Here are the biggest developments from WNBA training camps so far. What are your takeaways?

Which WNBA training camp has the best vibes?

North of the borders, the first-ever WNBA training camp in Canada is bursting with good feelings. Toronto Tempo head coach Sandy Brondello praised the coachability, energy and engagement of her squad, while also emphasizing how she is prioritizing building culture and connection. The Portland Fire are relishing their WNBA rebirth. Players have exuded positivity about the acclimation to Portland, especially the Portland food scene, in addition to endorsing the methodologies of head coach Alex Sarama, who adheres to a constraints-led approach (CLA) to basketball. Those methods include pumping in arena music during practice drills, preparing players to navigate the noise-based challenges that could arise in actual games. In addition to capturing photographs of the Atlanta Dream’s training camp, Christina Merrion reported that, “The team chemistry is off the charts.” Newcomer Angel Reese, certainly, is embracing her opportunity in Atlanta with enthusiasm, gushing over the floor spacing generated by Allisha Gray and Rhyne Howard, while also underscoring her desire to elevate her game under head coach Karl Smesko. Reese shared:

Being coachable isn’t just about taking it, it’s about wanting it … I really want to be coached, I want to be coached hard and be put in predicaments I am uncomfortable with to help me get better. It’s a new day in New York, with the arrival of Satou Sabally and head coach Chris DeMarco injecting the Liberty with a refreshed energy. The now-bespectacled Sabally has reunited with Sabrina Ionescu on the Liberty super team, as Zack Ward already wrote about. And encouragingly, she has been a full participant in training camp, as has the now-healthy Betnijah Laney-Hamilton. The new offensive system being implemented by DeMarco intends to maximize those two, as well as the entirety of the Liberty roster. DeMarco has preached simplicity, insisting that easy to understand concepts will allow his team to execute more quickly. Ionescu expressed excitement about the improved spacing, while Rebecca Allen described DeMarco’s philosophy as a “family offense,” where there’s more involvement by all players. What sights or sounds from training camps have most intrigued you? Certainly, it’s all smiles early on for every team, so which team do you think will be able to translate all the good feeling throughout the season?

What young WNBA star is poised for another leap in 2026?

Expectations are, of course, high for Paige Bueckers’ sophomore season. The 2025 Rookie of the Year didn’t just spend her offseason getting buckets for Breeze in Unrivaled, but also bulking up, adding strength that should equip her to be at her best at the end of 40-minute games and throughout the 44-game season. That’s what her new head coach Jose Fernandez emphasized as he praised Paige’s worth ethic and elaborated on her potential. Josh Felton also discussed Fernandez’s desire to see Bueckers take more 3s, in addition to exploring other questions about the revitalized Wings. Up in Indy, the Fever are feeling good about Caitlin Clark’s third season. Clark explained how her injury-plagued sophomore campaign has made her more aware of the importance of working smarter, not just harder. Head coach Stephanie White echoed Clark, expressing that the team intends to be “mindful” about the load on all of the Fever’s stars. The Washington Mystics are loaded with young players who could take a leap, including one who is waiting to make her official WNBA debut: Georgia Amoore. Head coach Sydney Johnson indicated that Amoore should be ready to go after missing all of her rookie season with an ACL injury. Amoore shared what she learned from her season on the sidelines, noting that she feels prepared to put her teammates in the best position to succeed after observing their game’s in detail last season. Who do you think is poised to take her game to another level? A stronger Paige? A healthier Caitlin? What about a more empowered Alanna Smith in Dallas or an EPIC season from Aliyah Boston in Indianapolis? Do you think Georgia will be awesome right away alongside Sonia and Kiki in DC? Who are the other young (or older) players in store for a huge season?