Wednesday, May 9, 2018

A non-game day can't stop the news from flowing

WNBA team news:

The Fever is building around three rookies.

The Sky is focusing on returning to the playoffs this year.

The absence of Sun center Jonquel Jones was felt in the team's preseason game against the Sparks.

Lynx season preview round table.

Mercury season preview.

WNBA player news:

Reigning MVP Sylvia Fowles enters the season as a dominating force once again.

Angel McCoughtry is back for the Atlanta Dream, and happy about it.

One-on-one with Chiney Ogwumike.

Look what Lynx reserve Temi Fagbenle brought back from Poland: confidence.

Natalie Butler is happy to be getting a chance with the Wings.

Catching up on transactions:

May 8, 2018

Connecticut Buss, Tyra Waived
Las Vegas Gemelos, Jacki Waived
Washington Atkinson, Tanaya Waived
Washington Moore, Tinara Waived

May 7, 2018

Indiana Hamson, Jennifer Waived

May 6, 2018

Minnesota Alleyne, Jillian Contract Signed

May 5, 2018

Los Angeles Bando, Lexi Waived
Los Angeles Lindstrom, Jessica Waived

College team news:

DePaul has won the NCAA's statistical championship for the season.

Georgia Tech is giving players the month of May off to recharge.

College player news:

Freshman forward Dani Lawson is leaving Purdue.

Kendall Spray is leaving UT Martin for Clemson.

College coach news:

Retiring Jim Foster made immeasurable contributions to women's basketball during his 40 years.

New Pitt coach Lance White has named his coaching staff.

Chris Day is LaSalle's new associate head coach.

Three ways Matt Insell gives MTSU a boost.

USA Basketball news:

Court coaches for the U18 National Team trials are Georgia's Joni Taylor and South Florida's Jose Fernandez.

Recruiting news:

Charise Wilson's commitment flip from Seton Hall to Rutgers will have ramifications for the series.

Tuesday, May 8, 2018

Rookies going off again

Today's preseason results:

The Storm got by the Mercury, 73-69. Jewell Loyd and Breanna Stewart each scored 15 points, as did rookie Jordin Canada, who also had five steals, three assists, three rebounds and one blocked shot.

The Liberty saw four in double figures in their 81-75 win over the Sparks, including 19 from rookie Kia Nurse.

This class of 2018 is perhaps the best in league history.

The Sun routed the Wings, 79-58.

No preseason games tomorrow.

WNBA team news:

The new Indiana Fever are young, happy and hungry.

Mystics season preview.

WNBA player news:

Overseas trips in the offseason helped Sun players raise their game.

Rebekkah Brunson's secret to success is veganism.

Rookie diary from the Sky's Gabby Williams.

Undrafted Ivey Slaughter is relying on her toughness to make the Aces roster.

A record four Ivy League players are trying to make WNBA teams.

WNBA front office news:

Bethany Donaphin has been named head of WNBA league operations.

Cool bonus:

Former NBA great Kevin Garnett authentically embraces female athetes on his "Area 21" show.

College player news:

Arike Ogunbowale was eliminated from the "Dancing With the Stars" competition last night.

Sabrina Haines is transferring from ASU.

Maryland transfer Aja Ellison has gone to Texas A&M.

Deja Cage and VInisha Sherrod will transfer from DePaul.

TCU transfer Mikayla Christian had landed at Nevada.

College coach news:

Chattanooga's Jim Foster is retiring after 40 years and 900 wins.

UAB coach Randy Norton has signed a five-year contract extension.

Assistant coach Mark Mitchell is leaving Ohio State.

Maryland's new assistant coach is Karen Blair.

College conference news:

Pac-12 commissioner Larry Scott is the highest paid in that position in any conference.

Monday, May 7, 2018

WNBA hires firm to develop long-term growth strategy

This sounds like what many of us have been calling for, for years:

NEW YORK, May 7, 2018 – The WNBA announced today that Sylvain Labs, an innovation and brand design consultancy, will work closely with the league to develop a long-term growth strategy and identify new marketing opportunities.

The partnership with Sylvain Labs entails a complete review of every aspect of the league to learn more about its fans and how best to engage them.

Youngsters showing out big in preseason play

Today's preseason results:

The Fever topped the Sky, 79-65. Rookies Stephanie Mavunga and Kelsey Mitchell scored 18 and eight points, respectively, while second-year guard Alexis Peterson had 17 points.

Rookie Azura Stevens scored 19 points to lead the Wings to a 76-69 win over the Liberty.

Rachel Banham's three-point shot, with .6 seconds left, lifted the Sun over the Sparks, 68-65.

This 2018 draft class might be the league's best ever.

Tomorrow's preseason schedule:

Mercury at Storm

Sparks at Liberty

Wings at Sun


WNBA team news:

Sky training camp update: trust the process.

Wings season preview.

WNBA player news:

Could there be a new MVP this year?

Breanna Stewart is tired of having a losing record with the Storm.

Sun guard Jessica January hopes to make the most of her second chance.

Kia Nurse and Azura Stevens are adjusting to professional play.

Rookie talk: three former Lady Vols to watch.

Lindsay Whalen has dived into dual jobs as a Lynx guard and a college coach.

College team news:

Spring check-in with Buffalo.

College player news:

Natalie Chou will transfer from Baylor.

College coach news:

Sandy Pugh has been named head coach at Prairie View A&M.

The contract of Utah coach Lynne Roberts has been extended through 2022-2023.

Kentucky standout Amber Smith has been hired as an assistant coach. She replaces Lin Dunn, who will be a special assistant to head coach Matthew Mitchell.

Matt Insell will be an assistant coach for his father, Rick Insell, at MTSU.

Penn State's new assistant coach is Geoff Lanier.

Lindsay Whalen has her first recruit for Minnesota.

Vermont will cough up severance pay to recently-departed coach Chris Day.

Thursday, May 3, 2018

Cuts have just begun, and it will be a long two weeks more

Transactions:

May 3, 2018

Chicago Bennett, Renee Contract Signed
Connecticut Cave, Khadijiah Waived
Connecticut Cowling, Mikayla Waived
New York Alleyne, Jilian Waived
New York Brown, Tashia Waived
New York Hollivay, Rachel Waived

May 2, 2018

Chicago Epps, Makayla Waived
Chicago Harris, Amber Waived

More WNBA news:

The league renewed its Twitter streaming partnership.

WNBA team news:

The Dream have a new focus and new energy.

Mystics training camp day four photos.

Training camp storylines.

WNBA player news:

Skylar Diggins-Smith will lead the Wings this year.

Jordin Canada is quickly finding her identity as a Storm rookie.

Leilani Mitchell has signed a two-year contract extension with the Mercury.

Morgan Tuck is enjoying elite company with the Sun.

The Australian team Canberra Capitals have signed WNBA draftee Kristy Wallace.

Lindsay Harding was part of Michelle Obama's college signing day event.

WNBA coach news:

Minnesota coach Cheryl Reeve says her team's lack of an invitation to the White House to celebrate their championship last year reflects the president's views on women.

College team news:

Utah has landed three transfers.

College player news:

Mallory McGwire is leaving Oregon - the fourth player to do so in the last month.

She's from a famous family.

Will Alexis Jennings be on South Carolina's roster next year?

Washington State transfer Taryn Shelley has landed at Montana State.

College coach news:

Armintie Herrington has been promoted to assistant coach at Mississippi.

Tiffany Jackson brings her passion and experience to Texas.

Candis Blankson has been promoted to assistant coach at DePaul.

Utah State's new assistant coach is Ashley Gill.

Dawn Staley has talked with Texas A&M transfer Danni Williams.

USA Basketball news:

Thirty-six athletes have been invited to U18 trials.

Delving into coverage of women's sports

Women coming together in sport is just a start.

"A study from 2015 indicated 75% of sports media coverage goes to pro and college football, men's basketball, and baseball. That same study indicated that less than 5% of coverage goes to all women's sports. That's it."

Here's the study.