Top prospects for the 2024 WNBA Draft could choose to stay in college rather than go pro.

While Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers and Angel Reese are all in their fourth years, all have an extra year of eligibility available due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

NCAA basketball players who participated in the 2019-20 season were granted an extra year of eligibility as a result of the pandemic, which affected the 2020-21 season. That coincided with the freshman year of current fourth-year players. So Iowa’s Clark and LSU’s Reese could return for a fifth year — and Bueckers, who missed all of last season with an ACL injury, could even stay for a sixth year.

But just because they can, doesn’t mean they will.

“I really have no clue what I’m going to do, stay for an extra year or leave after next year,” Clark said in February. The Iowa senior remains undecided, she confirmed in October, saying she plans to “treat this year like this is my last year” but has not made up her mind.

“It’s been hard for a lot of college athletes to decide what to do, just because there are pros to staying in college but also your dream of reaching the next level is right there,” she said.

Likewise, Bueckers has not made up her mind about her future with UConn beyond the 2023-24 season.

“I guess we’ll see,” the redshirt junior said when asked about her plans in early October.

Clark and Bueckers both have spoken at length about their love for their schools and for the college experience, which complicates their decisions.

“There’s always a chance,” Bueckers said in March. “I have three more years of eligibility. I’m not declining, not saying for sure I will or for sure I won’t. But there’s definitely an opportunity for me to return for a fifth year, even maybe a sixth year.”

Add Reese’s name to the list as well. After leading LSU to the 2023 national title, she has hinted at a possible fifth year on social media — but she also has been open about her WNBA aspirations.

“While I do have the option for another year, I do want to get out of college, start life outside of school, and pursue my WNBA dreams,” she said in September.

In 2023, Tennessee’s Rickea Jackson was projected as a WNBA lottery pick but chose to use her extra year of eligibility. Other big names to do so include Virginia Tech’s Elizabeth Kitley and Georgia Amoore, UCLA’s Charisma Osborne, TCU’s Sedona Prince and Penn State’s Ashley Owusu.

US golf star Nelly Korda will look to launch yet another historic run on Thursday, when the 2025 LPGA season kicks off at the Tournament of Champions in Florida.

Korda registered seven victories on the 2024 LPGA Tour, catapulting to No. 1 in the world rankings and taking home LPGA Tour Player of the Year.

Calling last season "very, very, very crazy," the 26-year-old tied an LPGA record with five of her wins coming in successive starts. The fifth victory came at the 2024 Chevron Championship, earning Korda the second major title of her career.

A fresh start for Korda as 2025 LPGA Tour begins

Despite aiming to continue her record run, Korda acknowledges that the 2025 LPGA season will present its own challenges.

"The field is different. There [are] different girls in the field. Weather is different. Golf course could be different. There are so many variabilities that just completely changes it," she told reporters on Tuesday.

Her first test takes place in Orlando. That's where Korda will enter her seventh Tournament of Champions — a competition she's yet to walk away from as a winner.

Following its 2019 launch, the annual four-day event is limited to players who've won major LPGA competitions in the last two years. Due in part to Korda's recent dominance, only 32 professional golfers fit this year's criteria, including defending title-holder and world No. 2 Lydia Ko and 2024 runner-up Alexa Pano.

Also in this weekend's field are US stars No. 5 Lilia Vu, No. 14 Rose Zhang, No. 15 Lauren Coughlin, No. 20 Angel Yin, and No. 21 Megan Khang.

The pro competition will also run concurrently with a 72-hole celebrity contest that includes USWNT icon Brandi Chastain, among others.

"It’s a different, relaxed vibe," Korda said about the tournament. "And no better way to start off the year than playing in this event."

How to watch the LPGA Tournament of Champions this weekend

The 2025 Tournament of Champions starts at 11:30 AM ET on Thursday. Live coverage of the competition will air across NBC networks.

Unrivaled 3×3 Basketball is at it again, revealing details about its inaugural 1v1 tournament on Tuesday.

Fueled by a $350,000 prize pool, the high-stakes competition will tip off with 30 players on February 10th. Athletes are currently in four equal pods, and fans will determine the tournament's seeding via ballot.

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The three-day tournament will feature a series of single-elimination games, culminating in a best-of-three final. 

Contests will be played to either a winning score of 11 points or a 10-minute game clock, whichever comes first. Each matchup will follow the traditional two- and three-point scoring format, but with a shortened seven-second shot clock.

The biggest difference from both traditional 5x5 play and Unrivaled's 3x3 format is in the 1v1 contest's make-it, take-it rule, which rewards scoring with both points on the board as well as continued ball possession.

Tournament rewards both 1v1 winner and Unrivaled team

Unrivaled's 1v1 tournament champion will ultimately take home $200,000 — more than what some WNBA players' salaries. The runner-up will claim $50,000, with each semifinalist earning $25,000.

Interestingly, individual players aren't just competing for themselves. Each of the champion's Unrivaled 3×3 teammates will also snag a check for $10,000.

"There’s still a team camaraderie perspective," noted Unrivaled president Alex Bazzell earlier this month. "You may be eliminated, but your teammate keeps advancing. Inevitably, you want to root them on — not just for personal reasons, but also there’s an incentive for you if your teammate wins the ultimate cash prize."

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Unrivaled reveals participating 1v1 roster

Of the 3×3 league's 36 players, only Brittney Griner, Sabrina Ionescu, Angel Reese, Stefanie Dolson, and Courtney Vandersloot will sit out the 1v1 tournament alongside relief contract players Natisha Hiedeman and NaLyssa Smith.

Consequently, one potential matchup could pit Unrivaled co-founders and 2024 WNBA Finals foes Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier against each other. Dozens of other potential pairings involving All-Stars like Alyssa Thomas, Kahleah Copper, Arike Ogunbowale, and Satou Sabally are also on the table.

Fan voting for the player seedings that will determine those matchups will start on Thursday, with the tournament's full bracket dropping in early February.

After just one season on the roster, USWNT star Crystal Dunn has mutually parted ways​ with Gotham FC, the NWSL team announced on Tuesday.

Gotham originally added the 32-year-old free agent on a multi-year contract in December 2023. Dunn was a part of a wave of high-profile signings that included fellow USWNT standouts Rose Lavelle, Emily Sonnett, and Tierna Davidson.

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The decorated utility player eventually made a total 23 appearances across all competitions for NJ/NY. However, Dunn hasn't suited up for Gotham since late September.

"I can't even find the words to express how incredibly sad I am," Dunn, who grew up on Long Island, posted to Instagram​ on Tuesday. "Though my journey continues elsewhere, I am at least grateful to have played at home in front of my friends and family for even a short while. I’ll carry those memories with me always.... The city of New York will forever be my home, and it will always hold a special place in my heart."

"As I turn the page and prepare for a new chapter, I am filled with excitement for what lies ahead," she added.

Dunn joins flood of Gotham departures

Dunn is just the latest player to exit Gotham this offseason, joining a growing list that includes attackers Lynn Biyendolo (née Williams) and Yazmeen Ryan as well as midfielders Delanie Sheehan and Maitane López.

On Monday, USWNT defender Jenna Nighswonger added her name to Gotham's impending departures. The 24-year-old outside back expected to officially sign with WSL side Arsenal.

According to The Athletic, the NJ/NY team attempted to orchestrate a trade within the NWSL for Dunn, but struggled to reach any agreements due to a reportedly high asking price. 

After winning the 2023 NWSL Championship and contending in the 2024 league semifinals, Gotham's depleted roster faces an uphill battle entering the 2025 season.

Some of the brightest WNBA stars are packing their bags, as the league's free agency window revs up at breakneck speed, with Phoenix Mercury center Brittney Griner joining others on the move this week.

After 11 seasons with the Mercury — the team that drafted her No. 1 overall in 2013 — Griner officially jumped ship on Tuesday. The 10-time All-Star will ink a one-year deal with the Atlanta Dream when the official signing period opens on February 1st.

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Griner explained her free agency enthusiasm in a social media post. "I was able to find where I wanted to go," she said.

"It was a hard decision," Griner continued. "You're leaving what you know, what I've known for my whole career. But there's also the exciting factor... I get to show them something different."

Meanwhile, Phoenix is reportedly closing a deal to receive Connecticut Sun superstar Alyssa Thomas. The four-player trade will send Natasha Cloud, Rebecca Allen, and the 12th pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft to Connecticut. In exchange, Phoenix receives five-time All-Star Thomas and veteran guard Ty Harris.

League changes spark WNBA stars to explore new teams

A new CBA is entering negotiations and the WNBA's first expansion team since 2008 — the Golden State Valkyries — tips off this season. Subsequently, players across the league are advocating for their futures with increased sway.

Griner, Thomas, Jewell Loyd, and Kelsey Plum​ are all reportedly leaving the teams that originally drafted them. Most players are signing one-year deals due to the 2026 CBA's anticipated changes — and the deep free agency pool it will create.
 
While Griner and others are exploring first-ever moves, players like Thomas have been outspoken about seeking improved resources. The conversation is fueled in party by Unrivaled's top-of-the-line facilities.

"They have everything you possibly need here," Thomas said from the3×3 league's Miami campus. "They don’t really have a lot of those things in Connecticut. I've been trying to absorb as much knowledge as I can."