From Atlanta to Chicago to Toronto, what we’ve learned from the opening of WNBA training camps

The rookies are feeling right at home

A new season means a new rookie class is joining the WNBA. The first-year players are now learning what professional basketball is like. Soon, they’ll get their “Welcome to the WNBA moment,” but for now, it’s just about putting on their uniforms for the first time and embracing this moment. For the Seattle Storm, Flau’Jae Johnson is taking it all in and isn’t shying away from the fact that playing in the WNBA is a literal dream come true. In the span of two weeks, Lauren Betts went from winning a national title for UCLA to starting training camp with the Washington Mystics. That kind of transition can give anyone whiplash, but Betts is in The District and getting acclimated to her new team rather well. Here’s what she said about her new teammates after the first day of camp:

It’s been amazing to learn from them. They had an amazing season last season. So, they established themselves really well, and they know what to do, so it’s just been amazing to learn, and they’re all really nice. The No. 1 pick in the draft, Azzi Fudd, is in Dallas and settling in quickly with the Wings. She’s already being pushed by her head coach, Jose Fernandez, to shoot the ball more and not pass up any open looks she gets. This looks to be another stellar rookie class, and watching them grow and develop this season will be a joy for fans of not just their teams but for those who support the league as a whole.

Expansion teams’ ambitions begin now

This year, the WNBA has two new expansion teams joining the league in the Toronto Tempo and the Portland Fire. The Tempo have some quality players, including backcourt stars Julie Allemand, who was winning a EuroLeague Women championship, and MVP honor, for Fenerbahçe on Sunday, Marina Mabrey and Brittney Sykes (who is having a some trouble adjusting to the Toronto weather.) They also have an experienced and championship-winning head coach in Sandy Brondello. Portland has potential as well, with the likes of Bridget Carleton, Haley Jones and Sarah Ashlee Barker. Whether or not either expansion team can reach the postseason like the Golden State Valkyries did in their first year, watching them build their cultures and basketball identities, all while becoming part of the fabric of their respective cities, will be fun to witness. Once the weekend begins, teams will step onto the court for preseason action, getting an opportunity to assess how close they are to becoming a top team in this league. But for now, it’s all about continuing training camp and getting better before the real action begins in May. Let us know what you’re hoping to learn about your favorite team as training camps course through the week ahead.