WNBA training camps set to open
this weekend with Caitlin Clark preparing for Year 2
[April 26, 2025]
By DOUG FEINBERG
A’ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier will be back on
the court Sunday to renew their chase of a coveted WNBA championship
when training camps open and last year’s rookie sensation Caitlin
Clark begins Year 2 in the league.
Stewart and the New York Liberty will be chasing a second straight
WNBA title, something Wilson and the Aces did in 2022 and 2023.
There has been a lot of player movement in the offseason with the
Aces adding Jewell Loyd in a three-team trade that sent Kelsey Plum
to Los Angeles. Las Vegas still has a solid core with Wilson, Loyd,
Chelsea Gray and Jackie Young.
New York added Natasha Cloud to bolster its roster with guard
Betnijah Laney-Hamilton sidelined for a few months after having knee
surgery.
No team made more changes this offseason then the Fever, who are led
by Clark. Indiana added Sophie Cunningham through a trade and signed
free agents DeWanna Bonner, Natasha Howard, Sydney Colson, and
Brianna Turner. Add that to Clark and Aliyah Boston and there's a
lot of excitement in Indiana.
There's a new energy in Dallas as well with No. 1 pick Paige
Bueckers joining the team. The Wings are hoping that the former
UConn star can bolster a roster that features Arike Ogunbowale.
Golden State will be the first new WNBA team to take the court since
the Atlanta Dream began play in 2008.
New leadership on WNBA sidelines
Eight of the 13 teams will have new head coaches this season.

Atlanta and Los Angeles turned to college coaches Karl Smesko and
Lynne Roberts, respectively. Indiana brought back former coach and
player Stephanie White to lead the Fever. White had been in charge
of the Connecticut Sun, who replaced her with former Belgium
national team coach Rachid Meziane.
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Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) plays against the Dallas
Wings in the second half of a WNBA basketball game in Indianapolis,
Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File)

Chicago, Dallas and Washington turned to former
WNBA assistant coaches Tyler Marsh, Chris Koclanes and Sydney
Johnson, respectively. Golden State also brought in a former
assistant coach, Natalie Nakase, to be the first head coach in the
expansion franchise's history.
Familiar faces in new places
Indiana is not the only team to make major moves with several
franchises adding marquee names to rosters during the offseason via
free agency.
Atlanta picked up former Mercury All-Star Brittney Griner, who had
spent her entire WNBA career playing in Arizona since being drafted
No. 1 in 2013 by Phoenix. The Dream also added former Connecticut
standout Brionna Jones.
Phoenix was active in bolstering its roster, trading for Alyssa
Thomas and signing Satou Sabally.
The Sun lost their entire starting five from last season and brought
back former UConn All-American Tina Charles as well as Diamond
DeShields.
Former champs Taurasi and Delle Donne not in camp
Two players that won't be in camp this year are Diana Taurasi and
Elena Delle Donne.
Both announced their retirements this offseason. Taurasi had played
her entire 20-year career in Phoenix, leading the Mercury to three
WNBA championships. Delle Donne played in both Chicago and
Washington, helping the Mystics win the franchise's lone title in
2019.
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