Shout out to Diana passing Katie Smith’s 3-point mark (as the Merc stomped the Paris-less Wings). I have such a clear memory of Katie plying the Lib, wearing that ugly Lynx uniform (yes, it was ugly). NY had the lead, Minny had the ball, and I’m muttering, “Don’t let Katie get the ball. DON’T let Katie get the ball! DON’T LET KATIE GET THE BALL!!!!!” Guess who got the ball and won the game. Yup. Kids, they don’t listen…
Mechelle spends some quality time in Diana in her piece: You don’t know Diana Taurasi
Her competitiveness has never waned, though it sometimes gets her in trouble. Taurasi recently was suspended one game for a forearm to the head of an opponent. The hit wasn’t very hard, more like a veteran sending a message to a younger player. The league opted to punish Taurasi, but most observers would say it was Dee being Dee.
Exactly who is Dee, though? Women’s basketball fans are probably sure they know. She has been one of the most successful players in the sport since she began her college career at UConn 17 years ago.
As the end of the school year and the start of the WNBA season collide with my first major allergy attack (I was far happier sympathizing with sufferers than emphasizing with them!) it’s hard to get a bead on teams quite yet, as latecomers and injuries are impacting chemistry and outcomes.
Atlanta’s go to be the biggest surprise, no? Without Angel (and with Hayes having a little bit of an injury scare) the Dream look way stronger than expected. The win over LA is particularly surprising (and it’s nice that it happened at home).
It’s delightful to see the growth of Jewel Loyd, isn’t it? It’s been said, and will continue to be said, but the Loyd-Stewart flashbacks to the halcyon days of Sue Bird and LJ are legit.
Does it feel like Sylvia Fowles is trying to close the book on any/all of those memories of her as an “oft injured player who never quite did all that her talent promised”? Nina Mandell: The most dominant team in the WNBA has another big advantage this season: Rest
Excited to see how Pluminator handles the hype-mobile, now that she’s (almost) healthy.
Plum arrived on campus that summer and started learning the offense and studying film of Pac-12 opponents. In between summer classes, she spent four or five hours with Neighbors each day preparing for their respective freshman seasons.
Then something else totally unexpected happened: The coaching staff named Plum a team captain. Her tireless work ethic, confidence and obvious talent notwithstanding, Kelsey’s new teammates did not all take to the decision kindly.
“When she first stepped into the captain role as a freshman, she kind of immediately went into, like, an I-need-to-take-over type of mode,” Davis says. “Coming in as a freshman, I don’t think you really want to do that with people you don’t know that well yet.”
Sooooo…. can Washington rise to the top with Delle Donne? Only if her teammates provide strong, consistent support.
Waaaaaaay too early, but 2-2 defending champs?
Sure, but they’re still winless: Getting the call (or message): Jonquel Jones steps up for Sun in Chiney Ogwumike’s absence
While playing abroad, Jones learned that Chiney Ogwumike, the Sun’s second-leading scorer in 2016 (12.6 PPG), sustained an Achilles tendon injury while playing in China in November. Sun coach and general manager Curt Miller sent a message to his players, notifying them that Ogwumike would be lost for the season.
A second note, sent individually to Jones, had a clear message: She was the next woman up.
More Sugar love: Sugar Rodgers Ready To Embrace Enhanced Role
Aussie! Aussie! Sharpshooting Whitcomb makes Perth proud
Seattle Times: Seattle Storm’s Crystal Langhorne adjusts to supporting role, but shooting WNBA-best 75 percent
Yea: Rookie Report: South Carolina Duo Thriving in Dallas
Fingers crossed for good health: Rachel Banham, from Gophers to WNBA, stays resilient through multiple knee surgeries
About those dang injuries: Babcock McGraw: Draft-pick Coates still waiting in the wings
In case you hadn’t noticed: Lefties dominate WNBA rookie class
”I never thought about that, but that is kind of cool,” said left-hander Kelsey Plum, who was chosen first. ”When I was younger it definitely was an advantage, but as you get older you play well with both hands and people are more used to guarding you.”
Speaking of noticing: Dallas Wings introduce Lightning, the WNBA’s only female mascot
Shooting geeks, anyone? Shooting Myths, One-Motion Shooting And The WNBA
Innersting…. WNBA changes All-Star selection process, gives players vote
West Virginia: Carey Statement on Alexis Brewer
Bellarmine: Knights women’s basketball adds Division I transfer from EIU Van Dyke
Also: Former Ohio forward Kelly Karlis to transfer to Wisconsin
Sue and Lyndsey D’Arcangelo offer up an in-depth look at the Reasons behind increased college basketball transfers numerous and complex
After several years of holding steady below eight percent, the four-year college transfer rate for women’s basketball began to rise in 2010-2011, and shows no sign of slowing down. For many years, the transfer rate for student-athletes from two-year colleges was higher than from four-year colleges, but that pattern reversed in the 2011-2012 school year. Given the most recent data available from the NCAA, 2014-15 ended with nearly a tenth of women’s college basketball players transferring from four-year colleges and 8.4 percent coming in from two-year colleges. These rates are comparable to men’s college basketball, with four-year and two-year college transfer rates of 14.1 and 15 percent, respectively, for the season.
As it should be: Road signs honoring SC national basketball title put up
Where the Q’s at! Lewis getting the entire package with Quigley Smith
Samantha Quigley Smith, whom Lewis hired as its new women’s basketball coach, is rock solid when it comes to X’s and O’s.
Her work ethic never will be questioned.
That much is indisputable. For evidence, look no further than all her teams accomplished in her five seasons as the head coach of the women’s program at University of St. Francis.
Also moving over 12 inches: Nikki McCray-Penson named ODU women’s basketball coach
WTN? Former WNBA player Alison Bales graduating from WSU Boonshoft School of Medicine
Women's Hoops Blog 