Paige Bueckers, The Movie Star

…Who will star in a basketball film about two friends-turned-rivals. My prediction? “Jess & Pearl” will star Angel Reese, as well. But I’m pretty much just starting rumors here. 

Jalen Brunson may be the next to get a signature shoe. Not that he really cares. He says he’d rather have a lifetime supply of Kobes. Which, I feel like he could get pretty easily, if he asks Mr. Nike really nicely. 

You think this is a game?! No! It’s a cartoon…now! Backyard Baseball has gone Hollywood and will be voiced by big names like Donald Faison, Ego Nwodim, Adam Pally, and Arturo Castro. 

Natasha Cloud is the first athlete ever to go on “Modern Love” with Anna Martin. She’s also the first person to be this much fun to listen to on a podcast. No disrespect to others, she just rocks. Transcript (and episode) here. 

Peyton Manning is teaming up with other athletes to fly planes and end decades-long curses in the fifth season of “Peyton’s Places.” The trailer drops familiar names like Chad Johnson, Jim Harbaugh, Joe Burrow, and James Harrison. 

I struggle knowing whether or not to talk about the current WNBA-WNBPA beef, because it’s a league I absolutely love with my whole heart, which, by default, means those are players I love with my whole heart. But with the new orgs joining the players’ side, and major podcasts joining the discussion, the holdout on keeping OffBall’s fearless readers up to date becomes almost irresponsible (that’s not true, but as you know, reader, I am one for the dramatics). 

I don’t need to break the whole thing down for you, but if you need a quick explainer, go here. Anyways, the latest is that the conversation has transcended hoops. The NFLPA is union strong, supporting the girlies publicly on social yesterday. 

This drew the ire of some who claim the NBPA should be doing more to support, too. And some say it may be indicative of a societal shift toward workers' rights. But I press buttons on a giant version of my phone for a living, so that’s about as much as I am qualified to weigh in on it. 
Word has it the league is offering the players an extension to sign the CBA, a deal most say the players won’t take anyway. So, all in all, it’s getting kinda wild. 

Pablo Torre hosted a conversation between David Samson and John Skipper regarding the…I think it’s fair to call it a…fight. That conversation is also drawing criticism from other journalists, like Sarah Spain, who have been covering this ordeal for longer. And although her wife, Sue Bird (heard of her??), is part-owner of the Seattle Storm, Megan Rapinoe weighed in on this with Phee previously. 

At this point, I don’t know what is going to happen, but I can’t help but fear the worst: we may not get a W season at all next year. 

So, in conclusion… ??????? 

And, oh yeah, in the meantime, we’ll have some good alternatives (who deserve just as much shine as the W does), like Athetes Unlimited hoops and Unrivaled. Phew! 

This cuffing season, we’re keeping a running list of all the new athlete and celebrity relationships that rear their heads via courtside kisses (sorry for saying courtside kisses) and couples TikTok trends. 

There’s Justin and Madison, and Morgan Riddle and Taylor Fritz, both of whom I wrote about the other day, and you’d know, if you read this every single morning first thing…

There’s A’ja and Bam, who have finally gone officially official. 

And Megan is Klay’s biggest fan on and off the court.

Justin and Hailey aren’t new to the sports world, but it is fun that they get to wear “Bieber” jerseys this time around. 

Oh, also, I just got exclusive word (from People.com, three days ago) that Jannik Sinner’s boo’d up, too. How do you say boo’d up in Italian? In Danish, I think you just say “Laila Hasanovic.” 

Let’s round out our list with Brandon Ingram and Glorilla, who were the faces behind the aforementioned courtside kisses (again, I’m sorry for that). 

Look at that…love is alive and in the air (basketball joke).