Sports
Hannah Hidalgo, JuJu Watkins highlight new wave of star power
Jan 27, 2024; Storrs, Connecticut, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish guard Hannah Hidalgo (3) drives the ball against UConn Huskies guard Paige Bueckers (5) in the first half at Harry A. Gampel Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese met in the 2023 national championship game in Dallas, and the Iowa-LSU showdown was the most-watched game in the history of the sport.
A year later, Clark and the Hawkeyes faced Reese and the Tigers in a Monday night Elite Eight rematch. It was a record-breaking redo, with 12.3 million people tuned in to set another viewership mark that lasted only a week before Iowa lost to undefeated South Carolina in the 2024 national championship. The game was viewed by 18.9 million people — the most-watched basketball game of any level since 2019.
Clark and Reese were lightning rods for audience growth in women’s college basketball. The phenomenon translated to the pro level. Clark was a sharpshooting guard for Indiana and Reese served as Chicago’s relentless rebounder. Sellout crowds, high-water marks in ratings and apparel sales skyrockets in their rookie campaigns in the WNBA.
Their next-level success at the next level might bring fear of a looming void of star power in women’s college basketball.
Allow us to introduce you to the heiresses to the throne vacated by Clark and Reese.
There are several candidates primed to step into the spotlight, and many already played thriving roles in their team’s success and the popularity of the sport.
Who’s got next? If you’re asking that question, there are more than a few potential answers.
“I just remember being younger and seeing women’s basketball not getting that talk, where I feel like we deserve it,” says Notre Dame sophomore Hannah Hidalgo. “To see people like Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese, and before that Aaliyah Boston and Zia Cooke, and how women’s basketball is on the rise and seeing how many people are talking about it, I just think being a part of this generation is truly a blessing. It’s only up from here. We’re still growing, and women are progressing now.”
Let’s start there in South Bend, Ind., with Hidalgo. She burst onto the scene last year and won a bevy of awards while leading Notre Dame to an ACC Tournament title and an appearance in the Sweet 16.
There were doubters last season with Fighting Irish All-American point guard Olivia Miles set to be sidelined while recovering from a knee injury. Instead of trying to fill Miles’ shoes, Hidalgo kicked them aside, tied up her own sneakers and played the game her way – which turned out be a significant part of a winning formula for Notre Dame.
The speed, confidence and instincts of the 5-foot-6 sophomore from New Jersey allowed her to lead the nation in steals per game with 4.6, and she finished seventh nationally in scoring with 22.6 points per game. Hidalgo also led the country in defensive win shares with 2.9.
When the season ended, Hidalgo had been named a First Team All-American, ACC Rookie of the Year, ACC Defensive Player of the Year and ACC Tournament MVP. Hidalgo had a knack for playing well in big games as a freshman, pouring in 34 points, 10 rebounds and six assists in a road win at rival UConn, and piling up 22 points, six rebounds and six assists in an ACC title game win over NC State.
Hidalgo is ready for her encore. A healthy Miles is set to join her in the backcourt this season, making Notre Dame look like a real contender.
“It’s going to be electric. I think everyone is going to be really excited to see those two play together,” Notre Dame coach Niele Ivey said. “You’re looking at two of the best in the business when it comes to running the point.”
On the west coast, another star emerged last season at USC.
JuJu Watkins entered her freshman campaign with a ton of hype. Billed as the top high school player in the country, she didn’t disappoint. Like Hidalgo, she was a First Team All-American, and was also named National Freshman of the Year by the WBCA and won the Ann Meyers Drysdale Award for the best shooting guard in the nation.
The 6-foot-2 California native averaged 27.1 points per game, second only to Clark, and led the nation in free throws made per game with 7.1. Watkins also set the all-time national scoring record by a Division I freshman, piling up 920 points. She powered the Trojans to a Pac-12 tournament title and an appearance in the Elite Eight — USC’s first since 1994.
For the mega shoe brand Nike, it’s betting big on Watkins’ star power, as it inked her to what ESPN called “one of the richest shoe endorsement deals in women’s basketball.”
With USC joining the Big Ten this year, Watkins will play more often on national television. Last season, when Watkins scored a program-record 51 points in a road win at Stanford, it was buried on the difficult-to-find Pac-12 Networks. USC will play seven times on ESPN, NBC or Fox this season, and other games on Peacock, FS1, truTV and the Big Ten Network.
“There are household names. Everybody knows JuJu. Everybody knows Hannah Hidalgo, MiLaysia Fulwiley. Everybody will know Joyce Edwards,” South Carolina coach Dawn Staley said. “The future is incredibly bright. I do think the decision-makers of our game, they’re going to put us on, they’re going to put women’s basketball on, they’re going to put us center stage because the numbers are real.”
Indeed, there are other stars elsewhere.
Staley’s Gamecocks – the defending national champs – return a handful of starters and multiple key contributors, including Fulwiley, the SEC Tournament MVP.
Edwards, one of the top incoming freshmen, figures to have a key role for South Carolina this season.
Elsewhere in the SEC, Flau’Jae Johnson and Aneesah Morrow are back at LSU, while Rori Harmon returns from injury to partner with Madison Booker to lead Texas, and Georgia Amoore prepares to power new-look Kentucky back to relevance.
In the Big East, Paige Bueckers – the National Player of the Year in 2021 – returns for what will likely be her final season of college basketball at UConn. She’s widely expected to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft.
And then there’s always a chance that a new star blossoms as the season goes along.
“We’ve got so many great players now. I don’t think it’s going to go backwards because we’re able to showcase what we have,” Louisville coach Jeff Walz said. “For our game to continue to grow, I think we’ve got to do a better job of making sure we’re willing to showcase those ones that we didn’t anticipate to be great, because they’re out there. It’s fun to watch.”
Stay tuned.
–Mitchell Northam, Field Level Media
Sports
A'ja Wilson has no shortage of motivation after Aces' early exit in '24
Oct 1, 2024; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson (22) and New York Liberty forward Breanna Stewart (30) during game two of the 2024 WNBA Semi-finals at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images LAS VEGAS — Entering her eighth season in the WNBA, Las Vegas Aces superstar A’ja Wilson is poised to build on what was arguably the most dominant individual campaign in league history.
Wilson joined Cynthia Cooper (1997) as the second player in league history to win a unanimous MVP award and joined an exclusive club as the fourth player to win the award three times. She averaged 26.9 points and 11.9 rebounds per game last season and set the all-time single-season mark for points (1,021) and rebounds (451).
Unfortunately for Las Vegas, injuries and fatigue from their two previous championship runs mounted and resulted in the team’s worst regular-season record (27-13) since 2019. The Aces’ three-peat hopes ended with a 76-62 home loss to the New York Liberty to drop their semifinal series 3-1.
It’s that loss on her home floor that served as Wilson’s motivation this offseason.
“Losing sucks, especially on your home court,” Wilson said “It still kind of burns a little bit, but I’ve used that as fuel to help my teammates understand how hard it is to win in this league. Yes, we can celebrate the two championships. They were great. But for us to move forward, we have to understand how hard this league is and value the basketball and the little things. I think that’s what we lacked last season, so we’re going to make sure that we can show up better than we did.”
While the Aces appeared to be on top of the world heading into their potential three-peat campaign in 2024, the reality inside the locker room was that both the internal and external pressure to win another championship had become suffocating. A common theme across media day was the fact that the team feels less pressure entering the 2025 season, a sentiment Wilson shared as the unquestioned leader of the team.
“(Three-peat talks) obviously impacted us, because it’s like, y’all think we don’t want to win? We’re trying as well,” Wilson said.
“I would definitely say it’s refreshing this year. I feel like this is one of my only years where it feels like there’s no weight. There’s a lot of weight to be defending champs. It’s a lot of weight to be trying to win one. We don’t have that. We actually have a clean slate to really dial into getting back to who we are culturally, like, in our system and everything.”
Leading the Aces back to the top of the mountain for a third time in four years is one of a few historically significant achievements Wilson can collect this upcoming season. Wilson could also become the first four-time MVP in league history, though the meaning of that is something she hasn’t quite allowed herself to ponder yet.
“I haven’t given it much thought, but it would be a blessing to have my name in that conversation,” Wilson said. “Every year, I try to be better than I was the year before just to give myself a chance in this league. Because the league is getting better. We’re growing. At this point, you just want to maintain your stamina. You want to maintain your mental, all of that, because the season gets hard. I can’t think too much about that just yet, but I’m definitely going to try to be better than I was last year.”
As Aces coach Becky Hammon put it, fans can expect to see an even better version of Wilson this season.
“What I see is, she went and got better,” Hammon said. “Which is hard to do when you’re already the best, but it speaks to her work ethic, her desire and her mindset this whole offseason. We talked a lot this offseason. She’s a busy lady, but I can tell you what she always does is her workouts. She’s always getting her workouts in. That comes first and foremost, she never gets her priorities jumbled up.”
When Hammon was asked what a player like Wilson would possibly need to improve after last season’s campaign, the coach did not feel like revealing too much.
“There was (something for Wilson to improve), and she did,” Hammon said. “I’m not going to tell you what it was. Actually, there were two things.”
–Will Despart, Field Level Media
Sports
Jacob Wilson joins Aaron Judge in spotlight for Yankees-A's series
May 5, 2025; West Sacramento, California, USA; Athletics shortstop Jacob Wilson (5) throws to first for an out against the Seattle Mariners during the seventh inning at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Lee-Imagn Images The top two hitters in the majors square off Friday night when the New York Yankees face the Athletics in the opener of a three-game series in Sacramento, Calif.
It’s no surprise to see Yankees star Aaron Judge off to a superb start after winning American League MVP honors last season. He has a major league-best .400 batting average and entered Thursday’s play tied for the big-league lead with 12 homers and 34 RBIs.
But who had Athletics rookie Jacob Wilson ranking second in the majors at .357 as the season nears the quarter pole? Wilson has played in just 64 career games and quickly has solidified himself as a future All-Star, perhaps even this season.
Sharing the marquee board with Judge seems quite surreal for the 23-year-old shortstop who was the No. 6 overall pick of the 2023 draft.
“It’s a great feeling, for sure,” Wilson said of his name being mentioned with Judge. “Obviously, everybody has seen what he is doing. It’s pretty incredible watching him do his thing on a daily basis. To be up there with him is pretty cool for me.
“I’m excited to play against him this week and see what it looks like in person.”
Wilson had his first career four-hit game during Wednesday’s 6-5 home loss against the Seattle Mariners and has six multi-hit outings in the past eight games. He went 8-for-14 with one game-winning hit in the three-game series against the Mariners and is 16-for-34 (.471) with four walks during the eight-game stretch.
The hot hitting led to Athletics manager Mark Kotsay moving Wilson to the leadoff spot on Wednesday. Kotsay indicated Wilson may be sticking at the top of the lineup.
“I think you’ll see Jacob up there now,” Kotsay said. “Jacob’s earned it. … Jacob has shown enough over the last week. He’s walking and taking pitches, and, obviously, swinging the bat really well.”
Judge arrives in Sacramento in the midst of a four-game funk in which he is 2-for-15.
The two-time MVP just went 1-for-10 in a three-game home series against the San Diego Padres, but the one hit was a homer.
Judge grew up 50 miles south of Sacramento in Linden and starred for Linden High but wasn’t highly sought by major league teams. The then-Oakland Athletics selected him in the 31st round in 2010.
Judge instead went the college route and starred for Fresno State. He was chosen in the first round (32nd overall) by the Yankees in the 2013 draft.
Trent Grisham was one of the heroes of Wednesday’s 4-3, 10-inning win over the Padres. He hit a tying two-run pinch-hit homer in the eighth inning.
Grisham had two homers and five RBIs in the series against the Padres — one of his former teams — and already has 10 long balls in just 89 at-bats. He hit just nine last season in 179 at-bats.
“I’m having fun with the guys, I would say that more than anything,” Grisham said. “The clubhouse is really good in here, led by Cap (Judge). So, I would say the guys have been the most enjoyable part.”
New York is starting right-hander Will Warren (1-2, 5.65 ERA) in Friday’s series opener. Right-hander Osvaldo Bido (2-2, 4.71) will be on the mound for the Athletics.
Warren, 25, struck out a career-high eight in 4 2/3 innings while losing to the Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday. He gave up five runs (three earned) and seven hits. Warren hasn’t previously faced the Athletics.
Bido, 29, received a no-decision against the Miami Marlins last Saturday when he gave up four runs on three hits over five innings. He is winless (0-1) over his last three starts. Bido hasn’t faced the Yankees.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Report: Boxing legend Manny Pacquiao coming out of retirement
Aug 21, 2021; Las Vegas, Nevada; Manny Pacquiao (right) fights Yordenis Ugas in a world welterweight championship bout at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images Boxing legend Manny Pacquiao plans to end his retirement and return to the ring on July 19 against Mario Barrios in Las Vegas, ESPN reported Thursday.
Pacquiao, 46, will be fighting for the first time since losing a unanimous decision to Yordenis Ugas in 2021.
The fight will be for Barrios’ WBC welterweight championship belt. Barrios turns 30 on May 18.
Pacquiao is an eight-division champion who is slated to be inducted into the boxing Hall of Fame in June. He reportedly will formally announce his return to boxing next week. The report stated that Pacquiao has been cleared to compete by the Nevada State Athletic Commission.
In recent years, Pacquiao has been focusing on his political career in the Philippines.
The boxer nicknamed “PacMan” has a 62-8-2 record with 39 knockouts during his career. He won his first major title — the WBC flyweight crown — at age 19 in 1998.
Pacquiao was 54-3-2 prior to turning 33 and 8-5 afterward. One of those losses was to Floyd Mayweather Jr. via unanimous decision in 2015, a bout that reportedly drew nearly $400 million in pay-per-view sales.
Barrios (29-2-1, 18 knockouts) fought to a 12-round, split-decision draw against Abel Ramos last November. This will be his third defense since winning the title by beating Ugas in 2023.
–Field Level Media
A'ja Wilson has no shortage of motivation after Aces' early exit in '24
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