The Upshot League has emerged as a distinct venture in women’s professional basketball, created to give players who fall outside the WNBA’s roster limits a chance to compete, earn a salary and sharpen their skills. Founded by former WNBA President Donna Orender and backed by Zawyer Sports and Entertainment, the league functions as the women’s counterpart to the NBA’s G League, offering structured team play and development pathways.
A New Pathway for Talent
While operating independently of the WNBA, the Upshot League maintains a dialogue with the established league to align on player development standards and growth strategies. In its debut season the circuit fielded four clubs — Greensboro, Savannah, Jacksonville and Charlotte — before concluding with an inaugural championship in Jacksonville where the Charlotte Crown edged the Jacksonville Waves 81‑76. The event drew notable figures from the sport, including Hall of Famers Shaquille O’Neal, Tamika Catchings and Ann Meyers Drysdale.
Looking ahead, the league plans to broaden its footprint, adding Nashville and Baltimore next year and targeting a 10‑ to 12‑team lineup by 2028. The expansion reflects a belief that a sustainable, paid environment can deepen the talent pool and generate community benefits across the country.
The model is already proving attractive to elite prospects. Michelle Onyiah and Christyn Williams, who honed their games in the Upshot League, have each secured contracts with WNBA playoff teams, underscoring the league’s role as a launchpad for top talent.
Donna Orender describes the venture as an “opportunity league,” emphasizing that it creates avenues not only for players but also for coaches, front‑office staff and the neighborhoods that support the sport. By pairing competitive play with financial compensation, the league aims to reshape how women’s basketball talent is nurtured.