Latest news with #CourtneyWilliams
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
WNBA All-Star Game 'Team Hangover,' explained: How Napheesa Collier's squad earned party moniker
With basketball fans' eyes on the 2025 WNBA All-Star Game in Indianapolis, Team Collier beat the odds to defeat Team Clark. To be clear, Team Collier didn't exactly defy odds by overcoming any mismatches or a lopsided point spread, but instead, the group overcame the aftereffects of enjoying the Indianapolis nightlife. After Team Collier's record-breaking 151-131 win, the team broke down their final huddle by giving themselves a new name: Team Hangover. 📲 Follow The Sporting News on WhatsApp Here's how that nickname is a fitting one. It's unclear when Team Collier officially adopted the Team Hangover moniker, but they began the process of earning it on Friday night. MORE: The best highlights, moments from Team Collier's 2025 WNBA All-Star Game win Thanks in large part to the StudBudz Twitch stream, fans got a firsthand look at what Team Collier was up to on Friday. It helps that one half of the StudBudz is Lynx guard Courtney Williams, who made her All-Star debut for Team Collier in 2025. Rewind to Friday night, and a few of Team Collier's members were shown having a time on the stream. From Kelsey Plum's apparent affinity for Crown Royal to Alyssa Thomas' incredible reaction to Williams' lemon drop order, Team Collier was a major winner throughout Friday's festivities. It didn't stop there, as rookie Paige Bueckers joined Williams for an inspired duet to sing Keyshia Cole's "Love." Fast forward to Saturday, and Team Collier was all business throughout the game. With its namesake winning MVP honors with an All-Star record 36 points, Team Collier also enjoyed a groundbreaking triple-double from Skylar Diggins, and the team scored 151 points on 54.8 percent shooting from the field. MORE WNBA NEWS: Napheesa Collier nabs All-Star Game MVP with record performance What to know about the WNBA's 'Pay Us What You Owe Us' shirts How Minnesota Lynx 'StudBudz' duo became viral WNBA streaming favorites Sabrina Ionescu picks up second 3-Point Contest title with 30-point outburst As for those captured on the above clips, Williams finished with 13 points and five assists, Bueckers dished out eight assists in her All-Star debut, Thomas had six points and four assists in 13 minutes, and Plum scored 16 points on 50.0 percent shooting in 17 minutes of action. These methods might not be sustainable when the regular season rolls back around, but it's hard to argue that Team Hangover Collier's methods got in the way of their performance in the All-Star Game.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Lynx stars wear 'Pay us what you owe us' shirts at WNBA All-Star Game
Minnesota Lynx players Napheesa Collier and Courtney Williams were part of the WNBA contingent to wear "Pay us what you owe us" shirts before the All-Star Game. Players and the league are in negotiations for higher-paying contracts as part of the next collective bargaining agreement.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
'Bouncers knew they couldn't afford it': WNBA star Courtney Williams gets brutally trolled after being denied entry to a club amid All-Star Weekend
Courtney Williams sparks outrage after being denied entry at a club.(Image via) The Minnesota Lynx All-Star guard Courtney Williams found herself in a huge controversy along with teammate Natisha Hiedeman after videos of them being denied entry at a club has gone viral. Courtney Williams was spotted to be confronting the bouncers and showing off her achievements as they were being denied entry to the club. While the star players have not issued a statement about this yet, fans are trolling them. Minnesota Lynx All-Star guard Courtney Williams was publicly humiliated as she was denied entry and fans have brutally trolled her In videos that have gone viral, Courtney Williams was seen having a heated debate with a bouncer at a club in Indianapolis. It seemed Courtney Williams was offended that she was not recognised and was being denied entry. The Minnesota Lynx All-Star guard Courtney Williams could be heard saying 'We in the 'W' and s--t and we just got done at the All-Star Game…So, I'm sorry, I'm not even trying to be funny but we should not be waiting in no line." Courtney Williams also added, "We don't got to deal with this s--t, this ghetto a-- s--t.' However, the Minnesota Lynx All-Star guard Courtney Williams' confrontation has gotten them brutally trolled by fans. Fans have brutally trolled Courtney Williams.(Image via X) A fan by the username @Diogene61878057 took to X and wrote, 'Bouncers know they don't have the $$$ to pay for anything.' Another fan by the username @jenwell41 wrote, 'The arrogance to think anyone cares they're WNBA. And I'd love to know what college she came from with that horrific vocabulary.' A third fan by the username @Slip2Darkness wrote, 'Bouncers knew they couldn't afford bottle service on WNBA salaries.' Another fan by the username @phrexian wrote, 'These 'basketball players' are trash, ghetto, low life pieces of shit. I couldn't even understand all that was said.' Courtney Williams has also been trolled for confronting DJ Diplo While Courtney Williams has stayed silent amid all the mess, she also faced trouble at a Sports Illustrated party she attended later that night. In new videos that have gone viral, Courtney Williams was spotted attending the party and confronting renowned DJ Diplo. Courtney Williams was spotted demanding DJ Diplo to change the music from EDM to hip hop. Courtney Williams has also gotten brutally trolled for this. FAQs Where was Courtney Williams when she was denied entry at a club? Courtney Williams was in Indianapolis with her teammates How old is Courtney Williams? Courtney Williams is 31 years old Also Read: 'My body failed me': Dwyane Wade's wife Gabrielle Union opens up about facing 'public humiliation' after choosing surrogacy Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
Time of India
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
WNBA star Courtney Williams made a bold move at the All-Star party without knowing the DJ was Diplo
WNBA star Courtney Williams made a bold move at the All-Star party without knowing the DJ was Diplo (Image Via X) A funny moment happened the night of July 19, 2025, at the Sports Illustrated All‑Star party in Indianapolis. Minnesota Lynx guard Courtney Williams thought the music was too 'EDM' and asked the DJ to change it. She did not know it was Diplo playing. The scene became a viral hit online. The next day, fans saw a clip of Courtney Williams talking to the DJ, who happily switched to hip‑hop. It raised smiles and showed how real she is. Here's what happened in simple terms. Courtney Williams told Diplo to stop playing EDM at the Sports Illustrated WNBA party After a hilarious occurrence at the WNBA All-Star party on July 19, 2025 in Indianapolis, Minnesota Lynx guard Courtney Williams caught notice. She stopped by the DJ stand and quietly asked the DJ to cease playing EDM. She remarked the audience needed something with more zip. Known for big EDM successes and appearances at prominent occasions, Diplo is Thomas Wesley Pentz, the DJ at the booth. Diplo smiled, listened to her request, and moved the tune to hip-hop. He even played a GloRilla song, and Courtney Williams was later seen dancing with joy. The crowd loved the change. A video posted by Diplo himself showed the moment, and fans praised Courtney Williams' bold move. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like No annual fees for life UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo She didn't recognize Diplo, but her honest feedback was well-received by everyone at the party. Diplo and Courtney Williams' viral moment after WNBA All-Star Game goes online After the WNBA All-Star Game in downtown Indianapolis on July 19, Sports Illustrated hosted its party. When Courtney Williams made the request, social media exploded with reactions. One viral post on X said, 'Courtney Williams just asked Diplo to stop playing EDM at the WNBA party without knowing who he was.' Diplo was not at all angered. With a laughing emoji, he posted the video, and others said his laid-back demeanor was very appealing. Reports from TMZ, Instagram, and X stated that the event became among the most humorous stories of the weekend. Also Read: Aliyah Boston And Caitlin Clark Share Hilarious Moment During All-Star Weekend Live Stream FAQs asked Diplo to refrain from playing EDM at the WNBA All-Star party? Courtney Williams, a WNBA player who played for the Minnesota Lynx organization, made this request at the 2025 Sports Illustrated WNBA All-Star party. 2. When did Courtney Williams ask Diplo to change the music? She made the request on July 19, 2025, during the WNBA All-Star party in Indianapolis. did Courtney Williams want Diplo to stop playing EDM music ? She felt the EDM songs were not hyped enough for a party and requested more uptempo hip-hop tracks. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Who are the Stud Budz? Understanding the sensation of WNBA All-Star Weekend
The tunnel beneath Gainbridge Fieldhouse was eerily quiet as the WNBA's biggest stars lined up to strut their pre-All-Star-Game looks Saturday night. Red carpets and tunnel walks are usually cacophonous, but at this game, the media were oddly hushed. Then Courtney Williams walked in. The WNBA's unofficial and unparalleled hype train had arrived. 'We need some music back here, some energy!' Williams exclaimed to the small crowd. Then, turning to the line of All-Stars as the night's soon-to-be MVP Napheesa Collier started her tunnel walk, 'Yes, Phee! Period! You look good!' The crowd laughed. The stars laughed. Everyone loosened up. Williams, a guard on the Minnesota Lynx, is one half of the now-viral streaming duo known as the 'Stud Budz.' The other half is Williams' teammate Natisha Hiedeman. Their Twitch stream was the thing everyone at All-Star Weekend in Indianapolis was talking about. 'I was streaming (Stud Budz) all last night,' Indiana Fever superstar Caitlin Clark told Williams on Saturday. 'I had it on my TV downstairs. I was commenting.' All across the events in Indianapolis, the gregarious duo with matching pink close-cropped hair transformed every space they entered. Their recipe of behind-the-scenes access, buddy-comedy vibes and true-to-themselves authenticity became an instant viral hit. Here's what to know about the WNBA's newest media sensation. What is 'Stud Budz?' The 'Stud Budz' are two people: Williams (or 'Court') and Hiedeman (or 'T'). The basketball stars have a combined 17 years in the WNBA, with Williams drafted by the Phoenix Mercury in 2016 and Hiedeman by the Lynx in 2019. But they recently added another accolade to their resumes as viral streamers. In June 2025, just a few weeks before the All-Star break, Williams and Hiedeman launched a Twitch channel that they dubbed 'StudBudz,' and it amassed more than 10,000 followers in their first two weeks. It's now up to 70.8K and climbing. Here's the proposition: Ever want to just hang out with your favorite professional ball players? Now you can. Williams and Hiedeman film their everyday lives — travel, practice, hotel stays or hair-dyeing escapades. They react to WNBA games. They interview competitors and teammates. And they just hang out. What did the Stud Budz do at All-Star Weekend? With their livestream cameras in hand, Williams and Hiedeman provided fans with a unique behind-the-scenes look at All-Star festivities, broadcasting everything over the three-day event, from locker room moments to early-morning hotel room wake-ups to the 'orange carpet' runway. 'I was glued to my phone watching the stream all weekend, and I was in Indy,' WNBA fan and Cleveland native Sam Kavander told The Athletic. 'We got to see the players as people, not just athletes. I really do believe Stud Budz brought a majority of the hype to All-Star weekend, especially from a fan perspective. It just really brought the players and the fans together.' The Athletic's Ben Pickman broke down some of their most viral moments in his list of 'winners' from the weekend: 'Stud Budz' capturing WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert dancing to Crime Mob's 'Knuck If You Buck' at a party on Friday night. Seattle Storm star Nneka Ogwumike walking into Williams' hotel room Saturday morning to alert her to an upcoming WNBPA meeting. Indiana Fever star Aliyah Boston taking a drink away from Clark at a party while Clark was on screen, and Williams providing an almost-instant reaction to Thursday's CBA meeting. 'Stud Budz has been the highlight of everybody's weekend,' Collier said. Why do fans love it? Connection and authenticity For many, the Stud Budz create a vibrant-pink visual representation of the WNBA's distinctive connection between fans and stars, and the league's earned role in championing every type of female athlete, no matter their identity, expression, orientation or body type. For a few years now, WNBA stars have been setting the standard across sports in terms of access and authenticity around their interaction with fans. Both Williams and Hiedeman are out, LGBTQ+ players who embrace their identities, something that was more difficult for LGBTQ+ players to do even a few years ago. 'I think my favorite thing about Stud Budz is just their authenticity,' Kavander said. 'They're so unapologetically them. Not only are they entertaining, they do it all with kindness. Getting to see different players on different teams hang out, who you normally wouldn't expect (to see together), was awesome.' As The Athletic's Sabreena Merchant wrote: 'Whatever format the duo pursues, they have already proven that every type of player in the WNBA is marketable, no matter their sexuality or if they present more feminine or masculine.' What's next for the Stud Budz? Fans are speculating already, hoping the Stud Budz get involved in other major events like the ESPYs or the Met Gala. 'I want Stud Budz to stream from everywhere. The Grammys. The ESPYs. Essence Fest. A Cowboy Carter concert. The Senate Floor. An Ecumenical service. The Gracie's Corner Tour. My kid's storytime. EVERYWHERE,' writer and activist Brittany Packnett Cunningham posted to Threads. Because of their rising profile since this weekend, branding opportunities and broadcast offers are likely next for the duo. For now, Williams said at the Lynx's first practice after the weekend, she and Hiedeman 'drank some electrolytes, some water, got a little rest, (and) we're back.' This article originally appeared in The Athletic. WNBA, Sports Business, Culture 2025 The Athletic Media Company
