Today's preseason result:
Lynx 74, Mystics 59
Minnesota was without Maya Moore and Washington was absent Elena Delle Donne.
Preseason games are now over.
WNBA team news:
What do the Sparks do for an encore this season?
LA could be even better this year, says Lisa Leslie.
The Sparks are marking their territory in beginning their title defense.
Chicago Sky front court analysis.
WNBA player news:
The making of Sylvia Fowles: the Lynx center isn't done growing.
Fowles is being prodded into "psycho mode" by her coach.
Diana Taurasi and basketball is a relationship not ending in Phoenix.
Sophie Brunner is in shock at being on a WNBA roster.
Today's transactions:
Lots of movement.
College player news:
Nancy Mulkey is leaving Oklahoma.
The transfers of Chelsea Dungee and Mulkey mirror a national trend.
Jenna Staiti has transferred from Maryland to Georgia.
Miami transfer Zada Williams has landed at Florida.
Annika Lai is leaving Montana State.
College coach news:
Trisha Stafford-Odom is the new head coach at North Carolina Central.
Ashley Walker is the new head coach at Mississippi Valley State.
Illinois is moving on with a new coach.
Wesley Brooks is Michigan's new assistant coach.
Monday, May 8, 2017
Sunday, May 7, 2017
Cuts are only going to get tougher
Today's preseason results:
Sun 79, Liberty 57
Mercury 72, Storm 55
Only one more preseason game left, and that's tomorrow as the Lynx visit the Mystics.
Yesterday's game stories from WomensHoopsWorld writers:
Wings take a defensive stance to close out preaseason with a win
Sparks victorious, but still missing key pieces in final preseason tune up
WNBA team news:
The Mystics will only get a partial look at their line up in tomorrow's last preseason game against the Lynx.
The Sun are 3-0 in preseason.
WNBA player news:
How NBA competition shaped this year's No. 1 pick.
Elena Delle Donne's home debut is tomorrow.
Today's transactions:
....are tough.
And they're only going to get more brutal over the next five days, as teams have to trim down to 12 by Friday. Be braced for it.
College player news:
Tori McCoy has transferred from Ohio State to Marquette.
Sun 79, Liberty 57
Mercury 72, Storm 55
Only one more preseason game left, and that's tomorrow as the Lynx visit the Mystics.
Yesterday's game stories from WomensHoopsWorld writers:
Wings take a defensive stance to close out preaseason with a win
Sparks victorious, but still missing key pieces in final preseason tune up
WNBA team news:
The Mystics will only get a partial look at their line up in tomorrow's last preseason game against the Lynx.
The Sun are 3-0 in preseason.
WNBA player news:
How NBA competition shaped this year's No. 1 pick.
Elena Delle Donne's home debut is tomorrow.
Today's transactions:
....are tough.
And they're only going to get more brutal over the next five days, as teams have to trim down to 12 by Friday. Be braced for it.
College player news:
Tori McCoy has transferred from Ohio State to Marquette.
Saturday, May 6, 2017
Sparks, Wings prevail
Today's preseason game results:
Sparks 73, Stars 59
Wings 80, Fever 75
WNBA team news:
Five reasons to watch the Lynx work this season.
WNBA player news:
Liberty guard Shoni Schimmel will sit out the 2017 season. She didn't disclose a reason except for "personal issues."
Jasmine Thomas talks about leadership.
Nneka Ogwumike, Chiney Ogwumike, Chelsea Gray and Alexis Jones have all signed with Adidas.
Today's transactions.
College team news:
What's next for Stanford? A conversation with Tara VanDerveer.
Sparks 73, Stars 59
Wings 80, Fever 75
WNBA team news:
Five reasons to watch the Lynx work this season.
WNBA player news:
Liberty guard Shoni Schimmel will sit out the 2017 season. She didn't disclose a reason except for "personal issues."
Jasmine Thomas talks about leadership.
Nneka Ogwumike, Chiney Ogwumike, Chelsea Gray and Alexis Jones have all signed with Adidas.
Today's transactions.
College team news:
What's next for Stanford? A conversation with Tara VanDerveer.
Friday, May 5, 2017
Lynx come out strong
Today's preseason result:
The opening sentence of this story sums it up, as the Lynx throttled the Dream, 113-67.
Minnesota looked at line up mixes.
Box score.
Today's transactions.
Tomorrow's game schedule:
Stars at Sparks
Fever at Wings
WNBA team news:
Lynx business is better with their move to Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul.
Liberty preseason takeaways.
WNBA player news:
First round pick Nia Coffey ready to grind in San Antonio.
Jewell Loyd's twitter suggestion gives the WNBA the exposure it deserves.
Elizabeth Williams and Layshia Clarendon are dedicated to elevating the WNBA.
Lindsay Whalen is ready to chase another title after resting in the offseason.
Leadership comes naturally to Jasmine Thomas.
Shay Murphy talks about her road back to the Mercury from injury.
Skylar Diggins-Smith says she's in the best shape of her career.
College player news:
Jaycee Coe will transfer from Western Kentucky.
Alexis Brewer is transferring from West Virginia.
Chelsey Gibson has transferred from Marquette to Troy.
College coach news:
Maryland faces uncertainty, but coach Brenda Frese is ready.
Recruiting news:
In women's basketball, a star recruit is almost never too young.
The opening sentence of this story sums it up, as the Lynx throttled the Dream, 113-67.
Minnesota looked at line up mixes.
Box score.
Today's transactions.
Tomorrow's game schedule:
Stars at Sparks
Fever at Wings
WNBA team news:
Lynx business is better with their move to Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul.
Liberty preseason takeaways.
WNBA player news:
First round pick Nia Coffey ready to grind in San Antonio.
Jewell Loyd's twitter suggestion gives the WNBA the exposure it deserves.
Elizabeth Williams and Layshia Clarendon are dedicated to elevating the WNBA.
Lindsay Whalen is ready to chase another title after resting in the offseason.
Leadership comes naturally to Jasmine Thomas.
Shay Murphy talks about her road back to the Mercury from injury.
Skylar Diggins-Smith says she's in the best shape of her career.
College player news:
Jaycee Coe will transfer from Western Kentucky.
Alexis Brewer is transferring from West Virginia.
Chelsey Gibson has transferred from Marquette to Troy.
College coach news:
Maryland faces uncertainty, but coach Brenda Frese is ready.
Recruiting news:
In women's basketball, a star recruit is almost never too young.
Thursday, May 4, 2017
Rolling through preseason
WNBA news:
It's the dawning of a new era: league's 21 season opens with many changes.
The 20 match ups that will stream on Twitter this season.
WNBA team news:
Lynx starters are rested, refreshed and ready for the new season.
Minnesota is ready to get started.
Five reason to watch the Sparks work this season.
WNBA player news:
Stefanie Dolson misses Bria Hartley and D.C. but she is content in Chicago.
Candace Parker wears jersey No. 3 because she was an Allen Iverson fan.
Kelsey Plum sprained her ankle in today's practice, and her status isn't yet known.
Renee Montgomery talks about her role off the bench for Minnesota.
Sylvia Fowles talks about her time with the Lynx.
Maya Moore discusses the importance of rest.
Temi Fagbenle has many ambitions, and one is to play for the Lynx.
WNBA coach news:
Sun coach Curt Miller is excited to get into the film room after two preseason games.
Tomorrow's preseason game schedule:
Dream at Lynx
College player news:
The NCAA has granted Marshall forward Talequia Hamilton an extra year of eligibility.
For Colorado's Haley Smith, excelling on and off the court is the true college experience.
Louisville transfer Ciera Johnson has landed at Texas A&M.
Aisia Robertson has transferred from Kansas to New Mexico.
College coach news:
Five questions with new Cal State Fullerton women’s basketball coach Jeff Harada.
Tribute to outgoing 31-year Johns Hopkins coach Nancy Funk.
It's the dawning of a new era: league's 21 season opens with many changes.
The 20 match ups that will stream on Twitter this season.
WNBA team news:
Lynx starters are rested, refreshed and ready for the new season.
Minnesota is ready to get started.
Five reason to watch the Sparks work this season.
WNBA player news:
Stefanie Dolson misses Bria Hartley and D.C. but she is content in Chicago.
Candace Parker wears jersey No. 3 because she was an Allen Iverson fan.
Kelsey Plum sprained her ankle in today's practice, and her status isn't yet known.
Renee Montgomery talks about her role off the bench for Minnesota.
Sylvia Fowles talks about her time with the Lynx.
Maya Moore discusses the importance of rest.
Temi Fagbenle has many ambitions, and one is to play for the Lynx.
WNBA coach news:
Sun coach Curt Miller is excited to get into the film room after two preseason games.
Tomorrow's preseason game schedule:
Dream at Lynx
College player news:
The NCAA has granted Marshall forward Talequia Hamilton an extra year of eligibility.
For Colorado's Haley Smith, excelling on and off the court is the true college experience.
Louisville transfer Ciera Johnson has landed at Texas A&M.
Aisia Robertson has transferred from Kansas to New Mexico.
College coach news:
Five questions with new Cal State Fullerton women’s basketball coach Jeff Harada.
Tribute to outgoing 31-year Johns Hopkins coach Nancy Funk.
Wednesday, May 3, 2017
Preseason games don't mean much, but the box scores have hints
Tonight's preseason results:
Breanna Stewart sat out for the Storm with a knee injury, but Seattle routed the Mercury, 86-64. (Phoenix didn't have Brittney Griner or Diana Taurasi, either)
Another lopsided score that's likely due to none of the Sparks starters being back yet: Sun 79, Sparks 62.
Sky 86, Liberty 75.
WNBA team news:
Dallas hopes to erase their injury-plagued first season.
The Liberty are hoping perimeter changes will help the franchise win its first title.
Off-season work is already paying off for the Lynx.
The Sun are taking stock up front as they open preseason play.
Five reasons to watch the Sky work this season.
WNBA player news:
New mom Bria Hartley is thrilled with her move to the New York Liberty.
Five post players are fighting for two spots on the Connecticut Sun.
Second-year Sun forward Jonquel Jones is primed for a breakout season.
Morgan Tuck is healthy and raring to go for Connecticut.
Mystics rookie Shatori Walker-Kimbrough was nervous for her preseason debut yesterday.
Lynx forward Plenette Pierson sustained a concussion at practice today.
Former Washington stand out Sami Whitcomb is trying to make the Storm roster.
College team news:
South Carolina has won an NCAA Public Recognition Award for academic excellence.
Vanderbilt has landed two transfers: Bree Horrocks from Vanderbilt and Mariella Fasoula of Boston College.
College coach news:
Brooke Atkinson is New Mexico State's new head coach.
Old Dominion coach Karen Barefoot is the new coach at UNC Wilmington.
Wichita State coach Keitha Adams has completed her coaching staff.
Coach Robyn Scherr-Wells is mysteriously out at Davenport.
USA Basketball:
Thirty-three invitees for the U19 team.
Breanna Stewart sat out for the Storm with a knee injury, but Seattle routed the Mercury, 86-64. (Phoenix didn't have Brittney Griner or Diana Taurasi, either)
Another lopsided score that's likely due to none of the Sparks starters being back yet: Sun 79, Sparks 62.
Sky 86, Liberty 75.
WNBA team news:
Dallas hopes to erase their injury-plagued first season.
The Liberty are hoping perimeter changes will help the franchise win its first title.
Off-season work is already paying off for the Lynx.
The Sun are taking stock up front as they open preseason play.
Five reasons to watch the Sky work this season.
WNBA player news:
New mom Bria Hartley is thrilled with her move to the New York Liberty.
Five post players are fighting for two spots on the Connecticut Sun.
Second-year Sun forward Jonquel Jones is primed for a breakout season.
Morgan Tuck is healthy and raring to go for Connecticut.
Mystics rookie Shatori Walker-Kimbrough was nervous for her preseason debut yesterday.
Lynx forward Plenette Pierson sustained a concussion at practice today.
Former Washington stand out Sami Whitcomb is trying to make the Storm roster.
College team news:
South Carolina has won an NCAA Public Recognition Award for academic excellence.
Vanderbilt has landed two transfers: Bree Horrocks from Vanderbilt and Mariella Fasoula of Boston College.
College coach news:
Brooke Atkinson is New Mexico State's new head coach.
Old Dominion coach Karen Barefoot is the new coach at UNC Wilmington.
Wichita State coach Keitha Adams has completed her coaching staff.
Coach Robyn Scherr-Wells is mysteriously out at Davenport.
USA Basketball:
Thirty-three invitees for the U19 team.
Tuesday, May 2, 2017
Preseason indicators.....and more transfers
Today's preseason results:
Elena Delle Donne looked sharp as the Mystics routed the Fever, 87-67. Box score.
The Liberty took care of the Sparks, 81-65.
The Sun pulled away from the Sky, 81-72.
WNBA team news:
Dallas hopes a new culture will build a foundation for a championship.
Liberty president Isiah Thomas has a plan to put the team over the top in their title chase.
The Sky now have their own app.
Fun, follies and stories at Lynx media day.
Minnesota is primed for another title run.
The Connecticut Sun are celebrating 15 years as a franchise.
WNBA player news:
Six Years, three Teams and six coaches later, Jasmine Thomas is home with Connecticut.
The legacy of Lynx forward Seimone Augustus is as a "humble superstar."
Augustus feels like herself again after an offseason of rest.
Maya Moore wants to make this season her best yet.
College player news:
Auburn has added Duke transfer Crystal Primm.
Parise Rossignol will rejoin UMaine.
AJ Alix from TCU has transferred to Florida State.
Emoni Jackson from Michigan and Tiffany Suarez from Fordham have transferred to Eastern Michigan.
UCF transfer Christian Hithe has landed at Charlotte.
Oklahoma guard Chelsea Dungee is transferring.
College coach news:
Tennessee coach Holly Warlick has received the state's "women of distinction" award.
New UTEP coach Kevin Baker is happy to have landed his dream job.
Angie Nelp is Arizona State's new assistant coach.
Lauren Ellis has been promoted to assistant coach at Colgate.
Elena Delle Donne looked sharp as the Mystics routed the Fever, 87-67. Box score.
The Liberty took care of the Sparks, 81-65.
The Sun pulled away from the Sky, 81-72.
WNBA team news:
Dallas hopes a new culture will build a foundation for a championship.
Liberty president Isiah Thomas has a plan to put the team over the top in their title chase.
The Sky now have their own app.
Fun, follies and stories at Lynx media day.
Minnesota is primed for another title run.
The Connecticut Sun are celebrating 15 years as a franchise.
WNBA player news:
Six Years, three Teams and six coaches later, Jasmine Thomas is home with Connecticut.
The legacy of Lynx forward Seimone Augustus is as a "humble superstar."
Augustus feels like herself again after an offseason of rest.
Maya Moore wants to make this season her best yet.
College player news:
Auburn has added Duke transfer Crystal Primm.
Parise Rossignol will rejoin UMaine.
AJ Alix from TCU has transferred to Florida State.
Emoni Jackson from Michigan and Tiffany Suarez from Fordham have transferred to Eastern Michigan.
UCF transfer Christian Hithe has landed at Charlotte.
Oklahoma guard Chelsea Dungee is transferring.
College coach news:
Tennessee coach Holly Warlick has received the state's "women of distinction" award.
New UTEP coach Kevin Baker is happy to have landed his dream job.
Angie Nelp is Arizona State's new assistant coach.
Lauren Ellis has been promoted to assistant coach at Colgate.
Monday, May 1, 2017
Comparing female athletes to male athletes, revisited
Today the WNBA unveiled their latest "Watch Me Work" promo spot, which features star NBA players proclaiming their love for the league and its athletes:
NBA stars show their love for the WNBA
This afternoon ESPN posted a story by Michelle Smith called "The pros and cons of male athletes lending support, appreciation to their female counterparts."
The problem is when appreciation of the women's game from an NBA superstar, or an NFL quarterback, is interpreted as validation for the sport. Or when a male athlete becomes a centerpiece in a women's space -- during a game broadcast, a draft telecast or a postgame interview -- so that he becomes the focus rather than a fan.
Kelsey Plum made an amazing comment:
"At first, it was so cool because people had noticed me, and James Harden noticed me, and it's great, and for that I was very appreciative," Plum said. "But it continued to go further, and I think people struggled to find a woman to compare me with, so they went to men as the default. And that's fine, but I also want to be compared with Diana Taurasi and Sue Bird and players like that. And for those comparisons to never shift over to that, it's a little disheartening. It started out as a huge compliment and then it just got redundant.
"For people to come out to watch me and expect that I'm going to be like James Harden, or any current NBA player, it's not realistic. I don't want to emulate them. That's not the goal. I want to play like me."
That last sentence - "I want to play like me" is the main reason I'm against female comparisons to male players.
This is also beautiful from Plum:
"A lot of girls grow up watching guys, and that's all they see. We watched Misty May and Kerri Walsh. Diana Taurasi was the one who always stood out for me," Plum said. "I walked up to Monique Currie at practice today and told her my dad and I used to sit on the couch and watch her play in college. It's crazy for me to be playing with her now."
Sue Bird also nails an important point:
"It is a huge disconnect," Bird said. "I was the same way when I was a young player, so I don't want to make it sound like I wasn't. Now, more so than ever, you hear stories about young players who talk about wanting to play in the WNBA since they were 10 or 11 years ago, but a large percentage of them don't follow the league. Yet they strive for it."
Cal coach Lindsay Gottlieb brings it home:
"But we also need to do a better job of promoting our stars. We want people to see that Diana Taurasi and Elena Delle Donne are great players, and not just because Kobe said so. Right now, more girls in Seattle want to be Kelsey Plum. And we've got to continue to push, to get the exposure and the branding and the media coverage."
I've made the same point as Gottlieb over the years. I've encouraged the WNBA to step up their offseason marketing efforts. The NCAA tries hard to grow the game; we all should. And both entities - especially the W - need to do a better job of putting out information and publicizing the legitimate press that they do get.
What we really need is more education about female athletes.
NBA stars show their love for the WNBA
This afternoon ESPN posted a story by Michelle Smith called "The pros and cons of male athletes lending support, appreciation to their female counterparts."
The problem is when appreciation of the women's game from an NBA superstar, or an NFL quarterback, is interpreted as validation for the sport. Or when a male athlete becomes a centerpiece in a women's space -- during a game broadcast, a draft telecast or a postgame interview -- so that he becomes the focus rather than a fan.
Kelsey Plum made an amazing comment:
"At first, it was so cool because people had noticed me, and James Harden noticed me, and it's great, and for that I was very appreciative," Plum said. "But it continued to go further, and I think people struggled to find a woman to compare me with, so they went to men as the default. And that's fine, but I also want to be compared with Diana Taurasi and Sue Bird and players like that. And for those comparisons to never shift over to that, it's a little disheartening. It started out as a huge compliment and then it just got redundant.
"For people to come out to watch me and expect that I'm going to be like James Harden, or any current NBA player, it's not realistic. I don't want to emulate them. That's not the goal. I want to play like me."
That last sentence - "I want to play like me" is the main reason I'm against female comparisons to male players.
This is also beautiful from Plum:
"A lot of girls grow up watching guys, and that's all they see. We watched Misty May and Kerri Walsh. Diana Taurasi was the one who always stood out for me," Plum said. "I walked up to Monique Currie at practice today and told her my dad and I used to sit on the couch and watch her play in college. It's crazy for me to be playing with her now."
Sue Bird also nails an important point:
"It is a huge disconnect," Bird said. "I was the same way when I was a young player, so I don't want to make it sound like I wasn't. Now, more so than ever, you hear stories about young players who talk about wanting to play in the WNBA since they were 10 or 11 years ago, but a large percentage of them don't follow the league. Yet they strive for it."
Cal coach Lindsay Gottlieb brings it home:
"But we also need to do a better job of promoting our stars. We want people to see that Diana Taurasi and Elena Delle Donne are great players, and not just because Kobe said so. Right now, more girls in Seattle want to be Kelsey Plum. And we've got to continue to push, to get the exposure and the branding and the media coverage."
I've made the same point as Gottlieb over the years. I've encouraged the WNBA to step up their offseason marketing efforts. The NCAA tries hard to grow the game; we all should. And both entities - especially the W - need to do a better job of putting out information and publicizing the legitimate press that they do get.
What we really need is more education about female athletes.
WNBA games will be streamed live on Twitter
Twenty WNBA games per season will be streamed live on Twitter for the next three years, beginning May 14.
WNBA team news:
Does this year's Storm have the depth to be contenders?
The Lynx see permanent pluses to their temporary den.
Fever training camp, week one.
Five reasons to watch the Dream work this season.
Today was the Lynx's media day.
WNBA player news:
Sky guard Jamierra Faulkner is out for the season after tearing her ACL overseas.
Mystics guard Tayler Hill was injured over the weekend.
Tina Charles is ready to lead a deep Liberty team into a new season.
Q&A with Storm forward Breanna Stewart.
Lindsay Whalen and Maya Moore say their game 5 loss to the Sparks last year was the toughest defeat ever.
DePaul rookie Jessica January is quietly making her mark at Sun training camp.
Rookie Brionna Jones is looking to catch on in Connecticut.
Australian Stephanie Talbot has arrived at Mercury training camp to replace Penny Taylor.
Q&A with Lynx forward Shao Ting.
WNBA coach news:
Liberty coach Bill Laimbeer likes what he's seen so far in camp.
Can Amber Stocks take the Sky to the next level?
Storm coach Jenny Boucek is excited to see how her team has grown, in preparation for Wednesday's preseason opener.
WNBA GM news:
Stars GM Ruth Riley sees much potential in her young team.
Former WNBA player news:
Lauren Jackson said she used to need painkillers to play the game at the end of her career.
More from Fox Sports Australia.
College player news:
Former Maryland stand out point guard Destiny Slocum has transferred to Oregon State.
Colorado transfer Makenzie Ellis has landed at SMU.
College coach news:
Dawn Staley talks about how she became a Championship-winning coach.
ODU coach Karen Barefoot is expected to take the UNC Wilmington job.
High school news:
A 15-year-old Canadian that Syracuse has their eye on can dunk.
WNBA team news:
Does this year's Storm have the depth to be contenders?
The Lynx see permanent pluses to their temporary den.
Fever training camp, week one.
Five reasons to watch the Dream work this season.
Today was the Lynx's media day.
WNBA player news:
Sky guard Jamierra Faulkner is out for the season after tearing her ACL overseas.
Mystics guard Tayler Hill was injured over the weekend.
Tina Charles is ready to lead a deep Liberty team into a new season.
Q&A with Storm forward Breanna Stewart.
Lindsay Whalen and Maya Moore say their game 5 loss to the Sparks last year was the toughest defeat ever.
DePaul rookie Jessica January is quietly making her mark at Sun training camp.
Rookie Brionna Jones is looking to catch on in Connecticut.
Australian Stephanie Talbot has arrived at Mercury training camp to replace Penny Taylor.
Q&A with Lynx forward Shao Ting.
WNBA coach news:
Liberty coach Bill Laimbeer likes what he's seen so far in camp.
Can Amber Stocks take the Sky to the next level?
Storm coach Jenny Boucek is excited to see how her team has grown, in preparation for Wednesday's preseason opener.
WNBA GM news:
Stars GM Ruth Riley sees much potential in her young team.
Former WNBA player news:
Lauren Jackson said she used to need painkillers to play the game at the end of her career.
More from Fox Sports Australia.
College player news:
Former Maryland stand out point guard Destiny Slocum has transferred to Oregon State.
Colorado transfer Makenzie Ellis has landed at SMU.
College coach news:
Dawn Staley talks about how she became a Championship-winning coach.
ODU coach Karen Barefoot is expected to take the UNC Wilmington job.
High school news:
A 15-year-old Canadian that Syracuse has their eye on can dunk.
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