NCAA-to-pro pipeline: Women’s basketball

The GIST: ICYMI, pro women’s basketball is in its revolution era, and the sport’s historic growth is fueled in part by the college game’s skyrocketing popularity. When it comes to going pro in the U.S., one league is the gold standard — but there are other opportunities for NCAAers to make the big time.

The WNBA: As the dream destination for college stars, 134 of the league’s 144 players arrived from the NCAA. Unlike the NBA, the W requires four years of NCAA competition (with exceptions for international athletes), which directly boosts the quality of collegiate competition. Rookies usually enter the league via the annual draft, but even for the lucky 36 players drafted annually, securing a W roster spot is cutthroat.

• According to Forbes, less than 1% of women’s college hoopers will make the W — but upcoming league expansion will have more women balling out at the professional level over the next few seasons.

Unrivaled: During the WNBA offseason, many players head overseas to pad their modest W salaries, but former UConn teammates and current W stars Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier are working to change that with their new 3x3 and 1x1 league called Unrivaled, which launches in January. Keeping top U.S. talent and NCAA alums on domestic courts? Say less.

Athletes Unlimited: AU’s five-week winter season provides another shot at cold, hard cash for stateside players. Seventeen of the 2024 season’s 40 hoopers are WNBAers, with other former NCAA stars filling the AU rosters. Creating more opportunities for pros to get paid and for fans to watch their fellow alums level up? Priceless.