Eden Laase

Eden Laase

Eden Laase has been covering women’s basketball exclusively for the last four years. Before that she spent time as a beat writer covering Gonzaga men’s basketball, college hockey in Colorado, and high school sports in Michigan, where she co-founded the region's first subscription-based website. Eden’s work has appeared in Sports Illustrated, Just Women’s Sports, Yahoo, the Boston Globe and more. She’s a former Association for Women in Sports Media scholarship winner and member of the Sports Journalism Institute class of 2017, and was recently was named an honorable mention for the inaugural Billie Jean King Excellence in Women’s Sports Coverage award.
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UConn' women's basketball players Sarah Strong #21, Paige Bueckers #5, and Azzi Fudd #35 of the UConn Huskies react on the bench against the UCLA Bruins during the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament Final Four semifinal game at Amalie Arena on April 4, 2025 in Tampa, Florida.

UConn's Big Three Key Final Four Rout Over UCLA

Huskies crush Bruins 85-51 as Sarah Strong, Azzi Fudd and Paige Bueckers dominate. Up next: a title game matchup with South Carolina.

By Eden Laase
Joyce Edwards and Kyla Oldacre compete for a rebound during Friday's Final Four match between South Carolina and Texas

The Right to Repeat: South Carolina Crushes Texas, Earns Spot in Championship Game

The Gamecocks' 69-52 win sends them to the title game, where they will face UConn and try to go back-to-back

By Eden Laase
South Carolina Gamecocks Raven Johnson and Sania Feagin react to a basket

How South Carolina Keeps the Pressure Off During Its Quest for Back-to-Back Titles

How are the Gamecocks navigating the gravity of their goal? By doing TikTok dances, drawing in coloring books and building Lego sets.

By Eden Laase
Kiki Rice #1 of the UCLA Bruins is introduced before the game against the Ole Miss Rebels

Kiki Rice, Who Usually Gets Her Way, Hoping to Help UCLA Do Something It Hasn’t Done

Kiki Rice has helped UCLA reach the Final Four. Now she's trying to help the Bruins win their first title in the NCAA era.

By Eden Laase
A four image graphic of women's college basketball stars Kiki Rice, Sarah Strong, MiLaysia Fulwiley and Rori Harmon

Women's Final Four Preview: Star Players, Matchups and Predictions

Four powerhouse teams are ready to clash for the crown in Tampa. Which two will emerge to play in the championship game on Sunday?

By Eden Laase
Paige Bueckers of the UConn Huskies watches a shot against the USC Trojans during the Elite Eight round of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament at Spokane Arena on March 31, 2025 in Spokane, Washington.

UConn Advances to 24th Final Four With Win Over USC

The Huskies are headed to Tampa, seeking their first title in 9 years. Paige Bueckers finished with 31 points, and Sarah Strong had 22 points and 17 boards.

By Eden Laase
UCLA Bruins players huddle in the second half against LSU Lady Tigers during the Elite Eight round of the 2025 NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament held at Spokane Arena on March 30, 2025

UCLA Headed to Final Four After Clutch Shooting Ices LSU

Bruins pull away late, beat LSU 72-65 to earn a ticket to Tampa and the Final Four. Timea Gardner hit five three-pointers and Lauren Betts finished with 17 points and 7 rebounds.

By Eden Laase
Kennedy Smith has been asked to step up in Juju Watkins' absence, and she did on Saturday, leading the team with 19 points.

Without JuJu Watkins, USC Relies on Freshmen to Reach Elite Eight

USC may not have its superstar guard, but the Trojans showed Saturday that they remain a dangerous team.

By Eden Laase
Connecticut Huskies guard Paige Bueckers smiles versus the Oklahoma Sooners in the Sweet Sixteen round of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament

Paige Bueckers Drops 40 as UConn Punches Ticket to Elite Eight

Led by their superstar guard, the Huskies beat Oklahoma 82-59 to punch their ticket to the Elite Eight

By Eden Laase
Lauren Betts followed in the footsteps of Michaela Onyenwere, and has brought the Bruins back to the Elite 8

The Colorado Town — and Coach — Sending UCLA Its Star Players

Michaela Onyenwere and Lauren Betts are the pride of Grandview, and both have led UCLA to the Elite 8

By Eden Laase
Kennedy Smith #11 of the USC Trojans dribbles against Mila Holloway #3 of the Michigan Wolverines in the Big Ten Women's Basketball Tournament semifinals at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on March 8, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

USC Turns to a Trio of Freshmen With Star JuJu Watkins Sidelined

 “It's not that I think they're ready. I know they are,” said USC coach Lindsay Gottlieb.

By Eden Laase
A graphic of top women's basketball players. Paige Bueckers, Lauren Betts and Rori Harmon

Previewing the Women's Sweet Sixteen

Hoops HQ's Eden Laase is your guide to the next round of the Tournament

By Eden Laase