InsidetheHardwood

Breaking hoops news first — NBA, college & more. The story behind every headline.

[InsidetheHardwood @collegebbtoday]

New here? InsideTheHardwood covers every basketball story that matters — trades, injuries, breakout performances — first, and with the context that explains why it matters.

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Follow for every move, every game, as it happens.

[InsidetheHardwood @collegebbtoday]

Victor Wembanyama has been named captain of the French national team for the upcoming FIBA World Cup European qualifiers.

France will play two exhibitions against Nikola Jokic and Serbia before opening qualifying against Slovenia on Aug. 27. It will then face Sweden on Aug. 30.

Wembanyama averaged 15.8 points, 9.7 rebounds and 3.3 assists while helping France win silver at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

[InsidetheHardwood @collegebbtoday]

Kelsey Mitchell is listed as probable for Thursday’s game against the Wings despite dealing with an illness.

Mitchell scored 29 points in Tuesday’s 101-95 win over Toronto before leaving in the fourth quarter after overheating.

Caitlin Clark is also probable because of a back issue as the East-leading Fever continue their road trip in Dallas.

[InsidetheHardwood @collegebbtoday]

The Cavaliers have acquired Peyton Watson and Cam Whitmore in a four-team trade involving the Nuggets, Clippers and Wizards.

Watson will sign a four-year, $88 million contract with a player option and trade kicker. He averaged 14.6 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.1 blocks while shooting 41.1% from three last season.

The Clippers receive Max Strus, while Denver lands an unprotected 2031 Cleveland first-round pick and a 2032 second-rounder.

Washington receives Tre Mann, a 2027 second-round pick and cash considerations.

[InsidetheHardwood @collegebbtoday]

Wings rookie guard Azzi Fudd will miss the remainder of the 2026 season after undergoing an arthroscopic procedure on her right knee.

Fudd has missed the past five games with ongoing soreness. She will have the procedure in Connecticut early next week and begin rehabilitation immediately.

Dallas will provide another update after the procedure.

[InsidetheHardwood @collegebbtoday]

Aaron Holiday has signed with Maxima Roma for the 2026-27 season after eight years in the NBA.

His contract includes an NBA out clause, allowing him to return during the season if a team meets the required buyout terms.

The 2018 first-round pick played for Indiana, Washington, Phoenix, Atlanta and Houston during his NBA career. Maxima Roma will compete in Italy’s top league and the EuroCup this season.

[InsidetheHardwood @collegebbtoday]

Mavericks forward Santi Aldama will not play for Spain in its upcoming World Cup qualifiers as he continues recovering from right knee surgery.

Aldama underwent an arthroscopic procedure in March and was removed from Spain’s roster for games against Portugal and Greece.

Dallas expects the 25-year-old to be ready when training camp begins next month. The Mavericks acquired Aldama from Memphis this offseason as part of a six-team trade.

[InsidetheHardwood @collegebbtoday]

Caitlin Clark says she wants her legacy to be measured by her impact on people, not by points, records or championships.

Clark hopes she will be remembered for bringing new fans to women’s basketball and uniting people around the sport she has loved since childhood.

The 24-year-old is averaging 22.1 points and 8.3 assists this season while leading Indiana on a five-game winning streak.

[InsidetheHardwood @collegebbtoday]

Sophie Cunningham says the WNBA needs stronger leadership and a commissioner willing to make bold decisions as the league continues to grow.

The Fever guard called for better officiating, improved communication with players and greater protection for the league’s top talent.

Cunningham said the WNBA has the best players and fans in the world but must do a better job supporting both.

[InsidetheHardwood @collegebbtoday]

Nneka Ogwumike will retire from the WNBA following the 2026 season, ending a 15-year career.

The 11-time All-Star won Rookie of the Year in 2012 before earning league MVP honors and leading Los Angeles to a championship in 2016.

Ogwumike returned to the Sparks this season after spending two years with Seattle.

[InsidetheHardwood @collegebbtoday]

Caitlin Clark criticized Indiana’s second-half execution despite a 101-95 win over Toronto, saying the Fever made the game harder than necessary.

Clark finished with 24 points and seven assists as Indiana earned its fifth straight victory. Kelsey Mitchell scored 29 before leaving because she became overheated.

Clark later joked that Canada needed better air conditioning, calling the arena “a million degrees.” The Fever improved to 24-12 with their 10th win in 12 games.

[InsidetheHardwood @collegebbtoday]

Aces coach Becky Hammon was ejected during the second quarter of Las Vegas’ 97-82 loss to Atlanta.

Hammon received consecutive technical fouls after confronting officials over an apparent no-call involving A’ja Wilson. Assistant coach Tyler Marsh handled the team for the remainder of the game.

Wilson finished with 27 points and 14 rebounds, but the Aces dropped their fourth game in six outings.

[InsidetheHardwood @collegebbtoday]

The Wizards reportedly offered Russell Westbrook a two-year contract before he announced his retirement.

Westbrook ended the negotiations after deciding against the proposed terms and role. He averaged 15.2 points, 6.7 assists and 5.4 rebounds for Sacramento last season.

The 37-year-old retired after 18 NBA seasons as the league’s all-time leader with 209 triple-doubles.

[InsidetheHardwood @collegebbtoday]

Thunder guard Ajay Mitchell has been named general manager of UC Santa Barbara’s men’s basketball program.

Mitchell will assist with roster construction and player mentorship while continuing his NBA career.

The former Big West Player of the Year led UCSB to the NCAA tournament in 2023 and has remained involved with the program.

[InsidetheHardwood @collegebbtoday]

Kelsey Mitchell scored 29 points as the Fever defeated the Tempo 101-95 for their fifth consecutive win.

Mitchell extended her WNBA-record streak to 20 straight games with at least 20 points. Caitlin Clark added 24 points and seven assists.

Indiana shot 52.9% from the field, led by as many as 17 and never trailed. The Fever improved to 24-12, while Toronto lost its 11th straight.

[InsidetheHardwood @collegebbtoday]

Olivia Nelson-Ododa recorded 18 points and 11 rebounds as Connecticut defeated Los Angeles 85-77 at TD Garden.

It was her fifth double-double of the season and came two days after she posted a career-high 21 points against New York.

Kennedy Burke added 17 points for the Sun, who improved to 9-25. Rae Burrell led the Sparks with 19.

[InsidetheHardwood @collegebbtoday]

Kelsey Mitchell scored 29 points and extended her WNBA-record streak to 20 consecutive games with at least 20.

Caitlin Clark added 24 points and seven assists as Indiana defeated Toronto 101-95 for its fifth straight win.

The Fever shot 53% from the field and improved to 24-12, while the Tempo dropped their 11th consecutive game.

[InsidetheHardwood @collegebbtoday]

Nets owner Joe Tsai called the Knicks’ championship run “embarrassing” for Brooklyn but said it will not change the franchise’s rebuilding plan.

The Knicks captured their first NBA title in 53 years while the Nets missed the playoffs for a third straight season.

Tsai believes Brooklyn is moving in the right direction and plans to stay patient rather than chase another quick fix.

[InsidetheHardwood @collegebbtoday]

Five of the six Buss siblings say they remain united in the decision to sell the family’s remaining 17.8% stake in the Lakers.

Jeanie Buss opposes the move and argues the sale cannot proceed without approval from all three co-trustees.

The stake would go to Josh Kushner and Bob Iger. If completed, the transaction would likely end Jeanie’s tenure as Lakers governor.

[InsidetheHardwood @collegebbtoday]

Caitlin Clark has been named Eastern Conference Player of the Week for the fourth time this season.

Clark averaged 25.7 points and 9.7 assists across three games while helping Indiana extend its winning streak to four.

She is averaging 22.0 points and 8.3 assists this season for the 23-12 Fever, who sit fourth in the WNBA standings.

[InsidetheHardwood @collegebbtoday]

Sabrina Ionescu is available for the Liberty’s game against the Sky after missing one game with a foot injury.

Ionescu suffered the injury against Los Angeles on Aug. 13 but returned to finish with 20 points, four assists and two steals.

The four-time All-Star is averaging 16.0 points, 4.5 assists and 4.0 rebounds this season.