# @sportsillustrated on YouTube

- **Type:** Video
- **Original URL:** https://youtube.com/watch?v=6dV3rFXh_JE
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/65173728-sportsillustrated-youtube
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/7e934eb419.jpg
- **Posted:** 2026-05-08T15:53:00.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Sports Illustrated (@SInow) — https://gondola.cc/SInow

## Caption

Welcome to Around The W presented by Sports Illustrated! In this special 2026 WNBA Season Kickoff episode, host Maria Clifton (aka DJ RIA) sits down with members of the new WNBA on Prime broadcast team including WNBA legends and studio analysts Cynthia Cooper-Dyke and Swin Cash alongside analyst LaChina Robinson and studio host Allie Clifton to break down the biggest storylines heading into the WNBA’s historic 30th anniversary season.

The crew discusses A'ja Wilson potentially chasing GOAT status, Caitlin Clark entering Year 2, Paige Bueckers’ ceiling in Dallas, Angel Reese joining Atlanta, WNBA Finals predictions, MVP and Rookie of the Year picks, reactions to the WNBA Draft and much more.

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00:00 Cynthia Cooper reacts to A’ja Wilson closing in on GOAT status
00:28 Maria Clifton introduces Cynthia Cooper-Dyke
01:18 Cynthia Cooper on joining WNBA on Prime
02:10 Cynthia Cooper reflects on 30 years of the WNBA
03:30 Cynthia Cooper names her WNBA Mount Rushmore
05:20 Cynthia Cooper ranks the Houston Comets dynasty
06:42 Cynthia Cooper on retroactive WNBA CBA payments
08:10 Cynthia Cooper reacts to Angel Reese joining Atlanta
09:35 Cynthia Cooper breaks down the Las Vegas Aces
10:48 Cynthia Cooper predicts the 2026 WNBA Finals
11:25 Cynthia Cooper gives MVP predictions
12:00 Cynthia Cooper gives Rookie of the Year prediction
12:40 Maria Clifton introduces Swin Cash
13:15 Swin Cash on joining WNBA on Prime
14:00 Swin Cash on being one of the voices of the WNBA
15:32 Swin Cash reacts to Azzi Fudd going No. 1 overall
16:40 Swin Cash reacts to Flau’jae Johnson’s draft slide
18:20 Swin Cash on the player with the highest ceiling in the draft
19:40 Swin Cash breaks down Angel Reese joining Atlanta
21:10 Swin Cash talks the Las Vegas Aces championship chances
22:25 Swin Cash predicts the 2026 WNBA Finals
23:10 Swin Cash gives MVP predictions
24:00 Swin Cash gives Rookie of the Year prediction
24:45 Maria Clifton introduces LaChina Robinson
25:10 LaChina Robinson on WNBA coverage reaching new audiences
26:30 LaChina Robinson reacts to Caitlin Clark entering Year 2
27:48 LaChina Robinson on Paige Bueckers’ ceiling in Dallas
29:15 LaChina Robinson on the New York Liberty adding Satou Sabally
30:42 LaChina Robinson talks Minnesota Lynx concerns
32:00 LaChina Robinson predicts the 2026 WNBA Finals
32:50 LaChina Robinson gives MVP predictions
33:40 LaChina Robinson gives Rookie of the Year prediction
34:15 Maria Clifton introduces Allie Clifton
34:45 Allie Clifton reacts to joining WNBA on Prime
35:50 Allie Clifton on the new look Chicago Sky
37:15 Allie Clifton talks underrated WNBA teams
38:20 Allie Clifton on Kelsey Plum & the LA Sparks
39:35 Allie Clifton predicts the 2026 WNBA Finals
40:12 Allie Clifton gives MVP predictions
40:50 Allie Clifton gives Rookie of the Year prediction
41:30 Allie Clifton talks A’ja Wilson’s GOAT trajectory

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Executive Producer: Alex Tzavalas
Producer/Director: Greg Cally
Director of Photography: Snyder Derival
Audio: Phil Tudeme
Host: Maria Clifton
Editor: Jim Ewing

#WNBA #AjaWilson #CaitlinClark #CynthiaCooper #SwinCash #AroundTheW #SportsIllustrated

## Stats

- **Views:** 2,268
- **Likes:** 71
- **Shares:** 0
- **Comments:** 17

## Tags

caitlinclark, cynthiacooper, sportsillustrated, aroundthew, wnba, ajawilson, swincash

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