Key Takeaways
- Athletes Unlimited (AU) selected Nashville, Tennessee, for its upcoming season due to positive reception.
- AU provides a crucial alternative to playing overseas, fostering player growth and new opportunities.
- Sydney Colson is 11 weeks into ACL rehabilitation, progressing well with a positive outlook.
- The unique AU format emphasizes self-expression, individual scoring, and continuous player development.
- Theresa Plaisance aims to conclude her basketball career at AU on her own terms, focusing on enjoyment.
Deep Dive
- Athletes Unlimited (AU) is hosting its welcome weekend and season in Nashville, Tennessee.
- Nashville was selected over initial considerations for Dallas due to its viability for professional women's basketball.
- The decision was influenced by positive fan and player reception during the previous season in Nashville.
- Athletes Unlimited offered Sydney Colson a critical opportunity after her departure from the WNBA.
- Participation in the AU Las Vegas season directly impacted her career trajectory and competitiveness.
- The league facilitated new ventures for Colson, including her podcast with Theresa Plaisance.
- Sydney Colson reports her ACL rehabilitation is progressing well at 11 weeks post-surgery.
- She describes the recovery as a mental and physical journey, emphasizing a positive outlook and trusting the process.
- Colson plans to support Athletes Unlimited and its players in the upcoming season, even if not fully recovered.
- Athletes Unlimited emphasizes self-expression and individuality for players, allowing personal style within uniform requirements.
- The league's format fosters individual and athletic growth through peer interaction, with one guest participating for four seasons.
- It features five-on-five play, rotating teams, individual scoring, and strategic 'games within the game,' such as intentional fouling.
- Theresa Plaisance (TP) and Sydney Colson (Sid) formed their friendship and podcast collaboration naturally during a 2022 training camp.
- They recognized each other as kindred spirits despite previously knowing of each other but not interacting directly.
- TP describes Colson as generous, supportive, and influential, particularly for young individuals.
- Theresa Plaisance aims to finish her basketball career strongly at Athletes Unlimited on her own terms.
- Her focus is on enjoyment and self-confidence, rather than external professional pressures.
- Plaisance transitioned her humor to television, crediting Sydney Colson with encouraging her first 10-episode series.