Players of the month:
For June, POMs are Elena Delle Donne in the East and Skylar Diggins in the West.
Rookie of the month is the Fever's Natalie Achonwa.
Players of the week:
Tamika Catchings in the East and Nneka Ogwumike in the West.
Lynx:
The Lynx are back on top in the Western Conference.
Anna Cruz is back and will provide immediate help for Minnesota.
Fever:
A Fever coach saw Natalie Achonwa's promise in her pain.
Mystics:
...have added LaToya Sanders and waived Kayla Thornton.
Mercury:
Brittney Griner opens up and bares all in ESPN's the body issue.
College news:
Attendance for all three Divisions of women's basketball topped 11 million for the eighth straight year last season.
Winthrop coach Kevin Cook is enjoying a better life with Parkinson's Disease now.
Basketball has taken Tennessee assistant coach Dean Lockwood to some great places.
Tammi Reiss is Syracuse's new assistant coach.
Delaware State has three new assistant coaches.
Monday, July 6, 2015
Sunday, July 5, 2015
Shock are down, but staying up; a few words with Nneka Ogwumike
The Shock may have lost Skylar Diggins, but they're still fighting, and Odyssey Sims may be back soon.
Shock are down, but staying up.
Also, Sparks forward Nneka Ogwumike made her season debut July 2 - her birthday, by scoring 27 points. The next night she put up 19, and today against Phoenix, she had 26 points and 18 rebounds.
I talked to her on her birthday:
SF: Is it nice to be back on the court?
NO: Yes! My teammates have been very supportive and patient with me. Slowly, I'm feeling like myself again.
SF: You were out for a long time.
NO: That's the longest I've ever had to sit out in my career. So I just want to be efficient for my team.
SF: Do you feel like you're back in your groove?
NO: Yeah, I am, and practicing really helps.
SF: Did you find yourself coaching from the bench, like your sister Chiney is doing with her team?
NO: Yeah. And she's the first person I'd always talk to (to commiserate about being injured). I'd call her and ask, "What is liiife?" (Laughs)
Shock are down, but staying up.
Also, Sparks forward Nneka Ogwumike made her season debut July 2 - her birthday, by scoring 27 points. The next night she put up 19, and today against Phoenix, she had 26 points and 18 rebounds.
I talked to her on her birthday:
SF: Is it nice to be back on the court?
NO: Yes! My teammates have been very supportive and patient with me. Slowly, I'm feeling like myself again.
SF: You were out for a long time.
NO: That's the longest I've ever had to sit out in my career. So I just want to be efficient for my team.
SF: Do you feel like you're back in your groove?
NO: Yeah, I am, and practicing really helps.
SF: Did you find yourself coaching from the bench, like your sister Chiney is doing with her team?
NO: Yeah. And she's the first person I'd always talk to (to commiserate about being injured). I'd call her and ask, "What is liiife?" (Laughs)
Some big performances going down
Today's results:
A Leilani Mitchell three-point shot with 3.9 seconds left lifted the Mercury over the Sparks in overtime, 94-91.
The Dream got past the Storm, 72-64. Angel McCoughtry lead the way for Atlanta with 23 points.
Makes you wonder who will get Player of the Week tomorrow. For the West, I'd have to guess Nneka Ogwumike. She returned to the court after a month-long absence from injury, and put up 27, 19 and 26 points, respectively, in her first three games, and a season-high 18 rebounds today. Brittney Griner did well this week too, but Ogwumike made a huge difference in the stat column.
The East is a tougher guess. Maybe McCoughtry.
Big trade today:
The Stars acquired Samantha Logic from the Dream in exchange for a second-round draft pick next year. San Antonio released rookie Brittany Hrynko.
Dream:
Rookie Cierra Burdick blogs about how making the Atlanta team was a blessing in disguise.
USA Basketball:
The WUG team won their opening-round game against Italy today, 80-68.
Then and now: differences in perspective for Pan American Games team member Alaina Coates.
A Leilani Mitchell three-point shot with 3.9 seconds left lifted the Mercury over the Sparks in overtime, 94-91.
The Dream got past the Storm, 72-64. Angel McCoughtry lead the way for Atlanta with 23 points.
Makes you wonder who will get Player of the Week tomorrow. For the West, I'd have to guess Nneka Ogwumike. She returned to the court after a month-long absence from injury, and put up 27, 19 and 26 points, respectively, in her first three games, and a season-high 18 rebounds today. Brittney Griner did well this week too, but Ogwumike made a huge difference in the stat column.
The East is a tougher guess. Maybe McCoughtry.
Big trade today:
The Stars acquired Samantha Logic from the Dream in exchange for a second-round draft pick next year. San Antonio released rookie Brittany Hrynko.
Dream:
Rookie Cierra Burdick blogs about how making the Atlanta team was a blessing in disguise.
USA Basketball:
The WUG team won their opening-round game against Italy today, 80-68.
Then and now: differences in perspective for Pan American Games team member Alaina Coates.
Saturday, July 4, 2015
Boom, boom, boom!
General WNBA:
League president Laurel Richie wants the WNBA to be more in the news.
Shock:
Rookie Amanda Zahui B. had a long, winding road to the pros.
Stars:
Catching up with San Antonio rookie Dearica Hamby, by yours truly.
Sparks:
"I want Candace" aka Candace Parker, will premiere on Nickelodeon Saturday.
USA Basketball:
The Pan American Games team has opened training camp.
U19 member Crystal Dangerfield sets the tone on the court and in the band.
The WUG team is playing Italy right now in the first round of the championship games.
Happy Fourth of July!
League president Laurel Richie wants the WNBA to be more in the news.
Shock:
Rookie Amanda Zahui B. had a long, winding road to the pros.
Stars:
Catching up with San Antonio rookie Dearica Hamby, by yours truly.
Sparks:
"I want Candace" aka Candace Parker, will premiere on Nickelodeon Saturday.
USA Basketball:
The Pan American Games team has opened training camp.
U19 member Crystal Dangerfield sets the tone on the court and in the band.
The WUG team is playing Italy right now in the first round of the championship games.
Happy Fourth of July!
The newest trend in college hoops is transferring
Great piece that includes comments by Sun coach Anne Donovan and UConn coach Geno Auriemma:
Transferring is the newest trend in college basketball.
What the heck:
When the upcoming season tips off, there will be 107 players from the American, ACC, Big 12, Big Ten, Pac-12 and SEC who have either transferred, left school or been forced to retire due to injury. That isn’t counting All-Americans Jewell Loyd of Notre Dame and Amanda Zahui B. of Minnesota, who each brought about a premature end to their electrifying collegiate careers to become the top two picks in the 2015 WNBA Draft.....
Some of the numbers are staggering. There are 27 players gone from the Big 12, including six from Oklahoma State, four from Kansas State and three each from Baylor, Texas Tech and West Virginia in the last year alone. A total of 23 players in the ACC have left (24 if you count Loyd). Clemson lost its top three returning scorers to Charlotte, Chattanooga and Auburn while eight other ACC programs have lost multiple players via the transfer route.
It may be time for the NCAA to change the rules.
Transferring is the newest trend in college basketball.
What the heck:
When the upcoming season tips off, there will be 107 players from the American, ACC, Big 12, Big Ten, Pac-12 and SEC who have either transferred, left school or been forced to retire due to injury. That isn’t counting All-Americans Jewell Loyd of Notre Dame and Amanda Zahui B. of Minnesota, who each brought about a premature end to their electrifying collegiate careers to become the top two picks in the 2015 WNBA Draft.....
Some of the numbers are staggering. There are 27 players gone from the Big 12, including six from Oklahoma State, four from Kansas State and three each from Baylor, Texas Tech and West Virginia in the last year alone. A total of 23 players in the ACC have left (24 if you count Loyd). Clemson lost its top three returning scorers to Charlotte, Chattanooga and Auburn while eight other ACC programs have lost multiple players via the transfer route.
It may be time for the NCAA to change the rules.
Big time wins
About last night:
The Sparks squeezed past the Shock, 98-95, in a thriller that featured a Kristi Toliver second-half explosion. The Los Angeles guard, in only her third game back from playing overseas, put up 43 points and broke Lisa Leslie's franchise single-game scoring record of 41 points.
I will have more later.......
The Lynx routed the Storm, 82-57. Maya Moore appears to be slump-less now, as she lead the way with 23 points and 11 rebounds.
Sky:
Everyone else thinks Elena Delle Donne is a star, except her.
The Sparks squeezed past the Shock, 98-95, in a thriller that featured a Kristi Toliver second-half explosion. The Los Angeles guard, in only her third game back from playing overseas, put up 43 points and broke Lisa Leslie's franchise single-game scoring record of 41 points.
I will have more later.......
The Lynx routed the Storm, 82-57. Maya Moore appears to be slump-less now, as she lead the way with 23 points and 11 rebounds.
Sky:
Everyone else thinks Elena Delle Donne is a star, except her.
Contemplating rookie stats
The top rookie performers this season don't generally correspond to the 2015 draft board.
1. Dearica Hamby, San Antonio: 10 points, 6.3 rebounds. Draft pick: 6
2. Natalie Achonwa, Indiana: 9.8 points, 4.6 rebounds. Draft pick: 9 (2014)
3. Chelsea Gray, Connecticut: 8.8 points, 1.5 rebounds. Draft pick: 11 (2014)
4. Brittany Boyd, New York: 8.2 points, 3.5 rebounds. Draft pick: 9
5. Jewell Loyd, Seattle: 8 points, 3.4 rebounds. Draft pick: 1
6. Ramu Tokashiki, Seattle: 7.3 points, 2.4 rebounds. Draft pick: International player, not drafted
7. Cayla Francis, Phoenix: 6.9 points, 4.7 rebounds. Draft pick: International player, not drafted
8. Marianna Tolo, Los Angeles: 6 points, 3.4 rebounds. Draft pick: International player, not drafted
9. Kiah Stokes, New York: 5.8 points, 6.3 rebounds. Draft pick: 11
10. Cierra Burdick, Atlanta: 5.8 points, 4 rebounds. Draft pick: 14
11. Andrea Hoover, Los Angeles: 5.3 points, 1.5 rebounds. Draft pick: 31
12. Jasmine Lister, Los Angeles: 5 points, 2.3 rebounds. Draft pick: not drafted
13. Erica Wheeler, Atlanta: 4.8 points, 1.3 rebounds. Draft pick: not drafted
14. Amanda Zahui B., Tulsa: 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds. Draft pick: 2
15. Betnijah Laney, Chicago: 4.7 points, 3 rebounds. Draft pick: 17
16. Brianna Kiesel, Tulsa: 4.3 points, .09 rebounds. Draft pick: 13
17. Ally Malott, Washington: 3.6 points, 1.3 rebounds. Draft pick: 8
18. Clarissa Dos Santos, Chicago: 3.5 points, 3.9 rebounds. Draft pick: International player, not drafted
19. Natasha Cloud, Washington: 3.3 points, 2.5 rebounds. Draft pick: 15
20. Alex Harden, Phoenix: 3.1 points, 1.9 rebounds. Draft pick: 18
The next ten spots:
21. Jennifer O'Neill - not drafted
22. Kayla Thornton - not drafted
23. Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis - draft pick 3
24. Elizabeth Williams - draft pick 4
25. Cheyenne Parker - draft pick 5
26. Jennifer Hamson - draft pick 23 (2014)
27. Samantha Logic - draft pick 10
28. Reshanda Gray - draft pick 16
29. Brittany Hrynko - draft pick 19
30. Inga Orekhova - International player, not drafted
Fascinating stuff.
What this seems to say, more than "don't believe player rankings," is that you just never know how a player's game will translate from the college to pro level. It's an unknown.
1. Dearica Hamby, San Antonio: 10 points, 6.3 rebounds. Draft pick: 6
2. Natalie Achonwa, Indiana: 9.8 points, 4.6 rebounds. Draft pick: 9 (2014)
3. Chelsea Gray, Connecticut: 8.8 points, 1.5 rebounds. Draft pick: 11 (2014)
4. Brittany Boyd, New York: 8.2 points, 3.5 rebounds. Draft pick: 9
5. Jewell Loyd, Seattle: 8 points, 3.4 rebounds. Draft pick: 1
6. Ramu Tokashiki, Seattle: 7.3 points, 2.4 rebounds. Draft pick: International player, not drafted
7. Cayla Francis, Phoenix: 6.9 points, 4.7 rebounds. Draft pick: International player, not drafted
8. Marianna Tolo, Los Angeles: 6 points, 3.4 rebounds. Draft pick: International player, not drafted
9. Kiah Stokes, New York: 5.8 points, 6.3 rebounds. Draft pick: 11
10. Cierra Burdick, Atlanta: 5.8 points, 4 rebounds. Draft pick: 14
11. Andrea Hoover, Los Angeles: 5.3 points, 1.5 rebounds. Draft pick: 31
12. Jasmine Lister, Los Angeles: 5 points, 2.3 rebounds. Draft pick: not drafted
13. Erica Wheeler, Atlanta: 4.8 points, 1.3 rebounds. Draft pick: not drafted
14. Amanda Zahui B., Tulsa: 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds. Draft pick: 2
15. Betnijah Laney, Chicago: 4.7 points, 3 rebounds. Draft pick: 17
16. Brianna Kiesel, Tulsa: 4.3 points, .09 rebounds. Draft pick: 13
17. Ally Malott, Washington: 3.6 points, 1.3 rebounds. Draft pick: 8
18. Clarissa Dos Santos, Chicago: 3.5 points, 3.9 rebounds. Draft pick: International player, not drafted
19. Natasha Cloud, Washington: 3.3 points, 2.5 rebounds. Draft pick: 15
20. Alex Harden, Phoenix: 3.1 points, 1.9 rebounds. Draft pick: 18
The next ten spots:
21. Jennifer O'Neill - not drafted
22. Kayla Thornton - not drafted
23. Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis - draft pick 3
24. Elizabeth Williams - draft pick 4
25. Cheyenne Parker - draft pick 5
26. Jennifer Hamson - draft pick 23 (2014)
27. Samantha Logic - draft pick 10
28. Reshanda Gray - draft pick 16
29. Brittany Hrynko - draft pick 19
30. Inga Orekhova - International player, not drafted
Fascinating stuff.
What this seems to say, more than "don't believe player rankings," is that you just never know how a player's game will translate from the college to pro level. It's an unknown.
Friday, July 3, 2015
Another "so much news" day
About last night:
The Mercury drubbed the injured Shock, 86-55.
Nneka Ogwumike lead the Sparks to their first win over the Stars, 86-81, with 27 points. It was Ogwumike's 25th birthday.
Right now it's halftime of the Storm at Lynx game, and later on, the Shock visit the Sparks.
Mystics:
In three quick seasons, coach Mike Thibault has turned the team around.
Storm:
The Storm may rest veteran Sue Bird more frequently.
Lynx:
The frustrations of Minnesota vets Seimone Augustus and Lindsay Whalen last week sparked a turnaround.
Mercury:
Spanish guard Marta Xargay has reported to Phoenix.
WNBA officiating:
It's been a rough first month of league play for WNBA officials.
College news:
Some Illinois parents don't believe the allegations of a group of former players who are suing the University and coach Matt Bollant.
Lia Galdeira will forego her final season at Washington State to turn pro.
Coming off a stellar freshman year, South Carolina's A'ja Wilson looks to improve.
Former Oregon guard Drea Toler has transferred to Cal State Santa Barbara.
Louisiana Tech coach Tyler Summitt will appear on ESPN Sportscenter July 11.
South Carolina assistant coach Nikki McCray-Penson was inducted into the National High School Hall of Fame last night.
Jessica Kern is Furman's new assistant coach.
Courtney Davidson is a new assistant coach at Radford.
Frontiers:
Becky Hammon will coach an NBA summer league this year, and be the first woman to do so.
USA Basketball:
The World University Games team beat Canada in a scrimmage, 68-51.
Games opening ceremony photo gallery.
The Mercury drubbed the injured Shock, 86-55.
Nneka Ogwumike lead the Sparks to their first win over the Stars, 86-81, with 27 points. It was Ogwumike's 25th birthday.
Right now it's halftime of the Storm at Lynx game, and later on, the Shock visit the Sparks.
Mystics:
In three quick seasons, coach Mike Thibault has turned the team around.
Storm:
The Storm may rest veteran Sue Bird more frequently.
Lynx:
The frustrations of Minnesota vets Seimone Augustus and Lindsay Whalen last week sparked a turnaround.
Mercury:
Spanish guard Marta Xargay has reported to Phoenix.
WNBA officiating:
It's been a rough first month of league play for WNBA officials.
College news:
Some Illinois parents don't believe the allegations of a group of former players who are suing the University and coach Matt Bollant.
Lia Galdeira will forego her final season at Washington State to turn pro.
Coming off a stellar freshman year, South Carolina's A'ja Wilson looks to improve.
Former Oregon guard Drea Toler has transferred to Cal State Santa Barbara.
Louisiana Tech coach Tyler Summitt will appear on ESPN Sportscenter July 11.
South Carolina assistant coach Nikki McCray-Penson was inducted into the National High School Hall of Fame last night.
Jessica Kern is Furman's new assistant coach.
Courtney Davidson is a new assistant coach at Radford.
Frontiers:
Becky Hammon will coach an NBA summer league this year, and be the first woman to do so.
USA Basketball:
The World University Games team beat Canada in a scrimmage, 68-51.
Games opening ceremony photo gallery.
Thursday, July 2, 2015
Two games down, two to go
So far tonight:
The Fever crushed the Mystics, 73-50.
The Sky rallied past the Sun, 77-74.
Next up tonight:
Shock at Mercury
Stars at Sparks
Mercury:
Brittney Griner is settling in and making an impact for Phoenix.
General WNBA:
Skylar Diggins' injury might have altered the Western Conference playoff race.
College teammates Alex Bentley and Maggie Lucas remain close, though they're on separate teams now.
All-Star voting:
Early returns have Elena Delle Donne, Skylar Diggins, Maya Moore and Tamika Catchings in the lead.
College news:
North Carolina coach Sylvia Hatchell's contract hasn't been extended, and supporters are upset.
Stephen F. Austin new assistant coaches are Jayci Stone and Leonard Bishop.
Safiya Grant is a new assistant coach at Western Carolina.
Florida Atlantic's new assistant coach is Richard Henderson.
Whitney Edwards is a new assistant coach at New Hampshire.
Tyler Patch has been promoted to assistant coach at Brown.
The Fever crushed the Mystics, 73-50.
The Sky rallied past the Sun, 77-74.
Next up tonight:
Shock at Mercury
Stars at Sparks
Mercury:
Brittney Griner is settling in and making an impact for Phoenix.
General WNBA:
Skylar Diggins' injury might have altered the Western Conference playoff race.
College teammates Alex Bentley and Maggie Lucas remain close, though they're on separate teams now.
All-Star voting:
Early returns have Elena Delle Donne, Skylar Diggins, Maya Moore and Tamika Catchings in the lead.
College news:
North Carolina coach Sylvia Hatchell's contract hasn't been extended, and supporters are upset.
Stephen F. Austin new assistant coaches are Jayci Stone and Leonard Bishop.
Safiya Grant is a new assistant coach at Western Carolina.
Florida Atlantic's new assistant coach is Richard Henderson.
Whitney Edwards is a new assistant coach at New Hampshire.
Tyler Patch has been promoted to assistant coach at Brown.
Wednesday, July 1, 2015
Big things poppin, episode #212
Shock
It turns out that knee injury in Sunday's game was a torn right ACL for Skylar Diggins, who will miss the rest of the season.
Sun:
Kelsey Bone will be suspended for one game without pay for a flagrant foul she committed in last night's game against Indiana.
Sky:
Elena Delle Donne is flirting with the WNBA's record of 66 consecutive foul shots. She currently has 58.
EDD is having a stand out week.
Mystics:
Stefanie Dolson is learning as she goes, with good results.
Liberty:
New York got a steal in the draft with Kiah Stokes.
Lynx:
Q&A podcast with coach Cheryl Reeve.
General WNBA:
Players in the league have shoe game.
College news:
Seven former Illinois players are suing the University, coach Matt Bollant, former coach Mike Divilbiss, the athletic director and the board of trustees. Among the allegations are that Bollant conducted racially-segregated practices. The plaintiffs seek $10 million.
Shake up at Northern Colorado: assistant coach Shalee Lehning has resigned, assistant coach Deb Patterson will be director of basketball operations, and new assistant coaches are Laurie Koehn and Austin Thoms.
Duquesne coach Dan Burt has received an undisclosed contract extension.
Ranait Griff is a new assistant coach at St. Francis-Brooklyn.
Steve Huber is a new assistant coach at Arkansas State.
Laura Terry is a new assistant coach at Texas State.
Jamie Nash has joined Monmouth as an assistant coach.
Stephanie Geehan is a new assistant coach at Fairfield.
Louisiana-Lafayette's coaching staff is complete.
USA Basketball:
Courtney Williams is proud to represent the US on the World University Games team.
Oregon State's Sydney Wiese and Ruth Hamblin are ready to compete - Wiese for the US and Hamblin for Canada.
It turns out that knee injury in Sunday's game was a torn right ACL for Skylar Diggins, who will miss the rest of the season.
Sun:
Kelsey Bone will be suspended for one game without pay for a flagrant foul she committed in last night's game against Indiana.
Sky:
Elena Delle Donne is flirting with the WNBA's record of 66 consecutive foul shots. She currently has 58.
EDD is having a stand out week.
Mystics:
Stefanie Dolson is learning as she goes, with good results.
Liberty:
New York got a steal in the draft with Kiah Stokes.
Lynx:
Q&A podcast with coach Cheryl Reeve.
General WNBA:
Players in the league have shoe game.
College news:
Seven former Illinois players are suing the University, coach Matt Bollant, former coach Mike Divilbiss, the athletic director and the board of trustees. Among the allegations are that Bollant conducted racially-segregated practices. The plaintiffs seek $10 million.
Shake up at Northern Colorado: assistant coach Shalee Lehning has resigned, assistant coach Deb Patterson will be director of basketball operations, and new assistant coaches are Laurie Koehn and Austin Thoms.
Duquesne coach Dan Burt has received an undisclosed contract extension.
Ranait Griff is a new assistant coach at St. Francis-Brooklyn.
Steve Huber is a new assistant coach at Arkansas State.
Laura Terry is a new assistant coach at Texas State.
Jamie Nash has joined Monmouth as an assistant coach.
Stephanie Geehan is a new assistant coach at Fairfield.
Louisiana-Lafayette's coaching staff is complete.
USA Basketball:
Courtney Williams is proud to represent the US on the World University Games team.
Oregon State's Sydney Wiese and Ruth Hamblin are ready to compete - Wiese for the US and Hamblin for Canada.
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