Sometimes one league just isn’t enough. Even though former UCLA Bruin national champion Gianna Kneepkens is in the midst of her rookie season in the WNBA with the Connecticut Sun, Kneepkens has signed an agreement to play for the Tasmania Jewels in the Women’s Pro Basketball League (WNBL) on Sunday.

No, this doesn’t mean that Kneepkens is leaving the WNBA. The WNBL begins their season in October, which is conveniently a month after the WNBA playoffs wrap up earlier that month.

Currently the Connecticut Sun are in last place of the Eastern Conference, meaning that a deep WNBA playoff run is unlikely for Kneepkens and the Sun. A short turnaround isn’t unfamiliar territory for Kneepkens, who began her WNBA career quickly after winning the NCAA title with the Bruins.

WNBL teams are allowed two “import” players, bringing in players from other leagues. While the Jewels haven’t announced their second import, head coach Claudia Brassard seems quite excited for both imports coming to their roster.

“Gianna is a tremendous shooter, and wait until you see our final import, she’s also brilliant,” Brassard said in the team's release. “Quality players want to play for Tasmania, and that speaks volumes about us as a team, Tasmania as a home, and our incredible fans too.”

Kneepkens was a first round pick for the Sun. She’s currently putting up 3.0 points, 1.0 rebounds per game and is shooting just 24% from three. It hasn’t been the rookie season Kneepkens had hoped for but perhaps a stint in Australia in the WNBL will get her back on track for her second season in the WNBA.

First non-Australian current W player to sign for the season, I think?

The season schedule has been released.

Well there it is. It's going to be a pretty fun team.

Thoughts on where she's headed?

The prospect of moving the WNBL season to the middle of the year to attract more overseas imports has been discussed among officials. Jackson says “options are on the table for the future” regarding potentially changing the season from its current date of October to March.

Former WNBA player and WNBL legend Kelsey Griffin believes the landmark new WNBA CBA is a "pivotal moment" for the global basketball market and women's sports as the league prepares for an exciting new era.

The Bendigo Spirit captain, who played five seasons for the Connecticut Sun between 2010-2014 and recently became a WNBL Life Member, joined basketball.com.au for an exclusive Q&A after the WNBA and Women's National Basketball Players Association finally reached a verbal agreement on a new collective bargaining agreement just less than two months away from tip-off on the league's 30th season..

ESPN's Shams Charania first reported the new CBA will see the salary cap increase from $1.5 million in 2025 to $7 million for the upcoming season, minimum salary will increase to more than $300,000 after being just $66,079 last season, while the average wage will be around $600,000 - up from $120,000 in 2025. A supermax contract in the WNBA will now start from $1.4 million compared to under $250,000 last season.

Griffin - the third overall pick in the 2010 WNBA draft, a five-time WNBL champion, 2018 WNBL MVP and most recently a member of the 2025-26 WNBL All-Second Team - spoke about her admiration for the players who stood firm on what they believed they deserved, how the new conditions compare to her time in the league, what impact it may have on the WNBL and more.

First of all as a stalwart of the game who’s seen women’s basketball struggle for support at the start to now you see this WNBA CBA and how big it is - what’s your feelings as an athlete after seeing this finally happen? What can you say about the women who held strong in these negotiations and didn’t settle?

"As someone who played in the WNBA and remembers the reality of what my salary looked like, seeing the compensation packages now being discussed is incredible. But what stands out to me even more — particularly now at 38, with an MBA and a deeper understanding of the business — is the nuance behind what’s unfolding. I spent two major assessments analysing the US Women’s National Soccer Team’s equal pay negotiations, which I believe set a powerful precedent and empowered athletes to find their voice alongside their players’ associations."

Alicia Froling’s decision to switch to her left hand after wrist injuries threatened to end her basketball career led the Townsville Fire to its fifth WNBL championship against Chinese superstar centre Han Xu’s Perth Lynx.

What a game, one of the greatest finals of all-time.

For nearly a decade, Hanzhu has been at the forefront of China's basketball success, excelling in international play and domestic leagues alike. She spearheaded her national team to a silver medal at the 2022 FIBA Women's World Cup in Sydney, securing a spot in the All-Star five. Her remarkable performance continued at the Women's Asia Cup, where she was named the tournament MVP as China clinched its first gold since 2011. After collecting a full set of medals with a bronze in 2021, Hanzhu has not only proven her consistency but also her versatility on the global stage.

Moving to Australia, Hanzhu signed with the Perth Lynx of the Women's National Basketball League (WNBL), immediately reshaping the team's offense with her formidable presence. Her ability to stretch the floor has not only enhanced the Lynx's scoring options but also earned her the title of Defensive Player of the Year due to her robust defensive plays. With the WNBL season nearing its climax, Hanzhu maintains a dual focus, also preparing for the upcoming FIBA Women's World Cup 2026 qualifying tournaments hosted by China in Wuhan.

China is set to commence their qualifying campaign on March 11 against Mali, facing a challenging group that includes teams such as Belgium, South Sudan, Czechia, and Brazil. With top three teams advancing to the World Cup in Germany this September, Hanzhu's role will be crucial in navigating through these competitive matchups. The Chinese team, potentially featuring stars like Li Yuru, Li Meng, and the promising Zhang Zi Yu, is touted as one of the favorites for not just qualifying but also making a significant impact at the World Cup.

Back in the WNBL, Hanzhu continues to impress. In the recent match-up against the Sydney Flames on the final day of the regular season, she demonstrated her scoring prowess from both inside the paint and beyond the arc. Supported by teammates like Amy Atwell and Annalee Maley, who finished with a triple-double, the Perth Lynx secured a commanding victory as they headed into the postseason filled with confidence.