Allow me to reintroduce myself (Introduction and FAQ)
What's coming next: Unrivaled, CBA and expansion draft.
Welcome to Beta Basket (English version)!
Wow, we really hit the ground running, didn’t we? Let me take a moment to properly introduce myself and Beta Basket.
For those who don’t know me, hi! I’m Roberta F. Rodrigues, a proud Latina from Brazil. I’ve been living in the United States for a little over eight years, and let me tell you—my journey here has been anything but ordinary. One day, I’ll share the full story.
If you’re here, chances are you found me through my series, “What the [bleep] is going on with the Seattle Storm?” and already have an idea of what to expect. Let me make it crystal clear: this space is all about women’s basketball—on and off the court. I’m passionate about the game itself, but just as much about everything surrounding it. I’m a strong advocate for non-Americans, as well as women and gender-expansive folks, and I believe intersectionality is the foundation of meaningful conversations.
Some days I’ll dive into stats, other days I’ll call out the nonsense. Sometimes I’ll be fired up, and other times I’ll keep it light and fun. But every time, I’ll show up here with integrity and respect front and center.
Speaking of showing up—many of you have already pledged support even before I officially opened up the option for paid subscriptions. That kind of encouragement is overwhelming (in the best way), and I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart. Paid subscriptions will help me with the cost of traveling to games, upgrading tech for content creation, and even paying more writers to join the team. Stay tuned for more details on how you can contribute.
Below, I am laying out what I have planned to release with Beta Basket and a little FAQ for those who need to know more about me and my work!
What’s next?
I’m currently working on a story about Unrivaled, exploring the parallels between its new 3v3 format and the FIBA 3x3 model. I’ll also analyze which WNBA players are most likely to excel in this format, especially those who haven’t competed at a high level in 3x3 before. Players like Kelsey Plum, Jewell Loyd, and Azurá Stevens have already represented Team USA in official FIBA 3x3 competitions, so their adjustment might be smoother.
A specialist I interviewed pointed out that the biggest challenge for most players will be the physical demands of 3v3, which is far more intense than the 5v5 format we’re used to seeing. Another key point she highlighted was the importance of minimizing errors. It might sound obvious, but in the WNBA, there’s typically more room to recover from turnovers—something that isn’t the case in 3-on-3. Interestingly, some of the players she believes are well-suited for Unrivaledinclude Chelsea Gray, Courtney Vandersloot, and Skylar Diggins-Smith. Notice a pattern?
I’m thrilled to share this story soon—I think you’re going to love it!
On another note, I have an upcoming article for a major sports outlet about the WNBA’s ownership model and how it could influence the next CBA negotiations. Since the league announced its recent capital raise involving share sales, the WNBA’s ownership stake has been significantly reduced. This shift means NBA owners now hold much more power, and that dynamic is bound to shape future discussions around player rights and league growth.
Stay tuned for both pieces! I can’t wait to hear your thoughts.
A quick FAQ:
This section will be updated as needed.
What is Beta Basket?
Beta Basket started as the first women’s basketball news portal in Latin America. Thanks to the growing interest in my work, it’s expanded into Beta Basket in English.
Who is Roberta F. Rodrigues?
That would be me. I’m a Brazilian-American women’s basketball specialist. I’ve been covering the WNBA and international basketball since 2008, back when I created Brazil’s longest-standing WNBA blog.
What else should we know about you?
I live in Seattle with my amazing spouse and our two pets: Parker Q, our cat, and Atlas, our dog. They’re the center of our world. I’m a national and international reporter, and the Seattle Storm beat reporter for Black Rosie Media.
Are you a journalist or just someone with a blog?
I’m a journalist—through and through. I graduated with a degree in journalism in 2014, and my bylines include major outlets in Brazil and top women’s basketball publications in the U.S.
Has writing always been your career?
Not entirely. I’ve always kept my writing and reporting independent because I trust my voice and approach to journalism, and it’s served me well. I have mostly navigated through the basketball industry as whole, with my latest sting being with the Seattle Storm. Outside of that, I’ve worked in a Public Relations agency representing clients in the automotive sector right out of college, and I currently have a day job in the gaming industry, though I prefer to keep my non-basketball life private. I’ve worked in PR and communications for the Brazilian National Basketball League, contributed to the Brazilian National Women’s Basketball League, done research for ESPN, and represented WNBA and Olympic athletes as their PR rep. Most of my writing in the United States has been freelance.
Why did you leave the Seattle Storm?
Simply put, my role there no longer aligned with my career goals. It became clear to me that I thrive in reporting more than in PR. I was with the team for three seasons, from April 2021 to February 2024.
What else should we know?
I have an MBA in Sport and Entertainment Management from Seattle University. My capstone research was on the future of the WNBPA and players rights in the WNBA. The research is available here. You can also find me on Tempestate Talk, a live show produced by Black Rosie Media on YouTube, where I discuss all things Seattle Storm with Erica L. Ayala. I am also in the current writers roster of The Next.
How can I contact you directly?
For all inquiries (feedback, complaint, suggestion, partnerships etc), e-mail contato@betabasket.com.br.