W25 x July Recap
I started my June Recap stating “I said before that the WNBA is my soap opera and this truly is cinema!” And I very much mean that. This deeply unserious serious league is true entertainment. Below I have included my favorite fits, some thoughts on teams, thoughts I had while watching games during the month of July*, as well as my awards thus far in the season.
*: Excluding All Star Break - check out StudBudz Live (All Star 2025) for my thoughts on All Star 2025
Favorite Fits
7/3
Seattle at Dallas
Gabby Williams
Designed by her sister who also designed Jewell’s shoes
Rhyne Howard & Naz Hillmon, Bri Jones, And Maya Caldwell
LA at New York
Vegas at Indiana
7/7
Valkyries at Dream
Tehina Paopao & Taylor Thierry
Dallas at Phoenix
Kalani Brown
7/8
Aces at Liberty
A’ja’s Susie Carmichael A’Ones!!
7/9
Dallas at Chicago
Angel Reese w her signature shoe!
7/10
Aces at Mystic
Big Mama Stef Dolson
7/11
Sun at Storm
Skylar Diggins
7/12
Lynx at Sky
Angel Reese 2K26 Shirts 🎮
Valkyries at Aces (Y2K)
A’ja Wilson - bring back jersey dresses!!
Kiah Stokes
Temi Fagbenle
7/13
Sun at Sparks
Shout out to LA’s caption: Party Rockers in the house tonight!
Mystics at Storm
Alysha Clark
7/15
Fever vs Sun in Boston
Tina Charles in Boston Green
Aliyah Boston
7/16
Fever at New York
Sydney Colson trolling Cathy 😂🗽
7/22
Chicago at Minnesota
Angel Reese
Indiana at New York
Sydney Colson
Sparks at Mystics
Dallas at Seattle
Alysha Clark
7/26
LA at NY
Rae Burrell
Rickea Jackson
7/25
Wings at Valkyries
Temi Fagbenle
Married to the game 💍
Monique Billings
7/27
Valkyries at Sun
Tina Charles
Chicago at Indiana
Kamilla Cardoso, Michaela Onyenwere, Kia Nurse, & Ariel Atkins
7/29
Valkyries at Dream
Rhy & Naz
Seeing the GSV Valkyrie gear in person is dope. The branding is phenomenal and the clothing looks so good.
Aces at Sparks
Jackie’s fit looks so comfy. I would def wear that.
July Dressed
Rae Burrell
Rhyne Howard & Naz Hillmon
Temi Fagbenle
Rickea Jackson
Tina Charles
Best Tunnel Fits
I love that Tiffany Hayes & Olivia Nelson Ododa wear their brands every tunnel.
Game Notes
The way the Valkyrie’s waived Vanloo making her miss the Belgium celebration only to fire her was foul and what I believe was the beginning of their downfall in the month of July!
7/3
Vegas at Indiana
AB is playing the best on the floor.
I like this combo you gotta guard everybody. Gray-Nye-Young-Smith-Wilson w Evans to come in for Gray at some point. I like the depth here.
Vegas is already a better team with Lyss in.
7/6
Seattle at NY
Gabby is so good on defense.
Malonga!!!!
A quick TEN points and 5 rebounds!
A personal 6-0 run!
At one point Sabrina was on pace for a triple double, they put AC on her and she was locked up. I love the defensive stopped Alysha Clark.
All Star Reserves
I like the list. I think Bri Jones and Kayla McBride were snubs but who would we take off the list? I think they’re playing amazingly this season.
& while I think these players are having All Star seasons, AS is for the fans. None of these players are big in the media/social media. Their game is great & they let their game speak BUT for AS + awards media matters.
7/7
Valkyries at Dream
Let’s Go Naz!!!
7/9
Angel debuts her signature shoe on the cover of 2K!!! What a flex!
7/11
Sun at Storm
8k for Tina Charles!!
7/12
Lynx at Sky
What a statement wire to wire win for the Chicago Sky over the number 2 team!
Did this while all the fans have on Angel Reese 2k26 shirts!
Angel shows tf out every time Lisa Leslie is in attendance
19 points | 11 Rebounds | 4 Assista | 2 Steals | 8-14 FG (efficient!)
Best young core? I think so
Valkyries at Aces
A’ja’s Back!!
Starts the game with 13 points in Q1
In her Susie’s
25 points in the first half (career high - most points ever scored by A’ja in a first half)
Veronica Burton should be on the most improved list! Her CBS Player Spotlight was great.
I feel like in Q1 the Aces weak side defense has gotten better over the last few games since Lyss has started.
Jewell in the corner w the clock running down on the quarter has been entertaining this season.
There were 4 people guarding A on that last play and she still came out with the bucket.
The reigning M’VP MVP’d w 34 Points 16 rebounds on 80%
3 of the leagues 4 30 PTS 10 REB games this season.
Jackie I don’t play about A’ja Wilson Young had a quiet 30 piece.
This has been a great game!
Most Improved Convo
Veronica Burton
Kayla Thornton
Naz Hillmon
I still feel like you should not lose your timeout OR challenge when your challenge is successful.
7/13
Mystics at Storm
Kiki
7/16
Las Vegas at Dallas
I like what Dana & Aaliyah give to this squad.
JJ might be the fastest player in the league. Her speed is so good and she knows exactly when to use it.
Phenomenal reads between Paige & Haley in the 4th quarter.
Vegas had a solid 1st half, good 3rd quarter, but looked bad all of the 4th with turnovers.
A’nother A’ja 35+ (37) points 10+ rebounds. A'ja Wilson now has the most games in WNBA history with 35+ PTS & 10+ REB.
This tracks: A’ja averages 30 points 12 rebounds when she hits the pregame half court shots
… I don’t know if Vegas can win it all this season. I never count out a team with A’ja on it. But This can’t be the Aces team next season. They gotta change it tf up.
Chelsea w 5+ assists (7) = Win. My theory is theorying
7/22
Great night of hoops. All around good basketball.
Sparks at Mystics
Rickea is that girl!
Dallas at Seattle
Could Arike be back?
Haley Jones is really good for this Dallas squad.
I’ve never seen Nneka fired up like how she was.
Gabby Williams now holds the Seattle Storm single season record for games games with 4+ steals with 6
Atlanta at Las Vegas
This was is a great match up!
Good hoops was played.
Both A’ja & Allisha (best friends) with 24 points
Dana Evans!!!
NaLyssa was a great addition to this team.
They got her shooting 3s now!
7/26
7/27
Sky vs Indiana
3 straight double doubles for Kamilla (longest in her career).
Aces at Wings
Jackie!! In her assist bag!
It’s Jackie skipping & smiling for me!
DiJonai is finally playing in her position and having a good game.
Haley Jones has been so good for this Dallas team this season!
It cracks me up when DiJonai is on the bench that she claps for NaLyssa when she scores.
After NaLyssa went down DiJonai either checked on her and or said stop flopping and I find it cute and funny that she finds a way to talk to Lyss all game.
Player of the Game for Dallas is Big T.
DiJonai plays basketball like a football player and I think that’s why I like her game.
A’ja almost had a triple double with 14 points 10 rebounds 7 assists.
I think KB has earned starting for at least 3 more games.
Becky got her 100th Win!
100 wins in 142 games is now the fastest woman head coach (3rd fastest head coach) in the wnba to 100 wins.
7/28
Seattle at Connecticut
Triple double Sky!!!
New York at Dallas
Dallas being up 20 on the reigning national champions after the first quarter was not in my bingo card.
What do you mean it’s a 10 point game!?
Wire to wire win for Dallas.
Arike with a career high 14 assists!
Arike is the 1st player with 15+pts & 10+ast in any half
DiJonai’s athleticism is soooooo good.
New York the Reigning Champs have now lost back to back games to the 10th & 11th team in a 13 team league. Anybody can win on any day in this league.
7/29
Sky at Mystics
Valkyries at Dream
Veronica Burton has a really pretty jump shot.
Whatever Atlanta needs Naz gets it. Atlanta needs a rebound, she’s got it. They need a 3 she’s got it. They need energy that’s her specialty. Naz is a difference maker!
How do we explain that the Atlanta Dream lost because someone threw a lime green dildo on the court???
Aces at Sparks
Rickea Resurgence at the top of the broadcast was a great comparison.
OH MY A’JA!!!
The WNBA is UNSERIOUS!!! Not a video of Sparky getting knocked out 😭😂
A’ja had 17 points 8-8 in the first quarter then went 10-10 THEN had 23 points in the first half!!
A’ja Wilson: 34 points 10 rebounds 4 assists 3 steals 3 blocks
21st 30 point 10 rebound game (Most in WNBA History).
Jackie Young: 18 points 11 rebounds 11 assists 3 steals
Rae Burrell: Season High 17 points
Sparky 🩹
Back to back Notre Dame guard triple doubles in Skylar Diggins & Jackie Young.
7/30
Mercury at Fever
Career high 27 points for Aari! Fever play so well with her running the point.
Career high 32 points, 15 rebounds, and 7 assists, sheesh AT!!
Dream at Wings
HALEY!!! Show tf out on your old team!
Haley has been so so good for Dallas this season playing her true position.
PaoPao - 11 points 8 rebounds 6 assists
Career High 21 points for Naz!!
12 points in Q4
5 3PM
Lyss being a Courtside WAG is cute!
PB5 in video game mode!! Finishing the game w 21 points (back to back 20+ point game)
Tie it up then Rike! Clutch bucket!
YEAH NAZ!!! Game Winner!!!
5 Threes!!!
Liberty at Lynx
HIDE THE MEN!!
StudBudz turning up for Minny.
Sheeesh Minny! Tell me how you really feel!!
I got Minny in the finals.
7/31
Unsupervised Syd & TP is UNSERIOUS!! I love whatever is wrong with them 😂
Episode 2 is UNHINGED
Team Notes
Atlanta Dream
Shout out to Smesko for campaigning for Naz for 6th Player of the Year & Most Improved with reasons. I like him in Atlanta. I thought he’d get stuck in his 3’s and lay ups only system (like Roberts - LA/Utah) but he adjusts with the game. Sign of a great coach!!
July Record: 5-5
Chicago Sky
July Record: 2-8
I had higher hopes for this team but the GM Jeff & ownership have done such a disservice to this organization: roster construction, lack of training & recovery facilities, they didn’t even really do much for this All Star Selection - which usually wouldn’t have mattered but to see what other teams did to celebrate showed a glaring difference.
Connecticut Sun
Tina Charles doing the kind of work she’s doing is incredible!
July Record: 1-7
Dallas Wings
I want Nola Henry as HC & Camille (Little) Smith at AC
They have more playing and coaching experience than the current head coach. They can relate to the players as Black Women. They can relate to the players as former players. When watching game interviews these two women have higher basketball iqs and more basketball knowledge than the current head coach. They are the primary coaches and celebrators on the bench for the players.
July Record: 3-7
I’m more disappointed in the teams they beat: New York, Seattle, Phoenix than I am impressed with Dallas.
Caveat I am impressed with the rookies especially, Li, and the players giving 100% in spite of their head coach and the pleathorea of injuries they’ve experienced mostly due to lack of facilities for training and recovery.
Golden State Valkyries
Natalie & Ohemaa have done a really good job constructing this team and coaching this team. They’re better than expected but the injury bug, the grueling schedule, and less home games affected this team pretty heavy. In the 10 games in July this team went 4-6.
Indiana Fever
July Record: 8-4
Aari has been tremendous to this organization.
Phoenix Mercury
AT leads the league in assists as a forward AND has a career high in assists and field goal percentage.
July Record: 4-5
‘Twas a rough month for this team in the injury department.
LA Sparks
Since Rae Burrell has come back the Sparks went 6-3 and the only losses to the Lynx, Liberty, and Aces.
Since adding LT LA looks alot better. Maybe LT should’ve been the HC like I said…
July Record: 6-3
Las Vegas Aces
Statistically Jackie & A’ja are the best combo.
Aces ended July 5-2 with A’ja the real MVP healthy (relatively cause sprained wrist but not concussed) turning up!
Lyss looks really really good with this Aces squad!!
July Record: 6-5
I’m not sure why they played so many back to backs…
Minnesota Lynx
They’re looking like the championship favorites. Not perfect, and being handed their first loss at home by my Atlanta Dream but they look like the favorites.
July Record: 9-3
Commissioner’s Cup doesn’t count in this blog but if it did I’m not sure why they played 13 games and most other teams played 10 with Indiana playing 12, Vegas playing 11, and Connecticut only playing 8 but these schedules are all over the place.
New York Liberty
This team is only great when they have EVERY player healthy… and they haven’t had that in July. They haven’t started many games well and have gotten down BIG (at one point 30 to Dallas), and tho they clawed their way back vs LA it wasn’t enough because Rickea Jackson is that girl.
July Record: 6-4
Ending the month on a 3 game losing streak.
Seattle Storm
July Record: 6-4
They had some head scratching losses… what do you mean you lost to the Connecticut Sun!?
Washington Mystics
July Record: 5-5
This team is doing way better than expected. The Rookies affectionately known as Kitron are an amazing combo! Kira healthy is such a good look for DC. I think hiring Sydney was a great hire. I really like this team. I don’t know if they’ll make the playoffs but they’re giving teams fits, and making everyone work for it.
Season Superlatives
Best Individual Performance
Best Duo
Kitron
Best Team Performance
Valks
There’s no 1 superstar and the All Star they had got injured. They literally play team ball.
Fav Couple
Nai & Lyss
Iron Woman Award
Naz Hillmon
On 7/13 Naz Hillmon set a new Atlanta Dream franchise record with her 128th consecutive game played.
Sixth Player of the Year campaign
2nd in the WNBA in 2PT FG% (.674)
Top 5 in offensive rating (117.9)
As of 7/31 now 132nd consecutive games played.
So Far In 2025 Awards
Best Player (MVP)
A’ja Wilson
25.1 PPG | 8.5 REB | 3.1 AST | 2.3 STL | 2.4 BLK | 6-3 in July
Excludes All Star Game & 7/8 vs NY when she played only 14 minutes because she sprained her wrist.
2 points 4 rebounds 2 assists
Best player in the world
Phee is great but A’ja is the best player in the world! AND when A came back after the sprained wrist Vegas went on a win streak and ended July 5-2
For comparison Phee’s July
23 PPG | 6.9 REB | 3.0 AST | 1.8 STL | 1.9 BLK | 9-3 in July
Excludes Commissioners Cup & All Star Game
Both players scored 277 points in July. A’ja in 9 games Phee in 12 games.
Coach of the Year
Natalie Nakase (Golden State Valkyries)
Inspite of injuries, players in and out, grueling travel schedule the team is still winning games.
Rookie of the Year
Paige Bueckers
18.2 PPG | 3.2 REB | 5.2 AST | 1.7 STL | .2 BLK | 3-6 in July
5 20+ point games and 7 games with more than 15 points.
I think Paige separated herself this last month with her consistency and playmaking.
6th Player of the Year
1 Naz Hillmon
10.5 PPG | 5.2 REB | 2 AST | .4 STL | .7 BLK | 5-5 in July
2 Dana Evans
9 PPG | 2 REB | 2.3 AST | .3 STL| 6-5 in July
Most Improved Player
Unlike the other categories that only include July stats, Most Improved will include the entire 2025 Season vs Previous Season(s).
1 Naz Hillmon
Points: 5.7 PPG → 8.0 PPG
Career High 21 PTS vs Dallas on 7/30
Ten 10+ point games this season
Only 11 in the first 3 seasons
Rebounds: 4.8 RPG → 4.9 RPG
Assists: 1.3 AST → 2.0 AST
Blocks: .3 BPG → .4 BPG
3 PM: 1 (in 3 seasons) → 32
1st 3 seasons only 6 threes attempted, this season 91 threes attempted.
32-91 = 35.1% higher than average.
Added a double double in June vs Washington
Game Winning 3 vs Dallas on 7/30
2 Veronica Burton
Burton has also improved in every statistical category!
Points: 3.1 PPG → 10.7 PPG
Rebounds: 1.4 RPG → 4.2 RPG
Assists: 1.9 AST → 5.0 AST
Steals: .5 STL → 1.0 STL
Blocks: .2 BPG → .3 BPG
3 Kayla Thornton
I’m not sure if she can be considered for the award since she only played half the season due to season ending surgery but I still want to acknowledge her efforts.
(2024 → 2025)
Points: 5.5 PPG → 14 PPG
Avg: 10+ in 2019
Rebounds: 2.6 RPG → 7 RPG
Assists: .7 AST → 1.5 AST
Steal: .7 → 1.3
Defensive Player of the Year
A’ja Wilson
7.5 D-REB | 9.1 TRB| 1.75 STL | 2.4 BLK | 6-3 in June
A’ja is literally guarding 1-5.
Leads the league in blocks per game (2.4)
Gabby Williams
4.0 D-REB | 4.6 TRB| 2.5 STL | .5 BLK | 6-4 in June
Leads the league in steals per game (68) and steals per game (2.5)
The next closest in steals has 23 less and is Dearica Hamby with 45.
Last guard to win was Alana Beard in 2017 & 2018
Conference Players of the Month
Western Conference
A’ja Wilson
25.1 PPG | 8.5 REB | 3.1 AST | 2.3 STL | 2.4 BLK | 6-3 in July
Near triple double 7/27 vs Dallas
Eastern Conference
Sabrina Ionescu
21.4 PPG | 5.5 REB | 6.6 AST | 1.4 STL | .6 BLK | 6-4 in July
Near triple double 7/8 vs Las Vegas
Funniest Moment
Mean Green
While absolutely unacceptable the way the internet made this LOL
StudBudz
All WNBA
First Team: A’ja Wilson, Napheesa Collier (Phee), Alyssa Thomas (AT), Allisha Gray (Lish), Aliyah Boston
Second Team: Skylar Diggins, Angel Reese, Kelsey Plum, Kelsey Mitchell, Sabrina Ionescu
Third: Gabby Williams, Brittney Sykes (Slim), Azurá Stevens (Z), Dearica Hamby, Nneka Ogwumike
HM: Kayla Thornton
Defensive: A’ja Wilson, Rhyne Howard, Gabby Williams, Napheesa Collier (Phee), Azurá Stevens (Z)
Rookie Team: Paige, Sonia, KeKe, PaoPao, Salaün
HM: JJ Quinerly
Executive of the year
Ohemaa Nyanin (Golden State Valkyries)
No one expected this team to even be in playoff consideration let alone beating teams and definitely not beating notable superstar packed teams by 30+ points.
Jonathan Kolb (New York Liberty)
Because what do you mean you signed Emma Meesseman and now have 3 Finals MVPs on your team yet everyone is under cap!?