A new professional women’s basketball league is launching in the Triad, giving athletes another chance to compete at the next level while bringing more women’s sports to Greensboro.
The UpShot League, a new professional women’s basketball league, will begin its first-ever season Friday night at the Novant Health Fieldhouse. The league features four teams in its inaugural season, including the Greensboro Groove.
Groove player Kamaria McDaniel said being part of the league’s first season is a rare opportunity.
“It’s 2026, how often are you able to be a part of the first of something? Everything is kind of like a reinvention so for this to be the first and for God to choose me to be a part of this, I’m very grateful for it,” McDaniel said.
Head coach Janice Washington said the season tips off May 15 and runs through August. She said the league creates another pathway for women to play professionally.
“Just about every male major league in the US has a farm system of development for players, this league represents additional opportunities for women to play professional sports that hasn’t been there before,” Washington said.
The new league is also drawing interest from nearby businesses that hope game nights will bring more customers to the area around the coliseum.
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“I think that a consistent and professional level thing could be the best…anything really that goes on at the coliseum brings us a lot of business,” said Molli Hoban, an assistant manager at Fat Dog’s Grille.
