The 2012 WNBA draft class was underestimated. Many fans, already looking ahead to the loaded 2013 draft, were too quick to dismiss this year's rookies and their impact. The only player many gave credit to was number one-pick Nnemkadi Ogwumike.
Already, this year's rookies have proven them wrong. Each one of the top picks I spoke to for this piece - Nnemkadi Ogwumike, Shekinna Stricklen, Devereaux Peters, Glory Johnson, Shenise Johnson, Samantha Prahalis, Natalie Novosel and Riquna Williams - have already become key role players for their teams.
I am also endlessly fascinated by what happens when I ask many different people the same questions; the variance in response says so much about the athlete.
It was fun talking to each one of these young women. I'm looking forward to seeing those I haven't seen play at Staples Center yet.
Thursday, June 7, 2012
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Third annual Shannon Bobbitt basketball camp
The former Lady Vol will host her third annual basketball clinic for girls and boys, ages 7-14, 9 a.m.-noon in New York City July 14. The first 50 kids to sign up with get a free T-shirt. For more information, contact Bobbitt at: oo_shannon@yahoo.com.
NCAA attendance sets record
Attendance at women's basketball games this past season set an NCAA all-time record, at 11,210,832. It's the fifth consecutive year that the spectator count has been over 11 million.
Tennessee lead all schools in attendance for the ninth straight year, averaging 14,414 fans.....which is weird considering Pat Summitt's birthday is June 14.
The Big 12 lead all conferences in attendance.
Other NCAA news:
Former USC athletic director Mike Garrett will take the same position at Langston University.
Cassie Peoples is leaving Texas. But the Longhorns have signed a point guard.
Michala Johnson is now a Wisconsin Badger.
Florida Coach Amanda Butler's contract has been extended through 2017.
Arizona State will travel to New Zealand in August.
Women's Basketball Hall of Fame:
There is a new, expanded board.
High school:
It's a club AND high school basketball month.
Tennessee lead all schools in attendance for the ninth straight year, averaging 14,414 fans.....which is weird considering Pat Summitt's birthday is June 14.
The Big 12 lead all conferences in attendance.
Other NCAA news:
Former USC athletic director Mike Garrett will take the same position at Langston University.
Cassie Peoples is leaving Texas. But the Longhorns have signed a point guard.
Michala Johnson is now a Wisconsin Badger.
Florida Coach Amanda Butler's contract has been extended through 2017.
Arizona State will travel to New Zealand in August.
Women's Basketball Hall of Fame:
There is a new, expanded board.
High school:
It's a club AND high school basketball month.
Sparks waive Sharnee' Zoll
From Sparks HQ, at 8:03 a.m. this morning:
Los Angeles – The Los Angeles Sparks have waived guard Sharnee Zoll the team announced today.
Zoll was expected to help run the Sparks backcourt before tearing the ACL in her left knee. The 5'7" point guard averaged 7 assists in her two preseason games with the Sparks. Against the Japan National Team, Zoll notched 10 points, 6 assists and 3 rebounds in just 19 minutes of play.
The Sparks have started the season 5-1 with Western Conference wins over Phoenix, Tulsa and three times over Seattle. They take on the Mercury at STAPLES Center on Friday, June 8 at 8:00PM on Time Warner Cable 101.
The Sparks have not named a replacement for Zoll yet, despite numerous reports to the contrary.
Other news:
If Minnesota wins tonight, they'll be in second place for most consecutive wins in WNBA history, dating back to last season.
Los Angeles – The Los Angeles Sparks have waived guard Sharnee Zoll the team announced today.
Zoll was expected to help run the Sparks backcourt before tearing the ACL in her left knee. The 5'7" point guard averaged 7 assists in her two preseason games with the Sparks. Against the Japan National Team, Zoll notched 10 points, 6 assists and 3 rebounds in just 19 minutes of play.
The Sparks have started the season 5-1 with Western Conference wins over Phoenix, Tulsa and three times over Seattle. They take on the Mercury at STAPLES Center on Friday, June 8 at 8:00PM on Time Warner Cable 101.
The Sparks have not named a replacement for Zoll yet, despite numerous reports to the contrary.
Other news:
If Minnesota wins tonight, they'll be in second place for most consecutive wins in WNBA history, dating back to last season.
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Winning coach of 41 years let go at Northern California High School
Coach Pam Wimberly won't return as girls basketball coach at Menlo-Atherton High School next year:
Pam Wimberly, the winningest girls basketball coach in Northern California history, has been relieved of her duties at Menlo-Atherton High School.
"It came as a shock; it has kind of hit me hard," Wimberly said. "I was told Thursday afternoon by my principal, Matthew Zito. He gave three reasons: poor communication skills, practices not being effective and that he would like a more modern, fast-paced style of play."
When reached Tuesday, Zito declined to comment, citing district policy.
Wimberly, 65, has coached at Menlo-Atherton for 41 years.
She has a career record of 663-340, ranking third on the state wins list behind Joe Vaughan (761) of Buena High in Ventura and Eleanor Dykstra (665) of Valley Christian-Cerritos.
Menlo-Atherton won 18 league championships and four Central Coast Section titles under Wimberly. She also served as the school's athletic director for 23 years.
Pam Wimberly, the winningest girls basketball coach in Northern California history, has been relieved of her duties at Menlo-Atherton High School.
"It came as a shock; it has kind of hit me hard," Wimberly said. "I was told Thursday afternoon by my principal, Matthew Zito. He gave three reasons: poor communication skills, practices not being effective and that he would like a more modern, fast-paced style of play."
When reached Tuesday, Zito declined to comment, citing district policy.
Wimberly, 65, has coached at Menlo-Atherton for 41 years.
She has a career record of 663-340, ranking third on the state wins list behind Joe Vaughan (761) of Buena High in Ventura and Eleanor Dykstra (665) of Valley Christian-Cerritos.
Menlo-Atherton won 18 league championships and four Central Coast Section titles under Wimberly. She also served as the school's athletic director for 23 years.
Swimmin' in updates
Recent personnel changes within the WNBA.
Efficiency leaders update.
Rookie statistical leaders.
Update on Lady Vol alumnae in the WNBA.
Lynx practice report for today.
Minnesota is the only Western Conference team that is not shorthanded.
Mystics rookie guard Natalie Novosel moves in.
Tamika Catchings and other stars discuss why they play.
The Shimmy Gray-Miller and Cheryl Coward podcast covers a wide range of WNBA topics.
Tonight's game: Cappie Pondexter paced the Liberty over the Dream, 79-74, with her own 26 points.
NCAA:
Marlene Stollings is VCU's new coach.
Efficiency leaders update.
Rookie statistical leaders.
Update on Lady Vol alumnae in the WNBA.
Lynx practice report for today.
Minnesota is the only Western Conference team that is not shorthanded.
Mystics rookie guard Natalie Novosel moves in.
Tamika Catchings and other stars discuss why they play.
The Shimmy Gray-Miller and Cheryl Coward podcast covers a wide range of WNBA topics.
Tonight's game: Cappie Pondexter paced the Liberty over the Dream, 79-74, with her own 26 points.
NCAA:
Marlene Stollings is VCU's new coach.
Monday, June 4, 2012
Pro off-night items
WNBA:
Power rankings this week still have the undefeated Lynx at number one, followed by the Sparks, Fever, Sky and Sun in the top five.
Eastern and Western Conference players of the week are the Sky's Epiphanny Prince and the Mercury's DeWanna Bonner, respectively.
The Lynx are making franchise history with every win.
The Mystics seek a turnaround this season. I hope like hell they can get one; I'm tired of them losing.
Title IX:
The WNBA will recognize the 40th anniversary of the groundbreaking legislation this summer with special events, and special uniforms.
Many women who grew up in the new Title IX era now have sports-related businesses.
NCAA:
None other than Wendy Larry is the Atlentic-10's new associate commissioner.
Amy Williams is South Dakota's new coach.
Juco player of the year Ska'Kayla Caples is following her former Trinity Valley coaches to Ole Miss, where she has signed.
Legends:
Anny Meyers Drysdale was a ceiling-smashing roundball legend.
Power rankings this week still have the undefeated Lynx at number one, followed by the Sparks, Fever, Sky and Sun in the top five.
Eastern and Western Conference players of the week are the Sky's Epiphanny Prince and the Mercury's DeWanna Bonner, respectively.
The Lynx are making franchise history with every win.
The Mystics seek a turnaround this season. I hope like hell they can get one; I'm tired of them losing.
Title IX:
The WNBA will recognize the 40th anniversary of the groundbreaking legislation this summer with special events, and special uniforms.
Many women who grew up in the new Title IX era now have sports-related businesses.
NCAA:
None other than Wendy Larry is the Atlentic-10's new associate commissioner.
Amy Williams is South Dakota's new coach.
Juco player of the year Ska'Kayla Caples is following her former Trinity Valley coaches to Ole Miss, where she has signed.
Legends:
Anny Meyers Drysdale was a ceiling-smashing roundball legend.
Will Sparks sign Coco Miller?
One source says the Sparks will cut Sharnee' Zoll, who is out for the season with an ACL tear, and sign Coco Miller, who the Dream let go last month.
In the meantime, Atlanta cut Courtney Paris and signed Jessica Moore.
In the meantime, Atlanta cut Courtney Paris and signed Jessica Moore.
Sunday, June 3, 2012
What a night in the W
The Liberty got their first season win, and nicely too, by defeating the Fever 87-72. Cappie Pondexter lead New York with 25 points.
The Lynx held off the surging Silver Stars to stay unbeaten, with an 83-79 win.
Nnemkadi Ogwumike lifted the Sparks over the Storm, 67-65, with a long jumper with 2.5 seconds to go.
The Sun are back on the winning train, and the Mystics have dropped three straight after today's 94-86 Connecticut victory.
Tomorrow the league takes the day off, and no games are scheduled.
NCAA:
Glory Johnson, now of the Tulsa Shock, is one of the SEC's nominees for NCAA Woman of the Year.
The Lynx held off the surging Silver Stars to stay unbeaten, with an 83-79 win.
Nnemkadi Ogwumike lifted the Sparks over the Storm, 67-65, with a long jumper with 2.5 seconds to go.
The Sun are back on the winning train, and the Mystics have dropped three straight after today's 94-86 Connecticut victory.
Tomorrow the league takes the day off, and no games are scheduled.
NCAA:
Glory Johnson, now of the Tulsa Shock, is one of the SEC's nominees for NCAA Woman of the Year.
Saturday, June 2, 2012
Patterns and deja vus
Last night the Sky beat the Mystics 65-63. Tonight they edged the Dream in overtime, 94-92.
Phoenix continued to struggle last night, losing to San Antonio, 85-66.
In the Fever's upending of the Liberty tonight, they are unbeaten, while New York has yet to win.
Something new:
The Lynx won the battle of the unbeatens last night, handing Connecticut their first loss. It was the first time Minnesota had won there since July, 2004.
The Storm grabbed their first win last night, overcoming Tulsa 76-58. In this, Storm Coach Brian Agler broke a tie with Van Chancellor to become the winningest coach in women's pro history.
Questions for readers:
Who is the best coach(es) in the league?
What's wrong with the Mystics? (Again)
Will the Storm get instantly better when Lauren Jackson gets back?
Can the Sky keep their momentum going?
What is the Liberty's problem(s)?
Other WNBA:
Svetlana Abrasimova is closer to rejoining the Storm.
Dishin & Swishin talks to Silver Stars Coach Dan Hughes and Sky center Ruth Riley.
NCAA:
The SEC is lenient on marijuana violations.
Phoenix continued to struggle last night, losing to San Antonio, 85-66.
In the Fever's upending of the Liberty tonight, they are unbeaten, while New York has yet to win.
Something new:
The Lynx won the battle of the unbeatens last night, handing Connecticut their first loss. It was the first time Minnesota had won there since July, 2004.
The Storm grabbed their first win last night, overcoming Tulsa 76-58. In this, Storm Coach Brian Agler broke a tie with Van Chancellor to become the winningest coach in women's pro history.
Questions for readers:
Who is the best coach(es) in the league?
What's wrong with the Mystics? (Again)
Will the Storm get instantly better when Lauren Jackson gets back?
Can the Sky keep their momentum going?
What is the Liberty's problem(s)?
Other WNBA:
Svetlana Abrasimova is closer to rejoining the Storm.
Dishin & Swishin talks to Silver Stars Coach Dan Hughes and Sky center Ruth Riley.
NCAA:
The SEC is lenient on marijuana violations.
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