The Dallas Wings took Texas center Charli Collier No. 1 in the 2021 WNBA draft (as expected).  

• The Wings then took 19-year-old Finnish center Awak Kuier with the second pick (likewise expected). 

First round: 

1. Dallas Wings: Charli Collier, Texas
2. Dallas Wings: Awak Kuier, Finland
3. Atlanta Dream: Aari McDonald, Arizona
4. Indiana Fever: Kysre Gondrezick, West Virginia
5. Dallas Wings: Chelsea Dungee, Arkansas
6. New York Liberty: Michaela Onyenwere, UCLA
7. Los Angeles Sparks: Jasmine Walker, Alabama
8. Chicago Sky: Shyla Heal, Australia
9. Minnesota Lynx: Rennia Davis, Tennessee
10. Los Angeles Sparks: Stephanie Watts, UNC
11. Seattle Storm: Aaliyah Wilson, Texas A&M (traded to Indiana)
12. Las Vegas Aces: Iliana Rupert, France

Go deeper: first round analysis, plus the biggest steals of the draft. 

The WNBA’s 25th season now has a game schedule.

• Teams will play 32 games instead of 36, and nine of 12 teams will allow fans in their arenas at a reduced capacity based on state and local guidelines.
• The league will break from July 15 to Aug. 11 for the Olympics in Tokyo.
• The Commissioner’s Cup will also be awarded for the first time this season, with prize money set aside for the winner.

Opening weekend begins with four matchups on Friday, May 14 and features all 12 teams.

• Sabrina Ionescu and the New York Liberty kick things off against the Indiana Fever in the franchise’s first game at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
• Candace Parker makes her debut with the Chicago Sky on Saturday against the Washington Mystics.
• And Saturday’s finale features a 2020 WNBA Finals rematch between the reigning champion Seattle Storm and the Las Vegas Aces.

Meanwhile, Cathy Engelbert addressed a topic on many fans’ minds during a media call this week.

• WNBA expansion is possible down the road, the commissioner said, “if we have a very successful season this year.”
• Which cities would you like to see get a team?!

Go deeper: Cathy Engelbert eyes WNBA expansion (JWS)

The USWNT righted the ship after their draw with Sweden, knocking off France 2-0 on Tuesday. 

• Megan Rapinoe scored a penalty in the 5’ minute. 
• And Alex Morgan doubled the lead just 14 minutes later. (Full highlights) 

The USWNT has now gone 39 games without being beaten. 

• Their last loss? To France, in 2019. 

Go deeper: 5 takeaways from the USWNT’s European friendlies (JWS)

All 16 seeded teams in the NCAA women’s volleyball tournament were in action Thursday. 

• The first 13 games were won by the favorites. 
• Pittsburgh pulled off the first upset over a seeded team with a sweep of No. 14 Utah. 
• Western Kentucky then beat No. 15 Washington State in a five-set thriller. 

Up next: Third round is Sunday followed by quarterfinals on Monday. 

Go deeper: 6 players to watch this NCAA Tournament (JWS)

The 2019 WNBA MVP opened up about a second surgery on her back and her long journey back to the court in an exclusive interview with JWS.

• Delle Donne famously won the 2019 championship with the Mystics while playing with three herniated discs in her back.
• She was on the road to recovery when sudden pain in her leg set her back again last September.
• She and her wife Amanda captured the months since the second surgery on film. Their docu-series “Beyond the Game” premieres next Monday, and you can watch the trailer here. 

Go deeper: read more about Delle Donne's surgery and recovery. 

Spring has finally sprung, and what better way to welcome the sunny weather than with a bright new color collection from Goal Five.

Goal Five makes apparel designed for all female athletes. Whether you’re an elite professional, a high school competitor or a new mom who likes to stay fit, Goal Five puts you first.

Check out the Spring 2021 collection at goalfive.com and use JWS20 for 20% off at checkout.

Sponsored by  

Orlando Pride star Toni Pressley joins teammate (and cooking partner) Ali Riley in the second episode of Off the Ball. 

• Pressley discusses her goals for 2021, playing for Orlando, and being a vegan athlete, before her and Ali undertake a blind makeup challenge. 
• Watch it all here!  

And another special shoutout to our sponsor, Goal Five!

While you’re on YouTube: Lauren Sesselmann stopped by the Soccer Show this week to discuss each of the Canadian nationals playing in the FAWSL. Check it out! 

The NWSL disciplined five teams after a hectic opening weekend and its ongoing aftermath.

• Kansas City forward Kristin Edmonds was fined and given an additional game suspension for her altercation with Portland’s Morgan Weaver. 
• Weaver, meanwhile, had her respective red card appealed. 
• Meghan Klingenberg, however, was fined for criticizing the officiating after the altercation occurred during the Portland-KC match. 

Separately, the league is still dealing with the fallout of an opening game incident involving Red Stars defender Sarah Gorden, who says she was racially profiled by a security guard in Houston. 

• Players immediately expressed their support for Gorden, while the NWSL announced an investigation. 
• Controversially, the league allegedly fined Red Stars co-owner Sarah Spain and Gotham FC GM Alyse LaHue for publicly supporting Gorden after the NWSL sent out a memo urging front office members not to comment on the investigation. 
• Fans are now claiming censorship and asking the league to rethink its policy. Needless to say, this story is far from over. 

Scores from the week: 

• Gotham FC 1, Orlando 0 
• Washington 1, Louisville 0
• Portland 1, Chicago 0

Tonight: OL Reign vs Houston Dash, 10:00pm ET on Paramount+

• Kim Mulkey will be inducted into the Naismith Hall of Fame by Michael Jordan. Tamika Catchings will be presented by Alonzo Mourning and Dawn Staley. 
• Des Linden has set a new world record in the 50k (31.06 miles). Her time of 2:59:54 smashed the previous record by more than seven minutes, making Linden the first woman to ever run 50k in under 3 hours. (Those are 5:47 miles for those who want to try this at home.) 
• Vanderbilt has named longtime UConn assistant Shea Ralph to be their head women’s basketball coach.
• Athletes Unlimited’s inaugural lacrosse season will take place in Maryland, starting July 19th. 
• FC Bayern and PSG will travel to America this August to take on Louisville and Chicago in the Women’s Cup.

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