More goodies raining down

The upgraded Shock are thinking playoffs.

Tulsa is welcoming the WNBA's newest star, Skylar Diggins.

Liberty camp diaries, day one.

Fever training camp, day four.

The Mystics' Ivory Latta is changing the sneaker game.

Mystics Coach Mike Thibault after day four.

A moment with Michelle Snow.

Another moment with Drey Mingo.

Temeka Johnson will be watched as she tries to fill in for the Storm's Sue Bird.

Minnesota Lynx: the Reeve report.

The Sun have waived Andrea Smith and Anna Prins.

Kelsey Griffin has a new attitude with Connecticut, and is ready to go.

The Sun are embracing change.

Mercury training camp blog, day three.

Brittney Griner continues learning with the Mercury.

ESPN contemplates which team will win the West.

College news:

Maegan Conwright has left the University of Kentucky.

Akilah Bethel has transferred from West Virginia to LSU.

World University Games try out roster announced

Thirty-one will vie for a spot on the World University Games Team during trials, May 16-19. They are:

Danielle Ballard
Rachel Banham
Crystal Bradford
Gennifer Brandon
Cierra Burdick
Hallie Christofferson
Aaryn Ellenburg
Morgan Eye
Reshanda Gray
Sara Hammond
Cassie Harberts
Isabelle Harrison
Bria Hartley
Jordan Hooper
Brittany Hrynko
Briahanna Jackson
Betnijah Laney
Jasmine Lister
Tricia Liston
Maggie Lucas
Tyaunna Marshall
Ariel Massengale
Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis
Amber Orrange
Haley Peters
Theresa Plaisance
Shoni Schimmel
Meighan Simmons
Odyssey Sims
Bria Smith
DeNesha Stallworth

What a list!

34 invited to U19 World Championship team trials

Short notice: 34 of the nation's best under 19 players were selected today to participate in the team trials, May 16-19, in Colorado Springs. They are:

Jordan Adams
Candice Agee
Jillian Alleyne
Ameryst Alston
Shacobia Barbee
Amber Campbell
Oderah Chidom
Nia Coffey
Kendall Cooper
Rebekah Dahlman
Kaela Davis
Amber Deane
Lia Galdeira
Bashaara Graves
Gabby Green
Tiaria Griffin
Linnae Harper
Moriah Jefferson
Alexis Jones
Brittney Martin
Stephanie Mavunga
Xylina McDaniel
Sydney Moss
Kelsey Plum
Jordan Reynolds
Tyler Scaife
Ieshia Small
Breanna Stewart
Brittney Sykes
Morgan Tuck
Brianna Turner
Courtney Walker
Marqu'es Webb
A'ja Wilson

The future is bright.

A bit of news while camp is churning

Things are a wee bit quiet, but that's good this time because it means everybody's working.......

Lynx draftee Jacki Gemelos is intent on overcoming her injury past.

Gemelos shows no quit.

Kamiko Williams is graded high by the Liberty.

It's a new year and a different situation for the Fever's Erlana Larkins.

Angel Goodrich is vying for a Shock roster spot.

Rookie Kelly Faris will continue to rest her injured foot with the Sun.

Sky #2 pick Elena Delle Donne threw out the first pitch at the Chicago Cubs game this week.

Mystics training camp, day two. Mystics minute with Avery Warley.

Brittney Griner is proof that it does get better.

Griner and Mercury Coach Corey Gaines talk about the opening of training camp.

Phoenix camp day two blog.

Sure wish there was some news about Liberty, Sun, Dream and Sparks camp. The Silver Stars, Sky and Shock could speak up more too. Just sayin.......

College news:

Hannah Douglas is transferring from Butler to Florida Gulf Coast.

Oakland University will join the Horizon League in July.

Training camp round up

Training camp updates:

In Minnesota, Lindsey Moore is following Lindsay Whalen's path.

Silver Stars training camp, day one recap.

Mercury training camp blog.

Tina Thompson likes what she sees in Seattle.

Mystics minute with Monique Currie.

Other WNBA news:

My Indiana Fever season preview.

Former Stanford teammates Nicole Powell and Candice Wiggins have found their way to Tulsa.

Tanisha Wright and Camille Little will point the way for the Storm.

San Antonio's Kayla Alexander is living the dream.

Sparks general manager Penny Toler discusses the upcoming season.

A far superior Shock opened yesterday.

Maya Moore rallied the Lynx yesterday. Lindsay Whalen is set to return.

ESPN debates which team will be the most improved this year. (I agree with Tulsa, but they didn't even mention New York)

Brittney Griner is part of a mission to help all live in truth.

The rest of many training camp rosters are now headed home, as Fenerbahce beat Galatasaray yesterday for the TKBL title in Euroleague play.

Sparks open training camp

The Los Angeles Sparks opened training camp today with several still missing from their 19-player roster. Coach Carol Ross said she expected everyone to be back by the end of the week.



April Sykes makes a shot while Alana Beard waits her turn.



Draftee Brittany Chambers is interviewed for television media.



Assistant coach Sandy Brondello watches Marissa Coleman's shot go in, while coach Carol Ross looks on.



Ebony Hoffman is interviewed for television media.

Coach Carol Ross on the 19-player training camp roster:

"Anytime you have a chance to bring people into camp, you want to seize the moment. It's an 11-player roster (maximum), but you want to get a look at people and see how they compete at the highest level. You want to give them opportunity to get in front of you so they can be seen."

So you have an open mind as to who will make the roster?

"I do. They'll start separating themselves. Today is just the first day and everyone's getting back in rhythm. Some are coming out of college, some are returning from overseas....at the end of the day we're trying to speak the same language, and that's basketball."

Are there any positions/players that are guaranteed?

"I would hope so." (Laughs) "I'm not the GM."

Everybody's looking at Phoenix, but how do you see the Sparks lineup?

"Everybody's talking about really everybody but us, and that's fine. We've still got things to prove to ourselves. I don't have anybody I'd trade in. Championships aren't won by talent, though it helps to have it. But it's the intangibles that separate teams: the toughness mentally, the toughness physically, the ability to adjust styles of play, being deep enough, and you've got to be lucky. There are a lot of number one-ranked teams that don't end up being number one. On any given night, anything can happen."

"I wouldn't talk about us. We haven't proved anything - we've got to prove something. We'll have pressure, and it'll come from within. We're not defending anything; we're fighting for something."

WNBA training camp begins

Indiana Fever opening day.

The Liberty will be fun to watch this year, coach Bill Laimbeer says.

Amber Stokes is eager for her tryout with San Antonio.

Q&A with Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve.

Minnesota is focused on consistency.

Skylar Diggins and Candice Wiggins will create a speedy back court for the Shock.

Tulsa thinks Diggins is their missing piece.

College news:

Tyler Summitt is interviewing for the head coaching position at Chattanooga.

'Twas the day before WNBA training camp

Players have been migrating to their team cities the last few days. My hometown LA Sparks saw both of their two top draft picks stop by the office Wednesday.

Now tomorrow morning, it's on as training camp starts.

WNBA news:

Time hasn't changed the Lynx's "hometown girl" Janel McCarville.

Phoenix Mercury have nothing to worry about this season.

Skylar Diggins is ready to play for Tulsa.

Fever Coach Lin Dunn stresses the importance of balancing life and career.

Sky rookie Elena Delle Donne's work out.

A conversation with Shock rookie Angel Goodrich.

New players, new rules as camps open.

Seattle Storm:

This season will be a test of character for the Storm.

Seattle is where former high school stars try to make a pro roster.

Brittney Griner:

The rookie's contact with the Mercury includes a skateboarding clause.

Griner has signed a contact to play in China after WNBA season is over.

Game back on

So much to report again, hallelujah.......

WNBA:

Nnemkadi Ogwumike's team edged Tina Charles' team in the Polish Women's Professional League championships.

With Coach Mike Thibault, the Mystics have nowhere to go but up.

The Lynx are launching an "inspiring women" series.

More ink on Katie Douglas, and further press on Anne Donovan.

College news:

Tennessee Coach Holly Warlick and the women's soccer coach recommended firing strength coach Heather Mason.

San Diego State athletic director Jim Sterk is providing little insight into former coach Beth Burn's recent retirement.

Hampton has extended coach David Six's contract through 2019.

Nyla Milleson will start fresh at George Mason.

Keneisha Horn has left Alabama, and another player may leave as well.

Two current Louisville freshmen are ready to step up next year.

Ohio State forward Kalpana Beach had knee surgery yesterday to repair a torn ligament.

Oregon's Cynna Miley hopes to give a voice to young women everywhere.

Utah is traveling to Europe to play next week.

Fordham's Christina Gaskin has been invited to compete for a spot on the Great Britain Senior National Team.

A tribute to former Dartmouth coach Chris Weilgus.

College business:

The NCAA Division I Board of Directors suspended changes to recruiting communication rules, but they don't affect women's or men's basketball.

High school class of 2014:

Jatarie White of North Carolina is taking leadership skills to a new level.

Meet Kristen Simon, of Los Angeles.

Super 60.

USA Basketball:

The U16 team trials will feature 33 high school players in camp May 23-27.

Tragedy:

Veteran Detroit high school basketball coach Charles Scott was shot to death.

Four days til WNBA training camp starts

WNBA:

Indiana's Katie Douglas is testing out her injured ankle in Russia.

Swish Appeal has five major points about the Mystics off-season.

The Shock are poised to bring excitement to Tulsa.

Swin Cash will speak at tomorrow night's NAACP dinner in Pittsburgh.

College news:

Pat Summitt will continue as coach emeritus at Tennessee for another year.

Jeff House has left the WNBA's Chicago Sky, where he was an assistant, to take the same spot at Kentucky, under Matthew Mitchell.

TCU's Kamy Cole is transferring to SMU.

With their new coach's salary, Coastal Carolina is investing in women's basketball.

Jasmine Robinson has transferred from Alabama to Southeast Missouri State.

North Carolina Coach Sylvia Hatchell took a recent "thank you" tour.

Sierra Moore discusses her transfer from Duke to Penn State.

High school:

Former UCLA Bruin Michelle Greco is the new head coach at St. Bernard High School, on the West side of LA.