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From a superstar’s shocking return to a top prospect’s on-court health scare, the last 24 hours in women’s basketball proved that the drama never stops, on or off the court. Angel Reese has grabbed headlines with one dramatic move after another, while a fresh Caitlin Clark national team update has fans talking, too. Meanwhile, in women’s college basketball, Sarah Strong had a midgame scare against Creighton that limited her to just 19 minutes, and Geno Auriemma later explained what happened. Here’s everything important from the past 24 hours.

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Angel Reese Makes Surprise Return to Rose BC

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A major talking point for Unrivaled this season has been who has not played. Stars such as Angel Reese and Sabrina Ionescu did not return, and Napheesa Collier’s injury added to the void. Yes, stars like Paige Bueckers and Kelsey Mitchell did make their debuts, but the massive fan following that players like Reese, Phee, and Ionescu draw was clearly missed.

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In a move few saw coming, the Bayou Barbie has decided to return. The defending champion is set to rejoin Rose BC for the remainder of the season as the team chases a playoff spot. Sitting fifth, Rose BC will hope Reese’s arrival can be the boost they need for another title run.

Clark and Bueckers to Headline Team USA Women’s Squad

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Fans of Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers have reason to celebrate after USA Women’s Basketball unveiled its March 2026 World Cup qualifier roster. Both stars are set to make their senior national team debuts, as the managing director has opted for a roster that blends experience with youth for the qualifiers.

Kahleah Copper, Chelsea Gray, Kelsey Plum, and Jackie Young return from the 2024 Olympic roster, joined by a younger wave of women athletes, featuring Sonia Citron, Aliyah Boston, and Angel Reese.

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Team USA will play five games in San Juan from March 11 to 17.

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You might be wondering why they are competing despite already qualifying for the 2026 World Cup in Berlin after winning the 2025 AmeriCup. Well, Team USA has chosen to follow tradition and participate in the qualifiers, giving fans a glimpse of what to expect under Sue Bird’s leadership and a chance to watch these talented women in action.

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Geno Auriemma Shares Update Following Sarah Strong’s Health Scare

After missing a game for the first time in a UConn jersey due to calf tightness and soreness, Sarah Strong returned against the Creighton Bluejays. While she still made her usual impact on the court, there was one moment that could worry fans going forward.

Midway through the game, Sarah Strong suddenly rushed off the court with teammate Caroline Ducharme, and reporter Maggie Vanoni noted that she appeared to vomit in a trash can near the tunnel. While Strong soon returned with a water bottle and later checked back in, her minutes were limited to just 19.

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Geno Auriemma was asked about it after the game and provided an explanation that put fans’ worries to rest.

“When you don’t play, the hardest thing is to keep up your conditioning. You can get on the bike and ride the bike or do other stuff, but playing basketball is how you get conditioned to play basketball. So if you don’t play as much as you’re used to playing, it’s about gradually coming back and just kind of keeping an eye on her. It wasn’t a definitive ‘this is how many minutes,’” Geno Auriemma said in the postgame press conference. “I just wanted to watch her and feel like, okay, I’ve seen enough that now she can start getting ready for Saturday.”

Strong has already confirmed that she is okay, and all signs point to her moving forward without concern. UConn will be hoping the reigning Freshman of the Year and National Player of the Year contender returns to her very best as the Huskies chase another title.

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Written by

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Akash Das

1,368 Articles

Akash Das is an NCAA and WNBA Writer at EssentiallySports, where his bylines dive deep into the structural side of basketball. With a postgraduate diploma in Mass Communication and a Master’s in Sports Business & Management from the University of Liverpool, he grounds every feature in strong reporting fundamentals and academic rigor. His coverage tracks how coaching blueprints, roster construction, and roster moves, from the NCAA transfer portal to WNBA free agency, shape outcomes on the court.

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Snigdhaa Jaiswal

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