What’s Trending: Preseason Tips Off; Top Picks Shine On and Off the Court

Brian Kotloff

What’s Trending brings you the the top 10 things you need to know, listen to and/or watch in the past and upcoming week. It’s your one-stop shop for all things W, from which teams/players are on a roll to what the league’s superstars are up to off the court.

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Here’s What’s Trending on May 2, 2016:

#WNBA20: Welcome Back, WNBA

After a busy offseason, WNBA action finally returned to the court on Sunday.

The first two preseason games of 2016 are the surest signal yet that the landmark 20th season is approaching.

The preseason continues on Wednesday with the top three picks in the WNBA Draft all making their pro debuts, headlined by No. 1 pick Breanna Stewart suiting up for the Storm for the first time against the Mercury.

#CountdowntoTipOff: Regular Season Opens May 14

 

The Countdown to WNBA Tip-Off presented by Verizon has reached less than two weeks.

Here are 20 dates to circle on the 2016 WNBA calendar.

WNBA League Pass: Watch Games Live & On Demand

#WatchMeWork: Diggins Back At It

Between her team’s move to Dallas, her return from a major knee injury, and the push to join the WNBA’s elite, Skylar Diggins has as much riding on the upcoming season as any player in the league.

She offered an inside look at her offseason workouts earlier last month … and inspired at least one young fan in the process.

https://twitter.com/SkyDigg4/status/726871287784718336

#SnapchatTakeover: Rookies Showcase First Days on the Job

@WNBA is handing over the keys to their Snapchat to one player on all 12 teams during the preseason. So far, we’ve seen an inside look at a trio of rookies: Moriah Jefferson face-swapping in San Antonio, Aerial Powers showing us how she works in Dallas, and Breanna Stewart throwing out the first pitch in Seattle.

Add ‘wnba’ on Snapchat for more over the coming week.

#DallasWingsBasketball: Wings Play First-Ever Game

A new era officially began for basketball in Dallas when the Wings opened the preseason against the Fever in Indianapolis. They dropped their first game, 108-90.

This coming Sunday, the Wings head home to play their first-ever game at the College Park Center in Arlington, Texas.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BE4uopOguAm/

#DelawareStrong: The MVP’s Encore Begins with a Homecoming

Elena Delle Donne has a lot to live up after her historic 2015 MVP season, and there was no better place to start on Sunday than where it all began.

The Delaware native and University of Delaware grad was back on campus as the Chicago Sky opened their preseason at UDel’s Bob Carpenter Center for the second straight year. The Sky rolled past the Liberty, 93-59, as EDD came out as sharp as ever with 17 points on 7-of-8 shooting in 14 minutes.

#TogetherWeRise: Stewart Throws Out First Pitch

No. 1 pick Breanna Stewart enjoyed her “Welcome to Seattle” moment on Saturday when she threw out the first pitch at the Mariners game.

Here teammates were on hand to show support and make sure she didn’t bounce it.

 #SAStars: Jefferson Takes in Spurs Playoff Game

No. 2 overall pick Moriah Jefferson hopes she can become the next fixture on the San Antonio basketball scene. But first she got a first-hand look at Pop, Duncan and the Spurs as they blew past the Thunder in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals.

#RoadtoRio: All-Access at the National Team Roster Announcement

Go behind the scenes as USA Basketball revealed the 12-player roster for the U.S. Women’s National Team, which will vie for its sixth straight gold medal at the Olympics in Rio this summer.

 #RookieReport: Rooks Make Their Debuts

The Class of 2016 is off to a strong start. Aerial Powers poured in 17 points for the Wings, Tiffany Mitchell chipped in 14 for the Fever, Adut Bulgak impressed with a double-double (17 points, 12 rebounds) for the Liberty, and Imani Boyette had 10 in 12 minutes off the Sky’s bench.

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