five major events raised their purses by a cumulative $3 million.

There will also be more financial commitment across the board, with 12 events on the 2026 LPGA Tour featuring elevated purses and more than 15 guaranteeing a minimum payout for all players — even those who miss the cut.

"I'm incredibly proud of what we've built, and even more excited about where we're headed," said LPGA commissioner Craig Kessler. "Coming off our 75th anniversary season, we wanted a calendar that gives our athletes great stages, better flow, and even more opportunity — and I think 2026 delivers that."

LPGA season wraps with this week's 2025 CME Group Tour Championship

Though the LPGA is already planning for its 2026 campaign, the final event of the 2025 Tour kicked off on Thursday, as this year's top 60 points-getters teed off in the CME Group Tour Championship.

Featuring 28 of the 29 event champions this year as well as every world Top 25 player, the 2025 Tour's grand finale will see the sport's best battling for the lion's share of the $11 million purse in Naples, Florida.

Leading the field is the aforementioned US standout Korda as well as 2024 CME Group Tour champion and world No. 1 Jeeno Thitikul and New Zealand's two-time winner No. 5 Lydia Ko.

An impressive eight LPGA rookies also made the cut to enter the elite end-of-season tournament, including Japan's No. 3 Miyu Yamashita and England's No. 10 Lottie Woad.

How to watch the 2025 CME Group Tour Championship

The 2025 LPGA Tour will finish with Sunday's final round at the CME Group Tour Championship.

While ESPN+ will stream featured groups throughout the four-day tournament, the first three rounds will air live on the Golf Channel before Sunday's finale shifts to NBC and Peacock.

Orlando Pride VP of soccer operations and sporting director Haley Carter is stepping down, departing the 2024 NWSL champions to pursue other opportunities, the club announced on Tuesday.

Carter joined the 2024 Shield-winners in January 2023, ushering in arguably the most successful era for the Orlando club thus far by bringing in top talents like striker Barbra Banda, defender Emily Sams, and former Liga MX star Lizbeth Ovalle to help the Pride climb the NWSL standings.

"We'd like to extend our gratitude to Haley for her contributions to the Pride over the past three years," Orlando owner Mark Wilf said in a statement. "Haley played a key leadership role with our club, positioning the Pride among the NWSL's and world's elite clubs."

"I'm beyond thankful to Mark Wilf and the entire ownership group for giving me the opportunity to be part of this club and for their unwavering support throughout my time here," said Carter.

Carter will continue working with the Pride during its transition period as the club searches for its new sporting director.

"We have begun a diligent and methodical search for a new soccer leader who will have the opportunity to work with a championship-caliber roster and coaching staff," said Wilf, before promising that the Pride will "continue its trajectory of success."

Reigning PWHL champions Minnesota will be back on the ice on Friday, when the Frost opens the league's 2025/26 season — and their own three-peat title quest — against the Toronto Sceptres in St. Paul.

"Right now, we're not worried about championships," Frost head coach Ken Klee said prior to this week's puck drop. "We're worried about the process, how we're going to prepare every day, how we work, how we're going to get better. To me, that's how you win."

The back-to-back Walter Cup winners have continuity on their side after the Frost protected captain Kendall Coyne Schofield and alternate Lee Stecklein from the offseason expansion draft benefitting the league's two newest teams.

Early points will also be key this season, as the PWHL preps for an extended pause starting in late January to allow international talent to compete in February's 2026 Winter Olympics.

As for Toronto, the Sceptres are seeking revenge in Friday's opener, starting their season against the team that knocked them out of the 2024/25 PWHL Playoffs.

"We're wanting to win the Walter Cup," said Toronto GM Gina Kingsbury. "I think every year that has to be the goal. We're going to play hard for our fans and to represent the city of Toronto."

How to watch the first game of the 2025/26 PWHL season

The puck drops on the 2025/26 PWHL season when the Toronto Sceptres visit the Minnesota Frost at 7 PM ET on Friday, airing live on FDSN and YouTube.