When former WNBA president Donna Orender teamed up with Zawyer Sports and Entertainment, the goal was simple: fill the void left by the WNBA’s limited roster spots and give elite women’s players a place to compete while earning a living.
The league’s model mirrors the NBA’s G League, providing a structured schedule, professional coaching and the chance to showcase skills in front of scouts. Players such as Deja Kelly, who signed with the Charlotte Crown, have responded with standout performances, averaging 17.8 points and 4.1 assists per game while leading the league in scoring.
The inaugural season culminated in a championship clash at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena, where the Charlotte Crown faced the Jacksonville Waves, coached by Jessica Bogia. The Waves finished the regular season with a 25‑9 record, and eight players entered the league with prior WNBA experience, including Michelle Onyiah and Christyn Williams, who later earned playoff contracts.
Interest is already extending beyond the initial markets. Plans are underway to add franchises in Baltimore and Nashville, and the league’s leadership envisions a future partnership with the WNBA that could formalize promotion and development pathways.
A Model for Future Growth
By combining competitive play with financial opportunities, the Upshot League is proving that a viable developmental pathway can exist alongside the WNBA, offering a blueprint for future expansion and deeper integration within the broader basketball ecosystem.