The Duke women's basketball program, currently fifth in the AP poll, is slated to headline the first‑ever Scripps Sports Women's Basketball Showcase, a December 16 event in Phoenix that will be streamed live on ION.
National Exposure
The opening contest pits the Blue Devils against UCLA at 7 p.m. Eastern, while Southern California and Miami meet later at 9:30 p.m., offering fans a double‑header of high‑stakes matchups.
Broadcast partners have secured a national audience of more than 128 million households, underscoring the growing visibility of women's college basketball.
Fans can purchase tickets through Ticketmaster beginning August 20 at 10 a.m. Arizona time, with the sale opening simultaneously across the two games.
The series between Duke and UCLA stretches back six meetings, with UCLA holding a 3‑2 edge, adding a narrative layer to the upcoming encounter.
Coach Kara Lawson emphasized that the showcase provides a crucial platform to fine‑tune the squad before ACC competition and to present the team to a broader national audience.
This year's roster blends experience with fresh talent, including returning starters from the ACC championship side and transfer Aaliyah Crump, the No. 5 recruit of the 2025 class, who will share the court with Emilee Skinner, also a top‑ranked 2025 prospect.
The event is part of Scripps' expanding portfolio of women's sports rights, which also encompasses the WNBA, NWSL, PWHL and the forthcoming 2027 FIVB Women's Volleyball World Cup.
Position Sports, a leading event production firm that counts Nike, Red Bull and ESPN Events among its clients, is presenting the showcase.