It’s the Elite Eight rematch everyone will be tuning in to. The last time these teams went head to head, UConn defeated USC, 83-70, led by an epic double-double performance by PB, who was the Most Outstanding Player in the Portland 3 Regional. While the Huskies got the dub, USC’s Watkins also had a double-double of her own and has brought that same energy into this season with 30 and 40-point performances. Both SLAM cover stars are certified rockstars, too: PB has had her Huskies teammates rockin’ her Nike PEs recently while your favorite rappers have been pullin’ up to see Juju hoop since her high school days.

Don’t get it twisted though, the Huskies and Trojans aren’t just one-woman teams. They’ve got an entire squad of shooters and bucket-getters: UConn is equipped with SLAM co-cover star Azzi Fudd, sophomore Ashlynn Shade and freshman Sarah Strong, who is currently second on the team in scoring, to name a few. As for USC, transfer Kiki Iriafen is a true standout averaging close to 30 points per game, and with Kennedy Smith and Rayah Marshall are elite components of their core while averaging 25 points per game.

As for what will go down tomorrow, only time will tell. Until then, we’ve got you covered exclusive merch to cop as you cheer on your favs.

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Five-star Texas commit Aaliyah Crump is the next up in joining the lineage of basketball legends from the great state. Before even picking up a ball, Crump had a front-row seat to the greatness of the Lynx dynasty.

“I had one experience where I got to run to half court and got a ball from Maya Moore during the championship games,” Aaliyah recalls. “That really had a huge impact on me: the Lynx, Maya Moore and Lindsay Whalen.”

At just nine years old, Crump’s path was set toward success. Now, she aims to extend her winning portfolio—from a Minnesota state champion and FIBA gold medalist to a standout at the SLAM Summer Classic Vol. 6—by joining the star-studded group at Montverde Academy in pursuit of yet another championship.

“When you’re playing against the best of the best, you have to know that you’re also good, right? It’s all about having confidence and moving forward every day, even though it might be hard,” Aaliyah says.

The parallels in game play and mentality between Aaliyah and her basketball Mt. Rushmore—Maya Moore, Lindsay Whalen, Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart—are undeniable. The commonality of being strong and versatile is evident when Aaliyah steps on the court.

“I’m pretty versatile, so you have to pick and choose what you want to guard,” she explains. “I like to shoot threes and I like to get downhill, but I’m trying to become more of a threat in the paint.”

With her eyes set on Texas, a school embarking on its own path in the SEC, Aaliyah’s main goal is to impact winning in both the present and the future.

“Doing what I have to do to help my team win is the biggest thing for me,” she says. “Growing into that part of my game, being physical and bodying up, whether that’s offensively or defensively.” 

Aaliyah emphasizes that the love of the game will follow her wherever she goes.

“I feel like basketball has taken me so far in life and left me with so many opportunities, but I know it can take me even farther,” Aaliyah says. 

Beyond chasing championships or fulfilling a basketball legacy, she aims to be the best version of herself and push the future of the game. Aaliyah’s poise and humility reflect her understanding of being an impact player both on and off the court.

“You can be a player or you can be a person off the court who also is really impactful,” she says. “Whether it’s playing at the highest level or making an impact in our world today, I would like to see where the game has taken me.” 

As Aaliyah prepares to embark on her journey at Montverde Academy and beyond, it’s clear that her story is just beginning. With each game, she not only aims to uphold the legacy of Minnesota’s basketball greats, but also to carve out her own identity in the sport.

The post Meet Montverde’s Aaliyah Crump: the Versatile Guard Talks Texas and Winning Mindset appeared first on SLAM.

The 2025 WNBA season will be here before we know it, and based on these matchups, the level of competitiveness is going on another level. Speaking of matchups, teams across the W recently announced the official schedule in, arguably, the most creative way we’ve ever seen on social.

From cinematic movie scenes with Ellie to the Suspect trend, here’s a roundup of every announcement, and schedule, that was all over our feeds.

Oh, and here’s some key dates for you to remember. The official schedule can be found here.

April 14:  WNBA Draft

April 27: Training Camp Begins

May 16:  Regular Season Begins

Atlanta Dream

Despite immense cookout vibes brewing in the A, we know food isn’t the only thing cooking. Rhyne Howard, Tina Charles and the Atlanta Dream are definitely in the lab and they’re coming for more in ’25.

Chicago Sky

Suspect knows Kamilla and Angel will dominate together next season. With a new head coach and a full offseason together, expect the Sky to fly.

Connecticut Sun

With the forecast predicting sunny conditions in 2025, Connecticut fans have a reason to smile. One of the grittiest teams in the league are ready to run it back, and this time they think it’s their moment to shine.

Dallas Wings

Teaming up with THE Keith Lee for your announcement is next level. We absolutely need a Dallas food tour next starring him, Arike and, perhaps, the Wings’ future No. 1 pick…

Golden State Valkyries

What can we expect from the W’s newest team? Only time will tell, but definitely tune in to the expansion draft on December 6…

Indiana Fever

With back-to-back Rookies of the Year, Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston, and an entire squad, this Fever team is going to be as fun to watch as Pictionary with their mascots. Oh, and you already know we’re hyped about them facing off against the Sun at TD Garden.

Las Vegas Aces

The Aces have always been a fun and electric team to watch, and their social media team brought that same energy by making their own W-version of Key & Peele’s Obama Meet & Greet skit. We can’t wait to watch the U’animous MVP and her squad of All-Stars ball out this year.

Los Angeles Sparks

LA is home to some of the biggest record labels and musicians (that new Kendrick album goes crazy) and the Sparks perfectly captured that in their announcement, which was set at a record store. If they can bounce back from injuries and remain together, it’ll be music to their ears that they’re going to get after it next season.

Minnesota Lynx

Speaking of music, the Lynx’s announcement was for the culture. After having their best record in franchise history (30-10), this season will be about carrying that momentum into the new year.

New York Liberty

The Libs said, Oh we’re doing season announcements? Bet, let’s make a MOVIE.

After bringing their first-ever championship to the Mecca, all eyes will be on the Liberty to run it back and dominate next year. With a stacked roster, we know they’ll show out. No lies detected…

Phoenix Mercury

Remember when you’d go to take family portraits at the department store? Well, the Mercury brought back a timeless tradition and delivered these hilarious photos with Tasha, Kah and Sophie.

With looming uncertainty surrounding Diana Taurasi’s retirement, it’s unclear what the future will hold yet for next year’s roster, but still, remaining together will be key.

Seattle Storm

With a roster full of young talent that show out on the court and in the tunnel, the Storm are looking to make next season a movie. Get the popcorn ready…

Washington Mystics

It’s giving music video. The Mystics are ready to hold their own, and with talent like Ariel Atkins and Aaliyah Edwards, the District is bound to turn up on the hardwood next season.

The post 2025 WNBA Season Schedules: Every (Hilarious) Announcement From Each Team appeared first on SLAM.

Twin, where have you been? The Pauldo twins are breaking new ground as they become everyone’s favorite duo on and off the court. New Jersey’s very own Mia and Mya Pauldo have made a name for themselves nationwide, holding two spots in the top-50 rankings for the Class of 2025 and both committing to carry on the Lady Vols’ legacy starting next year.

As one of the toughest backcourts in the country, Mia’s playmaking skills and Mya’s command of the floor showcase their grit and determination. Together, they’ve etched their names in New Jersey hoop history.

Playing together is like “having two killers with you, because we’re both tough,” Mia says.

“She’s my best friend,” says Mya. “We do everything together, tell each other everything. Our bond is so close, and that translates to the court.”

Winning has always been a top priority for the twins, whether it’s state championships, Player of the Year awards or any game they compete in. While All-Star Games might split them up, their focus remains clear: to play hard for the name on the back of their jerseys.

“We want to see each other shine,” Mia says. “That’s my mindset. I’m cheering for her even if she’s on the other team.”

Minutes before the SLAM Summer Classic Vol. 6, the twins were asked to send messages to each other. Almost in unison, they encouraged each other to “handle business and get the dub.”

The SLAM Summer Classic was a key goal for their senior year, with the hopes of also being invited to the McDonald’s All-American Game and Jordan Brand Classic next spring.

Their sisterhood will extend to Tennessee next season, and hopefully the WNBA beyond that. What truly stood out during our time with the twins was their composure and affection for each other, but also their commitment to giving back to their family and community.

“We have to keep going,” Mya says. “Keep hustling, because we’re doing something right. We need to continue because people are watching us and looking up to us.”

“You always have to hold yourself to a higher standard and be respectful, knowing everyone is watching,” Mya adds.

With eyes on the sisters, how will they continue to build on their legacy? Young Mia and Mya initially set their sights on playing overseas, but now, with the WNBA closer than ever, their goal has evolved to make history as the first twins to play in the League simultaneously.

“We want to grow the game in this country,” Mya says. “We want more teams, better pay and more eyes set on women’s basketball.”

Being the first wouldn’t come as a shock. “That’s our life; we’re trendsetters,” Mia says. “We want to be the first to do it in our era.”

When asked what message they’d give their future selves as they look back on SLAM 252, Mia replies, “Always be inspired by something.” Mya adds, “Take a moment to learn something new every day.”

What more could one ask for than having your twin by your side to inspire and learn from every day?

Portraits by Marcus Stevens.

The post Two Good: Twins Mya and Mia Pauldo Are Ready to Make History as the Next Generation of Tennessee’s Backcourt appeared first on SLAM.

These are just some of the WNBA players who have had impressive, eye-opening rookie seasons.

Add to that list Caitlin Clark, the No. 1 pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft.

Not since Parker—who went on to be the first and only player to win both Rookie of the Year and MVP in the same season—has a rookie impacted the League and everyone and everything around it as much as Clark.

Call it the Caitlin Clark Effect.

SLAM 252 featuring Caitlin Clark is available now.

Record-breaking performances. Game sell-outs across the country. Fans packing up and traveling wherever she goes. More eyeballs than ever on the W. Clark has been the talk of the W.

But there’s a flip side to it, too. Heated arguments and debates on sports talk shows and across social media are nonstop, all about Clark and her effect on the League. Is she getting too much press? Is she being painted as the WNBA savior when there are other players who have been here holding up the League for so long? Depends on who you ask—and the time of day you ask.

One could argue that never has so much pressure been put on a player coming into the League. Expectations were high from the jump, even while Clark was still in college at Iowa. There, she set the NCAA Division I scoring record with 3,951 total points. A lightning quick point guard with fast hands, she also became the Big Ten’s all-time assist leader (1,144) and hit the most three- pointers in a single season with 201. So, coming into the League, all eyes were expectedly on her.

But, ironically, Clark has not said much about the hype and fanfare surrounding her first season in the W. She appears to have chosen, instead, to just play her game and seemingly be content with breaking record after record after record and helping her Indiana Fever team do the same. All the while, she is assisting in a brand of excitement for women’s basketball, the likes of which haven’t been seen in a while.

The list of WNBA records broken by Clark is long and exhaustive. There are almost too many to name. They include setting the WNBA single-game assist record (19) against the Dallas Wings, recording the first triple-double for a rookie in WNBA history against the New York Liberty, and breaking the record for most assists in a season by a rookie.

You can’t leave out tying the rookie single-game three-pointers record—Clark made seven of those early in the season in the Fever’s game against the Washington Mystics. Other records include 21 games with at least 15 points and 5 assists, the most ever in a single WNBA season, and becoming the first rookie in WNBA history to record 400 points, 100 rebounds and 150 assists in a season.

Clark was also named to the WNBA All-Star Game in July and finished with 10 assists, the most by a rookie in the prestigious game’s history.

This unbelievable rookie season has also included a not-so-great statistic: She recorded the most turnovers in a debut game in WNBA history, with 10 in the Fever’s opener against the Connecticut Sun. She also has the most turnovers in a single season by any player in WNBA history. There’s definitely work to be done in that department, but overall, the Caitlin Clark Effect can’t be denied.

And it has extended beyond just her individual game.

The Fever clinched its first playoff spot since 2016 and currently sit at No. 6 as we head to print. In addition, the WNBA announced that the 2025 All-Star Game will take place in Indianapolis. The 21st WNBA All-Star Game, set for Saturday, July 19, 2025, marks the first time that Indy will host the League’s midseason showcase.

The Fever—already on an upward trajectory after last year’s acquisition of No. 1 pick Aliyah Boston, along with Kelsey Mitchell, Lexie Hull and NaLyssa Smith—have soared to new heights with the addition of Clark. This starting five earned a playoff spot after going on a hot streak following the Olympic break, rattling off seven wins in eight games. Collectively, they have transformed into a team whose ceiling keeps rising.

Hot shooting from Hull has landed her in first place in the League in three-point percentage (49.2 percent). Mitchell, who has been on her own personal tear this summer, is fifth in three-pointers made this season (96) and ninth in points per game. Clark is the assists leader, averaging 8.5 per game and is first in the League in three-pointers made at 111. Boston is fifth in field-goal percentage (52.8 percent) and eighth in blocks per game (1.3).

In August, the Fever led the entire League in scoring (89.7 ppg) and hit a season-best 100 points in a win against the Chicago Sky on August 30. Indiana also knocked down the most three-point field goals in the month with 72.

On August 16, the Fever beat the Phoenix Mercury 98-89, marking the first time since the 2015 regular season that Indiana has swept its regular-season series with Phoenix. Less than two weeks later, Indiana toppled the Sun, 84-80, for the first time since 2021.

The team’s success has also extended to its coach, Christie Sides, who formally entered the Coach of the Year chat and was named WNBA Coach of the Month for August after guiding the Fever to a 5-1 record. Sides is the first head coach in franchise history to earn the honor.

Clark has racked up accolades League-wide as well. In August, she was named both WNBA Eastern Conference Player of the Month and WNBA Rookie of the Month. It was the third time she earned Rookie of the Month honors, having also received the recognition in May and July, while marking the first time she was named Player of the Month. She was recently recognized as the WNBA Eastern Conference Player of the Week for the second time in her young career, and she also leads her rookie class in scoring, assists, steals, free-throw shooting and minutes played. And on September 13, she broke the WNBA’s all-time assists record, previously held by the legendary Ticha Penicheiro.

The player many call the female Stephen Curry has been under the microscope since before she entered the League, and the heat has been turned up all season long. Whether you agree or not, whether you’re a fan or not, Clark has dealt with the pressure, lived up to the expectations (even exceeded them in many ways) and has cemented her name in the sport after only one year as a pro.

The Caitlin Clark experience has only just begun but it’s already in full effect

Buckle up.

Photos via Getty Images.

The post Simply Undeniable: Caitlin Clark Covers SLAM 252 appeared first on SLAM.

But even amidst all of that success, the hometown standout couldn’t shake the perception that the fire that she exudes on the hardwood—the physicality, the celly’s after big-time plays, the hair flips—are intentionally petty acts by a “dirty player.” When the Tigers faced off against South Carolina during the 2017-18 season, fans booed her any time she got the rock. And then, in the second quarter, a scuffle ensued at the top of the key between the Gamecocks and the Tigers, causing a surge of backlash surrounding the Tigers, and Cunningham specifically. 

“For me, I don’t listen to all that noise,” she tells us over Zoom in June. “I got that stuff in college, too. We beat South Carolina multiple years in a row and all of a sudden I’m the dirty player and it’s like, Nah, I’m just out working. I’m working y’all’s ass, you know what I mean?

But I can’t really say that. I’ve been used to it but I just know that I have a very tight circle. I lean on them quite a bit…For me, I just want to be the best teammate, I wanna be the best competitor [and] I wanna do whatever it takes for my team to win and all that other noise can just be squashed.” 

That was six years ago, but throughout her career in the WNBA, Cunningham has still had to deal with the noise that this is who she is, even off the court. There’s been many, many instances of that happening throughout her career, the most famous of which being what went down between her and then-Sky star Kahleah Copper during Game 4 of the 2021 WNBA Finals. Everyone was talking (and tweeting) about the controversial moment. 

But back in 2022, Copper assured us moments like that are all part of what happens when competitive athletes go at it. Some even assumed they had beef, which Kah squashed. “They expect us to be all good and happy and shit, like, that’s not how it goes,” she told us for the cover of SLAM 236. “We are the best at what we do. We are super competitive.” 

When we asked Cunningham recently about how she’s dealt with these narratives about her, she echoed that same sentiment. “Thank you for asking that question because I think that people see me and it’s so funny that any time I get a new teammate that maybe, like, they’re competitive, we kind of go at it. They’re like, Oh, you’re actually like, really nice and fun to be around. I’m like, duh. Why can’t I be competitive on the court and why can’t we all hang out after? I want to change that narrative for females that it’s OK to compete, it’s OK to play physical. It’s ok to go out there, work hard and sweat and then still be a nice human and a different person off the court, too. Like, we’re not going against high school[ers] or anything like that. These are the best people in the world, so you gotta bring it right.

I think for me when Kah came in, I didn’t think two things of it. I was just so happy that we were getting another badass player on our team that’s gonna help us win a championship here soon. For me, I don’t listen to all that noise.” 

It’s what Cunningham brings to the team that’s allowed her to solidify her role on the Mercury, whether she’s been starting, or as is the case this season, mainly coming off the bench. It has earned her praise from legends like teammate Diana Taurasi, who once described Cunningham to the New York Times as someone who likes to “muck it up.” 

“Whenever Sophie plays, the level of the game goes up. And you know, she’s done that consistently every year she’s been on our team. And that’s why she’s so important to what we do,” DT said, per The Next in 2022. Years prior, she gave Cunningham advice about remaining true to herself, too. “You’ve been playing this game ever since you were a kid,” Cunningham once recalled Taurasi telling her. “You know how to play. I have seen you. You know how to play, so just go out there and have fun.”

During the 2022 season, Cunningham dropped a career-high 23 points against the Liberty as a starter in July, and then a few days later, followed it up with a 36-point performance against the Lynx, along with seven boards and five steals, a historic stat line that made her only the second player in WNBA history to do so. The other? Cynthia Cooper in ‘97. Whether she’s dropping buckets, knocking down shots, or dishing out dimes—like she did in her win against the Storm— her ability to adapt to whatever the team needs makes her a key component. 

And as the WNBA continues to grow, and new fans tune in to watch not just the Mercury, but across the League, there’s a sentiment that moments of competitiveness are personal, or that vets are targeting and/or jealous of the rookies. Cunningham kept it real about all of this, and in an exclusive interview, we chopped it up with the star about conversations surrounding Caitlin Clark, her own career thus far, and her interests off the court as an analyst for the Suns, showing out in the tunnel and more. 

WSLAM: Hey Sophie! How do you feel like the season is going so far? What was your mindset going into it?

Sophie Cunningham: You know, since I’ve been in Phoenix, I’ve been here going on my sixth year, it has been a roller coaster. I’m someone who’s gonna shoot it straight that, like, it has not been the most fun years. I didn’t know if I was gonna go to a different team a couple of those years just because it’s just like so much drama was just going on. And so, when we got this new ownership, we got a whole new front office, we got a whole new coaching staff who are absolutely just phenomenal people and they do things the right way and they’re all about making sure us women have the same things as our brothers on the Suns do.

I just love their approach to everything and when I saw, the roster that we got, I was like, All right, we’re gonna be legit this year. With that sometimes people’s egos get hit a little bit—I have been starting the past two or three years, but I knew that I’m gonna have four or five Olympians on our team. So I’m like, you know what, I’m here to win, I’m here to compete. I’m hopeful to be an Olympian one day, maybe the 3×3 team. So, why would I not want to surround myself with people who have been where I wanna go? So, for me, my role does look a little different. I’m coming off the bench this year, but when I tell you, it is just so much fun to be on this team.

It has been like the best experience and everyone’s just genuinely, really good people.

WSLAM: What’s the vibe and energy of the team?

SC: Oh my God, we have so much energy. We have a lot of personalities [and] everyone’s just goofy. I know that we play basketball, but when I say that we laugh 24/7, [it] probably sounds like too much sometimes because like, hey, I’ll need to like dial it in a little bit. It’s fun though because we do compete at such a high level, but right when the ball stops, we’re all just like goofing around having a good time.

WSLAM: From your perspective, how has your game evolved over the years and what have you learned? 

SC: I think there’s a lot of talk about our League right now, which I absolutely love…I think we have a lot of eyes and attention on our League, and I’m just happy to be a part of it during this time. I think the high school, college jump is massive, but the college to the pros is even 20 times more that. So, I think the first couple of years, you kind of have to find your feet. There’s some people who can go into the League and they have the green light right away and the balls in their hand 24/7. You see them kind of take off a lot sooner, whereas [for me], I was DT’s sub for the majority of my career. I finally worked my way into the starting lineup about two or three years ago, so [I] definitely was very persistent, was a lot of ups and downs. It was a mind game at some points. 

For me, I just had to make sure I stayed ready and honestly, I learned that from DT. She’s the ultimate pro, she’s the GOAT of our game. Just the way that she goes about her everyday activity to become better each day and sometimes that’s not doing anything and it’s a mental day. I think I’ve really truly have learned from the very best. And, for me, I’m seeing [in] my career that the more I stack the days the better I become.

WSLAM: You’re a player that people have talked about for a while in terms of being super physical. For new fans, there’s a misconception that that style of play is very specific and targeting one person. What’s your perspective on that?

SC: You kind of hit it on the head because to be honest, I think that there are a lot of new eyes, but with that, there’s a lot of people who are uneducated about our League.

You see a lot of people in the public eye on the men’s side kind of having Caitlin Clark’s back, too, which is kind of surprising just because they know how physical our game has always been. But when I tell you that the narrative that we’re all against Caitlin or the vets against the rookies that needs to be squashed because it’s not like that. I promise you, it’s not like that. I’ve had my jaw broken, I’ve broken a finger, I’ve broken my nose. Everyone has stories of how physical this League really is and I think that is the main jump that people don’t understand.

It’s like, her skill level will come, everything else will come; the rookies in general. But it’s the physicality that people really have to get used to. And so for me, I don’t think anyone’s being targeted. If anything, I think we need to give her a little bit of grace sometimes because she has a lot on her plate and a lot of eyes on her. But with that, I think this is gonna be really good for her. She’s gonna be great. I think the rookie class is gonna be phenomenal for our League once they get that physicality thing kind of worked out. It takes a little bit of time [but] they’re gonna be just fine. 

For me, I’ve always been a physical player. Coming into the League, I was actually a little bit surprised of how physical it was because I thought I was physical. But when I tell you, it doesn’t matter how big, how tall you are, everyone is strong and physical in this League and you better bring it otherwise it’s gonna look maybe bad.

WSLAM: Speaking of physicality, what has it been like teaming up with someone as competitive as Kah? Is this the first time that you guys have really been around each other?

SC: Yeah, it’s definitely like the first time that we’ve been around [each other]. We’ve always competed and I think that any time you put people who compete at that level and kind of have that dog and that, that kind of like shit about him a little bit that it’s gonna be kind of interesting to see how they actually team up.

But when I say it’s me, Kah, DT. You have [Natasha] Cloud. All four of us, we have a little bit of something to us and so to actually put all of us on the same team, it’s been so fun because now we just hype each other up. I feel bad for teams like they haven’t even seen the best of us yet. Kah’s been killing it. She has absolutely been killing it. She’s a dog and I’m just happy that she’s on my team to be honest.

WSLAM: You’re just as outspoken off the court, too. But you’ve also been showing out in the tunnel this year. Can you talk about your sense of style?

SC: You know what? To be honest, I do love fashion but I kind of want to keep it simple, too. The fashion fashion, it’s not my vibe. I think I just wouldn’t look good in it. I think the reason why we’re bringing the tunnel fits this year—it’s been a work in the process. I also think the more money you get, the more you’re able to do what you want, too—[but it] being Year 6 and just last year, they were getting better.

But this year I wanted them to be really good because – the amount of eyes. I’m telling you, the marketing, it is the best time to be in the W right now. And so why would you not kind of show out a little bit in those fashion fits?

WSLAM: We’re here for it! You’re also really into broadcasting as well. Can you talk more about how you got into that and what it’s like showcasing your personality and interests outside of the game?

SC: I have a lot of passions and a lot of loves outside of basketball. I think that’s how I’m able to enjoy basketball still because I have that balance. I don’t go overseas, I make it up in marketing money through endorsements. And then, I was just blessed with a great opportunity that the Suns needed a broadcaster. I’ve never really done it in my life. I’ve always been on the other side of the camera, but I’m like, I could talk to all for 10 hours. This can’t be that hard. And so, I actually ended up doing it two years ago and that was more just in-studio, pre, half and post game, interviewing some of the guys and I really loved it. It’s a lot harder than it looks, too. When I watch games now I’m listening to the broadcaster.

I’m trying to learn this year [and] I got to do in-studio and color commentating and I just fell in love with it. To watch these guys perform at the level they do [and] to see the game kind of break down and be simplified, but also so complicated at the same time. It was just fascinating to me.

I got to kind of become really close with our owner and our CFO and so I’ve gotten to actually learn the business side of sport, too. I’m turning into a nerd. I’ve never been a nerd…but I’ve really found it fascinating this past year.

I would love to get into broadcasting [when] I’m done. But then again, I would love to be an island girl somehow and get paid for that. I don’t even know what I want to do with my life [laughs]. So, we’ll see.

Photos via Getty Images.

The post Mercury’s Sophie Cunningham Keeps it Real About Narratives, Competitiveness and Caitlin Clark appeared first on SLAM.

The epic showdown drew 18.9 million views, making it the most watched basketball game since 2019. The world saw not only how undeniably dominate the Gamecocks are, and have always been, but got a glimpse at just what to expect from the future of the game: with a talented roster that included a future first-round WNBA draft pick in Kamilla Cardoso, they were also equipped with a core group of freshman and sophomores, including Johnson, MiLaysia Fulwiley, Raven Johnson and Chloe Kitts, they could’ve easily faltered under the pressure. As Staley told us for the cover of SLAM 250, rather than having “balked” for minutes or playing time, they carried themselves with grace, were guided by veteran leadership and showed up every game with a can’t-lose mentality that, eventually, became a reality.

“It got harder every level in the competition,” Johnson told us in May, just a month after the title game. “We played Texas A&M twice, probably, and in the regular season, compared to in the SEC tournament,  that was a whole different team. So just, the competition, and the fact that everyone was either winning or done—I think the level of competition grew a lot it was way more physical. You had to be on your A game. The preparation is key and I think our coaches did a good job of mentally preparing us as well as physically preparing us. And also, the leaders on my team, the older people, they told us what to kind of expect. MiLaysia [and I], they told us just to play our game, forget the big stage or whatever.”

As the entire world watch Staley’s squad power their way through the NCAA tournament, the National Championship was the pinnacle of must-see TV. And when the lights were the brightest, Johnson, who played the most minutes (25) for a freshman, shined like the star that she is and led her squad with a career-high 19 points off the bench. To say that she was clutch would be an understatement, Johnson was pure perfection whenever the moment called upon her, which was quite often. In the second, she was out there knocking down silky-smooth midrange jumpers and finishing at the rim with ease, and by the third, she was dishing dimes to teammates like Bree Hall and hitting clutch threes that had everyone in Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on their feet.

Not only was she the most efficient on the floor, shooting 63 perfect from the field, but she was absolutely fearless.

Fearless is a word the Minnesota-native resonates with on an even deeper, spiritual level.

“Before the games, I pray because I play for God out there. Besides the fact that I play for South Carolina, my family and my teammates, I really play for God. I represent Him on the court and so I pray to just ease my mind, give me peace, and I pray for the other team, [too]. [For] no injuries and stuff like that. That calms me down when I get on the court. I was also thinking of the word fearless, because, when I was younger, I would play fearless. [I’d think], Why am I afraid to make mistakes? Like, everyone’s gonna make mistakes out there on the court.”

It’s a pregame practice that Johnson’s always had as part of her routine: during warm ups, she sits in the fourth chair from the end. The number four is a symbolic one for her: a four-star recruit, Johnson wore No. 4 throughout her high school career as a star at St. Michael-Albertville. It also reminds her of her sister, Rae, who rocked it as her jersey number while hoopin’ at Iowa State, and in the Bible, the number also represents the creative work of God, specifically in creating all of life in a four-day span.

“I just prayed [for] what I felt in my heart,” Johnson adds. “If I remember correctly, I was praying for guidance, for peace [and] for strength on the court.”

All season long, Johnson says her mindset was to just trust the process, especially given that she was new to the team and felt that she had a lot to learn in terms of comfortability on the hardwood. “I’m a beginner, I’m not as comfortable on the court, I haven’t played with them before, so just trust the process, trust my coaches, and trust myself out there. Because, at the end of the day, like I’ve worked, I don’t know how long, I don’t know how many years, but I’ve worked for it, and just to trust myself out there, and have confidence out there.”

Then there’s the trust that Staley had in her. Revered for being a “player’s coach,” Staley has credited her coaching style as wanting to be a “dream merchant” for young people. What she saw from Johnson, and others on the team, was just that: an unwavering confidence and willingness to learn and be guided. “Tessa [Johnson could’ve been like], I could play with the best of them. Let me get some of Breezy’s time. Let me get some of Raven’s time. [But] they didn’t,” she told WSLAM. “Actually, the youngsters just allowed the older players to guide them to the point where they were so confident entering the basketball game that they knew that they were going to make an impact.”

It’s that type of support that drew Johnson to South Carolina in the first place. Growing up, Johnson was always ultra competitive—her mom, Danielle, who was us in our office when Johnson stopped by for a photoshoot—admits that she’s always had a yearning to be the best.

“You always wanted to be a dawg,” she chimes in and says to Tessa during our interview. “The best at whatever they were doing. When you worked hard, you wanted to be the first one done with something. You wanted your journaling at school to be better than the other kids. Not in a bad way, but just that she wanted to always do her best.”

Despite having a bubbly, upbeat personality, plus a sense of humor that’s unmatched (go watch our latest video with her, the 6-0 guard is so charismatic on camera, she absolutely needs her own television show one day), Johnson’s ability to tap into that level of competitiveness whenever she’s on the court is part of what makes her a star on the hardwood. “I didn’t care what it was, I just wanted to do better than them. And then, after doing it, another competitive piece of me is, I want to do better than what I just did. So, like, always getting better every day is what motivates me.”

Johnson saw herself being able elevate her game to that level in Columbia. After averaging 6.6 points in her first year, she’s now focused on not just elevating her game physically this summer, but is even more focused on her mental health. It’s always served as a key component of her breakout success, even dating back to high school when she missed her sophomore season due a broken leg injury. Johnson returned as a junior and helped her team emerge as runner-up to the state title, and by her senior year, she led her squad to its first state title since ‘09, dropping a double-double in the championship game. “I feel more like, powerful out there because I went through that and I’m back now,” she told Kare11 News in 2022.

Even as an NCAA champion, Johnson feels like she can approve her mental approach even more. “Yes, I need to work on all my physical stuff and just my skills and fundamentals but I think basketball is a very mental game,” she says. “Me being able to overcome all my mistakes and just having a growth mindset and being able to listen to whoever’s trying to help me. I think that’s what I need to get better at.”

How exactly does she plan on going about that? “That’s a good question. Getting deeper into my faith,” she explains. “I think that always helps and that’s what I do every day. I try to build a better relationship with God. But, going about it, I think I just need to always take moments out of my day and just reflect on myself  and think of what I need to do better and what I have overcome in general because you have to think positive. I know for me sometimes that’s hard because I have such high expectations for myself. And so when I don’t reach it, I’m like, I just get a little negative with myself. Like, the fact that I want to be better than my yesterday self. That helps me.”

As for how life’s been since winning the ‘chip, Johnson admits she’s still processing. It was a legendary moment, one that’ll go down in not just women’s basketball—but all of college hoops—history, but that doesn’t mean that the grind is over. As the Gamecocks look to embark on the “Repeat Tour” for the 2024-25 season and run it back, they’ll have to bring that same energy and then some.

“[The recognition], it’s good, but then I’m thinking of next season because that’s what we have to do,” she says. “We can take all the moments and enjoy the moments. But now, we’re on to summer. And school is over, so we’re thinking of next season, just working out and getting better because teams are going to scout us harder and play us tighter. [They’ll] know more of the little things that we do. So, that’s kind of the mindset.”

Photos via Getty Images. Portraits by Evan Bernstein.

The post The Emergence of Tessa Johnson: South Carolina Star Reflects on Winning the Title, Mental Approach and Being Guided by Faith appeared first on SLAM.

As a new pro, the former Utah star has continued to put her community, and heritage, at the forefront. From her very first arrival to the W—draft night, which was held back in April— Pili wore an elegant, custom gown from the brand AUTHMADE STADIUM, which was founded by Jason Vu in 2017. The brand has continued to redefine the intersection of fashion apparel and sports, and has created custom pieces for high-profile clients across hoops and entertainment, including Bad Bunny, Jayson Tatum and collaborations with NBA teams like the Sacramento Kings and Brooklyn Nets.

AUTHMADE STADIUM primarily focuses on streetwear, making the creation of the gown a first for Vu. And yet, he’s not one to shy away from a challenge, especially not one that includes weaving together elements of storytelling, purpose, and celebrating AAPI communities, into his work. Vu started the process by getting to know Pili personally through texts, Zoom sessions, and sharing inspiration pics and sketches, all while hearing more about her story and her connection to her roots.

“Being a Vietnamese immigrant of AAPI descent and just being in an industry where more representation is needed as a designer, I think the story compels me,” Vu told WSLAM.

For the draft, Pili specifically wanted to wear a piece that represented who she was and where she came from, and Vu’s attention to detail is what was key in creating a look that complimented Pili’s personal style.

“Having that tribal print incorporated into the look was something that was extremely important to Alissa. She also wanted to showcase her tribal tattoos that are on both her right leg and left shoulder so incorporating a slit and drop shoulder into the look helped compliment her body and accentuate her tattoos,” he says.

For Pili, the final product was perfect: “My dress for the WNBA draft was a representation of my Polynesian culture,” Pili says. “I wanted to incorporate where I come from, with pride, and designer Jason Vu did an amazing job taking my vision and creating a beautiful masterpiece.” 

Her draft night look was also the perfect introduction for W fans to get to know the rookie on a deeper level, all while paying homage to her community, family and upbringing. When asked what was most fulfilling, Vu echoes that exact sentiment. “[It was fulfilling] to be able to make a dress that not only she was proud of, but her family, her community in Alaska, and, the whole Polynesian community that follows her,” he says. 

For AUTHMADE STADIUM, this is just the beginning. The brand just launched a new collection in collaboration with the WNBA and the NBA, “So I Can Dream.”

Photo credit: On Time Agency & Minnesota Lynx, Jake Soriano.

The post How Alissa Pili and Jason Vu Teamed Up to Put the API Community at the Forefront of the Lynx Rookie’s WNBA Draft Night Look appeared first on SLAM.

The game is growing at an exceptional rate and sneaker brands like Nike and Jordan Brand have certainly taken note. Athlete rosters have rapidly expanded and multi-million dollar endorsement deals have been reached. The ladies are now the first to debut premier basketball silhouettes like Jordan NIL athlete and UCLA point guard Kiki Rice, who unveiled the Air Jordan 38 during the 2022 Sweet Sixteen. Signature shoes have returned, with Sabrina Ionescu becoming the eighth women’s signature athlete in the brand’s history, and 30th all-time. 

Just this month, A’ja Wilson and Nike revealed that they’ve been working on her first signature –the A’One–for the past year, making her the first Black women to have a signature with the brand since the Nike Air Swoopes I. 

As we celebrate the start of the 2024 WNBA season, let’s take a collective trip back through the Nike archives and celebrate the pioneers of today, and yesterday, who laid out the blueprint.

THE PAST

THE PRESENT

The post Legends of the WNBA Have Always Made Sneaker History  appeared first on SLAM.

So the brands adapted. With an impeccable roster headlined by Sue Bird, Diana Taurasi and Jewell Loyd, Nike began releasing their player’s exclusive colorways to the public. 

Bird and Loyd, each known for their affinity with Kyrie Irving’s former Nike signature shoes, received a number of colorways in the marketplace, with Bird headlining the “Keep Sue Fresh” collection that spanned from the Kyrie 4 Low to the Kyrie Infinity. 

Out in Phoenix, DT began repping ‘Bron’s signature series, from the LeBron 9 and LeBron X to the LeBron 19—she even had compiled an extensive Mercury-colored collection of LeBron PEs, including the LeBron 18 “La Cabra”—which translates to the GOAT in Spanish.

In Washington, six-time All-Star Elena Delle Donne was paying homage with her PE rotation, dawning a Swoopes I-inspired colorway of the Nike Hyperdunk 2017 alongside a steady influx of KD 12s. But at the tail end of the 2019 season, Delle Donne flipped the script, electing to wear a lace-less model, the Nike Air Zoom UNVRS. Constructed around the brand’s newest technology, Flyease provided wearers with a hands-free, easy-access design geared toward those with disabilities. The latter would serve as a three year-long smoke signal of what was to come. 

In October of 2022, Nike and Elena Delle Donne officially released the Nike Air Deldon. While the high-top model wasn’t specifically marketed as a signature offering, the silhouette was as close to one as you could get. Built with Flyease technology at its foundation, the Air Deldon was inspired by the two-time MVP’s younger sister Lizzie, who is disabled. The model represented several aspects of Delle Donne’s personal journey, detailing her battle with Lyme disease on one colorway while joining Nike’s BE TRUE initiative that heralds the LGBTQIA+ community with a rainbow-treated installment.  

Then there’s Sabrina Ionescu. Before the legend of Caitlin Clark arose, Ionescu captivated the nation in college—breaking national and school records at the University of Oregon with a flashy play style and an unstoppable pull-up three. 

While standing on the shoulders of the legends that came before her, Nike announced Ionescu would be the eighth women’s signature athlete in Nike Basketball history. After 17 years, The Swoosh had returned in full to the women’s game and they flooded Sabrina’s business with support. An expansive marketing campaign, a full release schedule featuring more than a dozen colorways, a full unisex apparel collection and intricate storytelling that ran throughout the model. 

Touted as the first-ever unisex signature basketball shoe, the Nike Sabrina 1 sold out the first handful of colorways during the late summer. Then it took things to another level when the model was added to Nike’s customizable Nike By You platform. With layers of detailed fabrics, stitching and panels, the Sabrina 1 brought out the platforms’ full potential, allowing fans of the already praised silhouette to create their own 1-of-1 versions.

Custom Nike Sabrina 1s engulfed social media in the following months, with creators drawing inspiration from their favorite colorways of past signature models like the “Bruce Lee” Kobe 5. Some designs even stuck and were replicated at mass, like the titular rendition dubbed the “What The” colorway—inspired by Nike Basketball’s mid-2010s run of taking every colorway from one signature shoe and compiling it into one loud, expressive and surprisingly cohesive ensemble.

From the W and the NBA to men’s and women’s college basketball and the G-League, the Nike Sabrina 1 exploded in popularity. As soon as the 2023-24 season tipped, the low-top model quickly became a go-to for many Nike-endorsed NBA players with Mikal Bridges, Jalen Brunson, Tyler Herro and others customizing their own PEs at a frantic pace.

This time around, Sabrina’s sneaker won’t be a one-and-done: she confirmed during this year’s New York Liberty training camp that her second signature is currently in the works. 

And then there’s the long awaited announcement of the Nike A’One. As the first Black woman to receive a signature shoe with the brand since Sheryl Swoopes, A’ja Wilson continues to cement her legacy as not only a great, but a player deserving of the utmost recognition and respect. After headlining the Nike Cosmic Unity last season and dawning a regal black and gold LeBron 21 PE during the 2023 Finals, two-time WNBA Champion and New York Times Best-Selling Author A’ja Wilson has been positioned for an insanely bright future, and arrival of the A’One in the Spring of 2025 was met with top-tier marketing: Wilson posted a flick of herself wearing an iconic hoodie that read, Of Course I Have a Shoe Dot Com with the caption: “The answer to the question.” It was just as iconic as Wilson and her illustrious career. 

Wilson and Nike aren’t just only releasing a signature sneaker though—the two-time WNBA champion and MVP has been working for over a year now on a full apparel collection and signature slides, too. She’s been heavily involved in each step of the process, consistently checking in with the brand and going as far as to suggest satin-lined hoods so women wouldn’t have to wear a bonnet during travel days. 

As for other stars, in the summer of 2021, Jordan Brand announced the largest women’s roster in the brand’s history, signing Dearica Hamby, Satou Sabally, Jordin Canada, Aerial Powers, Te’a Cooper, Crystal Dangerfield, Arella Guirantes and Chelsea Dungee. Joining an established core of Kia Nurse and Asia Durr, the Jumpman went out and put pen to paper with Rhyne Howard, Dana Evans, Isabelle Harrison and Gabby Williams over the next year and a half. 

Picking up the legacy of the since-retired Moore, Jordan’s revamped athlete roster has brought a fresh perspective to the brand’s once-reserved approach to the ladies’ side of the game. Player Exclusive colorways have flooded WNBA hardwoods as a result. Kia Nurse’s Toronto Raptors-treated Tatum 1, Satou Sabally’s international-inspired Air Jordan 37 and Isabelle Harrison’s butterfly-coated Jordan Luka 2—in homage to her late sister—have each extrapolated a piece of the respective athletes’ journeys. In turn, sneaker blogs and team social media accounts have begun to add another element of storytelling to the WNBA’s atmosphere. 

Even though signature silhouettes and exclusive colorways continue to draw headlines, both Nike and Jordan have been cultivating their next generation of partners in the backdrop through the new possibilities presented by NIL. Mirroring the selectivity of their signature lineup, Nike has signed reigning National Freshman of the Year Juju Watkins, former AP Player of the Year Paige Bueckers and top high school sophomore Jerzy Williams to NIL deals. 

In the same realm, Jordan Brand has signed Rutgers-bound guard Kiyomi McMiller, LSU’s SEC Freshman of the Year Mikaylah Williams and UCLA point guard Kiki Rice. 

While it’s yet to be officially announced, Caitlin Clark has reportedly signed an endorsement deal with The Swoosh as well. Clark was one of the brand’s first NIL signings before her senior year at Iowa. 

This is just the beginning, and with investment, attention to detail, and unwavering support for women’s basketball, the renaissance continues.

Feeling nostalgic? Here’s a history lesson on how past WNBA legends paved the way in the sneaker game.

The post Today’s WNBA Legends Are Shifting Sneaker Culture  appeared first on SLAM.

After falling short of expectations in ‘94, a 52-game exhibition schedule was prepared. While the historic group of players including Lisa Leslie, Dawn Staley, Nikki McCray and Katrina McClain prepared for the ‘96 Olympics, Nike released the first-ever women’s signature basketball shoe, the Nike Air Swoopes I. The model was filled with Swoopes’ insights, highlighted by her signature “S” logo on the tongue and rounded heel tabs so she could easily get in and out of the shoes with her long nails. 

The red, white and blue colored model would be the first of Swoopes’ seven signature silhouettes, the longest signature run for any women’s basketball player. In the inaugural season of the WNBA, Swoopes would rock the Air Swoopes Zoom III. She’d win the first of her and the Houston Comets’ four-straight championships in the Air Zoom Swoopes. She recorded the first triple-double in League history and won a ‘96 Olympic Gold medal in the Air Swopes II and won the 2000 WNBA MVP in the Air Swoopes IV. 

From ‘95 to ‘01, Sheryl Swoopes ushered in a new age of marketability and potential for women and young girls in sports across the country. And in the place of the trail she blazed, others expanded the realm of opportunity. 

After witnessing the success of Swoopes first three silhouettes, Nike would welcome a second WNBA athlete to the signature family; Lisa Leslie. With a 101-point high school game continuing to spread the word of her dominance, the USC legend held potential from the hardwood to the runway—signing a modeling contract with the acclaimed Wilhelmina agency before joining the LA Sparks in ‘97. 

Fresh off winning Gold at the ‘96 Olympic Games and securing All First-Team honors in her rookie season, Leslie debuted the Nike Total Air 9 during her sophomore campaign in ‘98. Inspired by the lavish aesthetic of Chanel handbags that she grew up idolizing, Leslie’s first and only signature silhouette boasted a quilted leather upper and metallic swooshes that took after her love for silver jewelry. After incorporating Leslie’s design language, Nike outfitted the mid-top with a full-length Total Air cushioning system. 

From the Nike Air Max Elite to the Blue Chip II and the Huarache 2K5, the three-time League MVP rocked their marquee models designed in exclusive Sparks colors and inscribed with her “LL9” logo. 

While it typically takes anywhere from 18-24 months for a marketing plan and signature shoe to be created and officially released, Swoopes and Leslie dropped buckets in some of the first basketball shoes designed exclusively for women. By ‘98, The Swoosh would bolster its roster even further, releasing Dawn Staley’s signature sneaker, the Nike Zoom S5. Flaunting the first initial of her last name and her jersey number along the supportive strap, the glove-like model would receive a follow-up in the Zoom S5 II in ‘99. In that same year, Cynthia Cooper-Dyke entered the chat after headlining the Nike Air Max Shake ‘Em Up in her rookie season. 

Named after her jersey number, the Nike Air C14 witnessed the Houston Comet’s third-straight WNBA Championship and cemented Nike’s stake in the women’s game. Five signature shoes in five years.

To champion its female-led roster, Nike did what they did best, cook up a fire commercial. Not just one, but three. Headlined by a young Kyla Pratt, the circa ‘98 “Little Rascals” showcased three young girls peppering Lisa Leslie, Sheryl Swoopes, Cynthia Cooper-Dyke and Tina Thompson with questions and opinions about their game. 

While Nike rolled out the red carpet, Jordan Brand—not even a year into the establishment as its own independent brand underneath Nike—launched its basketball shoe designed and geared exclusively toward women. Releasing it in the same year as the Air Jordan XIII, the Jordan OG shared a similar design language with dimple-stitched sidewalls and a carbon fiber shank in the midsole while the heel was decorated with an embroidered jet-black W.

SLAM 29 cover star Chamique Holdsclaw would revolutionize the turn of the century. As Cooper, Staley, Leslie and Swoopes headlined Air Max and Zoom Air-based cushioning systems, Chamique led the way for the brand’s latest on-court technology, Nike Shox. 

The iconic Nike Shox BB4 became a staple for Holdsclaw in ‘01. Her version, however, pulled from a space-themed inspiration, sporting a porous pattern laid across the leather sidewalls that mimicked moon craters. After securing the ‘02 Scoring Title, Holdsclaw held down the debut of her own signature, the Nike Shox Mique II.

Three years later, a future contender for the GOAT title would arise, marking Nike’s sixth women’s signature athlete: Diana Taurasi. The reigning Rookie of the Year entered the ‘05 season with the Nike Air Taurasi in tow, doing damage in UConn and Mercury-based colorways. Her Maserati-inspired signature logo sat proudly along the outer heel above a sea of quilted stitching. 

The following season saw DT and The Swoosh run it back, switching from an Air-based cushioning solution to the wildly popular Shox technology. Aside from the orange and purple palettes and “Taurasi” printed insoles, the Nike Shox DT explored a much more reserved approach to the signature solution. Instead, the mid-top model was marketed toward high school teams that often wore matching sneakers in unison. Throughout ‘06, the Shox DT released a myriad of team bank colorways that could easily match with girls’ basketball teams across the country. Yet Taurasi’s second sneaker would be the final women’s-specific signature series released by the brand in nearly two decades. 

In the place of signature offerings came a more centralized focus on the brand’s tried-and-true solutions. The ‘02 season saw the Nike Shox Stunner extend a far-reaching dominance. Four-time All-Star Tina Penicheiro frequented an exclusive purple, white and silver colorway with an embroidered Portugal flag while Tina Thompson’s contrasting red pair sported “Cali Girl” in royal blue cursive along the ankle strap. 

Both Sue Bird and Seattle Storm teammate Lauren Jackson were known for stockpiling heat in the Pacific Northwest, dicing up the W in PEs of the Zoom Soldier V, and the heralded Huarache 2K4. Lindsey Harding, Deanna Nolan, Tamika Catchings, Bird and Jackson all made the Nike Air Flight Elite a staple in ‘07. 

Those reserved colorways weren’t just held for the players. In 2011, Nike showed the entire LA Sparks organization some love to celebrate their 15th season, releasing an extremely limited 24 pairs of the Nike Zoom Hyperfuse in the team’s eccentric color scheme. 

That same year, Jordan signed one of the greatest players ever: Maya Moore. 

Entering her rookie season with the Minnesota Lynx, Moore headlined the brand’s suave, sleek and equally explosive ethos. During her reign in the W, Moore touted Jordan’s full line of on-court solutions, from the Jordan Fly Wade and the Jordan Super Fly to the Jordan Game shoe; the modern continuation of Michael Jordan’s signature line that’s currently on its 39th iteration. Moore rocked exclusive colorways and textures. The Air Jordan 28 through Air Jordan 32 became a blank canvas for gradients and hues inspired by the Lynx color scheme, marbled, lenticular and galactic patterns and of course her signature logo. 

Off the court, the former WNBA MVP explored her taste through the lens of the Air Jordan retro silhouettes. Rich fabrics and colorful palettes filled a number of models inspired by Moore including the Air Jordan 1, Air Jordan X and Air Jordan XI. 

Despite the care, dedication and creativity that was poured into Nike and Jordan’s mainstay models, the absence of a leading female presence in the signature basketball space certainly became a point of contention over the years. 

Looking to expand your WNBA sneaker knowledge? Read more on how the current legends of the W are creating their own renaissance movement.

The post How Former WNBA Legends Forever Changed The Sneaker Landscape appeared first on SLAM.

As we get ready to celebrate the start of the 2024 WNBA season, WSLAM is hyped to spotlight some of the many talented creatives in the industry who are making waves, growing the game and helping push women’s basketball coverage forward, all on their own terms. We asked them a range of questions, from how they got into social to their approach to building their personal brands, what they’re most excited for this season and, of course, their average screen time.

Don’t get it twisted though, this isn’t an exclusive list or “club,” but rather a celebration. And if you’re passionate about women’s hoops, too, we invite you tune in, tap in, and share how much you love the game, one post at a time.

How do you balance being a journalist with your social presence: I think it’s a combination of the two: between being authentic and real and then naturally building a following. I feel like that for me is what works best. There are some other journalists who really try to stick to having their social platforms be just fact based…And that’s fine because that might work for them. For me, I feel like the reason why people tapped into me is because not only did I present whatever story I was working on or whatever information I had, but I did so in a way that was authentic to who I was and was relatable. That seemed to be what my brand has always been: being authentic [and] being unapologetically me, but also being factual and presenting the information that people want to know.

What is your advice to journalists and creators looking to get into this space: For anyone up and coming in this space, I would definitely tell them that one: never lose who you are because that’s important. The more that we are starting to see social platforms and content creators take off, the more we realize that people are really going to relate with what resonates with them. And so being yourself is so important. Don’t lose that [and] anything that makes you feel funny when you sleep at night is probably not something that you want to associate yourself with…But also, there’s no limit to creativity. I think over the last 10 years I’ve done maybe 50 to 60 different things creatively and some have worked and some haven’t, but it’s the fact that you have to try it.

The way that algorithms and things work in the social space, something could be a hit today and two months later, no one’s thinking about it. Always be willing to be adaptable change or not necessarily change, but improve and be willing to step outside of the box to do things..Adaptability is definitely something that I would share with any young up and coming journalist.

Screen time: 12 hours.

How did you start building your personal brand on social: I got into social media because none of my friends in high school cared about basketball as much as I did and they stopped answering my text messages about it. I had to go out and find freaks like me on Twitter, and once I started having fun and making friends online I kept going with it. 

How would you describe your approach to content creation: I’m here for vibes, jokes and highlights – but I think my best work is when I can let my passion for the game and its athletes shine through. I’m never going to be as smart as coaches or players on X’s and O’s, but I think I’m good at describing why someone is easy to root for, what makes a person interesting or why an event was monumental.

What you are most excited for this season: I promise if I had a favorite team I’d tell you! But I don’t. Probably because they’ve all bullied me online at some point (I see you, 2x champs). I’m really excited for both sides of the rookies vs. vets battle, though. Are the new kids as good as advertised? But more importantly, can the vets show us why the W is a different level from college?

Screen time (how long are you on your phone per day?): 9.5 hours last week.

What does content creation mean to you: Covering the WNBA and covering women’s basketball is a public service because there are legions and legions of fans that have been essentially underserved for a very long time. And this is an opportunity to give them, the fans, coverage that women’s sports and women’s basketball should be getting. If we want to talk about the spirit of equality and equity and what that all means. And so I was gonna put my head right into this. I was gonna dive right in.

What you are most excited for this season: What I’m most excited for is actually seeing which pop cultural icons and other folks come to WNBA games. That’s gonna be something that I will be all over because obviously Caitlin Clark has brought so many eyes to the sport. You know that Beyonce sent Dawn Staley a huge flower basket, I believe. And there have been many WNBA players, including New York’s own Betnijah Laney, who has been trying to advocate to get Beyonce at Barclays Center for a Liberty game…I’m looking forward to who is gonna come to games. I’m looking forward to how the ratings are going to grow. I’m looking forward to more Aces vs Liberty battles. I mean, those are the best, right?

Screen time: 4 hours and 8 minutes.

How did you start building your personal brand on social: The Girls Talk Sports TV brand is built off of three pillars where athletes can be seen, heard and valued. I built my brand off of the aspect that women’s sports only receive less than 4% of all media coverage and less than 1 percent of that representation in newsrooms are black women. So those three aspects was important to me when I was building my brand, but also building community was super important, especially in the digital space. For me, I’ve always been a hands-on game grower, especially in my community in terms of with helping with youth basketball programs and the nonprofit sector. So for me, building a brand was all about just being true to myself, but also just true to that aspect of wanting to be a community builder.

What you are most excited for this season: I’m most excited to see the athletes in the spotlight where they need to be. I’m excited to see not only casual fans, but new fans get to know these athletes through their game, but also through the off the court storytelling. I think that women’s sports is more than just a moment, it’s a movement and it’s at its inflection point right now. And I’m just excited for not only the athletes to get what they deserve in terms of the coverage and the spotlight, but also for the people that are doing the storytelling to get bigger opportunities.

Screen time: 15 hours per day.

How would you describe your approach to content creation: What’s unique is I’ve been a photographer, but I’ve also been a social media manager for my jobs. And so I think what I bring with photos is being able to bring storytelling into my like social media platforms with my photos. So when I take photos, especially on the women’s side, and I share them, I really try to share, like using the captions and words, I try to tell stories about these players or about these teams and programs. Using my photos, not just you know, dropping the photos is like, Hey, look at these cool photos. It’s like, Hey, look at these photos. And here’s some interesting thing about these women, or here’s something like here’s a crazy game that this player had, and really try to connect the stories to the photos using my social media platforms.

Favorite photo: I probably have a bit of recency bias here because I just recently followed Iowa and Caitlin Clark on like their tournament run. I’m also from Iowa. So that was like extra special for me. So I would probably say, the Caitlin Clark trophy Kobe photo was probably one of my favorites just because I got to pay homage to like Kobe and a very well-known photographer while also showing like Caitlin’s greatness with three back to back the Big 10 titles. I would say that’s probably my favorite. But again, there’s some recency bias there. I think another special one of Caitlin is just like her with her arm stretched out and her tongue out which was like a signature Caitlin move. That’s a really special one to me because it was like the first game of the Big 10 tournament and it shows her personality. I think that’s one of the marks special things about her is like the personality that she has on the court. So, being able to tell that through my photos, I think is really special.

What you are most excited for this season: I’m honestly excited for the new faces in the League and the new fans that it’s going to bring, I think that the WNBA is at a true turning point in regards to the attention that it’s getting and the excitement and buzz around it. And so I think I’m most excited to see, like the records that this season breaks the history that we get from the season that I think will be talked about for decades to come. I’m excited to see this like new generation of fans see this league and how special it is and how special the players are and the level of talent that are in this league. I’m just, it’s honestly the most excited I’ve been for a season in a really long time, I think that this is going to be I think the 2024 season is something that we’re gonna look back on as like a needle mover in regards to the WNBA. So I’m very excited for that.

Screen Time: 9 hours and 12 minutes.

How did you get into covering the WNBA: I had a background in marketing long before I became a journalist. I was actually a content marketing manager right before I transitioned into sports full time. But essentially, I just, when I decided I wanted to transition to sports, I really wanted to look for a place that needed more authentic stories. And a really good friend of mine suggested the WNBA because he knew I was a good storyteller. And he also knew that, you know, the League needed some more storytelling. So once I just opted in certain covering games, I was hooked. And I’ve been here ever since.

What’s your approach to content creation: Once I [started] really focusing on women’s basketball, the following kept coming really quick, and it just escalated I would say in the last couple of weeks. I got the awesome chance to go to the WNBA draft. And in the middle of the draft, I went viral…It’s just been a fun ride to be able to lean into that and keep going.

What are you most excited about this season: I think it’s for everyone to kind of see what I’ve been seeing. I think when I when I got to the WNBA last season, I was kicking myself because I’m like, Where have I been like? Why did I not get here sooner?…To see the League growing and then women’s college basketball growing and now they’re kind of colliding in real-time with this exponential growth, I’m so excited for anyone to get to come to a game or watch a game on TV or really just enjoy the League. The [W] is super, super talented.

Screen time: 10 hours and 33 minutes a day.

How did you get into content creation: If I’m being honest, it was kind of an accident. It was something that I kind of fell into. I love women’s basketball [and] I’ve always been tweeting about it on Twitter cause that’s just what I do. Posting about it on Instagram and stuff just naturally—it’s just something that I’ve been in love with since I was a little girl. I noticed that I had like a following and I would say stuff and I see people repeating it and people would be latching on to some of the things I say.

What’s your approach to your content: It’s authentically me. I mean, in every sense of the word. At this point, people will be able to tell if I’m not being authentically me and then they’re going to be like, Oh no, we’re not messing with you no more. So at this point [for] my brand, it has to be.

Screen time: 4 hours and 31 minutes.

How did you get into being on social: I’m a sports writer more than I’m a content creator. I think it comes with the territory when you’re on social media. The only social media app I have is Twitter. I’ll do funny memes and stuff like that…I’ve tried to leverage it to grow my platform and share my work.

What are you most excited for this season: I think, like everybody, this new draft class, there’s just so much talent, but also, you know, NIL changed things so much that they’re more well known than say other rookies who have come in. They’ve already established platforms. They already have their own brands. They already have their own followings. So, all of that bringing it into the League is like this injection of excitement. I know women’s sports seems to be exploding right now and they are, but this WIC was led a long time ago. Now we’re just seeing the explosion from it. It’s been slowly building to this. And I wanna see how that translates over to the season [and] how the WNBA can capitalize on it.

Thoughts on content creation: Seeing now, especially since I first got into sports writing, so many more people who are contributors, who are writers, who are content creators in the space now is awesome. There’s just so much coverage happening on different levels and in different creative ways. As someone who’s been around for a little while, it’s really cool to see.

Screen time: I watch a lot of games on my phone or tablets or whatever if they’re not on television. But with social media, I try to take breaks on the weekends.

How did you get into content creation: I came across tunnel fits, I want to say like two years ago, and decided to make a video about it. I ended up making a few but they did really well, surprisingly well, and that kind of made me think like, oh my goodness…I just decided to kind of start talking about it here and there and I did the same thing with NWSL. The more I did it, the more I realized that: A, there’s people watching this and love to see the videos and they’re commenting on it and everything. But there’s also the people who are like, oh my gosh, like I had no clue this was a thing, didn’t know tunnel fits were a thing, didn’t know about these players, yada yada. And that kind of made me want to pursue it.

What’s your approach to building your brand: Once I realized that there was kind of a niche for women’s sports, I decided to really expand it and kind of give myself the job to cover everything. And I think it has coincided really well with the rise of women’s sports because I started [in] 2022, maybe ’21. That’s kind of when we saw like this big push to get to where we are now. So it’s been really cool because with that growth, I’ve also been growing as a creator. And there was a little bit of a switch in the fall of last year, where brands started coming to me and all these platforms saying, ‘We want you to make content. We love what you’re doing. We want you to do it for us.’ And that’s kind of honestly how I built it into a career today.

Screen time: 8 hours.

What your approach to building your brand on social media: I’m a freelancer. And what that means is that most big stories are being covered by beat writers or staff writers will say, not always in women’s sports, and particularly the W that’s obviously been growing, and we’re seeing a massive change ahead of this season. But I would say that most of my time covering this League has been really trying to convince publications, that there’s an audience for this. And what has been successful for me is trying to find angles that aren’t, you know, this sports journalism market is really oversaturated. And so for me, either going to try to find a really unique angle that no one has covered.

An example I can think of that’s probably my biggest story to date was I wrote for Sports Illustrated about nonbinary athletes and where they fit and Layshia Clarendon was kind of the focus, the centerpiece of that story. That was in 2021 and that was a space that no one had entered. We were starting to talk about trans athletes, but non-binary athletes really weren’t being talked about. And so that was like a place I could enter. I think also trying to pitch women’s publications things about women’s athletes. I’ve been in the New York Times several times, and I’ve never been published in the sports section, right? I’m really creative about whether I’m writing about in-game proposals for the vows section, or I’m writing about WNBA fashion for like the opinion section. I’ve always tried to be really, really creative about where and how and bringing my coverage and what other communities might be overlapping aside from score.

What are you most excited about this season: The W was really my entry point into becoming a basketball fan and what I loved was how many athletes were queer. I’m like, Oh, I’m queer. And I love their heart and I love rooting for them and seeing them be amazing. I think the women’s soccer team, we hear a lot about that and lesbian spaces, but the W has like been really overlooked I think for a long time…I think to me, that’s really cool—finding people who are not only invested in the game, but can find other reasons to buy in…I’ve loved all of the shit talking before the season. I love all the fact that everyone’s already getting chippy…I’m just excited to watch people see what the W really is. 

Screen time: 4 hours and 32 minutes.

How did you get into sports media: In addition to creating content, I’m a journalist, host and producer, so I am really a jack of all trades. I can do many things, including content creation. I started my career off at ESPN on the business side, and after three and a half years, I realized I wanted to do something different. I wanted to storytell. I wanted to be around people. And I didn’t want to be in my cubicle anymore. I was at the headquarters in Connecticut, and I wanted to bet on myself, so I decided to do that and that changed my life. I really have kind of built this sort of lane for myself. I never saw anybody who looked like me doing what I’m doing. And it’s been a lot of learning along the way.

What’s your approach to building your brand: In every single space and I show up as me. I’m proud of who I am. Part of my journey, it has not been easy at all and I never tell folks that it has been easy but I’m also proudly Dominican and Puerto Rican and you know that’s a huge part of my identity. I’ve realized [that] the more I lean into that, the more I celebrate myself and people who look like me, the more opportunities come.

What are you most excited about this season: There’s a lot of change within the teams— Natasha Cloud in Phoenix, Skylar Diggins-Smith in Seattle, Candace Parker retired. All these changes within women’s basketball. Change can be really good and I’m excited to just see all the competition. There are a lot of eyes, a lot of young players from Caitlin Clark to Angel Reese to Kamilla Cardoso. There’s a lot of excitement right now.

Screen time: 7 hours and 18 minutes.

How did you get into content creation: What has always been important to me was taking the access that I had from being in these spaces [as a sports writer] and finding ways to get that information to the fans. I started just by live tweeting all these press conferences because they weren’t on TV and I knew that fans wanted to know what these players were saying. I guess my brand kind of grew out of that and since then I’ve gotten to write about so many players in the League…It all started with just trying to share and tell stories and the brand, whatever my following has come from there has kind of all grown from that.

Favorite WNBA team: I think so much of my job is easier when things are going well, but the longer I’m in this space and the more players that I get to know and the more that there’s just so much movement in the league that I’m rooting for these players that I’ve built connections with. So now I’ve got players on every single team that I’m rooting for because I know them personally on some level, but I also am just rooting for kind of the overall League success.

Anything else you’d like to add: To have a League that’s majority queer women, to have a League that’s majority Black women and to know that these are spaces, that those stories are very rarely told. And to be aware of my privilege as a white man in this space, but to be able to use whatever platform I have to be able to amplify those stories is really important to me. It’s an honor for me.

How did you get into content creation: It was really something that just randomly happened back in 2018 or so. First of all, I was always a fan of the WNBA and, back in around 2019, a few people reached out to me and said, ‘Hey, we see these opportunities. We think you’ll be good for it. You’re always talking about sports.’…I was like, ‘I don’t have a journalism background.’ I was working in finance, doing the whole corporate America thing at that time And I was like, Okay, I’ll give it a try. And it really just snowballed from there. Went [from] just starting out as a writer and then it grew to working in social and then to being an on-camera host and a photographer. I’ve been able to do a lot of things just by me [and] someone taking a chance on me and thinking that I would be good for the job.

What’s your approach to building your brand: I think what a lot of people enjoy, for me is just, I won’t say hottakes or anything, and I don’t think I’m a comedian, but a lot of people just think that, Oh my God, you’re so hilarious...People just always think that it’s been something of just a breath of fresh air when it comes to especially the women’s sports space surrounding women’s basketball. They just really love my following, or what I’ve done, whether it be written work or on air work or photography, or just something as simple as live-tweeting about the game. I’ve always just made sure that I try to stay true to me, right? Things that I like, I just share that with people. I don’t try to be anyone else. I’m always me. I talk about being late for traveling, food, sneakers and sports. And that’s what I love and for some reason, it resonates with everyone else. They [see] that I have a real life apart from what it is that I do for work.

What are you most excited about this season: This season, I’m really just looking forward to competitive basketball. I’m looking forward to seeing these amazing women being able to play on such a larger stage. We know that over the past few years, women’s basketball and the attention that is received has been on the uptick and, you know, we’re familiar with it. We’ve been here. We’ve been in the trenches covering it. And so now I’m excited that everyone else is finally starting to take notice to something that we’ve known or I’ve known has been great for just so many years. So, that’s what I’m really looking forward to. And I think that this new wave of talent that’s coming in, they’re ready to compete and I’m all for it.

Screen time: 9 hours and 50 seconds.

What’s your approach to building your brand on social media: I think my biggest thing is that I’ve always been unapologetically me. I remember in grad school, one of my professors had said to me, ‘When you become a professional, you have to keep your biases aside.’ But you look at certain broadcasters or radio personnel, who they root for. I think that’s been my biggest thing. I know, too, that I am a little bit of an overshare. I kind of share both the good and the bad of my life, the industry and people really resonate with that because it isn’t all roses. People always say [that] social media is a highlight reel, but I try to be super real with things. And so I’m just kind of a goofy person, I try not to take things too seriously, but also in the same breath, when life gets me down I share that with other people because I think that it’s really important to share that things aren’t perfect all the time.

I think that’s kind of how I built my personal brand. It’s just being true and open and honest all the time. And at the end of the day, I’m still a sports fan. I think that’s the biggest thing, too, is that a lot of the time you see reporters and they’re doing their job, of course, but they’re just tweeting things that are professional and I think I have a lot of fun with it. I still am a fan. At the end of the day, even when I’m covering the WNBA, when you see a sick player or a sick shot, you want to enjoy it the way you would as a regular fan. Yes, reporting is my job. And when I’m going to [do] a story, I’m going to do it without bias, but I still want to enjoy the game. Enjoy the players, enjoy the teams the same way any fan would…Yes, I think I’m good at my job and I try to be as professional and unbiased in my work, but at the end of the day, I’m still a fan and I like to pass on with it. That’s kind of why we all got into sports in the first place.

Thoughts on the growth of women’s sports and content creation: Thank you guys for showcasing these creators. I think it’s huge, especially in the women’s sports space. As much as women’s sports has been growing and we’ve seen the data grow and not even just in women’s basketball, but across women’s soccer you’re seeing like the pro leagues for volleyball and things like that…There’s so many people who have been covering the W. This is my fifth season and I still feel like a rookie because there’s been people who have had boots on the ground since the early days. It’s really amazing that you guys put in the work to showcase these incredible women who have been putting in the work since before everybody else saw the vision and now everybody’s catching up.

Screen time: 8 hours and 37 minutes.

When did you get into content creation: I created a Twitter account in like 2018 because I kept going on Twitter to check [game] scores. I figured I might as well create an account, so I just started out as a fan. But I think when I started to get more into the writing side, that’s when I started to meet more people, especially on WNBA Twitter, too. I think the first year that I started covering in 2021, people were very welcoming and it was just a matter of putting myself out there…Just to kind of put my name out there, I would comment on live games, things like that. I would share where the W games are on what channels because as we know, it can be a little bit difficult at times to accept those and so I think just by doing that, and getting my name out there and more people started to see me and they started to follow me as well. I think being from Toronto, too, there are a large number of Raptors fans that are now WNBA fans as well. I think when I moved into that space of covering a W, a lot of the fan base I had built from the Raptors side kind of follow through and move along with me through this journey. I think that’s just how my platform grew and my brand kind of became covering WNBA and women’s basketball as well as tennis because that’s also my other main sport that I love to watch and to cover.

What are you most excited about this season: I’m so excited to see how all the new additions to different teams kind of paired out, like with the Storm getting Skylar and Nneka… I think there was so much movement in the offseason and so I’m very curious to see a lot of players who are now wearing new jerseys after wearing, you know, one jersey for the entirety of their careers. I think that’s going to be really exciting.

Screen time: 5 hours.

What’s your approach to building your brand: Just kind of having fun with it. That’s kind of my biggest thing is just—I know I like to do video content. I like to be on camera, but ultimately for me, it’s just, [do] I want to watch this and do I have fun making it? And normally if I have fun making it, someone’s going to have fun watching it whether that be social media videos or YouTube videos or whatever that might be. Just kind of just having fun with it. And if I can have fun with it, someone else can have fun watching it.

I love women’s basketball. This is what I love to watch. If I wasn’t doing content for it, I would be talking about it the same way, just in a different manner. For me, my biggest inviting factor is the fact that I’m a fan just like everyone else. Yes, I am in the media. Yes, I am credentialed to things, but I’m a fan and I love women’s basketball.

What are you most excited about this season: I think you can feel the different level of excitement for this season coming into it. I’m personally most excited [about] all the new fans to be able to see what we’ve known about and how incredible that this League truly is. And a lot of that has to do with how widespread the talent is and how good I think the teams are this season. I’m ready to see these teams go to war and just have some good games. I’m excited for some real, genuinely good basketball this season.

Screen time: 11 hours.

How did you get into content creation: I think social media—I didn’t realize its power in connection with sports. I think until I was working at The Ringer and I just saw how not only the company’s media presence was important but each individual writer and personality had their own following. I was like, Wow, that’s really cool and I kind of had a talk with myself, OK, what do I want my following to really be about? I don’t want to have my hand in everything. What do I want the people following me to really follow me for?

I remember I went to my husband, who was my boyfriend at the time, I was like, I want people when they think of the WNBA, that they mention my name [and] that they have me in those conversations. So, what do I need to do to do that? I learned by sharing my story with my fandom with the WNBA and with the Sacramento Monarchs, really just pulled at the heartstrings of a lot of people…Once I tapped into that fandom, that’s when I started wanting to grow the game by sharing more of those stories and more of those stories about the players as well. I’m not gonna be breaking news, but I want to make sure that players know that they can talk to me and I’m gonna see them as a human.

I’m going to make sure they know that I’ve been here from the beginning and as a former women’s basketball player myself, I see them. I’m not just here for the moment or the movement, I’ve been here.

What would your advice be to people, especially young Black women that are looking to get into the space and questioning whether they should go the traditional media route or content creation: I think having your own brand and going into content creation right now, you have the power to do that. I think that’s both a positive and a negative because sometimes as someone who went to journalism school. I have my degree in this, I’m on the same platform as somebody who has none of those accolades or none of that schooling. You can also just pop up and have your own video and make your own YouTube show, like, the power is very much in the hands of the creator.

[For] the longest time, I was so hesitant and so nervous and looking at a lot of people in the space and saying, well, I can’t do that. I’ll just stay over here or I’ll never get there, I’ll just stay over here.And once I just started and also going into freelance, I just really bet on myself. That is always my advice to young girls, especially young Black girls: you’re always told to stay in this box or stay in this lane or do things that everyone else is doing to get better. When I made the decision to cover the W NBA and women’s basketball, it was very much a, I’m doing something completely different than what you guys are wanting me to do or, you know, just to cover the NBA only. I followed my passion and I said, I have the skill set, I have the knowledge and I’m going to bet on myself.

Screen time: 8 hours.

What’s your approach to building your brand: I think honestly the biggest thing is just authenticity. Anyone who follows me on Twitter, anyone who listens to our podcast, I think you’re always getting me in my truest form. I’m always going to be a fan of my favorite players and I’m always gonna rep the teams and the players that I love while also trying to remain objective and provide insight and analysis and my opinion on things. So I think that rather than like having this perfectly curated brand where everything’s so pristine and whatever, I think I’ve went in the opposite direction where I’ve found that the easiest way to be myself and give people like original unique content is to kind of let that personal fan side come out a little bit more. I think that allows me to access a deeper level of storytelling when I’m writing pieces because it’s more about the person I’m writing about. I’m not as concerned with how it looks or whatever, I just wanna be spreading the stories of these players.

Favorite WNBA team: It’s two answers: the real answer is the Aces, and then the other answer is whatever team Kahleah Copper is currently playing for. For a long time, it’s been the Aces and the Sky, but now I’m gonna have to rep the Mercury, which is gonna be a little weird for me, but wherever Kai goes, I’m gonna be a fan of them. But Aces, you know, Jackie Young and A’ja Wilson are two of my all-time favorites.

Screen time: 4 hours and 20 minutes.

How did you get into content creation: I feel like everyone really started during COVID. I was like, well, I might as well just post some stuff on tiktok because that’s the thing and once school started opening up, I started doing like a little bit of basketball content with the varsity team that I was coaching and that would blow up here and there and then the big blow up was my niece and nephew being as cute as they are. Me being their aunt, it was literally nothing like that special—I mean, it is special to me that I’m their aunt but nothing that special where it was like some big break. It was just like, Wow, that girl loves her niece and nephew.

There was one video I did, it wasn’t even with the kids, it was a dancing video by myself and I kid you not every single comment was like, ‘Get it Auntie Nae! Go Auntie. Yeah, Auntie! I was like, OK, is that my name? Is that what people call me. So, that’s been the thing ever since then.

I’ve always been a fan of the W. I post Detroit Shock throwbacks all the time, but never really had the chance or really never knew l could be someone to talk about it in that way just because I’m not a reporter, I’m not a journalist. I just love the game, love being there. But I was in the right place at the right time: I was in Dallas at the Final Four last year and someone from the League was like, ‘Hey, I’ve seen some of your Tik Toks, I really want you to come to the draft next week…Before going into the draft, I was talking to my wife and I was just like, ‘I’m so scared. I don’t know anybody. I’m not sure how I’m going to be received there because I don’t know if people know me. I don’t want to step on toes. I just wanted to be in experience and all that. And my first interaction walking in, I turned around and I saw Aliyah Boston walking towards me. inside, I’m freaking out, I’m like, Oh my God, it’s Aliyah...That’s the moment I was like, OK, maybe I am supposed to be here.

What’s been your approach to content creation and building your brand: I don’t take a different approach at all with my personal versus my professional brand. I think that if you remain consistent, your audience knows where you are, what you’re going to do. And so by me just authentically wanting to really get to the meat of the story and get to know the players as humans, it’s beyond just rapid fire, right?… People want to get to know people but it doesn’t have to be those quick hitting things. I think I do a great job of long-form, get to know you content, as opposed to short form heavy hitting. I mean, I can do the short form but I keep that consistent in how I talk to people as humans and meet them where they are as humans with the way I tell stories. My personal brand, you see a lot of athletes just having fun, getting real, and just being open and trusting and vulnerable and recognized as a privilege. They feel comfortable enough to do that. And then you see that when I take it to a professional setting, I have a show with the WNBA called Off Top and that’s where we just sit down [and] I don’t have a preconceived notion of what I want to talk about. I just say, Hey, welcome to my Big Comfy Couch. And I let them take it where they want to take it. So I, no matter what I do between my purpose, personal brand or professional brand, I want to open up space for people to be themselves. And I want to facilitate that conversation in a way that it sticks with the general masses, and amplify that I’ve been a cheerleader to my core. And that’s what I bring in my journalism, too.

What are you most excited about this season: I’m really excited to see players take ownership of their stories. I’m really excited to see them step into a landscape that is ready to fully digest the fact that they belong there. And for them to be celebrated the way they’ve always deserved. And because of the empowerment around the game right now. It allows players to show up as fully themselves. So whether that’s translating by how they play basketball stylistically, or how they dress in the tunnel, or how they communicate their stories with media. I’m just excited about the individuality being showcased this season…

I want the general public to not be reliant on the bigger names and really know that when you look around in that locker room. For the W, there are 11 or 12 players in there. Every single person’s story matters. And so going into this season, every single person’s story should be told because we have so many more eyes on it. What I fear is that the legacy players, the players who have been around the super vets, they’re gonna be overshadowed in that. I want media to know like, it’s our responsibility to tell that history and it’s our responsibility to really go out and showcase the excellence. We have greats stepping away, [like] that Candace Parker retirement, which crushed me. And I never thought we gave her enough credit for how transformative she was. I’m a big Candace Parker and really I’m very underwhelmed about that. But like I don’t think we ever gave her enough credit about how transformative she was. And I want these vets [that] decide to step down and step away from the game, an active player role, for them to feel like they’ve been appreciated their entire career. And so, whether that’s us reconciling and having this heavy reconciliation in pushing their stories forward in a way we haven’t before, that’s what we need to do. We need to make the effort to really push them in to knowing that their flowers are there and they should receive them. 

Screen time: 9 hours and 37 minutes.

How did you get into content creation: I’ve always been obsessed with creating content. Even in high school, I had an anonymous Twitter page covering my high school sports. And then when I got to college, I was covering Wichita State Athletics [and] men’s Basketball was like, the biggest thing in the city. This was in 2016, 2017, I was so adamant about using my own social media or like different social media channels to promote our coverage, like the newspaper and everything. Long story short, I was told that using my social media is unprofessional and it wouldn’t get me anywhere. But I really didn’t listen to that. And that’s when I started Sports with Aliyah my junior year of college, and that’s where I’m like, Okay, I’m gonna write articles, do interviews, create content on my terms, and I know I can create an audience that likes me for me and my coverage.

From there, Sports with Aliyah has just grown so much. It was a talk show in Wichita— I’d love to get back to that—but a talk show or just going to any sports-related thing I could possibly go to and just show it from my point of view. I love focusing on things that make the athletes more human instead of just like their stats, like, I want to know their personal stories, I want to show their personalities. I also love the way basketball intersects with fashion, music culture, that’s just my favorite thing.

And when it comes to women’s sports, a lot of people saw me covering women’s sports as like a charity, like, Oh, that’s so nice that you’re covering the women’s game, too. And I’m like, ‘It’s not nice. It’s what I want to do.’ This is what I’m passionate about. That’s kind of how I approached it in my content. I have a lot of men’s sports fans following me, but I would just continue to talk about women’s basketball, women’s sports very casually [and adding] it in with my normal content, instead of just being like, Guys, look, I’m doing such a great thing by covering women’s sports. I’m just like, Yeah, this is what I’m talking about and get with it. And I think that’s kind of how I’ve kind of converted some men’s sports fans into liking women’s sports, and it’s been just integrated into my life at this point. 

What’s been your approach to building your personal brand: My approach has always been community first and not getting wrapped in with the numbers. I mean, it’s social media, things can go viral left and right. But what are you doing to sustain it? I’ve always valued a community, that’s why I started a group chat with my followers to help them break into sports or talk about sports. Community is everything and then also just capitalizing off of what makes me unique in the space. The human stories or the culture, I like to make a big deal out of the little things. I like to show what a normal broadcast wouldn’t show, those small moments between a player and a fan. Or, two players having a nice moment. I want to show things that you can’t see by just reading an article or watching ESPN or the broadcast. I think that’s been my key. 

Screen time: 8-9 hours.

How did you get into content creation: I feel like TikTok really became big my senior year of high school. [In] college, I had a very small platform, not really a lot of followers, but it just gave me a place to be creative and post about my life, post about being a student-athlete. I grew up watching a lot of YouTube and I feel like YouTube is definitely tedious, so having a platform where you can kind of share more short form videos and it’s an easier lift was really appealing to me. I kind of just got started there.

I also am a journalist, so I do some more traditional work, but I feel like TikTok is a place for me to kind of have my own little community and be a little bit more creative and do some untraditional things, whether it be sharing my opinions or doing fun interviews. That is really how I got into it and I’ve continued to post around big sporting events and just kind of giving my takes or getting opportunities to interview players and my platform has grown from there.

What’s your approach to building your brand: I think reporting and being a journalist is a huge part of my brand and I always want that to be the first thing that is conveyed when I’m posting and sharing online, but also sharing that fun side of me and knowing that a lot of these student-athletes who I’m interviewing, especially in college, are similar in age to me and probably people that I could be friends with if I wasn’t working because I was also a student-athlete. So, I totally get the ins and outs of what they’re going through. Trying to combine that perspective in the interviews, in my content, I think reaches them a little bit more because they’re human, too. They have their favorite artists off the court. They have hobbies that they like to do. I think it’s just a really good way for me to connect with these athletes.

Screen time: 5 hours.

How did you get into content creation: I had already been in the queer content creation space…Soccer’s always been my thing and that’s the thing I knew the most about—the intersection of queer and World Cup content. I was able to make like a bunch of like breakdown videos with the World Cup and now I just talk about sports and kind of try and make women’s sports as accessible as possible to as many people and tell the kind of human interest stories behind everything that happens. [It]s] just kind of the stuff I already am interested in and now I get to talk about it on TikTok.

What’s your approach to content creation: I think that a lot of it is that I think that I’ve created a community of people that watch my videos, they care about women’s sports, they care about women’s basketball, they care about what’s going on, and I like being around those people. And so it’s just kind of like, I, in my life, have had friends who I talk to about things happening in the W or things happening in the sports world. And now it’s like, I have a giant community of those people and like so many more friends to talk about…The thing that I always come back to is just like, I wanna grow the conversation and that kind of is the driving force [in] how many more friends can I get to talk about women’s basketball and all that, everything with?

Favorite WNBA team: I’m a DC girl. I’m excited for Aaliyah [Edwards]…that is gonna be exciting for us for the Mystics.

Screen time: 9 hours and 15 minutes.

How did you get into content creation: I have always been very vocal and extroverted and somebody that’s been taking pictures since I was a young age. I always felt that sharing videos [and] pictures as well as my thoughts as a way of bringing people into my life and I guess I never thought of myself as a content creator, I always just thought of myself that was kind of sharing what was going on in my life…

I’ve always just cared about curating. I would say not only an image, but not an image or a brand, but authenticating and showcasing my life, what I’m doing, what I aspire for, how I can help other people, how we can bring more people in. So I would say on Instagram, I really want us to just showcase the ups and downs, but also the possibilities for everybody in their life…On Twitter, which is the app that I have the most following on, I just talk. I’ve always been very vocal and I’ve always wanted to share how my background in African American studies and history has allowed me to look at a lot of things a bit more critically and provide some insight as well as my own personal feelings and thoughts.

What are you most excited about this season: The competition, the outfits, the brand deals that clients get. I think that the Liberty have the best court side experience with the Crown Club, with celebrities that come to games. It’s immaculate. I’m excited for the film pictures that I’m going to take this year—I think I’ve really found my lane in regards to capturing things between my phone and my cameras, and really being able to support W and be a face of the League and people know.

We get down in New York. I’ve been called the mayor. I wouldn’t consider myself as such, but it’s fun to know that when people are coming to game in New York, they know they’re gonna see me and that I’m gonna bring that energy to every game.

Screen time: 4-6 hours a day.

What’s do you think makes your content unique on social: I really like looking at and understanding personal development: why is a player growing? How did they adapt over an offseason? What did they start seeing differently? It’s amazing watching the consistency that they grow into, and understanding them as players and people is what I’m all about.

What are you most excited about this season: I’m excited about a plethora of things, but I’m most excited to watch the Seattle Storm find their way as a team this year. There’s so much talent coming together, and I can’t wait to watch Noelle Quinn fit everything together

Screen time: It’s around 8 in the off-season and then about 11.5 or 12 on average in-season.

The post WSLAM Presents: The WNBA Creators, Journalists and Creatives Making Waves and Growing the Game appeared first on SLAM.

Sarah Strong’s a dawg in the paint with the lightest touch around the three-point line. She helped lead the USA basketball women’s 3×3 team to the gold in the 2022 and 2023 FIBA 3×3 U18 World Cup, won 2024 Naismith High School Player of the Year and led her high school team to a perfect 30-0 record this past season.

Joyce Edwards’ insane versatility on both ends of the court led to her being named 2023-24 Gatorade National Girls Basketball Player of the Year. She also led the Bulldogs to the Class AAA state championship and was named a 2024 McDonald’s All-American. Not only is Edwards a menace on the court, she has maintained a 5.08 weighted GPA in the classroom. 

With crazy court vision, Jaloni Cambridge plays with passion and a quickness that doesn’t go unnoticed. She’s a McDonald’s All-American and played in the 2022 FIBA U17 World Cup All-Star Five. But will never forget her run at the SLAM Summer Classic Vol. 5 in 2023. 

Kateryna Koval’s competitiveness and dominance helped her claim 2022-23 Gatorade New York Girls Basketball Player of the Year. She has represented her home country of Ukraine for almost six years, and at the FIBA U16 Women’s European Challengers in 2021, she averaged a smooth double-double of 26 points and 14.2 rebounds per game. 

Kiyomi McMiller is making waves both on and off the court. The McDonald’s All-American nominee and Jordan Brand Classic All-American can drop buckets with her flashy, smooth-style of play. McMiller made history as the first high school athlete to sign an NIL deal with Jordan Brand. 

The post The 2024 SLAM HS Girls All-Americans appeared first on SLAM.

The Gamecocks had posted back-to-back undefeated seasons going into the well-anticipated national championship matchup against Iowa. Led by Dawn Staley, their passion, drive, and motivation had been evident all year—their dominant roster includes standout freshman MiLaysia Fulwiley, and WNBA draft Kamilla Cardoso to name a few. As for their head coach, well, her resume speaks for itself: four-time Naismith Coach of the Year and, up until this point, had led the Gamecocks to two ‘chips.

The showdown between Iowa and South Carolina lived up to the hype. In the end, South Carolina proved, yet again, why they are the best of the best. They ultimately defeated the Hawkeyes, 87-75.

We haven’t stopped thinking about how iconic that championship game was. Here, we relive the big-time blocks, standout performances, Dawn’s epic speech and more.

Pregame: Aliyah Boston, WNBA ROY and Broadcaster

Aaliyah Boston, who led the Gamecocks to a national championship back in 2022 and is now a star on the Indiana Fever, has expanded her off-court ventures into broadcasting. For the Final Four, she joined the on-air studio crew and was also a sideline reporter during the national championship game.

Whether she was sharing her expertise and knowledge of the game or interviewing her former college coach, Boston was a star during the entire broadcast. Our favorite part? This very special moment she shared with Staley, just minutes after South Carolina won the title.

Big Energy on the Boards

The Gamecocks were straight up dominant in the paint against Iowa. Cardoso racked up 17 rebounds and forward Chloe Kitts followed right behind her with 10 boards.

 …From Threeeeee!

The “fearless” freshman Tessa Johnson was cooking all night long—hitting shots from deep, making crazy layups in the paint and putting on a 19-point performance coming off the bench. Then there were standouts Te-Hina Paopao and Raven Johnson, who hit clutch shots for the Gamecocks.

The Artistry of MiLaysia

She’s only a freshman, but MiLaysia Fulwiley has shown all season, and especially in the tournament, that she’s a star in the making. Fulwiley showed up on both ends of the floor—from crazy dimes to steals and making plays. We can’t wait to see her game only to continue to evolve.

You can read more about MiLaysia in our recent player spotlight:

The Brilliance of Dawn Staley

The GOAT. This third championship title has only continue to solidify what we’ve always known: she’s the greatest. Period.

“…My freshies are at the top of my heart because they wanted this. And I hope we can erase whatever pain they had last year, experiencing not being able to finish it here. So I’m just super proud where I work,” Staley said per GMA.

As we’ve mentioned before in her SLAM cover, she is a college basketball author of evolution. Her legacy will last forever.

Featured image via Getty Images.

The post The Greatness of Dawn Staley Continues: Leads South Carolina to their Third National Title appeared first on SLAM.

In South Carolina’s season opener against Notre Dame, MiLaysia Fulwiley made headlines after she blew by a swarm of green jerseys with an elite behind-the-back move, finishing with flair.

The Gamecocks would go on to dominate the Fighting Irish, 100-71, in their season opener held in Paris, France. Fulwiley finished the game with 17 points, six assists and six steals in her collegiate debut. And it didn’t take long for her compelling stat line and highlight clips to flood timelines.

Word traveled 4,000 miles back to the United States: a star was on the rise. 

Gamecocks fans were enlivened, haters were quieted and the world was put on notice. Since then, Fulwiley has just kept on hoopin’. The Columbia, S.C. native is a burst of speed, undeniable swagger and equipped with a shot-making ability and handles. It’s been clear from the start that she is special, and since then, she’s been in her first season, averaging 11.7 points and logging 82 assists and 63 steals. Her season crescendoed into the SEC Tournament final matchup against LSU, where she dropped 24 points off the bench. The silky-smooth sorcerer of the basketball was then rightfully crowned the SEC Tournament MVP. 

“MiLaysia is a generational player, an artist who is expanding her understanding of how to marry all aspects of her game every day,” South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley said, per a press release announcing Fulwiley had signed with Curry Brand. “We are learning things from each other about how to maximize her game, and it has been incredible to work with her on that process.” 

Her flashy game is transcendent. “When it comes to the ability to change the game for good, nobody can speak to that more than MiLaysia,” Stephen Curry said. “She’s changing the women’s game on the fly with how she plays and moves on the court.”

While Fulwiley’s offensive prowess is undeniable, that isn’t all she can do. Despite being a natural scorer, Fulwiley isn’t afraid to show up on the defensive end of the floor: she grabbed nine boards against East Carolina and has multiple games with six steals. And most impressively, she does all of this while coming off the bench.

It’s crazy to think Fulwiley is only a freshman, but then again, she’s helping lead a new generation of phenoms who don’t just got next, but right now. Look no further than her, SLAM 248 cover star Juju Watkins, Hannah Hidalgo (to name a few), and even her own teammate, Tessa Johnson, who also dropped buckets in last night’s iconic championship win against Iowa.

Under the guidance of head coach Dawn Staley, Fulwiley has shined all season long.  What we witnessed from her in this year’s NCAA tournament is just a glimpse of what she can do: jaw-dropping plays, unreal dimes and finishes at the rim. She’s fun, she’s got flair and she’s just getting started. 

Photos via Getty Images.

The post South Carolina’s MiLaysia Fulwiley is an ‘Artist’ with Crazy Court Vision and Transcendent Talent  appeared first on SLAM.

The distinguished honor, which was announced on Thursday, was presented to her by two-time WNBA All-Star and Dallas Wings forward Satou Sabally, who surprised her in Camden HS’s gym alongside her parents, teammates and her coach, Natalie Funderburk, who won Gatorade South Carolina Girls Basketball Player of the Year in ’92.

“I’m just honored and grateful just to be in a position,” Edwards told WSLAM’s Madison Firle. “I mean, even to be considered for this title is an achievement in itself. But for Gatorade to consider me the best girls basketball player in my class is it’s just crazy. I have no words for it. I’m just happy that other people see the work that I’ve put into the game.”

Edwards is a standout forward who can knock down shots and put up big time numbers. As she gets ready for the next level, stars like Sabally already can tell her future is bright:

“She’s gonna make an impact on women’s basketball, inspiring the next generation and really, you know, giving young women [something to look up to],” Sabally says, later adding: “We always look at stats, but South Carolina obviously has a winning culture. And, you know, adding an asset like [Joyce] will drive that winning culture forward. I mean, Dawn Staley doesn’t recruit lightly. And she will definitely select players that are worth of the legacy that they’re building. So I’m just super excited about that.”

All images can be credited to: Gatorade Player of the Year / Joe Greer

The post Joyce Edwards Named 2023-24 Gatorade National Girls Basketball Player appeared first on SLAM.

That’s the word Taiyanna Jackson uses when asked to describe how she’s gone from playing at Trinity Valley Community College to becoming the No. 2 shot blocker in the country at Kansas. The Jayhawk has always known that her time is coming, but it’s also been a journey to get there.

Prior to coming to Kansas, Jackson played two years of JUCO ball. Her decision to go that route—despite being a four-star prospect in high school at East Chicago Central HS and originally committed to Ole Miss—came down to her wanting to explore her options and open herself up to something new. At Trinity Valley, Jackson was a NJCAA Region 14 Freshman of the Year and averaged 10.3 points per game throughout those two seasons. 

Stats aside, what Jackson gained from the experience prepared her not just athletically, but mentally, for the DI level. “JUCO is totally different: the class sizes, the games, how we travel, how we prepare for games and everything is just different. Trinity Valley was fun and I would say, like, it prepared me for the mental side DI,” she says, later adding: “Being patient and just knowing that [my] time is coming [and] everything [I’ve] worked for, everything [I’ve] thought of [and] dreamt of [is] eventually going to come to life just by being patient,” Jackson tells us over Zoom in early March before Selection Sunday. 

By the time you’re reading this, Jackson and her squad are gearing up for March Madness—the Jayhawks will take on Michigan in the first round on March 23. To say Jackson has settled well into the Jayhawks program would be an understatement: she’s thrived. As a junior she was the first-ever Jayhawk to be selected to the Big 12 All-Defensive Team and this season she’s become so much of a defensive ace, her 3.1 blocks per game has her currently ranked No. 2 in the nation in blocks, just behind Stanford’s Cameron Brink. 

Jackson has always had a knack shot blocking, but since arriving in Lawrence, she’s been challenged with playing against opponents that are bigger, and more experienced at the DI level, then she was coming in. But it’s how she’s met that challenge—and discovered that her footwork and approach to defense is her speciality—that’s allowed her to make a major impact. “[It was] my first time playing against, like, DI basketball players,” she says looking back at her first season at KU. “I always knew I was a great defender [and] I’m quick on my feet and that’s just something that I have [as] an advantage in my position. I just took pride in that. I let my offensive game come to me and let my defense take over.” 

Jackson is fearless when she matches up against opponents. Don’t sleep though: her offensive game is there, too—she’s currently second on the team in scoring with 12.6 ppg—but on the other end of the floor, Jackson really gets in her bag. “I really just love defense. It’s just like, the excitement and the joy you get when you’re blocking somebody’s shot. I don’t know, I just like it,” she says now with a smile and a slight chuckle. 

The passion in her voice is evident, and at one point, Jackson motions a chef’s kiss with her hand, as if comparing the feeling of blocking someone’s shot to a delicacy. When Kansas played Houston in February, Jackson posted nine blocked shots amidst a double-double performance, propelling her to the top of Jayhawks record book with the most career blocked shots in program history (270). 

 “Just stop sleeping on her,” teammate Zakiyah Franklin told The University Daily Kansan. “She’s been doing this. It’s not new to us…but people around the country should be put on notice more.” All season long, Jackson has been proving time and time again that this is just what she does: a few games later against UCF, Jackson ran all the way from the post to the top of the key and blocked sophomore Taylor Gibson right as the buzzer went off in the second quarter. She had yet another monster double-double performance of 29 points, 10 rebounds and even four blocks to help seal the 65-53 win. 

The Jayhawks will need that same energy from her ahead of the NCAA tournament, where they’ll look to make a run past the second-round for the first time since 2022. Regardless of what happens, this is only the beginning for Jackson, who has her sights set on the WNBA in the future. We can only imagine how her game will grow at the next level. 

“I would like to go play at the next level. That’s the goal.”

Photos via Getty Images. Portrait via KU Athletics.

The post Kansas Standout Taiyanna Jackson is Putting the World on Notice, One Blocked Shot at a Time appeared first on SLAM.

W LEGENDS OF THE PAST

From the first woman, ever, to grace the cover of SLAM to the icons that changed the game. 

COP COVER TEE

W LEGENDS OF THE PRESENT

Breaking boundaries. Defying any and all expectations. For these women, limits don’t exist.

COP COVER TEE

W LEGENDS OF THE FUTURE

From the legendary impact of Dawn Staley to college basketball’s brightest stars—including Juju, Angel, Flau’jae, Paige, Azzi and Cameron—women’s hoopers don’t just have next, they have right now.

COP COVER TEE

SHOP THE WOMEN’S HOOPS COLLECTION

The post Celebrating the W Legends of the Past, Present and Future  appeared first on SLAM.

Here’s our official 2023-24 Women’s College Basketball season preview.

1. LSU: Nobody can predict what Tigers coach Kim Mulkey will be wearing while prowling the sidelines, but everybody knows All-American Angel Reese is an unstoppable force. Louisville transfer Hailey Van Lith is a standout, and the backcourt is top-shelf. 

2. Connecticut: Paige Bueckers is back and healthy and will join Azzi Fudd in the nation’s top backcourt. Assist machine Nika Mühl is another top guard, while forward Aaliyah Edwards is a big-time talent up front. If she gets help in the paint, UConn could hang another banner. 

3. Iowa: If you don’t know about Caitlin Clark, you must have been watching hockey all last winter. The high-scoring guard is one of the nation’s best, but she needs help. Guards Kate Martin and Gabbie Marshall are top candidates, but Clark is the big show. 

4. UCLA: Guards Charisma Osborne and Kiki Rice are the big names, but the Bruins welcome back eight players from last year’s rotation and add 6-7 center Lauren Betts from Stanford. Forward Emily Bessoir is ready to bust out. 

5. South Carolina: Dawn Staley’s Gamecocks are now Final Four fixtures, and there’s no reason to think they won’t get there this year. Oregon transfer Te-Hina Paopao is a big-time guard, and Kamilla Cardoso will be unstoppable inside. 

6. Utah: Nobody knew about the Utes before last year, but they know now. A Sweet 16 appearance and the return of all five starters, led by star forward Alissa Pili, means Utah will attract way more attention this time. 

7. Ohio State: The Buckeyes may need some time for the offense to develop, but OSU will play some nasty D from day one. Adding a backcourt ballhawk like Celeste Taylor from Duke will make Ohio State even tougher to handle. 

8. Texas: Some might think this is a bit high for the ’Horns, but if forward Aaliyah Moore’s knee is healed, it might not be high enough. Rori Harmon is a two-way dynamo at guard, and Shaylee Gonzales is another dangerous backcourt weapon. 

9. Indiana: Yes, Grace Berger is gone, but have you met Mackenzie Holmes? If not, get acquainted with her. She’s a big threat inside, and should opponents double her, there are a bunch of shooters outside to loosen up the D. 

10. Virginia Tech: The Hokies are loaded with talent, and if everybody gets along like last year, look out. Center Elizabeth Kitley will team with standout guards Georgia Amoore and Cayla King in a tough, inside-out combo, while Minnesota transfer Alanna Micheaux will help plenty inside. 

11. Tennessee: It’s hard to believe the Vols haven’t won the SEC in 10 years, but this crew will mount a big challenge. Forward Rickea Jackson is a standout, while 6-6 pivot Tamari Key can lock down the middle. Belmont point guard transfer Destinee Wells can dish and score. 

12. Notre Dame: It’s all about the backcourt in South Bend, and the top guard is Olivia Miles—provided her knee is healed. Sharpshooter Sonia Citron is a great weapon, while freshman Hannah Hidalgo could be special right away.  

13. Baylor: These Bears will pile up the points, thanks to a roster loaded with bucket-getters. Guard Sarah Andrews leads the way, but Darianna Littlepage-Buggs, Aijha Blackwell, Jada Walker and Dre’Una Edwards can all fill it up. 

14. Mississippi: Not everybody on the Rebel roster started at Ole Miss, but fans are sure happy they came to campus. Marquesha Davis, Madison Scott, and Snudda Collins are the core of a tough defensive unit fortified by talented transfers. 

15. Louisville: Yes, the Cards lost Hailey Van Lith to the portal, but they added slick point guard Jayda Curry to a team with high-scoring guards Sydney Taylor and Kiki Jefferson. U of L will miss Van Lith, but this year’s aggregation can be special. 

16. North Carolina: The Tar Heels are deep, experienced and dangerous. Expect newcomers Lexi Donarski and Maria Gakdeng to contribute right away, while Deja Kelly and Alyssa Ustby are back after earning first-team All-ACC honors a year ago. 

17. Florida State: Ta’Niya Latson’s injury late last year hurt the Seminoles greatly. But she’s back, along with high-scoring Makayla Timpson and Sara Bejedi, an inside-out tandem. Look out for transfer guard Alexis Tucker.  

18. Maryland: You never have to worry about the Terps making enough outside shots. They can launch. The arrival of transfer Jakia Brown-Turner will make Maryland even more dangerous. Shyanne Sellers is a fine distributor, but depth could be a problem. 

19. Colorado: Everybody’s talking about Coach Prime and the CU football team, but the Buffs should be tough on the hardwood, too, thanks to six top returnees, most notably guard Jaylyn Sherrod and forward Quay Miller. 

20. Stanford: The Cardinal lost a ton of players from last year’s squad, and Tara VanDerveer’s rotation will be thin, but forward Cameron Brink is a star, and Talana Lepolo has a lot of potential at the point.  

21. USC: The big news will be made by the newcomers. Former Ivy League snipers McKenzie Forbes and Kayla Padilla have talent, but the big name is freshman JuJu Watkins, who is almost unstoppable off the dribble.  

22. Creighton: Defending the Bluejays is hardly an easy job because they move the ball so well and end up with a bunch of open three-pointers. Four key players—Lauren Jensen, Morgan Maly, Emma Ronsiek and Molly Mogensen—are back to fire away. 

23. Washington State: The Coogs are hoping to get their first-ever NCAA tourney win this year, and a deep returning cast, led by Charlisse Leger-Walker, could well make it happen. Wazzu is knocking. It’s time to get through the door. 

24. Nebraska: Cornhusker fans prefer to forget the end of last season, but the returning duo of Jaz Shelley and Alexis Markowski should make ’23-24 memorable. Montana State transfer Darian White is first-rate. 

25. Kansas State: Gabby Gregory decided one more year in Manhattan was a good idea, and that means big things for the Wildcats. If 6-6 center Ayoka Lee is healthy, K-State will be a major Big 12 factor. 

Photos via Getty Images. LSU portrait by Marcus Stevens.

The post WSLAM’s 2023-24 NCAA Women’s College Basketball Preview appeared first on SLAM.

There will be tons of upsets throughout the 2023-24 college basketball season, of course, but we’re betting the last teams standing next April will be some familiar names. Don’t @ us.

Here’s our official 2023-24 Men’s College Basketball season preview.

1. Duke: The returns of Kyle Filipowski, Jeremy Roach, Tyrese Proctor, and Mark Mitchell, along with another crop of four and five-star standouts, will make Jon Scheyer look like a pretty darn good coach this year.  

2. Kansas: The Jayhawks are deep, versatile, and nasty on defense. Adding Michigan center Hunter Dickinson makes them lethal in the pick-and-roll. If KU can stroke it from the outside, it will be national title time. 

3. Michigan State: Tom Izzo says a Big Ten team has to win it all to prove the conference is elite. Here’s a squad that can do it. The Spartans will grind like no other team, have plenty of experience and boast a first-rate backcourt.  

4. Marquette: The Golden Eagles aren’t that big, and they don’t bang the boards like Visigoths, but oh, that backcourt. Tyler Kolek, Stevie Mitchell, and Kam Jones can pile it on, and there should be enough inside for a shot at the Final Four. 

5. Tennessee: Behold the college basketball equivalent of oral surgery. The Vols play like someone wants to steal their rent money. The guards are rugged, and if Zakai Zeigler’s knee is healthy, big things—and sore opponents—lie ahead. 

6. Purdue: He’s back! The Big Maple, unguardable 7-4 center Zach Edey, returns to own the paint. The question is whether Fletcher Loyer and the perimeter team can hit shots. If they can, the Boilermakers will thrive. 

7. Houston: Kelvin Sampson has done a masterful job creating a sustainable powerhouse with defense and tough love. The Cougars aren’t pretty and certainly aren’t fun to play, but they have won big—and will continue to do so. 

8. Creighton: The Bluejays lost some talent to the portal but then added experienced contributors the same way. Call it a wash. Ryan Kalkbrenner is a two-way force inside, and he’s surrounded by strong perimeter scorers. 

9. Baylor: There are a bunch of new Bears, but they are good. Really good. Look out for freshmen guards Ja’Kobe Walter and Miro Little. Transfer RayJ Dennis can fill it up, and holdover Jalen Bridges is a steady frontcourt piece. 

10. Florida Atlantic: Last year was a magical one-off, right? Right? Nope, all but one of the key Owls are back and ready for more. FAU is loaded with talented, experienced guards and has good depth. This encore should be fun. 

11. Arizona: The Wildcats were big and slow last year. They’re a lot quicker this time. Transfers Caleb Love and Keshad Johnson will be immediate standouts, and big man Oumar Ballo will cause all sorts of problems inside. 

12. Villanova: It’s time for Nova to head back to where it belongs. Last year was an anomaly. Guard Justin Moore and big man Eric Dixon are major producers, and four transfers will add depth and versatility.  

13. Connecticut: The defending champs lost some real stalwarts, but big man Donovan Clingan is a budding star, Tristen Newton and Alex Karaban have plenty of experience, and Rutgers transfer Cam Spencer and a loaded crop of freshmen have arrived. 

14. North Carolina: Armando Bacot and RJ Davis are back for their ninth seasons in Chapel Hill. At least it feels that way. Freshman point man Elliot Cadeau is the human assist and transfers Harrison Ingram and Cormac Ryan are welcome additions. 

15. Gonzaga: You want points? The Zags score plenty of them. Drew Timme’s gone, but Mark Few found a bunch of high-octane newcomers to join returning starters Nolan Hickman and Anton Watson. Time to spin the scoreboards again. 

16. Kentucky: It’s been a while since John Calipari’s bunch has made a national splash. It could happen this year. The freshman class is ridiculous. There are actual seniors (Antonio Reeves and Tre Mitchell) on the roster. UK is back. 

17. Illinois: The Illini were supposed to be tough last year, but they sagged. Terrence Shannon Jr is back to make ’23-24 different. He’s joined by the usual strong cast of transfers. If Illinois can shoot it, plenty of wins will follow. 

18. Miami: Wonder why Jim Larrañaga keeps hanging around Coral Gables? It’s teams like this. Nijel Pack is a top-shelf guard, Norchad Omier can cause big problems inside, and wing Wooga Poplar is ready for big things. 

19. Texas A&M: The Aggies waited until after the calendar turned to 2023 last season to play their best ball. There should be no delay this season, thanks to point man Wade Taylor IV and three other returning starters. 

20. Arkansas: Mr. Transfer is at it once again in Fayetteville. Eric Musselman imported seven players from other schools, with Tramon Mark and Khalif Battle expected to team with returnee Davonte Davis in a potent backcourt. 

21. San Diego State: The Aztecs lost a lot, but they will still grind and defend and fight. That’s worth a lot. Lamont Butler leads four key holdovers, and USC transfer Reese Dixon has plenty of talent. 

22. Texas: High-scoring Oral Roberts transfer Max Abmas brings serious juice to the Longhorns’ attack. Rodney Terry is now the full-time boss, and he has guard Tyrese Hunter and forward Dylan Disu as featured performers. 

23. UCLA: Presenting the most interesting roster in college hoops. The Bruins are filled with international players, could start two centers, and could look like a Euro professional team, style-wise. They might even try to play with one of those orange-and-white FIBA basketballs. 

24. Virginia: The Cavs lost in the first round again last year. When that happened in 2018, they won it all the following season. It will be about defense again at UVA, with Reece Beekman up top and a bunch of stingy friends around him. 

25. St. John’s: Fast-talking Rick Pitino spent the offseason convincing a pile of high-scoring transfers to join potent pivot Joel Soriano in Queens. Jordan Dingle and Chris Ledlum were Ivy League killers, and Daniss Jenkins was a big producer at Iona. 

Duke fans, this one’s for you. Get your copy of SLAM 247 copy and cover tees.

Photos via Getty Images

The post SLAM’s 2023-24 NCAA Men’s College Basketball Preview appeared first on SLAM.

And yet, home is where it all began. She’d play against men at local tournaments, and even after moving to New England to attend Worcester Academy, would find time to return whenever she could. Most importantly, Boston continued to represent the U.S. Virgin Islands and prove that the best of the best can come from St. Thomas.

“That’s where I started off from, on the island where nobody knew me, having to travel away for camps and having to relocate from my parents and my grandparents to living with my aunt when I was 12,” Boston told Deyscha Smith back in 2019. “Even though it’s a small island, there’s so much talent there and for me to give back to them when I have an influence, that resembles what I want to do.” 

On July 18, the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism announced a multi-year partnership with the Indiana Fever breakout star, who will now serve as the official tourism ambassador for the U.S. territory, which includes the islands of St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix.

Boston will promote destination through local and national campaigns.

“The U.S. Virgin Islands mean so much to me and my family and I couldn’t be happier to be an official ambassador for my hometown,” Boston said. “I’m very proud of where I’m from and it’s really special to be able to partner with the tourism board so that we can let the world know that the islands are gorgeous, with beautiful and kind people, and filled with a cultural richness that make them a destination for everyone.”

The SLAM 237-co cover star just became the first rookie to be selected to start in the WNBA All-Star game since 2014. Now she can add tourism ambassador to her ever-growing list of accomplishments.

Featured Image via Getty Images.

The post Indiana Fever’s Aliyah Boston Will Now Serve as an Ambassador of the US Virgin Islands appeared first on SLAM.

Meet the Black women’s basketball head coaches who are changing the game:

Dawn Staley, South Carolina

Let’s bring it back to SLAM 237: For years, there has been a set of standardized systems in basketball. A form of coaching that damn near secured wins. A blueprint for winning a national championship at the collegiate level.  But there comes a time when evolution is not only needed but craved. A time when a world moving on autopilot requires a shock to its system, like a lightning bolt shooting down from the heavens. A necessity for a movement toward the future. Dawn Staley is that movement. 

Staley’s resume speaks for itself: she’s a three-time National Coach of the Year and a five-time SEC Coach of the Year. In her 14 seasons with the South Carolina Gamecocks, the program has amassed six SEC regular-season titles, six tournament titles, won two National titles in 2017 and in 2022, led them to a school record of 35 wins in 2021. Amazingly, under her leadership they’ve also ranked AP top 25 every week since December of 2012. This season, Staley led the program to a perfect 32-0 overall record and 16-0 in conference play. The program went 15-0 at home and 13-0 on the road. This season they’ve also won their 7th SEC Tournament title in the last 9 years. And in her 22 seasons as a Head Coach, she’s led her team to 12 25-win seasons with 18 runs in the postseason. She is the all-time most winningest coach for the South Carolina Gamecocks, and has record of 11 runs in the postseason. Legendary.

Adia Barnes, Arizona 

Adia Barnes is no stranger to winning. After working as an assistant coach for Washington, where she was a part of five postseason appearances and a run in the Final Four in 2016, she immediately set up Arizona for success by becoming the fastest coach in program history to reach 75 victories. She also became the first coach in the program’s history to win 20 or more games in four straight seasons.

In Barnes’ fifth season, going into the tourney she became the 11th person to play and coach in the tournament at their own alma mater while also becoming the fourth coach ever to lead their alma mater to the championship game. With Barnes at the helm, the Arizona Wildcats beat the UCONN Huskies in their Final Four matchup, making it the first time in the programs’ history eliminating the nation’s number one ranked team. This past season, she led her team to an overall record of 21-9, and a record of 11-7 in conference play. Under Barnes’ leadership, the program is on a streak of four consecutive first-round byes in the Pac-12 tournament. This is the second longest streak next to Stanford. 

Zenarae Antoine, Texas State

Zenarae Antoine joined the Texas State program and immediately made a huge impact. In her first year as head coach, she brought success to the school by leading them to a conference tournament win for the first time since ’03. In 2017-18, Antione and the program had the most single-season victories in their DI era in program history. She was the second-winningest head coach in school history, being one of just two head coaches in the program’s history to win 150-plus games. Under her guidance, the Texas State Bobcats set six single game, single season, and career records as well as 32 school records in the Sun Belt conference.

This past season she led the program to an overall record of 23-9, and a record of 13-5 in conference play. She officially became the program’s all-time most winningest coach this year, breaking Suzanne Fox’s record of 174 victories for the school.

“I’ll be honest because it’s a little strange because I feel like I’m in the heat of it right now, like the beginning and so you don’t want to start reflecting, but I can tell you this, I absolutely love being at Texas State,” Antione said after breaking the record, per FOX7Austin. “I want to be here, this is where I want to be, this is where I want to win, this is where I want to raise my family.” Antoine was also just recently awarded Sun Belt Coach of the Year.

Tanya Warren, Northern Iowa

Just look at her résumé, it speaks for itself. From the 2009-10 to the 2012-13 season, Tanya Warren coached Northern Iowa to 63 wins, the most wins in program history over three seasons. A three-time Missouri Valley Conference Coach of the Year with regular season titles in 2010-11 and 2015-16, she led them to back-to-back NCAA tournament appearances in 2010 and in 2011 and for two straight seasons, finished in the top-half in the standings for seven straight seasons. For seven consecutive seasons, she also led the team to 17 or more wins.

This past season, she led the program to an overall record of 21-8 and a record of 16-4 in conference play. Under her coaching, the program finished as the second seed in conference play.

Tomekia Reed, Jackson State

History before our eyes. Three straight regular season titles in the Southwestern Athletic Conference, four consecutive appearances in the conference semifinals, three straight appearances in the conference finals, back-to-back tournament titles and NCAA runs. Tomekia Reed has continued to solidify a legacy at Jackson State, but really she’s just getting started.

In 2020, she led the team to their first-ever regular-season championship since 2008, which was the programs’ second straight run in the tournament. In 2021, Jackson State won 21 straight games, which was the longest win streak in the nation heading into the tournament, and that same year, Reed opened up to SLAM and the Black Coaches Association about the respect that Black Female HBCU head coaches deserve. In 2021-22, Jackson State ranked in the top three of the SWAC in nearly every major category: they ranked first in scoring offense, scoring defense, scoring margin, and in field-goal percentage, as well as blocked shots and committing the fewest turnovers. This past season, she’s led the team to an overall record of 21-9, and a record of 17-1 in conference play as well as the No. 1 ranking in their conference.

Stacie Terry-Hutson, San Diego State

Stacie Terry-Hutson has brought the best out of San Diego State’s program. During her first season as Head Coach, the Aztecs led the league in rebounding and defensive rebounds, also coming in second in field-goal percentage. The team won 15 games which was their most since the 2012-13 season. In 2017-18, the team would go on to make at least 200 three-pointers, which were the top two totals in the history of the program. And an appearance in the semifinals in 2018-19, followed by the program putting up a top three-point percentage in their history. In 2017-18, the program under her was again an elite three-point shooting team. That season under terry-Hutson, they finished with at least 200 three-pointers made, the top two totals in the program’s history. Terry-Hutson eventually signed a contract extension, which is still going. The extension for her runs through the 2023-24 season. This past season, she led the Aztecs to an overall record of 23-9, and a record of 12-6 in conference play. For the first time in ten years, the program reached 20 wins which was the second season they’ve finished with it under Terry-Hutson. The program finished as the 3rd seed this season. 

Kara Lawson, Duke

Kara Lawson knows what it takes to compete, and coach at the highest level: she’s a WNBA champion, an Olympic gold medalist and has coached in the NBA. Lawson played for 13 seasons in the WNBA, playing for the Sacramento Monarchs, Connecticut Sun, and the Washington Mystics from 2003-2015. After winning a WNBA championship with the Monarchs in 2005, playing for the Team USA and winning gold at the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing, Lawson started her coaching career as an assistant for the Boston Celtics, making her the first female assistant coach of the franchise in their 73-year history. Now, as head Coach of the Duke women’s basketball team, she has led them to their first national ranking since the 2018-19 preseason.

This past season they finished with an overall record of 25-6, and finished with a record of 14-4 in conference play. 

Kim McNeill, East Carolina

Led by Kim McNeill, the East Carolina Pirates ( ECU) are having another extremely solid year with 20-plus wins. Before coaching at ECU, McNeill was the associate head coach at Virginia and then the head coach at Hartford. McNeill was an elite hooper, too: during her freshman year at Radford, she earned 1996 Big South Conference Rookie-of-the-Year honors. Then, after transferring to Richmond she was named to the Colonial Athletic Association All-Defensive Team as a senior. McNeill’s tenacious defense has been a calling card not only in her playing but also in her coaching—in her first season at ECU, the Pirates caused the second-most amount of steals in the country and the third best as well as third in turnover margin.

DeLisha Milton-Jones, Old Dominion

Delisha Milton Jones, member of the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame and two-time gold medalisthas used the knowledge she gained during her 17 years in the WNBA career and overseas to bring success to Old Dominion. Since taking over the program in 2020, she has consistently produced well-run and competitive programs, with her best season coming in 2021-2022 in which the Monarchs finished with a 24-10 overall record. Milton-Jones’ impact extends outside the court as well—that same year, the Monarchs had nine players named to the Conference USA Commissioner’s Honor Roll for outstanding academic achievement.

Throughout her career, Milton-Jones has been known for her work ethic and her dedication to the game. She is widely respected in the basketball community and is seen as a rising star in the coaching profession.

Photos via Getty Images, Dawn Staley portrait by Jon Lopez.

The post SLAM x BCA: Meet the Black Women’s Basketball Head Coaches Who are Changing the Game appeared first on SLAM.

“In reality, looking back now [and] having hindsight, I wasn’t prepared,” Plum tells SLAM over Zoom when asked about her transition from college to the pros. “I wasn’t prepared mentally, physically, spiritually, emotionally, for the next level.” 

The Washington Husky suddenly found herself having to balance her training with all of the other responsibilities that come with now being a professional athlete, like signing with an agent and getting an endorsement deal. “Not to mention, the WNBA itself is like a different sport,” Plum adds. “The wake up call that I had was so brutal.”

The culmination of all of this, specifically the “lack of information and resources” provided to her that could have given Plum, and really any college student-athlete, valuable insight on what to expect at the pro level, played a toll on her mental health. She says it took her “four or five years” to feel more comfortable in the WNBA, and it’s that experience that inspired her to want to empower and support the next generation of women’s college basketball players.

“That’s one of the big reasons why Under Armour and I just meshed,” she says. “I was like, listen this is really important to me. I want to make an impact. I want to be able to leave the game better than I left it. And I felt like this is missing in the women’s game. In the NBA, there’s a lot of help transitioning. From the agency side, from the combine side. These guys are prepped from teenagers all the way to becoming NBA players. And I felt like, you know what? We don’t have that on the women’s side, and why not take a swing at it?”

Plum and UA are launching a first-of-its-kind mentorship program, the Dawg Class, that will give nine women’s basketball players, all personally selected by Plum, the opportunity to participate in a three-day experience and learn directly from the Las Vegas Aces star and WNBA champion. The camp will feature on-court drills meant to help refine their skills, as well as sessions on training and recovery. 

Plum knows firsthand how important it is to be physically ready for the WNBA: “We kind of lifted weights in college, but I didn’t know,” she recalls. “Then you get into the League and Sylvia Fowles just gives it a little love tap and you go four feet. And I’m like, Wow, these are grown women. My body is not prepared for this.”

Players will also have the chance to learn more about media training, mental health, finance, nutrition and how to express their personal style. The program is meant to truly prepare them for what’s ahead while giving them all the tools needed to navigate that transition. 

“I feel like if we can catch some of these women a little bit earlier, like junior going into senior year or sophomore or freshman, and [give them] a better, full understanding of the process. [Like], what it’s gonna be like, how is Draft night gonna be, how [to] pick your agent or if you already have, what should you be looking for? 

[There’s also] a lot of different things mentally. If in college when you miss some shots and you’re not performing at your best, a lot of times you’re the best option that they have. And they’re gonna keep letting you try. Whereas in the pros, there’s an All-American sitting on the bench waiting for you to mess up so they can go in and play great. This is a whole new reality that mentally, a lot of people aren’t prepared for. So a lot of these different things we’re gonna try to attack at camp and just give them a better idea of how a pro trains and how a pro approaches the game.” 

The very name of the program is a reflection of what’s important to Plum, from having a dawg-mentality to creating a community that continues to empower female athletes, even after the camp concludes. “I kind of started with this idea of the Dawg Class and the dawg-mentality is really a mentality that anyone can have. It’s a lot bigger than sport, but in particular, just the way you approach life. A lot of times we’re given tough tasks and there’s a lot of hard things to overcome, but having that mentality is showing up every day, consistently ready to attack the day and just not taking no for an answer. And I think that dawg-mentality kind of resonates within me and kind of how I was raised.

I think that there’s a lot of people, particularly women, that share that. And so I’m proud to partner with Under Armour to bring this to the forefront and give other people the opportunity that I didn’t have.”

When asked what advice she’d give the next generation of standouts when it comes to navigating the college landscape today—from the NIL era to social media—Plum harps on that idea of community and building more connection between college players and professional athletes. “It’s kind of hard to sum up in like one little answer, but what I would say is seek advice. I think just because you’re in college right now, if you do have aspirations, you want to play professionally, especially in the WNBA, find someone in the WNBA that you resonate with and seek them out. I had a relationship with Sue Bird, but I should have been a little bit more like, ‘Hey Sue, help me.’ Whether [you are] a little bit timid or you don’t really know if that’s appropriate, I would just say have no fear because they’re gonna be able to tell you the best advice that you need.” 

Learn more about the Under Armour Dawg Class here.

Photos via Under Armour.

The post Kelsey Plum and Under Armour are Empowering Women’s College Hoopers through the Dawg Class Mentorship Program appeared first on SLAM.

Here’s what happened in the NBA and WNBA over the weekend. Let’s get it!

Draymond Green Gets Candid in Interview with Taylor Rooks

Draymond Green recently sat down with Taylor Rooks of Bleacher Report. The Warriors legend dropped some revealing gems during their interview. Green admitted “the writings on the wall” when he was asked about leaving the Warriors as a free agent.

The two parties have had some incredible highs as four-time champs and a record-setting 2015-2016 regular, but the lows have been low during public spats with head coach Steve Kerr, Kevin Durant, and a controversial altercation with teammate Jordan Poole. When it comes to that infamous moment, Green said their relationship is “a work in progress,” and he’s willing to do the work because he was wrong.

He also said they “definitely moved forward” and that he’s “seen improvements day by day, week by week, month by month.”

TOMORROW pic.twitter.com/avHPFxt6MV

— Taylor Rooks (@TaylorRooks) January 13, 2023

Ja Morant’s Challenge to All Rim Protectors: ‘Jump with Me if You Want to Go Viral’

Do not get it confused; Ja Morant will never back down. The former No. 2 overall pick has posterized many a rim protector. Few, if any, were as impressive as Morant’s yam on Jalen Smith. The unbelievable slam was punctuated by Memphis winning their ninth straight game after beating Indiana, 130-112, on Sunday.

Postgame, Morant admitted his thunderous dunk was his best of the difficulty. Morant felt so good about it that he challenged all rim protectors to jump with him if they wanted to go viral.

“It’s what everybody has been waiting for. I finally made it.”

jump with me if you want to go viral https://t.co/3ESSiC3A1w

— Ja Morant (@JaMorant) January 15, 2023

Jonquel Jones is Headed to New York Via Blockbuster Trade

Jonquel Jones is on the move! The 2021 MVP was a part of a three-team deal that will send her to the New York Liberty, while Rebecca Allen and Natasha Howard will be sent to the Connecticut Sun and Dallas Wings, respectively. The Wings will also receive Liberty guard Crystal Dangerfield, Kayla Thornton will go to New York, and Ty Harris is headed to Connecticut.

Connecticut will also receive the No. 6 overall pick in the 2023 WNBA Draft.

JONQUEL TO BROOKLYN?!

Welcome to free agency @RachGall @Winsidr pic.twitter.com/PpZqvW1hgn

— WSLAM (@wslam) January 15, 2023

Nikola Jokic’s Game-Winner Sinks Orlando

Nikola Jokic delivered a stepback game-winner to sink the Orlando Magic 119-116. The back-to-back MVP posted 17 points, 14 rebounds, and 10 assists on 8-11 shooting from the field and 1-4 from beyond the arc.

“He stepped back, got the space, and just shot over the top,” teammate Aaron Gordon said per ESPN. “It was a beautiful shot.”

EVERY ANGLE OF NIKOLA JOKIC’S STEPBACK GAME-WINNER pic.twitter.com/007JQYDLas

— NBA (@NBA) January 16, 2023

LeBron James Inches Closer to History After Scoring 38,000 Career Points

The King is the second player to score 38,000 career points and is now 364 points away from breaking Hall-of-Famer Kareem Abdul-Jabbarr’s career scoring record. James accomplished the historic feat after knocking down a three-pointer from the top of the arc. The four-time MVP posted 35 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists in the Lakers’ heartbreaking 113-112 loss to the 76ers.

LeBron tonight:

35 PTS
8 REB
10 AST

Only the second player in NBA history to score 38,000 career points pic.twitter.com/W7DvUvFB7s

— NBA (@NBA) January 16, 2023

The post Weekend Recap: LeBron James Makes History and Ja Morant Challenges All Rim-Protectors appeared first on SLAM.

Maya Moore has officially announced her retirement

4x WNBA Champ
2013 Finals MVP
2014 WNBA MVP
6x WNBA All-Star
3x All-Star MVP
2x NCAA Champ

Thank you Maya, for what you’ve done for this game, but more importantly what you’ve done for this world. pic.twitter.com/eyboNiWaYd

— WSLAM (@wslam) January 16, 2023

The four-time champion stepped away from the WNBA in 2019 to help her eventual husband, Jonathan Irons, win his freedom after his 50-year prison sentence was overturned in 2020. Irons married Moore shortly after his release, and they had their first child, Jonathan Jr., in July.

Moore was noncommittal about playing basketball up until Monday. The former MVP put the thought of seeing her play again to rest when she announced her retirement decision on Good Morning America.

“Well, I think it’s time to put a close to the pro basketball life,” Moore said. “I walked away four seasons ago but wanted to officially retire. This is such a sweet time for us and our family. The work we’ve done. I want to continue that in our next chapter. Be home for my community and family. … That’s what I’m moving into. Hanging it up.”

“I think it is time to put a close to the pro basketball life.”

Maya Moore announces her retirement from the WNBA and professional basketball.

via @GMA pic.twitter.com/k3VrAeNFJe

— Sean Hurd (@seanahurd) January 16, 2023

Moore finished her legendary career as a four-time champion, one-time Finals MVP, former MVP, two-time Olympic gold medalist, and two-time national champion with the Uconn Huskies. Moore can be inducted into the Naismith Hall of Fame as soon as 2024 because she stopped hooping four years ago. She missed the deadline to be on this year’s ballot by a month.

As a former No. 1 selection, Moore matched the hype from her vaunted high school and college career, averaging 18.4 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 1.7 steals per game during her eight-year career with the Minnesota Lynx.

The post Maya Moore Officially Retires From Basketball appeared first on SLAM.

BREAKING: Billionaire mortgage lender Mat Ishbia is finalizing a purchase of the Phoenix Suns, sources tell ESPN. The deal, expected to be completed in the near future, would end the tumultuous tenure of owner Robert Sarver.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) December 20, 2022

The deal is reportedly worth $4 billion per Woj. Ishbia will be bringing in his brother, Justin, as a significant investor and alternate governor for the Suns, per Shams Charania of The Athletic.

ESPN Sources: Ishbia’s purchase price is in the neighborhood of $4 billion. https://t.co/HzH2XSspHp

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) December 20, 2022

Sarver and Ishbia also released their own official statements. Sarver called Ishbia “the right leader to build on franchise legacies of winning and community support,” while Ishbia said that he’s “honored” to be the “next stewards of the Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury.”

Official: Mat and Justin Ishbia reach agreement to buy majority stake of the Phoenix Suns and Mercury from Robert Sarver: pic.twitter.com/dEe6QGfZJP

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) December 21, 2022

Sarver has been looking to sell the Suns since he was suspended for a year and fined due to the League investigating allegations of a hostile workplace within the Phoenix front office. The fine and suspension were met with many mixed emotions from players, the players union, and even a chairman of the Suns’ ownership group.

Ultimately, Sarver’s decision to sell won’t go down as infamously as Donald Sterlings’ ouster, but it does clarify that the NBA won’t stand down to allegations of racism and allegations within franchise front offices in the League.

The post REPORT: Robert Sarver Set to Sale Suns to Billionaire Mat Ishbia appeared first on SLAM.

“I would be hugely disappointed if certainly in five years we haven’t seen our first female head coach in the NBA,” Silver told NCAA reporter Bonnie Berstein on a recent podcast.

If there’s anyone that will be the first to accomplish such a feat in this unknown territory, it’s Las Vegas Aces head coach Becky Hammon.

Hammon spent eight years as an assistant coach for Gregg Popovich and the San Antonio Spurs. She is already the first woman to serve as the head coach in an NBA game in 2020, a game where San Antonio took on the Los Angeles Lakers. After getting interviewed by several teams in the League like the Portland Trail Blazers, the 45-year-old did not receive a head coaching position from any of the teams that interviewed her.

Hammon would then fulfill the head coaching duties in Las Vegas, leading them to their first WNBA Championship during her first season as the head coach.

Hammon will likely be a top candidate to become a head coach in the NBA. Same for Theresa Witherspoon and Kara Lawson. Sooner, rather than later, a woman will break down those barriers.

The post Adam Silver Wants a Female Head Coach in the NBA Within ‘the Next Five Years’ appeared first on SLAM.

Diggins-Smith had a very impressive 2022 season for the Phoenix Mercury, even though she missed games towards the end due to personal reasons. However, in the 30 games, Diggins-Smith started, she averaged 19.7 points per game, 5.5 assists, and 4.0 rebounds.

Even though the game misses Diggins-Smith, she has a lot to be thankful for this holiday season as she prepares for the birth of her second child. However, with that being said, we should not be surprised to see her back out on the court hooping when the new WNBA season starts!

The post Skylar Diggins-Smith Adds Emmy Award to Her Resume appeared first on SLAM.

The WNBA superstar’s release has garnered reactions across the W and the women’s basketball world. From her Phoenix Mercury teammates to her many supporters, here’s what the hoops community has said about her return home.

Phoenix Mercury

No more days. She’s coming home pic.twitter.com/HsjbdPfdn5

— Phoenix Mercury (@PhoenixMercury) December 8, 2022

Brianna Turner

Thank you to every single person that kept Brittney Griner’s name alive #WEAREBG https://t.co/Ltx4PEFqAK

— Brianna Turner (@_Breezy_Briii) December 8, 2022

Kia Nurse

BG is coming home!!!!!

— Kia Nurse (@KayNurse11) December 8, 2022

Shay Peddy:

Went from FREE BG to BG is FREE!! Won’t he do it!

— Shey Peddy (@SheyP11) December 8, 2022

Lexie Brown:

Brenna Stewart

Dearica Hamby

Rhyne Howard:

Chelsea Gray

A’ja Wilson:

Jonquel Jones:

Sue Bird:

Eric Wheeler

Sydney Colson:

Griner’s alma mater, Baylor University, also celebrated her release. Kim Mulkey, who coached BG at Baylor, told ESPN: “God is good. Prayers are powerful. Brittney is on her way home, where she belongs. Our prayers remain with her and her family as they recover and heal together.”

Current Baylor coach Nicki Collen added, “After nearly 10 months, we are thrilled and relieved to hear the long-awaited news of BG’s return. Today is the day we’ve been praying for, and we will continue to pray as she reunites with her family and begins recovering from her experience. Baylor family, she’s coming home!”

In addition to players in the W and BG’s former coaches, a range of women’s basketball trailblazers and supporters reacted to the news of her release.

Dawn Staley:

Chiney Ogwumike:

Swin Cash:

Holly Rowe:

Ari Chambers:

The NBA and WNBA also made official statements about Griner being released and heading home to be with her family.

Cathy Engelbert:

The following statement was released in regards to Brittney Griner's return home: pic.twitter.com/p0D0nhaNDW

— WNBA (@WNBA) December 8, 2022

Adam Silver:

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver today issued the following statement regarding Brittney Griner: pic.twitter.com/9QFqWIn1a4

— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) December 8, 2022

The post WNBA Players and Coaches React to Brittney Griner’s Return Home appeared first on SLAM.

The WNBA star has been released from Russia detention after a successful prisoner swap exchanging the former champ for notorious Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, according to multiple reports.

BREAKING: Brittney Griner has been freed in a prisoner-swap and is now in U.S. custody. pic.twitter.com/zZlIxNYAEo

— WSLAM (@wslam) December 8, 2022

Griner is now in U.S. custody and will undergo a medical evaluation in the United Arab Emirates. President Joe Biden is expected to hold a press conference at 8:30 in the morning with Griner’s wife, Cherelle, beside him, per the White House.

“She’s safe, she’s on a plane, she’s on her way home,” Biden said at the White House Thursday morning, per CNN. “After months of being unjustly detained in Russia, held under untolerable circumstances, Brittney will soon be back in the arms of her loved ones, and she should have been there all along.”

Cherelle followed up President Biden’s statement and said that her “family is whole” after BG’s release came.

“Today I’m just standing here overwhelmed with emotions, but the most important emotion that I have right now is just sincere gratitude for President Biden and his entire administration,” she said, per ABC.

“It’s a happy day for me and my family,” she said.

Fromer marine and fellow American Paul Whelan was not included in the prisoner swap. He’s been in Russian custody for alleged espionage. The president said that the exclusion of Whelen in the deal “was not a choice of which American to bring home,” and was critical of Russia for “treating Paul’s case differently than Brittney’s.”

U.S. officials went on to say that Griner’s release was “the only deal we could make” and that once it became clear Russia wouldn’t swap for Whelan, the U.S. accepted it, and it became ” a choice to get Brittney or nothing,” according to the official.

Moments ago I spoke to Brittney Griner.

She is safe.
She is on a plane.
She is on her way home. pic.twitter.com/FmHgfzrcDT

— President Biden (@POTUS) December 8, 2022

Griner’s release comes a few months after she was convicted of drug possession and smuggling in August. The controversial ordeal began in February after Russian authorities discovered and arrested her for possessing a vape cartridge containing hashish oil, a.k.a marijuana. After her conviction was upheld, Griner spent time in a harsh Russian penal colony.

The post Brittney Griner in U.S. Custody After Successful Prisoner Swap appeared first on SLAM.

Fudd suffered the injury after bumping into teammate Aaliyah Edwards in the final minute of the first quarter. Head coach Geno Auriemma called a timeout so a trainer could look at Fudd’s knee on the bench. She ended up walking to the locker room and didn’t come back to the court until midway through the second frame.

Prayers up to Azzi https://t.co/GTwnI1dzBP

— WSLAM (@wslam) December 6, 2022

She ended up playing for a little over three minutes until Auriemma took her out because she “didn’t look like she could move,” out of an abundance of caution, according to CT Insider. Fudd went scoreless in 13 minutes (with two assists) before she left the game for good. UConn ended up losing to Notre Dame, 74-60. The double-digit loss was UConn’s first of the season.

Fudd had previously suffered a significant knee injury after tearing her ACL and MCL in 2019 and missed time last season with a foot injury. The Huskies are already down Paige Bueckers (torn ACL) and ice Brady (dislocated patella), and Caroline Ducharme and Dorka Juhász have already missed at least two games each due to injuries (Ducharme’s neck stiffness and Juhász’s broken thumb).

Fudd is averaging 20.6 points, 1.4 rebounds, and 2.7 dimes per game on 53.3 percent shooting and 42.6 percent from beyond the arc.

The post Azzi Fudd Out 3-4 Weeks Due to a Knee Injury appeared first on SLAM.

MAY 19TH WHERE YOU AT @WNBA

— WSLAM (@wslam) November 30, 2022

The W’s opening Friday features four games: the Washington Mystics will host the New York Liberty, the Connecticut Sun will play the Indiana Fever on the road, the Minnesota Lynx will host the Chicago Sky, and the Phoenix Mercury will travel to Los Angeles to play the Sparks on the road.

The defending champion Las Vegas will start their title defense on Saturday, May 20, against the Seattle Storm on the road. The Atlanta Dream and Dallas will play in Dallas as well. Saturday will conclude with Connecticut hosting Washington, Indiana will go on the road to play New York, and the Sky will play y the Mercury in Phoenix.

The W will host its 19th All-Star Game on July 15 at a yet-to-be-determined location. The Commissioner’s Cup will run from May 19-July 12, and the championship game will be played Aug. 15. The WNBA’s 40 regular-season slate is four more than 2022 and eight more than 2021. The League will announce its TV and streaming schedule at a later date.

The blockbuster 2023 free agency period will be on Jan. 21, when free agents can start negotiations. Those free agents can sign deals as soon as Feb. 1. The Sun, Wings, Fever, Mystics, and Sparks have all filled in their head coach vacancies going into free agency; the Sun hired Stephanie White, the Wings hired Latricia Trammel, the Fever hired Christie Sides, the Mystics brought in Eric Thibault, and the Sparks hired Curt Miller.

The 2023 WNBA Draft is scheduled for April 10, 2023. The Fever holds the No. 1 overall pick.

The post WNBA Releases Regular-Season Schedule for the ’23 Season appeared first on SLAM.

“I just did my treadmill workout downstairs and lifts in the hotel before heading to the studio,” Parker said. “I call it my citizen workout. I was working out six days after we (the Chicago Sky) lost this year. I just wanted to compete at everything, whether it was dominos or beach volleyball. That’s my mentality because I hate losing. So right now, yeah, I’m game.”

“Let’s see if my body feels this way in January or February, but I plan to play. I plan to come back. Last year, it was the reverse. I couldn’t imagine lacing up the shoes again. I could not imagine going through Game 27 on the schedule. Then a switch flipped in February, and I was ready to go. I like to take the offseason and take my time, but right now, I don’t know if I’ve dribbled my last ball on the court.

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Parker is set to become a free agent, but according to Dietsch, Parker will likely only play for Chicago or Los Angeles. During her interview, CP3 spoke about her future in the WNBA, the recently announced documentary about her life, Brittney Griner, and her broadcasting career.

Over her 16-year tenure, Parker has accomplished a Hall-of-Fame career. She’s a two-time champ, 2016 Finals MVP, two-time MVP, 2020 Defensive Player of the Year, two-time Olympic gold medalist, 2008 Rookie of the Year, seven-time All-Star, seven-time All-WNBA selection, five-time All-Defensive pick, and a member of the 20th and 25th WNBA anniversary team.

The post Candace Parker: ‘I Plan to Come Back’ for 2023 Season appeared first on SLAM.

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Fudd’s hot streak has reminded us just how cold she is. The guard made history with the most points (58) any UConn player has scored through the first two games of the season over the past 20 years, besting seven-time WNBA All-Star Diana Taurasi’s record from the 2003-04 campaign. Fudd’s 32-point performance also matched Taurasi’s record for the most points a UConn player has ever scored against a top-five opponent.

Coach Geno Auriemma told Fudd she would have to step into a more Paige Bueckers-like role to provide what the team needs this season.

“She goes, ‘That’s a lot, coach — but it’s not something I can’t handle,'” Auriemma said per ESPN. “Well, she’s starting to find out now it’s going to be a b—- to handle that. But if you’re as good as she is, you live for those moments, right?”

On what led to her second half domination, Fudd said she her teammates encouraged her to shoot more.

“I don’t know why I didn’t shoot much in the first half, but I was open a couple of times, my teammates kept telling me to shoot and I let ’em go in the second half and they went in,” Fudd said. “I think we settled more in the second half. We were able to run more stuff.”

While Fudd did not beat Texas by herself – Lou Lopez, Aubrey Griffin, and Aaliyah Edwards all scored in double digits – Auriemma called her game “an All-American performance. That’s, like, player-of-the-year performance there tonight.”

Fudd’s performance lead UConn to an 83-76 win, moving them from No. 6 to No. 5 in the national rankings. The Huskies host No. 10 NC State on Sunday. 

The current mood in Storrs:

Azzi Fudd is one in a million.

The post The Hot Streak Continues: Azzi Fudd Drops 32 as UConn Topples No. 3 Texas appeared first on SLAM.

𝗝𝗨𝗦𝗧 𝗔𝗡𝗡𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗖𝗘𝗗

Head Coach @coachthibault is retiring from coaching the Washington Mystics.

The 3-time WNBA Coach of the Year, 2019 WNBA Champion and winningest coach in WNBA history will continue with the Mystics as our General Manager.

https://t.co/vGX6a2DCci pic.twitter.com/saMvZOJ6ty

— Washington Mystics (@WashMystics) November 15, 2022

Thibault, 72, will hand off head coaching duties to his son, Eric Thibault, and will now join the front office of the Mystics as the general manager. In a press conference announcing his retirement, Thibault shed recognition to the ownership group that believed in his abilities to bring Washington its first championship in franchise history.

“I will be forever grateful to Ted Leonsis, Sheila Johnson, and the Monumental ownership group for the support and resources they have given us to succeed,” said Thibault. “As well as the lifetime friendships that we have formed, I have been blessed to have worked with so many great players here in D.C. and throughout my career, and I’m excited to still be around the wonderful core group we have returning this coming season.”

Associate Head Coach Eric Thibault has been elevated to Head Coach!!@ET_hoops, who has spent 10 seasons on our staff has helped lead the team to eight postseason appearances, has directed much of the player development in his four years as Assoc. Head Coach.

— Washington Mystics (@WashMystics) November 15, 2022

Thibault is in the Mount Rushmore of WNBA figures, and his resume speaks for itself. Thibault is the winningest coach in WNBA history after winning 379 games throughout his career with the Mystics and Connecticut Sun.

In three of his 19 seasons, Thibault was awarded the prestigious coach of the year award in 06′, 08′, and 13′. The wins came in bunches, but the epitome of his coaching legacy came from his first championship in 2019.

The Mystics went 26-8 that season and were led by 2019 MVP Elena Delle Donne, Kristi Toliver, and Emma Meesseman, to name a few. That Big 3 set the edge for their Finals series against Thibault’s former Sun team. The Mystics made it to the Finals the year before but were swept by the Seattle Storm. Game 5 of the 2019 WNBA Finals was just a little more significant with the backdrop of trying to win Thibault’s and Washington’s first-ever title.

It was the cherry on top to finally be crowned a champion for Thibault. His role now is to hope his son delivers the same success he has had for the last two decades.

“A special thanks to the wonderful staff we have had throughout our time here – I couldn’t ask for better teammates in this journey,” said Thibault. “I have had so many great mentors and met so many unbelievable people because of the game of basketball – thanks to all of them. Thanks also to our great fans who believed in us when we promised them a championship after all the years of waiting.”

The post Mike Thibault Retires After Legendary Coaching Career appeared first on SLAM.

In her freshman season at UConn, Fudd averaged 12.1 points, 2.7 rebounds, 1.0 assists, and 1.0 steals on 43 percent shooting from three. For a typical rookie, Fudd’s performance would be considered a success. But for the D.C native, she came in the type of hype that gives you bigger expectations.

“Looking back,” she said, per The Athletic. “I’m, like, embarrassed. That wasn’t me playing.”

The “next Steph Curry” suffered a nagging foot injury that prevented her from playing the way she wanted last season. The pain, coupled with the pressure she felt from the “idea that [she’s] at UConn, so [she] has to be perfect,” eroded her confidence. Her foot holding her back from being the explosive scorer we came to know at St. Johns College High School, Fudd did not hold back on her mindset throughout her rookie season.

“My confidence in my abilities shattered,” Fudd said. “I felt like I couldn’t do it, so I didn’t.” 

Fortunately for UConn fans, the 19-year-old is confident: “freshman Azzi is gone. I’m a totally different player now”. 

In UConn’s exhibition game vs. Kutztown and their season opener vs. Northeastern, the superstar undoubtedly returned to being a superstar. With a new understanding that she “can’t be perfect” and can only be herself and “go out there and go after it,” Fudd is BALLING.

The guard casually dropped 29 points and nine threes (56 percent) in a 115-42 win against Kutztown on Sunday. 

She followed up with 26 points, four assists, and a career-high six steals in a 98-39 win against Northeastern.

“Just attacking, getting to the rim, doing other things helps me get at least in that rhythm to make the one three that I did make,” Fudd said postgame, per YahooNews. “Just having my teammates in my ear telling me to keep shooting and keeping my confidence up means the world.”

Self-assured, unflappable, and with “absolutely perfect” practice habits, according to Coach Geno Auriemma, Fudd is more than just her long-distance shooting. As a matter of fact, Fudd is just playing strong basketball right now. Auriemma added that he was most impressed by the sophomore’s shooting and self-assurance.

“I mean, I would think that everybody knew that,” Auriemma said, per Yahoo. “But if they didn’t know — that’s the way she played when she was in high school. She didn’t just stand in one spot and fire up 3s. She scores a lot of different ways, and I was happy to see her be so aggressive with the ball.”

Auriemma laid out a high ceiling for Fudd this season, but the sophomore prefers not to lay out accolade-related goals for fear of sounding boastful. When asked what she is capable of this year, Fudd simply said, “I want to be one of the leaders on this team. I know I can be a playmaker, but I want to be a person that my team can rely on in every game, and that starts with my mindset and my confidence”

The standard at UConn is an NCAA Championship. With no Paige Buckets, no Ice Brady, and for now, no Ducharmania, the path to the NCAA Finals will not be easy this season. But, like Fudd says, “The Obstacle is The Way.”

Fudd and UConn host No. 3 ranked Texas at home on Monday.

The post Azzi Fudd Off to a Hot Start as She Leads the Way for UConn Against Northeastern appeared first on SLAM.

On Wednesday, Griner’s legal team announced that she was in the process of being transferred to a Russian penal colony to serve her nine-year sentence for alleged drug smuggling. While Griner’s family may not know where she is for some time because “notification is given via official mail and normally takes up to two weeks to be received,” it is well known that Russian penal colonies have far harsher conditions than Griner’s previous jail in Moscow. 

This heartbreaking news sparked reactions from many prominent women’s basketball figures and organizations.

Following BG’s legal team’s announcement, President Joe Biden stated that he is “determined to get her home.”

“My hope is that now that the [midterm elections are] over, that Mr. Putin will be able to discuss with us and be willing to talk more seriously about a prisoner exchange,” Biden said.

U.S. officials made a “serious” offer to Russia to trade for BG’s freedom in June, but the offer was unsuccessful. In a statement Wednesday morning, the White House revealed that despite numerous additional attempts, they had not received a legitimate counteroffer from Russian officials.

“In the subsequent weeks, despite a lack of good faith negotiation by the Russians, the U.S. Government has continued to follow up on that offer and propose alternative potential ways forward with the Russians through all available channels,” it said. “The U.S. Government is unwavering in its commitment to its work on behalf of Brittney and other Americans detained in Russia — including fellow wrongful detainee Paul Whelan.”

“Our primary concern continues to be BG’s health and well-being. As we work through this very difficult phase of not knowing exactly where BG is or how she is doing, we ask for the public’s support in continuing to write letters and express their love and care for her.”

“We are thankful for everyone’s support and hope that as we near nine months of detention, that BG and all wrongfully detained Americans will be shown mercy and returned home to their families for the holidays.”

The Women's National Basketball Players Association's Statement Regarding Brittney Griner's Transfer to Russian Penal Colony. pic.twitter.com/mQg0kJ57I3

— WNBPA (@TheWNBPA) November 9, 2022

Now, and every day, we continue to pray for BG and her family. Visit WeAreBG to learn more about what you can do to help.

The post Joe Biden Is ‘Determined’ to Bring Brittney Griner Home appeared first on SLAM.

The League’s competition committee recommended the rules changes, and the WNBA Board of Governors approved the rule changes. Both rules will take effect next season and are already used in the NBA.

WNBA coaches are allowed to challenge once per game, regardless of whether the challenge is successful or not. Challenges can be used to get an instant replay review of a foul, out-of-bounds violations, or a goaltending call.

The transition take foul, when a team deliberately fouls a player to stop a fast break, will award one free throw to the team that gets fouled. Anyone on the court can shoot the freebie, and the fouled team gets the ball back. The player who committed the foul will, of course, be assessed a foul.

The post REPORT: WNBA Set to Let Coaches Challenge Plays and Penalize Take Fouls appeared first on SLAM.

In their second season, AU features top women’s basketball talent worldwide, including Lexie Brown, Natasha Cloud, Odyssey Sims, DiJonai Carrington, Courtney Williams, Taj Cole, Evina Westbrook, and Destinee Walker.

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The innovative women’s professional basketball league comprises 44 of the country’s best women’s basketball players. The players compete both on teams and as individuals throughout a five-week season. Athletes earn points on team wins and individual performance, and the top four point earners become team captains for a week. The player leaderboard adds extra flare and excitement to the league because team captains can draft their teams. 

AU complements the WNBA and offers WNBA players an opportunity to stay in the United States year-round. Like many AU players, Smith could have chosen to play overseas. She opted for AU, “so [her] family could see [her] play again,” per Insider. 

Further, AU provided Smith with a much-needed “break.” 

“I went straight from college straight to the WNBA; then it would’ve been straight to overseas,” Smith said. “So I knew, like, as soon as the WNBA ended, I was gonna do AU because it gives you some time to prepare” and then “go compete at a high level.” 

Unlike the WNBA, Athletes Unlimited is built upon an athlete-centered model. Instead of sharing profits with owners, players split league profits or compete on behalf of non-profit organizations through AU’s Athletes Causes program. Additionally, players are empowered to decide on uniforms, roster formation, and league rules.

Only in its second season, AU is making its wave in the women’s basketball world by increasing the visibility of women’s basketball in the United States, uplifting its athletes, and offering the game in a unique format. 

When WNBA stars compete overseas, it’s nearly impossible for fans to follow their path. However, as Smith said, “after the WNBA season, a lot of players go overseas, but you don’t get to really watch them. AU you gives you that opportunity to keep watching and keep following your favorite players.”

The second AU season will take place in Dallas from Feb. 22 to Mar. 26. All 30 games will be accessible to audiences worldwide, including five contests on CBS Sports Network.

The post Allisha Gray and NaLyssa Smith Join 15 WNBA Players on Athletes Unlimited Roster appeared first on SLAM.

According to multiple reports, Griner appeared via video leak from her detention center on Sunday. A three-judge panel of the appeal court in Krasnogorsk, located outside of Moscow, made the decision.

“Brittney is a very strong person and has a champion’s character,” her lawyers said in a statement Monday, per The New York Times. “She, of course, has her highs and lows as she is severely stressed being separated from her loved ones for over eight months.”

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Griner has been detained in Russia since Feb. 17 after authorities at a Moscow-area airport said they found hashish (cannabis) oil in vape cartridges within her luggage. Hashish oil is an illegal substance in Russia, and possession carries a hefty penalty, as we see it is the case with Griner.

BG played overseas during the WNBA offseason and returned to Russia in February to join UMMC Ekaterinburg, her Euroleague Russian team, after a FIBA break. Griner’s sentencing and treatment have drawn criticism and concern from WNBA players who play overseas to supplement their WNBA salary.

After her arrest for illegally possessing less than one gram of the hashish oil, Griner was reportedly investigated for the “large-scale transportation of drugs and went on trial in July. Griner eventually pled guilty to the charges and told a judge she unintentionally packed the cannabis oil while rushing in preparation for leaving Russia. Griner’s legal team said that a doctor prescribed cannabis to her for chronic pain, and medical marijuana is legal in Phoenix.

On Aug. 4, a Russian court found Griner guilty of drug smuggling and illegal possession and sentenced her to nine years in prison. The U.S. state department and White House have opened up negotiations for a prisoner exchange ever since. Earlier this month, the White House said it sent “a substantial offer” on the table and urged Russian authorities to accept it or “bring a strong counteroffer.”

The deal includes a swap for arms dealer Viktor Bout in exchange for Griner and Paul Whelan, another American arrested and convicted on espionage charges. Whelan was given a 16 years prison sentence in 2020 but has repeatedly denied the charges and asserted his innocence.

The post REPORT: Russian Court Uphold Brittney Griner’s Nine-Year Sentence appeared first on SLAM.

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Miller will be coaching the Sparks for the second time. He worked for the Sparks as an assistant in 2015 before he took over as the head coach of the Sun. According to Galligan, the Sparks are only hiring Miller as head coach despite his additional job as GM of the Sun.

The 2x WNBA Coach of the Year holds over 30 years of coaching experience and an overall record of 426-210 (.67) at the collegiate and professional levels. Sparks needed a proven winner and veteran coach – but most importantly a builder to get the franchise back to contention.

— Rachel Galligan (@RachGall) October 21, 2022

Miller is a two-time Coach of the Year and holds an overall record of 426-210 at the collegiate and professional levels. Miller will be tasked with rebuilding the Sparks into a contender. The veteran coach will replace Derek Fisher, who was fired during the regular-season. The Sparks enter free agency looking to re-sign their starters, which are set to hit the open market.

Connecticut is the third franchise to start a coaching search after Dallas and Indiana.

The post REPORT: Sparks Set to Name Curt Miller as their Next Head Coach appeared first on SLAM.

It’s official

The 2023 #WNBA Draft Lottery presented by @StateFarm will take place Friday November 11th at 5:30pm/ET on ESPN2 ahead of the @GamecockWBB and @TerpsWBB college basketball showdown

Read the full release for more details

— WNBA (@WNBA) October 17, 2022

The Indiana Fever, Atlanta Dream, Washington Mystics, and Minnesota Lynx will be featured in the draft, with the winner set to secure the top pick in the 2023 WNBA Draft.

The W’s lottery odds are calculated using combined records from the two most recent regular-seasons. Indiana (11-57) has the best chance to land the No. 1 pick (442-1,000) and is guaranteed to at least pick third overall, according to a League statement.

Photos via Getty Images.

The post 2023 WNBA Draft Lottery Set For Nov. 11 appeared first on SLAM.

• Extended, the USA record for most consecutive games, won to 29
• Became the first team to hold an opponent under 50 points in a World Cup semifinal game
• Recorded the largest margin of victory (40 points) in a World Cup semifinal game with 40 points

While Canada was No. 4 in the FIBA world rankings, they quickly became another victim of Team USA’s onslaught in the Cup this year.

Following their sub-par performance against Serbia on Thursday – when they trailed in the first and second quarters for the first time during the tournament – Team USA’s starters came out with a chip on their shoulder. A’ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart, Jewel Lloyd, Chelsea Gray, and Alyssa Thomas began the game on a 15-0 tear, holding Canada to only seven points In the first quarter. 

“I think that we weren’t happy with the way that we started yesterday against Serbia,” Breanna Stewart said per ESPN. “There were moments that we played well, but there were a lot of moments that we didn’t, and really making sure that that was the point of emphasis today. It was the way that we started the game, especially with our starters, that five, we wanted to make sure that we set the tone for the entire game.”

Draymond layup package!? High off the glass. (via @nba) pic.twitter.com/tR0g1jE6PE

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) September 30, 2022

Team USA followed the starter’s lead, doubled down on their defensive focus, and held Canada to an eight-point third quarter and 22 percent shooting from the field. The explosive trio of Stewart (17 points), A’ja Wilson (15 points, 12 rebounds), and Kelsey Plum (14 points) outscored Canada 46-43 by themselves.

“I was really pleased with our team’s attention to detail in the scouting report. Canada’s had a terrific tournament,” Coach Cheryl Reeve said. “I wanted them to make sure they understood what they just did and how hard they made it for Canada to score the ball…that was a quality win for us. Our goal is to win a gold medal, and we’re in position to do that.”

The women’s national team will compete for a gold medal Saturday at 2 a.m. ET against China. Team USA won their group play battle with China, 77-63. They are seeking their fourth consecutive World Cup championship.

The post USA Women’s Team Set to Play China in World Cup Final appeared first on SLAM.

However, Team USA has won three straight World Cups for a reason. After Kahleah Cooper went down with an undisclosed injury, the U.S. reeled off a decisive 20-0 run and ultimately beat Serbia, 88-55, to cement their spot in the World Cup semifinals.

“I think that was kind of a moment where we really had to lock in,” A’ja Wilson said of Copper’s injury. “That first quarter kind of stumbled us a little. I know I was kind of caught off guard. We can’t have that. So I think for us and for the rest of the way, we’ve really got to lock in from the jump and understand that we can get whatever we want, we’ve just got to stay the course.”

Semi-Final update

Canada USA will be the first game of the day tomorrow, at 17:00 Sydney time (GMT+10)!#FIBAWWC pic.twitter.com/AZ0WQye1bQ

— FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup (@FIBAWWC) September 29, 2022

Serbia, the No. 10 team in FIBA’s ranking, succeeded in executing its game plan to clog up the paint and make the game a grind-it-out physical matchup. Team USA ver Team Servia marked the first time that the Americans were outscored in the pain, 28-26. Kelsey Plum (17 points admitted that Serbia was “more physical than we’ve seen in the whole tournament.”

Team USA’s struggles with Serbia’s physical defense was illustrated by their 17 turnovers, the first time they turned the ball over more than their opponent during the World Cup.

“They had a lot of bodies in the paint,” Alyssa Thomas (13 points, 14 rebounds, seven assists) said. “Rightfully so, with us scoring 94 points in the paint [against Korea], I would do the same. But they focused on that, and we really had to knock down outside shots.”

Instead of relying on the paint to beat the Serbians, Team USA knocked down 11 three-pointers and hit 2-12 free throws. The Americans closed the first half with a 12-0 run to grab a 50-33 lead, and started the second-half with an 8-0 run. Team USA also held Serbia scoreless from the 3:39 mark of the second frame to the 5:15 mark in the thrid, allowing Serbia to score seven points the rest of the third quarter.

“I think we needed this push,” Wilson said. “I think we needed that first quarter to kind of wake us up a little bit because that’s what we’re going to see. It’s going to get tougher from here on out. So I think it was a good game for us to have. It’s also a good game for us to kind of see and toughen it out.”

Team USA will face Team Canada on Friday for the right to play in the gold medal game. The winner of the US-Canada game will play the winner of the Australia-China semifinal.

The post A’ja Wilson: Team USA ‘Needed This Push’ From Serbia Ahead of World Cup Semifinals appeared first on SLAM.

“Kah is just electric,” Stewart told ESPN’s Alexa Philippou. “It seems like she just slithers to the basket. She’s able to find these gaps where she gets in and is able to get an easy layup. But she’s a spark. Whenever her name is called, she’s ready.”

Wilson also chimed in, saying, “Kah is very versatile,”

“We need a spark off the bench from her. Even in the starting lineup, she’s just going 100 percent through and through. When it comes to USA Basketball, it’s all about knowing your role, and I think for it to be a rookie, to come in and instantly understand her role, is huge for us. So we play off her energy.”

So far, Cooper has averaged 11 points on 53.8 percent shooting from the field, and 41.7 percent from three, 4.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.4 steals while playing 20.0 minutes per game for Team USA.

Team USA Coach Cheryl Reeve also commented on Cooper’s recent play.

“She has been absolutely pivotal to not only penetration that you get, but her defense,” Reeve said. “She’s really taken some players out of games, and so kudos to her. She’s been an important part for us.”

With such high praise and respect coming from both coach and peers, Cooper spoke about what being able to play for Team USA meant to her. Cooper had this to say: coming off a disappointing semifinal loss in the playoffs.

“It was just important that I didn’t miss a beat and that competitor and that fire in me continued to stay lit,” Cooper said. “I think this is special, and this is a big-time opportunity for me.”

One of Cooper’s personal bucket list goals is to win gold as a part of the US Women’s Basketball team, and with this roster, that goal, without a doubt, is attainable. If Team USA can keep dominating, as their recent play has shown, they will likely bring home gold, and Cooper can check an accomplishment off her list.

The post Kahleah Cooper’s ‘Electric’ Play Leading Team USA into World Cup Quarterfinal appeared first on SLAM.

1. A’ja Wilson Pulls Out An All-Time Championship Shirt

The two-time league MVP and now world champion, A’ja Wilson let the public know how she planned on celebrating the victory. She asked in the press conference after the game if fans can take four shots in honor of the Game 4 win. The shirt resembles the early history she has implemented in the league as well as the party-hard characteristic she possesses.

2. The Introduction To The Best Trio

Kelsey Plum, Chelsea Gray and A’ja Wilson added the spark the team needed to get to this success all season long. Crediting each other’s accomplishments, each of them individually got creative with their dance moves when brought to the podium.

3. Dearica Hamby Announces Baby No. 2 On The Way

Dearica Hamby announced in the parade that her second child will be on the way moments after winning a championship. This pregnancy will leave a special memory to the Aces organization as Hamby still managed to play throughout the four-game series.

4. Owner Mark Davis Embraces The Accomplishment Done By The Aces

Las Vegas Raiders and Aces owner Mark Davis took the stage to congratulate the women that brought home Sin City’s first professional title. Davis was part of the celebration the night they won it all and includes the fans as a big part of this journey.

5. “This is only the beginning”— Kelsey Plum

Once it was Kelsey Plum’s turn to give a speech at the podium, she didn’t hesitate to announce what this victory does for years to come. Claiming they are ‘just getting started’ is quite the confidence coming out of the superstar and all of Las Vegas, but it proves their focus is now to defend their reign.

The post Top Five Moments of The Las Vegas Aces Championship Parade appeared first on SLAM.

The fantastic year has the Aces talking and feeling confident like any champion would in the wake of a banner year like they had. You know what they say, what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas; for reigning Finals MVP and point gawd Chelsea Gray, that statement couldn’t be more accurate. In fact, the former Duke Blue Devil let it be known right away that she plans on leading Las Vegas to back-to-back titles and seeing everybody at the same championship parade.

“We not done up in this thang, ya feel me? We still going,” Gray said per The Athletic. “That’s one. I’ll see y’all next parade.”

Yo this photo lowkey iconic

(via @tashanreed) pic.twitter.com/vfrdOPSNgV

— WSLAM (@wslam) September 21, 2022

Kelsey Plum also felt the same way during the parade, as did general manager Natalie Williams. Aces owner Mark Davis was happiest of all. Davis has fully invested in women’s basketball after his record-hiring of Coach Becky Hammon and the phenomenal hirings of Williams and team president Nikki Fargas. Davis’ plan to build a 50,000-square-foot facility will be completed in 2023.

“To the greatest fans in professional sports: Las Vegas, we are world champions,” Davis said to the crowd. “It wasn’t an overnight journey. The WNBA and this franchise has been around for 26 years. But, over the years, we’ve had alumni, fans, staff, coaches that helped to build this organization to where it is today, and I want to thank every one of them because you’re a part of this.”

Kelsey Plum’s a lil lit pic.twitter.com/h5eHak4ZeN

— Tashan Reed (@tashanreed) September 21, 2022

Las Vegas will be a title threat thanks to their young core of talent. A’ja Wilson is 26-years-old, Jackie Young is 25, Plum and Dearica Hamby will be 28. Gray and Riquna Williams will be 30 and 32-years-old respectively; however, both guards have shown that they’re more than capable of firework performances when it matters most. Especially Gray, who won Finals MVP due to her tough shotmaking.

“We don’t play but we still gotta ring!!”

Nah this parade about to be wild @SydJColson pic.twitter.com/miyDBGYS3B

— WSLAM (@wslam) September 21, 2022

Next season, the Aces will look to be the first champions to repeat since the Los Angeles Sparks did it in 2000 and 2001.

The post Chelsea Gray Intent on Defending Championship: ‘See Y’all Next Parade’ appeared first on SLAM.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver issued the following statement: pic.twitter.com/ykBrsEoxc0

— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) September 21, 2022

Robert Sarver has announced that he’s “beginning the process” to sell his majority stakes in the Suns and Mercury. Sarver is currently serving a one-year suspension after the NBA concluded its investigation into Sarver’s “workplace misconduct and organizational deficiencies.” during his 18-year tenure as owner of the Phoenix franchises.

“Words that I deeply regret now overshadow nearly two decades of building organizations that brought people together – and strengthened the Phoenix area – through the unifying power of professional men’s and women’s basketball,” Sarver said in a public statement. “As a man of faith, I believe in atonement and the path to forgiveness. I expected that the commissioner’s one-year suspension would provide the time for me to focus, make amends and remove my personal controversy from the teams that I and so many fans love.

But in our current unforgiving climate, it has become painfully clear that that is no longer possible – that whatever good I have done, or could still do, is outweighed by things I have said in the past. For those reasons, I am beginning the process of seeking buyers for the Suns and Mercury.

BREAKING: In a statement, Robert Sarver writes, in part:

“I am beginning the process of seeking buyers for the Suns and Mercury.”https://t.co/fMhWdDIM5M

— Baxter Holmes (@Baxter) September 21, 2022

Sarver’s stunning announcement comes after the NBA players union, LeBron James, Chris Paul, and Draymond Green expressed disappointment in varying degrees about his punishment. Green specifically called for the owners to vote Sarver out; James believed the League “definitely got this wrong,” while CP3 tweeted that “the sanctions fell short.”

“I do not want to be a distraction to these two teams and the fine people who work so hard to bring the joy and excitement of basketball to fans around the world,” Sarver said.

“I want what’s best for these two organizations, the players, the employees, the fans, the community, my fellow owners, the NBA, and the WNBA. This is the best course of action for everyone. In the meantime, I will continue to work on becoming a better person and continuing to support the community in meaningful ways. Thank you for continuing to root for the Suns and the Mercury, embracing the power that sports has to bring us together.”

There were always concerns that Sarver’s stubbornness and desire to paint himself as the victim would make him willing to continue as a pariah in the NBA community, but his decision to sell the Suns and Mercury bails out the league and his ownership peers. https://t.co/LD7o1OYhQ0

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) September 21, 2022

Suns vice chairman Jahm Nafaji also came out and called for Sarver to resign as the owner of the Suns and Mercury. Commissioner Adam Silver let it be known that despite the precedent he set in 2015 when the NBA banned Donald Sterling due to his racist remarks, he didn’t “have the right to take away” Sarver’s ownership stakes.

Ownership in Phoenix should be more attractive after back-to-back brilliant seasons where the Suns recorded the best record in the League. According to NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski, League execs believe Phoenix could be a monster free agent destination with the proper ownership due to its warm weather climate

The post Robert Sarver ‘Beginning the Process’ of Selling Suns and Mercury appeared first on SLAM.

Coach Becky Hammon had a dominant showing as a rookie head coach, winning 2022 Coach of the Year as a result of her banner year. 

Chelsea Gray won Finals MVP after averaging 18.3 points and 6.0 assists per game on 45 percent shooting from beyond the arc. The Duke alum dropped a game-high 20 points, five rebounds, and six assists on 9-13 shooting from the field on Sunday, Game 4, to beat the Connecticut Sun.

The series-clinching win helped Las Vegas become the first team since the Washington Mystics in 2019 to have two different players winning the regular season and Finals MVP in the same season.

Gray joined her fellow teammate, A’ja Wilson, in doing so. Wilson took home League MVP after averaging 19.5 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per game on 50.1 percent shooting from the field and 37.3 percent from beyond the arc.

As for Kelsey Plum, she brought home some silverware of her own after her dazzling performance at the WNBA All-Star Game, dropping an All-Star Game record 30 points to take home the All-Star game MVP. 

The three joined Sheryl Swoopes, Cynthia Cooper, and Tina Thompson from the 2000 Houston Comets team that won the three awards in the same season. Swoopes won League MVP, Cooper won Finals MVP, and Thompson took home All-Star Game MVP.

When you have players capable of being awarded any MVP honor, it is bound to be a recipe for disaster. Although Gray was not selected as an All-Star or All-WNBA team selection, her ability to step up in big moments is what separates her from other stars in the league. The Aces guard proved that on the biggest stage of them all, winning her second championship. 

The post Las Vegas Become the Second Team with Three Different MVPs in One Season appeared first on SLAM.

In May, Plum and Brady first met when the football star attended a game in Sin City between the Sun and the Aces. Plum’s squad also took the victory that day, and Plum showed out, scoring 18 points while dropping seven dimes. When the Aces star saw the Tampa Bay Buccaneers veteran in the stands after the game, she came over to introduce herself. 

“Man, you’re a dog; I love you,” said Plum.

The Aces guard then began barking at him. Brady matched her energy and screamed, “Yeah!”  

“We connected,” said Plum.

you just can’t not love @Kelseyplum10 and this team #LVAces #WNBATwitter https://t.co/gqP15bSQqt pic.twitter.com/0TOVTHcf7m

— desiree (@desireexcamacho) June 1, 2022

The post Tom Brady Praise Kelsey Plum and Las Vegas for Title Run appeared first on SLAM.

Typically attracted to Russian leagues by the combination of high salaries and valuable resources and amenities, it has become evident that the costs of going to Russia this season outweigh the benefits. Nearly a dozen WNBA players competed in Russia last year; none are returning.

MVP runner-up Breanna Stewart played alongside Griner in Russia on UMMC Ekaterinburg.

“Honestly, my time in Russia has been wonderful,” Stewart told The Guardian. “But especially with BG still wrongfully detained there, nobody’s going to go there until she’s home. I think that you know, now, people want to go overseas, and if the money is not much different, they want to be in a better place.”

Stewart is headed to Turkey to play for Fenerbahçe this offseason. 

It has been 214 days since our friend, Brittney Griner, has been wrongfully detained in Russia. It is time for her to come home. @WhiteHouse @potus @vp , we are paying attention and we are counting on you. #WeAreBG

— Breanna Stewart (@breannastewart) September 20, 2022

Joining Stewart in their choice to not return to Russia are Jonquel Jones of Finals runners-up Connecticut Sun, Courtney Vandersloot of the Chicago Sky, and Emma Meeseman of the Chicago Sky. Vandersloot will suit up in Hungary, while Jones and Meeseeman will compete in Turkey.

Although she admits her club treated her well, and she formed strong relationships while in Russia, Vandersloot put it plainly:

“The thing about it is, we were treated so well by our club and made such strong relationships with those people, I would never close the door on that,” Vandersloot said. “The whole situation with BG makes it really hard to think that it’s safe for anyone to go back there right now.”

Once again, as long as their sister and teammate are wrongfully imprisoned, Russia is off the table as an off-season destination for WNBA players. In addition to vets like Stewart, Jones, Vandersloot, and Meeseman refusing to return to Russia, young players are electing for other overseas opportunities. Rhyne Howard, the 2022 Rookie of the Year, chose to play in Italy, stating that “everyone’s going to be a bit cautious seeing as this situation is happening”.

Following the 2020-21 season, more than 60 percent of the WNBA’s rostered players went overseas during the offseason. Traveling overseas to supplement their salaries takes players away from their homes and families and puts them at injury and safety risk. With plans to play a record-high 40 games next season and increase postseason bonus pools of money, the League continues to step toward making staying home a possibility.

Visit WeAreBG to learn more about what you can do to help.

The post WNBA Players Refusing to Compete in Russia This Offseason appeared first on SLAM.

The 12

Our 2022 USA Women’s World Cup Team to chase a fourth consecutive gold medal in Sydney!

#USABWNT x #FIBAWWC pic.twitter.com/WnewsZsuw1

— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) September 20, 2022

Ariel Atkins and Jewell Loyd are the only other Team USA players besides Wilson, Gray, and Stewart that will play in the World Cup that also played on the Tokyo Olympics teams. Plum will play on her second World Cup team after leading Team USA to Olympic gold with the 3×3 group. Stewie will play on her third World Cup team after winning World Cup MVP in 2018. Wilson and Loyd were members of the 2018 World Cup team.

The World Cup team will be the first in over 20 years not to feature Sue Bird or Diana Taurasi on the roster.

The two WNBA and UConn legends led Team USA to five of its seven consecutive Olympic gold medals and a combined nine World Cup medals. Sylvia Fowles and Tina Charles will also be left off Team USA due to retirement or moving on from national team obligations. Brittney Griner is another notable absence while the United States looks to negotiate her release from Russian prison due to illegal drug possession.

“After we won gold, [Bird] was like, ‘All right, it’s your turn now,'” Wilson told ESPN about Bird passing the Team USA torch, per ESPN. “I’m like, ‘Huh?’ When you really think about it, it’s me and Stewie. Everyone’s gone.”

“I don’t know who’s going to be talking in the timeouts now,” Wilson followed up. “We’ll be figuring it out. But, no, it’s a great thing. They’ve laid a great foundation for us to step in as the next-gen to carry the torch. I am probably terrified, but I’m excited as well just to get back out there with other greats. Let’s go get this gold.”

Shakira Austin, Kahleah Copper, Sabrina Ionescu, Brionna Jones, and Betnijah Laney are Team USA’s newest members for the Olympics or World Cup. Austin is the youngest member of the team and the only player to make it amongst her rookie class and college phenom and defending national champion Aliyah Boston.

The USA Basketball Women’s National Team Committee selected the roster, which Connecticut Sun president Jen Rizzotti chairs.

“We’re in a little bit of a transition,” Stewart said. “But it really gives an opportunity for young players to come in and show what they’ve got and help take USA Basketball to the next level — and understand that everybody wants to beat us.

“Nobody wants us to win gold. And still, our goal every time that we are playing is to win the entire thing.”

God is so great to meI made the USA World Cup Team bro….BLESSED

— Shakira Austin (@Theylove_kira) September 20, 2022

Boston, Diamond DeShields, Stefanie Dolson, Rhyne Howard, NaLyssa Smith, and Jackie Young are amongst the most significant final cuts from the women’s national team roster.

“We have been eagerly anticipating the 2022 FIBA World Cup and welcome the opportunities and challenges this competition presents as we face the world’s best teams,” 2021-24 national team head coach Cheryl Reeve said in a news release. “The U.S. roster features some of our game’s brightest stars, and I’m excited to lead this team with the goal of winning a fourth consecutive World Cup for the USA. I want to express my gratitude to everyone who was part of our highly competitive training camp and hope to work with many of them again in the future.”

The Women’s World Cup runs Sept. 22-Oct. 1 in Sydney. Team USA starts group stage play against Belgium on Wednesday at 9:30 P.M. E.T.

The post Team USA Announces 2022 Women’s World Cup Team appeared first on SLAM.

Chelsea Gray was named WNBA Finals MVP after averaging 18.3 points per game and six assists per game on 58 percent shooting from the field and 45 percent shooting from three in four games against the Connecticut Sun.

The Aces already won a regular-season title this season after beating the Chicago Sky for the Commissioner’s Cup, and the Point God was MVP of that game as well. This season is a crowning achievement for Gray after she was controversially snubbed from the WNBA All-Star teams this July. However, Gray couldn’t care less at this point. 

“They can keep that All-Star and that First-Team,” Gray said defiantly. “I got the ring. Know what I’m saying?”

Gray finished Game 4 with a game-high 20 points in the Aces’ 78-71 closeout victory to put a cap on a truly historic postseason. Over ten playoff appearances, the former Duke Blue Devil averaged 21.7 points per game and seven assists per game on  72.7 percent true shooting on 14.4 field goal attempts per game. The Point God scored or assisted on 379 LVA points, the most in WNBA playoff history. Gray shot 54.4 percent from deep and 65.5 percent from inside the arc. 

Gray was expected to bring a championship pedigree to the Aces’ roster; this is her second championship after winning a title with the Los Angeles Sparks in 2016.

“I couldn’t have done it without my team. They have been amazing,” Gray said. “I have worked so hard just to be here and hold up the trophy. This is great, but that team trophy is what I’ve been working for.” 

Gray and two-time MVP A’ja Wilson form an imposing duo and have a deep team behind them; more championships in the future would surprise no one. A’ja Wilson said after the clinching win,

“When you got a point guard like Chelsea Gray,” Wilson said triumphantly. “I ain’t worried about a damn thing!”

Gray is signed with the Aces for two additional seasons. 

The post Chelsea Gray: ‘They Can Keep’ All-Star and First-Team Selections After Winning A Championship and Finals MVP appeared first on SLAM.

In July, Hammon was asked by WSLAM about her career and how she planned to lead the Las Vegas Aces into a new era. When Hammon played in the WNBA, she made six All-Star appearances and four All-WNBA Teams. Then in 2021, Becky was named to The W25, a collection of the twenty-five most influential and greatest players in WNBA history.

“Honestly, it’s not like I’m setting out to do these things,” Hammon told WSLAM about barrier-breaking experiences in the NBA. “You show up, you work, you keep working, and you try to do your job to the best of your ability. And those other things just kind of take care of themselves.”

After a turbulent 2021-2022 NBA off-season in which many vacant head coaching positions were filled by candidates who were not Hammon, Las Vegas took their shot and landed their very own Ace. In Hammon’s first year with the team, she not only won a title and Coach of the Year, but her team earned the No.1 overall record; she was head coach of the 2022 All-Star team and won the Commissioner’s Cup Championship as well.

Since taking the reigns in Las Vegas, Hammon not only diversified Las Vegas’ offensive and defensive schemes but most importantly, she helped her team learn to believe in themselves.

“When you take the word ‘encourage,’ which actually means to give courage to another person, that’s what I’ve tried to speak into them every day,” Hammon said per Ballysports. “It’s how much I believed in them and that we could be special if we all do it together.”

Becky also stated that she believes that the first step to any winning culture is accountability.

“First thing that you have to do in building a championship culture is to set a tone of accountability. Bringing people together for a common goal that’s bigger than themselves, and then you’ve got to get the buy-in factor. My buy-in factor on each one of these women has been high, and I think they respond to me well. I try to be very clear with what their job is, what the expectation is,” Hammon said. “Then, everybody is held to the same line in the sense of, you know, nobody is shooting it over two, three people. Play the right way, and everybody wins, and when we win, everything else takes care of itself.”

It’s safe to say that Hammon’s first season as head coach of the Aces has been a success after leading the Aces to their first-ever title and helping A’ja Wilson win her second MVP and Defensive Player of the Year honors, Kelsey Plum win an All-Star game MVP, and Jackie Young become the 2022  Most Improved Player.

The post How Coach Becky Hammon Built a Championship Culture in Las Vegas appeared first on SLAM.

POINTGAWD. @cgray209 pic.twitter.com/cTFN8SPQLg

— WSLAM (@wslam) September 18, 2022

Gray averaged 18.3 points and six assists per game on 58.0 percent from the field and 45.0 percent from three-point range during the Finals. She scored or assisted on 379 of Las Vegas’ postseason sports, the most in WNBA playoff history, according to ESPN Stats and Info.

“There’s moments in a game where I do not have the ball in my hands, but I’m orchestrating or calling something just because I see it in a different view,” Gray said per the Las Vegas Review-Journal. “I’ve watched a lot of basketball, and I rewatch our games all the time. It’s the little details that make the difference.”

THA #POINTGAWDDDDD has arrived @cgray209 // #RaiseTheStakes pic.twitter.com/kZPcwN4TVu

— Las Vegas Aces (@LVAces) September 18, 2022

Gray concluded an all-time great postseason run, finishing Game 3 with 20 points, five rebounds, and six assists on 2-3 shooting from beyond the arc. For the postseason, Gray averaged 21.7 points and 7.0 assists per game on 61.1 percent shooting from the field and 55.3 percent from three-point range.

“Chelsea Gray is about the smartest basketball player I’ve ever been around — Her IQ is ridiculous,” Aces coach Becky Hammon said after Game 2.

CHELSEA GRAY @cgray209 // #RaiseTheStakes pic.twitter.com/xneo5MoiHf

— Las Vegas Aces (@LVAces) September 18, 2022

Gray was perhaps the best shotmaker in the postseason, hunting out mismatches and hitting contested J’s at every point of Las Vegas’ run to the Finals. Her ability to score from all three-levels has made the Aces’ offense more potent as Coach Becky Hammon built more of the offense around Gray. After the All-Star break, Gray averaged 15.8 points and 6.2 assists per game on 54.3 percent shooting from the field over the final 14 games of the regular-season.

Oh my @cgray209

@espn pic.twitter.com/8YyFoz5dvd

— WNBA (@WNBA) September 18, 2022

Gray and the Aces will celebrate their title in Las Vegas on Tuesday at 5:30 P.M. Pacific time.

The post Chelsea Gray Wins 2022 Finals MVP After Leading Las Vegas to First Title appeared first on SLAM.

THAT’S GAME!!!!!! THE LAS VEGAS ACES ARE YOUR 2022 @WNBA CHAMPIONS pic.twitter.com/HA2gqVJBOh

— WSLAM (@wslam) September 18, 2022

The Aces were led by Chelsea Gray (20 points, five rebounds, and six assists on 2-3 shooting from beyond the arc.) and Riquana Williams (17 points off the bench on 5-9 shooting from long distance.) Kelsey Plum contributed 15 points, three dimes, and three steals. Jackie Young dropped 13 points, and A’ja Wilson followed up with 11 points, 14 rebounds, and two blocks.

https://t.co/hVRdHQk7s9 pic.twitter.com/UvvVwON4mA

— Dearica Marie Hamby (@dearicamarie) September 18, 2022

While Game 4 matched Connecticut’s preferred style of play, low-scoring and defense-oriented, the Aces were able to prevail and win a game that the Sun made sure they mucked up in every way possible. The Aces finished Sunday on an 8-0 run to take home their first WNBA Finals. Williams highlighted that run with a lethal stepback over Natasha Hiedeman that gave Las Vegas a decisive 76-71 lead over the Sun.

“You see it. You see it,” Wilson said during the Aces’ on-court celebration. “This is what we’re building. This is what we’re doing. This is it. I’m so happy right now.”

RIQUANA WILLIAMS EVERYONE (via @wnba) pic.twitter.com/0N0xGAsyH1

— WSLAM (@wslam) September 18, 2022

Las Vegas’ title caps off a banner year for the Aces, who took home the Commissioner’s Cup, MVP (Wilson), All-Star Game MVP (Plum), Defensive Player of the Year honors (Wilson), Most Improved Player (Young), and Coach of the Year (Coach Becky Hammon). Hammon is the first in WNBA history to win a title in her first season as a head coach. Hammon worked as an assistant on Gregg Popovich’s coaching staff on the San Antonio Spurs for eight years.

“She’s been absolutely unbelievable, and I guess this legitimizes the way we went after her,” said Davis per ESPN. “I can’t wait to see what these rings are going to look like.”

Hammon changed up Las Vegas’ offensive philosophy this season, challenging the Aces to take more three-pointers than ever. The Aces responded by going 343-951 from beyond the arc, taking 519 more triples than they did last season (162-432). Wilson made 31 three-pointers during the regular-season. Wilson won her second MVP this season and has now added a title and an Olympic gold medal, cementing her place as a WNBA legend by 26-years-old.

All of Las Vegas’ key players are returning next season, giving the Aces a chance to be the first WNBA team to win consecutive championships since the Los Angeles Sparks did it in 2001-2002.

“It’s a commitment to wanting to keep a group together,” said Gray, who also won a title with Los Angeles in 2016. “You think about the teams in the past who kept a core group together, like Minnesota or Phoenix or Seattle, it’s a commitment to excellence and wanting to leave a legacy.

“I think especially with a first-year head coach, our bond got even a little tighter and stronger. For the organization to understand what it takes to not just do it one year, but try to do it multiple years, that’s when you’re talking about a more legendary franchise. Hopefully, that’s what we can be.”

The Aces will celebrate their title run with a championship parade on Tuesday at 5:30 P.M pacific time.

The post Chelsea Gray and Riquna Williams Lead Las Vegas to First-Ever Title appeared first on SLAM.

The 2022 All-WNBA First Team:

• A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas Aces
• Breanna Stewart, Seattle Storm
• Kelsey Plum, Las Vegas Aces
• Skylar Diggins-Smith, Phoenix Mercury
• Candace Parker, Chicago Sky

Heading the first team are unanimous selections A’ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart. A’ja Wilson adds her All-WNBA selection to her MVP and Defensive Player of the Year awards. She averaged 19.5 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 1.4 steals per game this season.

Rounding out the first team are Wilson’s teammate Kelsey Plum, Skylar Diggins-Smith, and Candace Parker. Plum received her first All-WNBA honor, while Parker received her seventh All-WNBA selection, tying Tamika Catchings and Lauren Jackson for the third most First-Team appearances of all time.

The 2022 All-WNBA Second Team:

• Alyssa Thomas, Connecticut Sun

• Sabrina Ionescu, New York Liberty
• Sylvia Fowles, Minnesota Lynx
• Nneka Ogwumike, Los Angeles Sparks
• Jonquel Jones, Connecticut Sun

With her Second Team selection, Sabrina Ionescu makes her first All-WNBA team in just her second full season in the W. To cap off her iconic career, Sylvia Fowles received her eighth All-WNBA honor. 

A’ja Wilson and Kelsey Plum of the Las Vegas Aces and Alyssa Thomas and Jonquel Jones of the Connecticut Sun continue to battle for the WNBA championship. Tune in to watch Game 4 on Sunday, September 18, at 4 pm ET.

The post A’ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart Headline 2022 All-WNBA Teams appeared first on SLAM.

Connecticut dominated Game 4 thanks to Alyssa Thomas’ historic triple-double outing and their ability to dominate the paint. The Sun scored a Finals record 64 points at the rim, while holding Las Vegas to 26 points. The Sun also recieved a resurgent performance from DeWanna Bonner, who contributed 18 points, six rebounds, five assists, and two steals for her best Finals performance yet.

Jonquel Jones followed that up with a team-high 20 points, five rebounds, and four assists on 8-12 shooting from the field, including 14 points in the paint. When asked about her dominance at the rim, Jones said that “that’s been the M.O. of the playoffs,” while also admitting that Lisa Leslie basically told her that dominating inside will help Connecticut win a championship.

“That’s been the M.O. of the playoffs,” Jones said per the AP. “Even the Chicago series, the team that won the paint, won the game. That’s where it’s done. A long time ago, I talked to Lisa Leslie and she said to win a championship you have to win the paint. I see it now and feel it now. I can go back to that and see she was right.”

Jonquel Jones on advice she once received from WNBA legend Lisa Leslie:
“To win the championship you gotta win the paint.”

— Khristina Williams (@Khristina) September 16, 2022

When Coach Becky Hammon was asked about what Connecticut did differently to beat her Aces, she could only say that nothing was different, “they just did it harder.”

“They didn’t do a whole lot different,” Hammon said. “They just did it harder.”

She also described Connecticut as a “physical and very resilient,” team that came into Game 3 with a “battle-type mentality.” Hammon also straight up admitted that Connecticut “kicked our ass in every way possible.” on Thursday.

“If you could encapsulate Connecticut, it’s physical and very resilient,” Aces coach Becky Hammon said of the Sun. “They have kind of a battle-type mentality, and we didn’t match that tonight, in any category. They just kicked our ass in every way possible.”

"They didn't do a whole lot different. They just did it harder." – Becky Hammon @TheNextHoops #WNBAFinals

— Howard Megdal (@howardmegdal) September 16, 2022

Connecticut will look to tie their best-of-five series up against Las Vegas on Saturday at 4 P.M EST.

The post Jonquel Jones Dominates Game 3 Thanks to Lisa Leslie’s Advice ‘to Win the Paint’ appeared first on SLAM.

Thomas finished Game 3 with 16 points, 15 rebounds, and 11 assists. The Sun has now won all four of their elimination games in the postseason, beating Dallas in the first round, beating Chicago in Games 4 and 5, and have now beaten Las Vegas in Game 3 to force Game 4.

“We’ve been struggling offensively, and we finally got a game back at home, and my teammates were hitting shots,” Thomas said per the AP. “None of this would have been possible without them.”

Alyssa Thomas gets the first-ever TRIPLE-DOUBLE in WNBA Finals history pic.twitter.com/ps4YVUbsqq

— WSLAM (@wslam) September 16, 2022

When Coach Curt Miller was asked about Thomas and her performance, he lauded Thomas’ toughness and her consistent effort as well.

“What’s remarkable, you guys, is that’s every day. She doesn’t know how else to play,” Miller said. “So if we’re playing and we’re not going 75 percent, or we’re not skeleton, or we’re not doing something 50 percent, if we’re not playing, that’s how AT plays, and that’s what’s different. She’s probably the toughest player I’ve ever coached, but she’s the most consistent player in terms of effort that I’ve ever been around. I know what I’m gonna get every single day. That show she plays, and that’s what makes her special she doesn’t know how to play other than that way.”

“She’s probably the toughest player I’ve ever coached”@CurtMillerWBB speaks about the toughness of @athomas_25 after she erupted for a 16 PTS, 15 REB and 11 AST triple-double #MoreThan pic.twitter.com/r5k4qngheO

— WNBA (@WNBA) September 16, 2022

After Las Vegas got off to a quick start scoring nine of the game’s first 11 points to force a quick Connecticut timeout, that timeout from Miller settled the Sun in and helped Connecticut outscore the Aces 32-10 the rest of the first quarter, including 25 of the opening frames’ final 29 points.

The Sun dominated the paint on Thursday, scoring a Finals record 64 points at the rime while holding Las Vegas to 26 points. Connecticut used that advantage to lead Las Vegas 53-34 with 1:44 left in the second quarter before the Aces reeled off a 9-0 run, including a buzzer-beating triple from Kelsey Plum from just inside half-court. After halftime, Connecticut took the momentum after a quick 5-0 run to grab a 16-point lead they wouldn’t give up.

“Connecticut came in with a better mental approach than we did,” Coach Becky Hammon said. “I don’t know if we thought we were just gonna show up and they were gonna lay down and hand us the trophy, but we should know better by now that’s a team that is very resilient. If you could encapsulate this team, it’s physical and very resilient — and they have a kind of battle-type mentality, and we didn’t match that tonight.”

Las Vegas leads the best-of-five series 2-1, with Game 4 on Sunday in Connecticut.

The post Connecticut Forces Game 4 Behind Alyssa Thomas’ Historic Triple-Double Outing appeared first on SLAM.

Having two Black female executives in a single front office is a rarity even in the WNBA. Fargas is responsible for “grounding the organization in a time of flux,” while Williams is making sure the Aces maintain a stable and promising on-court future.

“When you have two Black women in executive roles, you always talk about, they will be what they see,” Fargas said per Andscape. “When you think about this game being heavily populated by Black and brown faces, but then there’s not the representation of what the League looks like, and there’s not that representation outside of you just being a player. 

“We have to change that narrative.”

two Black women lead the front office of the next WNBA champion – Aces are the only team in the W with that level of representation. a deep dive from ⁦@seanahurd⁩ for ⁦@andscape⁩: https://t.co/37mF7PyWOD

— Jesse Washington (@jessewashington) September 15, 2022

Williams is the second-consecutive Black general manager to lead a WNBA Finals after James Wade, head coach and GM of the Chicago Sky. Over the League’s 26 Finals series, there have only been four instances where consecutive Finals featured at least one team with a Black GM. WNBA legend Penny Toler became the first black GM to win a title after leading the Sparks to three consecutive appearances from 2001-2003, winning back-to-back titles in 2000 and 2001.

Fred Williams oversaw the Atlanta Dreams’ Finals appearance in 2013 as head coach and GM, with former coach and GM Pokey Chatman following up by leading the Sky to a Finals appearance. Toler made two more consecutive appearances in 2016-2017 with the Sparks. In total, 10 teams made a Finals appearance while being led by a Black general manager.

Cheryl Smith was the pioneer, leading the Phoenix Mercury to the ’98 Finals as head coach and GM. Toler has the most Finals appearances for any Black GM, winning a title three times out of her five Finals appearances. Should the Aces finish their sweep of the Connecticut Sun on Thursday, it’ll be the first time in WNBA history that two different black GMs won championships in consecutive years.

Williams is the only Black female general manager in the 12-team WNBA. 

Fargas is the only Black executive to hold the title of team president in the WNBA. The only other Black woman in a similar or higher front office role is Keia Clarke, the CEO of the New York Liberty, and Natalie White, the senior VP of the San Jose Sharks. Fargas is well aware of the lack of diversity in front offices around the WNBA and intends to challenge the status quo around the League.

“You are aware of that,” said Fargas, the only Black head coach in any sport while at LSU. “We kind of have to succeed.”

While Fargas is a champion of diversity from her presidential role, she also believes that the mentality must be adopted around the League, starting with ownership. Fargas gave Davis his flowers for hiring and entrusting her with many of the personnel decisions for the organization.

“I think there are so many qualified people out there that may not look like you or just come from a different background,” Fargas said. “You can find them; it’s just, are you looking for them? I’m always looking, but I also believe that we should have diversity within our organization, and that’s what we’ve done.”

Last fall, the Aces leaned on Fargas to balance the franchise after former coach Bill Laimbeer stepped down and former GM Dan Padover left for a similar position with the Atlanta Dream. Her solution was to hire Hammon as the team’s new head coach and then hire Williams as the Aces’ GM in April. She also hired franchise legend Jennifer Azzi, as a chief business development officer.

Fargas also signed Theresa Plaisance, re-signed Riquna Williams and Kiah Stokes, and re-signed 2022 MVP A’ja Wilson to a two-year contract. Williams then reached an extension deal with Jackie Young, the 2022 Most Improved Player, in May, extended Chelsea Gray, negotiated an extension with Dearica Hambyin June, and re-signed Plum in July.

“We wanted them all coming back. They’re incredible young ladies and amazing athletes,” said Williams, who will soon shift her focus to the 2022 WNBA MVP. “This next year, I’ve got to get A’ja Wilson re-signed.”

The Aces are set to potentially conclude the WNBA Finals with a sweep to clinch their first title in franchise history on Tuesday.

The post Nikki Fargas and Natalie Williams Look to Create Change As Leaders in the Aces’ Front Office appeared first on SLAM.

“She makes big plays,” teammate Kelsey Plum said per ESPN. “She wants the ball in big moments. You feel safe when she has the ball.”

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Her tough shotmaking has been a critical reason that Las Vegas enters Thursday’s Game 3 with a 2-0 lead and a chance to sweep the series and win their first title in franchise history. Gray is playing with a level of confidence and swag that makes her the most dangerous player on the court. She’s recorded five 20-point, five-dime games this postseason, one short of the all-time League record, per ESPN.

Heading into Game 3, out of the 124 shots Gray has shot in the playoffs, 96 were contested. She has knocked down 61 (63.5 percent) of those contested shots. Significantly better than the 50 percent she hit on uncontested shots during Las Vegas’ run to the Finals, according to ESPN.

“What makes her so special is her ability to make contested shots,” Sun Coach Curt Miller said. “This league is filled with incredible players that make open shots. What separates Chelsea is she makes as many contested shots as anyone. Chelsea is elite at it, against a variety of players guarding her, in her face.”

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When asked about Gray’s high-level play, Coach Becky Hammon spoke about how she and Gray immediately connected when Hammon first joined the Aces. The two point guards bonded over the fact they’ve had to deal with two serious knee injuries during their careers and can empathize with the process it took for Gray to rebuild her career after she suffered consecutive knee injuries before her professional career began.

“But it builds a toughness in you that you’ll need down the road,” Hammon said. “It’s devastating when you’re an athlete, but then you really only have two choices. You either don’t get better, or you work your ass off to get better. We’ve seen what Chelsea did.”

The Aces will look to finish off a series sweep of the Connecticut Sun on Thursday at 9 pm EST.

The post Coach Curt Miller on What Makes Chelsea Gray ‘Special’ appeared first on SLAM.

After she retired from her playing career, she joined the San Antonio Spurs coaching staff and the renowned Gregg Popovich coaching tree. She spent five seasons in the Spurs system before deciding to leave the NBA for the W in December 2021, becoming the highest-paid coach in WNBA history as a result. 

Hammon was rumored to be up for multiple vacant head coaching positions in the NBA before taking a job with the Aces. If Hammon had been hired, she’d have been the first female head coach in the history of the NBA. She led the 2015 Spurs Summer League Team to a Summer League title as head coach.

In her first season as the head coach of the Aces, Hammon won the 2022 Coach of the Year, Jackie Young won Most Improved Player, A’ja Wilson won her second League MVP, Kelsey Plum won All-Star MVP on her way to a career-year, and the Aces made their triumphant return to the Finals.

Lindsay Schnell of USA Today asked Hammon if she thinks “everyone in the NBA feels dumb for not hiring you?”

“I’m used to people not picking me; I don’t know if you’re aware. I just do me.” Hammon says, despite all her success.

Even up 2-0 in the Finals, Coach Hammon knows the job is not finished, and she has more work to do.

“I don’t see any banners. I don’t see any balloons. I’m sure as hell happy I ain’t see that confetti again because we ain’t win nothing yet.” Hammon said.

Game 3 of the WNBA Finals is scheduled for September 15 at 9:00 PM EST.  

The post Becky Hammon On Being Snubbed For NBA Jobs: ‘I Just Do Me’ appeared first on SLAM.

Wilson’s 26 points and 10 rebounds not only helped her team win, but her phenomenal Game 2 earned her a spot within an exclusive club. Plum, who has had her struggles this postseason, got her swagger back last night, putting up 20 points to go along with seven assists. Then finally, Gray, whose ‘unconscious’ Game 4 performance against the Seattle Storm helped to put the Aces in the 2022 WNBA Finals. Gray put 21 points and eight assists in Ace’s Game 2 win over the Suns.

The Suns are down 2-0 heading back home and have to navigate the challenging task ahead of winning a pivotal Game 3 to extend the Finals and surviving. As WNBA history notes, teams that have a 2-0 lead in the finals are historically 15-0 all-time in the finals. However, the Suns this postseason are 3-0 when in elimination games.

“We are taking it one game at a time,” Jonquel Jones said, per CBS Sports. “That’s all we can do. We are going to go back home like you said. We are going to have our fans behind us, who have been with us all season, and we are going to use that to propel us to a win, and that’s all we can do.”

Jones dropped 16 points, 11 rebounds, and three assists in Game 2, followed by a team-high 18 points and five assists from Courtney Williams.

Only time will tell if WNBA history repeats itself or if the Suns will be able to create some new history of their own.

The post Jonquel Jones: Connecticut ‘Taking It One Game At a Time’ Heading Into Game 3 appeared first on SLAM.

A’ja Wilson is the first player in WNBA history to have five games with 20+ points and 10+ rebounds in a single postseason.@LVAces | #WNBAFinals pic.twitter.com/QRZJGX1u32

— Basketball Reference (@bball_ref) September 14, 2022

The two-time MVP, Kelsey Plum and Chelsea Gray, combined for 67 points, becoming the second trio of players in WNBA history to all score 20-points in a Finals game. The first trio to do it was Breanna Stewart, Natasha Howard, and Alysha Clark, who accomplished the feat during Game 2 of the 2020 WNBA Finals against the Aces, ironically enough.

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Wilson played a significant role in Plum refinding her swag before Game 2, getting brutally honest with the Washington product who led the Aces in scoring after averaging 20.2 points (second in the League) and 5.1 assists (ninth in the W) per game on 42 percent shooting from beyond the arc (ranks fourth in the W).

Plum finished third in MVP voting and played a significant role in Las Vegas, ending with the best record in the League behind the second-best offense in WNBA history. Gray also finished ninth in MVP voting. The Sun was the only other team to have two players finish top 10 in MVP voting.

“I told [Plum] she needed to get her s— together,” Wilson said. “At the end of the day, that’s what she needs to do. Make sure she understood that we need her to make shots, and I know it sounds harsh, but KP is a pro, and she went out there and took care of business. I think she understands that we believe in her, and like I said in the last press conference, I have ways that I talk to my teammates to get them to understand where I need to be and where we need to be. Yeah, I cussed her out.”

Plum’s resurgence game after she relentlessly attacked the rim. The 2022 All-Sar Game MVP knocked down all six of her shot attempts in the restricted area and sank all five of her free-throw attempts.

Gray, Plum, and Wilson will look to complete a series sweep of the Connecticut Sun on Thursday at Mohegan Sun Arena.

The post A’ja Wilson Becomes the First Member of An Exclusive 20 and 10 Club After Game 2 appeared first on SLAM.

Through her seven previous outings, Plum posted 17.0 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game on 39.0 percent shooting from the field and 26.1 percent from beyond the arc.

“I’ve been a little bit, you know, frustrated with how I’ve performed throughout the whole playoffs,” Plum said, “so I’m just glad that they’ve been carrying it, and I decided to join the party.”

A’ja Wilson on what she told Kelsey Plum before the game:

“I told her she needs to get her shit together.”

— Khristina Williams (@Khristina) September 14, 2022

Any hooper with the kind of pedigree Plum has will tell you that the lid comes off the basket, eventually. Shooters shoot, after all, and you miss 100 percent of the shots you don’t take. That type of mentality Plum undoubtedly had helped the Washington product find her swag back on Tuesday, just two days after she scored just single-digit points for the third time in her playoff career.

“I told [Plum] she needed to get her s— together,” Wilson said. “At the end of the day, that’s what she needs to do. Make sure she understood that we need her to make shots, and I know it sounds harsh, but KP is a pro, and she went out there and took care of business. I think she understands that we believe in her, and like I said in the last press conference, I have ways that I talk to my teammates to get them to understand where I need to be and where we need to be. Yeah, I cussed her out.”

Plum Dawg Big Guard@Kelseyplum10 // @dearicamarie pic.twitter.com/4RiymkdIkT

— Las Vegas Aces (@LVAces) September 14, 2022

The Aces’ 85-71 Game 3 win featured Plum rediscovering her shooting stroke. The 2022 All-Star MVP dropped 20 points and seven assists on 7-13 shooting from the field and 1-6 shooting from beyond the arc, including 11 points in the third quarter. Plum, A’ja Wilson (26 points and 10 rebounds), and Chelsea Gray (21 points, eight assists, and three steals) combined to score 67 points in Game 3.

“A’ja cussed me out before; that’s all I needed,” Plum joked while being interviewed postgame by Holly Rowe of ESPN.”It’s about time I joined the party; they’ve been carrying us all week, so it’s good to hit some shots, but we got one more.”

Las Vegas will look to complete their sweep of Connecticut on Thursday in Mohegan Sun Arena.

The post Kelsey Plum Gets Her Swag Back: ‘It’s About Time I Joined the Party’ appeared first on SLAM.

Inaugural Ballers: The True Story of the First U.S. Women’s Olympic Basketball Team, written by New York Times best-selling author Andrew Maraniss, tells the inspirational, true story of the Team USA’s pioneering women’s basketball team that won a silver medal at the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal. Inaugural Ballers features interviews from members of the ’76 team, which paint a vivid picture of the times in society and sports.

Packed with detailed photos that reveal the origins of women’s basketball in the United States, Maraniss’ passion for sports history and storytelling shines through brilliantly in Inaugural Ballers, as he smoothly explores not only women’s basketball but the social change required for the game to form and evolve.

Maraniss also makes it a point to artfully detail the stories of the forgotten women’s basketball pioneers, like the Fort Shaw Indian School, a barnstorming team of indigenous girls who ended up beating the St. Louis All-Star girls team, an undefeated group of white alumnae from the cities Central High School, at the St. Louis World’s Fair.

“It’s incredibly important to me; first of all, it’s the truth,” Maraniss said about his inclusive storytelling in Inaugural Ballers. “The first women to play basketball in an Olympic setting were Native American women at the St. Louis Olympics, which was also the World’s Fair. I thought that was an incredibly important part of history that isn’t talked about very much.”

“I also made a point of talking about the growth of black basketball for women in the country. In (the) decades prior to the Olympics. These women may have been excluded for playing for white colleges or YMCA or even excluded from abilities to try out for early national teams prior to the Olympics, but that doesn’t mean they weren’t playing or that they weren’t great players like Ora Washington, who were denied these opportunities. If I’m gonna write a non-fiction book that’s supposed to tell the truth, that history is important.”

Maraniss also explores the harmful misogyny and sexism, generations of systemic racism, and shortcomings of White-centered feminism leading up to and beyond the landmark passage of Title IX in 1972. Although the landmark legislation didn’t outright target girls and women in sports, it did help women athletes compete at the same level as their male counterparts.

Once the International Olympic Committee added women’s basketball to the 1976 Olympic games in ’73, Team USA built a squad out of the members from the ’73 World University Games and open tryouts. Mildred Barnes, a Team USA admin, empowered Coach Billie Moore and Sue Gunter and allowed them to build an underdog team that ultimately captured a silver medal.

“You look at Gen Z or kids who are in high school or college now, care and are active on so many social issues that are vital to this country and to the planet,” Maraniss said about the broad appeal of his book. “So I hope that a book that deals with feminism and women’s rights and inequities in athletics, I think that will be very appealing to this generation of students and of athletes. They can look and see where we were, to the degree we’ve made progress, and have a really good context and framework for the additional progress that still needs to be made that they’ll be the ones fighting for. I think it’s really important for them to know the history and where we’ve come from.”

As of 2021, the Team USA national women’s team has won seven straight gold medals.

The post New Book ‘Inaugural Ballers’ Surveys the Historic 1976 Team USA Women’s Basketball Squad appeared first on SLAM.

Aces Coach Becky Hammon understands how serious of a time it is with the Finals still underway; however, she does not want everything to be just about winning. When talking about Colson and Plaisance, she makes sure to emphasize this.

“They’re super fun in general. They’re fun people, but I respect their professionalism because when it’s time to get down to business, they’re locked in, ready to go, those two. It takes a special kind of person to be able to flip that switch. Not everybody can do it, but those two, and I’ve said it before, this is our job, and we’re in it to win it, but also we play basketball. There’s more important things going on in the world than us putting a ball in the hoop.”

Colson also chimed in on her bench antics. She wants fans to know that she wants to be the one to use humor to relieve some of the pressure the team has in being in such a position. 

“I try to bring levity to situations. When it’s a moment when maybe it’s supposed to be really serious, but it doesn’t help to be so tight. Loosen up a little. It’s not the end of the world,” Colson said. “We have to be locked in for finals. There’s a level of seriousness and a level of focus that you have to have, but you should also be in the moment enough to know I got to have fun with this.”

Colson is known as the class clown of the WNBA, going viral on several occasions while filming her teammates or just being herself while she tweets.

The Aces will need Colson and Plaisance to keep the mood light as they look to take a 2-0 series lead over Connecticut following Tuesday’s Game 2 contest.

The post Sydney Colson and Theresa Plaisance Play ‘Super Fun’ Role As Aces Top Jokers appeared first on SLAM.

The Sun has been in the WNBA Finals as recently as 2019, but they lost in the semifinals the past two summers. In fact, with 36 franchise playoff wins, the Connecticut Sun has the most playoff wins of any WNBA franchise without a championship. The Sun has a history of being knocked down, but more importantly, they also have a legacy of getting back up.

Last week the Connecticut Sun faced elimination in back-to-back games, down 2-1 against the reigning champion Chicago Sky. DeWanna Bonner asked Coach Curt Miller if she could hold a players-only meeting after Connecticut couldn’t win Game 3 despite playing their signature “messy” style of play. The Sun may have mucked up the lane and made life miserable for Chicago, but the Sun had an equally tough time on offense, shooting a dismal 39 percent at the rim.

As the lone champion on the roster, Bonner said she saw a Sun team holding on to some nervousness that made them play tight. She saw that the Sun was playing not to lose and not to make mistakes. The meeting reportedly “rekindled an air of levity and belief that saved Connecticut’s season.”

“DB is a champion,” teammate Natasha Hiedeman said of Bonner. “She’s been there. She knows what it takes. Her speeches have been on point lately, so we’ve been feeding off of that — She’s leading the way, and we’re following.”

Following their meeting, they defeated the Sky in Game 4 in a 104-80 drubbing. They then capitalized on their confidence from their Game 4 win and clinched their path to the WNBA Finals after unleashing a game-sealing 18-0 run to win Game 5, 72-63.

The Sun won after refusing to back down when Kahleah Copper got into Bonner’s face after Bonner knocked down a potential and-1 layup.

“I just sat everybody down, I said, ‘Come on, this is not us,'” Bonner said per ESPN. “‘Let’s just play like whatever happens happens. They kicked our ass anyways, so why not just play?'”

“We weren’t ourselves the first couple games of the [semifinals]. As a matter of fact, the whole playoffs, I felt like we just weren’t ourselves.”

The Finals are now underway, and despite losing Game 1 on Sunday, the Sun know they can do anything as long as they stay together and communicate. A task that isn’t difficult for a veteran core headlined by Bonner and 2021 MVP winner Jonquel Jones. With Alyssa Thomas, Brionna Jones, and Courtney Williams on the court, the Sun has a lineup that knows how to utilize their teamwork and camaraderie.

“I don’t even know if we found that confidence at all in the playoffs until we won that Game 4,” Bonner said. “And then it was like, ‘All right, let’s go,’ This is how we want to play. We want to have fun. We can’t have fun if we’re playing uptight.'”

Bonner is averaging 12.7 points per game, 5.3 rebounds per game, and 3.8 assists per game in the 2022 WNBA Playoffs. Game 2 is scheduled for Tuesday at 9 p.m. EST.

The post DeWanna Bonner Details Playoff-Defining Player-Only Meeting That Led to Connecticut’s Finals Appearance appeared first on SLAM.

Over her 15-year playing career as the floor general for the Connecticut Sun and Minnesota Lynx, she made eight WNBA Finals and won four WNBA championships. Whalen is also a five-time All-Star and five-time All-WNBA selection, as well as a two-time Olympic Gold Medalist with USA Basketball.

She averaged 11.5 points per game, 3.8 rebounds per game, 4.9 assists, and 1.0 steals per game over her career, retiring with the fourth most assists in WNBA history. 

“I carried a chip on my shoulder all the time because people thought it can’t be done in Minnesota,” Whalen said, per SI. “I loved to prove people wrong, and that’s how I played.”

Fellow legends Charles Barkley and Dawn Staley were selected as Whalen’s presenters. Both doubled as her favorite basketball players and hugely influenced her game.

“Charles, you were my first favorite basketball player growing up. I was going to be a 6’2, 6’3 power forward with a great turnaround jumper and a rebounding machine, that was until I stopped growing at 5’8,” Whalen said. But plans change a little bit. Thank you for giving inspiration to a young girl from Hutchinson, Minnesota.”

She also honored Dawn Staley and noted that she’d followed a path Staley blazed years prior, going from being a WNBA point guard to head coach of a powerhouse college program. Staley won her second national championship in April, while Whalen is looking to guide Minnesota to national prominence in the Big 10.

Whalen made sure she exalted her parents for instilling a work ethic and dedication in her. Her father, Neil, was her first coach, and the lessons he passed on to her have been integral to her development as a player and a coach throughout her athletic career.

Whalen also thanked her husband, Ben Greve, for supporting her and sticking beside her throughout the rigors of being a women’s professional basketball player.

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In an enshrinement speech that primarily reflected on the past, Whalen ended by looking to the future—she even reminded her players at Minnesota that the’d have practice the following week. With Whalen’s work ethic, it would be no surprise if she finds herself back at Springfield for another induction in years to come.

The post WNBA Legend Lindsay Whalen Honored at Naismith Hall of Fame appeared first on SLAM.

She also won the Defensive Player of the Year last week, the Commissioner’s Cup, was voted a WNBA All-Star captain, and earned two Player of the Month and four Player of the Week nods.

Can’t put into words how truly blessed I am! forever grateful to compete in such a talent league! BIG BLESSINGS! https://t.co/bGWG9DW5lj

— A'ja Wilson (@_ajawilson22) September 7, 2022

Over the weekend, Dawn Staley, Wilson’s head coach at South Carolina and the former head coach of TeamUSA’sswomen’ss basketball program, commented on Wilson winning the 2022 MVP.

“Big A, you know I am never shocked by the success that you’ve had. The MVP is something you wanted, probably not the Defensive Player of the Year. You could care less about that — you don’t really play defense, but they gave you the award.”

“Thank you, though, thank you for the work that you put in in the off-season, and thank you for believing in yourself even on your worse day. The MVP is your resume throughout the entire year, and there was nobody better, nobody more consistent than you. So I am super happy for you; get that hardware right.” 

.@dawnstaley with a message (via @WNBA) pic.twitter.com/2VszQswNZm

— WSLAM (@wslam) September 12, 2022

Wilson and the Aces are up 1-0 in the WNBA Finals heading into Tuesday’s Game 2 at Michelob Ultra Arena.

The post Dawn Staley: ‘Nobody Better’ Than Reigning MVP A’ja Wilson This Season appeared first on SLAM.

The Aces were led by A’ja Wilson (24 points, 11 rebounds, two steals, and four blocks) and Chelsea Gray (21 points, two rebounds, and three assists).

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Dearica Hamby made her on-court return from a regular-season-ending knee injury for Game 1, contributing two points, three boards, and two dimes in 11 minutes of action off the bench. Jackie Young was the only other double-digit scorer for the Aces after she scored 11 points and grabbed three rebounds.

“Coming from being swept and actually getting one. Pretty happy about this one,” Wilson said. “Not going to dwell on it long as we have a really tough Game 2 coming up.”

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Despite being down by four at halftime, the Aces rallied in the second half, outscoring the Sun 33 to 26. Hamby was pivotal in helping get Las Vegas back in the game in her spurt of action. She grabbed a pair of offensive rebounds, scored a put-back under the basket, dished two dimes, and got a steal to help the Aces turn a six-point deficit into a two-point advantage in the fourth quarter.

“We had to lock in,” Wilson said during a TV interview with ESPN’s Holly Rowe. “We let them some things get away, and you can’t do that against a Conn team like that. I had to reel my team in, I don’t know what we were thinking, but I really had to use my voice this time and just say, “get with it, get with it, or we gon lose.”

“So at the end of the day, we just had to really come together and buckle in cause Conn gon give us all that they got and we gotta do the same.”

The Aces had to fend off a late rally from the Sun to take Game 1. Connecticut was in the process of erasing a seven-point deficit with 1:24 left after Alyssa Thomas (19 points, 11 rebounds, five assists, three steals) knocked down back-to-back clutch shots to pull the Sun to within three. However, the comeback fell short after DeWanna Bonner’s (three points and five dimes on 1-9 shooting from the field) game-winning three-pointer fell short.

Game 2 between Las Vegas and Connecticut is scheduled for Tuesday at 9 p.m. EST in Michelob Ultra Arena.

The post A’ja Wilson and Chelsea Grey Leads Las Vegas to Franchise-First Finals Win appeared first on SLAM.

Vandersloot has spent her entire career in Chicago, while Quigley joined the franchise in 2013 after a trade. The two have become synonymous with the franchise and played a significant role in Chicago winning its first title in 2021. Quigley is reportedly contemplating retirement, while Vandersloot is reportedly thinking about joining Seattle and ending her career close to her hometown of Kent, WA.

“Every single day, we are all committed, 100% invested into winning a championship and making history,” Vandersloot said per ESPN. “We fell short, but it wasn’t for lack of effort. It wasn’t for lack of commitment.”

Sloot said #skytown pic.twitter.com/x7fRG0cTLM

— Chicago Sky (@chicagosky) September 9, 2022

Quigley followed up by reflecting on her time in Chicago and expressed gratitude to the city and the franchise for helping her find her eventual wife in Vandersloot.

“I never imagined it ending up like this or having the career I had,” Quigley said. “Especially being able to do it in Chicago with my family, meet my wife, it’s unbelievable. I couldn’t ask for anything better.”

This was a Vanderquigs-produced bucket#skytown pic.twitter.com/COXCID4U6f

— Chicago Sky (@chicagosky) September 9, 2022

The offseason has just begun in Chicago, with exit interviews set to begin soon. It remains to be seen what Quigley, Sloot, and Parker will do, but regardless of their decision, their status as franchise legends has been stamped after helping build the Sky franchise into must-see TV for WNBA fans.

The post Allie Quigley and Courtney Vandersloot Contemplating Basketball Future appeared first on SLAM.

The Sky’s loss in a winner-take-all Game 5 against the Sun can be narrowed down by the fact that Chicago’s shot abandoned them during the biggest game of the season. Chicago ultimately shot 34.3 percent from the field and 32 percent from beyond the arc on Wednesday. They also squandered a 10-point lead going into the fourth quarter, missing their final eight shots of the night.

“We haven’t had a quarter like that, and to end the season off it, (that) didn’t display what we’ve actually done,” Coach James Wade said per ESPN. “I just wish I could’ve got them a bucket, and I just couldn’t. It’s just a tough feeling.”

While the defending champs struggled to get anything going, the Sun came together and had the perfect response to Chicago’s Kahleah Copper getting in the face of Connecticut’s DeWanna Bonner. Instead of allowing the tense moment and jaw-jacking to get in their head, the Sun responded by putting an 18-0 run on Chicago’s head over the final 4 minutes to cement their place in the WNBA Finals.

All five Connecticut starters were double-digit scorers, led by Bonner and Jonquel Jones, who scored 15 points apiece. Chicago was led by Cooper (game-high 22 points.) Emma Meesseman (14 points and six rebounds) and Courtney Vandersloot (12 points, three assists, three steals) combined for 26 points. Candace Parker could only muster seven points, nine boards, three steals, and four blocks on 2-7 shooting.

“It’s tough,” Wade said per the Chicago Tribune. “It’s probably one of the biggest disappointments that I’ve had professionally — It’s hard to put into words right now. This is going to hurt me for a long time. Felt I could’ve done a better job of getting them a bucket. I couldn’t get them one.”

Chicago will look to figure out how to address their free agency concerns with Parker, Vandersloot, and Allie Quigley headed into free agency and possibly retirement for Parker. Meesseman is also set to hit free agency after her one-year deal expires.

The post Coach James Wade Calls Game 5 Loss ‘One of the Biggest Dissapointments’ of His Professional Career appeared first on SLAM.

The journey to get to the championship stage has been challenging for Coach Curt Miller and the Sun. They lost Jasmine Thomas to a torn ACL early in May. Miller’s mom passed away in August. During the series-clinching Game 5, the Sun fell behind 10 points. But as it has been all season, Connecticut’s grit and resilience helped them defy the odds.

That resilience, DeWanna Bonner’s refusal to back down from Kahleah Copper specifically, was the catalyst to Connecticut reeling off a game-defining 18-0 run that helped them upset the defending champs and stamped their ticket to their

“Everybody has stories across this league,” Miller said per ESPN. “Ours — it just seemed like one thing after another that we had adversity this season in and out of that locker room. It’s remarkable that this group just refused to use it as excuses.”

Chicago’s elimination guarantees there will not only be a new champion, but whoever wins will be winning their first-ever title. A new coach will also win their first-ever championship as well.

When Connecticut takes on the Las Vegas Aces, they’ll be taking on the top seed of the playoffs led by DPOY and recently crowned two-time MVP A’ja Wilson, Sixth Player of the Year and All-Star guard Kelsey Plum, fellow All-Star and SPOY Dearica Hamby, the most dangerous closer in the playoffs, Chelsea Gray, and Jackie Young, the reigning Most Improved Player. Don’t forget rookie Coach Becky Hammon, who won Coach of the Year two weeks ago.

“Not many people will pick us against Vegas either, and that’s OK,” Miller said. “We’re going to prepare and try to make it a Connecticut Sun style of game.”

The Sun and Aces start the WNBA Finals on Sunday at noon on ABC.

The post Coach Curt Miller on Connecticut’s Journey to the Finals: ‘Everybody Has Stories Across This League’ appeared first on SLAM.

The loss has put some things into perspective for Candace Parker, who expressed that she’s open to retiring during the lead-up to the 2022 campaign. Although Parker will tell you she doesn’t feel like she’s dominating like she once did, the two-time MVP did have a career postseason run and has been praised by her teammates and head coach for her leadership and “urgency” to win back-to-back championships

Parker posted five double-doubles during the playoffs, including four straight from Games 1-3 against New York and in Game 1 against Connecticut. Her 27 playoff double-doubles tie Tamika Catchings for most in playoff history. She also became the all-time leading rebounder in WNBA playoff history during Game 4 of the semifinals.

Parker ends her latest playoff run averaging 15.9 rebounds, 11.0 rebounds, 4.9 assists, 1.1 steals, and 2.4 blocks per game on 44.9 percent shooting from the field.

Despite her individual success, Parker revealed that she is once again contemplating if she wants to walk away from basketball. She reiterated that she will take her time to weigh her options and that she has no intentions to “cheat the game.”

“I’m going to go back and reevaluate whether I’m able to continue to play at the level that I hold myself to,” Parker said. “And I think that’s the biggest thing; I don’t ever want to cheat the game. I won’t cheat the game.”

“So when I’m not able to go out and play and be the Candace that I want to be, I won’t play,” Parker said. “And I think that comes in the offseason.”

"I won't cheat the game"

After yet another dominate season for @Candace_Parker, she speaks on what the off-season will look like and talks about always wanting to play at her highest level pic.twitter.com/Q01tKqFJpE

— WNBA (@WNBA) September 9, 2022

During Game 5, Parker posted seven points, nine rebounds, three assists, three steals, and four blocks.

Her three-pointer and Kahleah Copper’s three-point play gave Chicago a 10-point lead entering the fourth, but Chicago went cold and missed their last eight shots of the night. A scuffle between Copper and DeWanna Bonner led to the Sun reeling off a decisive 18-0 run to win Game 5 and stamp their date to the WNBA Finals against the Las Vegas Aces on Sunday.

“Of course, it was not intentional, but maybe we stopped attacking,” Courtney Vandersloot said. “(Maybe) we were scared to lose, rather than trying to win. But I feel like we got good looks; we just didn’t knock them down.”

The post Candace Parker On Her Decision to Play Next Year: ‘I Won’t Cheat the Game’ appeared first on SLAM.

DeWanna Bonner knocked down the hoop and the harm despite a hard foul from Kahleah Cooper (game-high 22 points). The latter took exception to Bonner’s celebration of the potential and-1 bucket and pushed Bonner as the two veterans began to jack their jaws in each other’s faces.

The tense interaction didn’t draw any technical fouls, but it did inspire the Sun to unleash a game-defying 18-0 run that eliminated the Sun, 72-63, and set a WNBA Finals date with the Aces. During postgame interviews, it was clear Bonner not backing down from Copper was pivotal for the Sun; when Jonquel Jones was asked about it during her TV interview with ESPN, she said the Sun “locked in” afterward and decided “we’re not about to be bullied.”

“That was our moment to settle it down,” Bonner said per YahooSports. “Yeah, we got fired up. We just looked up and was like, ‘Oh, there’s a lot of time left.’ That was all the fire needed.”

This is everything we’ve worked for.

Sun fans, see you in the Finals #CTSun pic.twitter.com/fNBI4BwHSE

— Connecticut Sun (@ConnecticutSun) September 9, 2022

The Sun held the Sky to five points in the fourth quarter, the fewest scored in the fourth quarter of a winner-take-all game in WNBA history and the second-fewest in any playoff game. Connecticut also held Chicago to 34.3 percent shooting from the field and outrebounded the former champs 43-28.

All five Connecticut starters scored in double-digits, led by Bonner (nine rebounds and five assists) and Jones (10 rebounds, two steals, and two blocks), who scored 15 points apiece. Natasha Hiedeman posted 14 points and four assists, followed by 12 points apiece from Courtney Williams (six rebounds and five assists) and Alyssa Thomas (10 rebounds and eight assists).

“We wanted this one bad,” Bonner said. “We come up here every year, and Chicago kicks our ass. They do; that’s just what it is. We’ve lost to them like seven times in a row like we couldn’t figure it out. I think that in Game 4, we figured it out and came here and came here with a little more confidence. Cause usually we come here, and we look up at the first score when we play Chicago, we’re down 20.”

“And that time, I think we figured it out at home; I think we wanted it a little bit more (At Wintrust Arena).”

12-0 run for the @ConnecticutSun, they lead the @chicagosky 66-63 with 1:02 left in the 4Q

ESPN2 pic.twitter.com/okMfP4EUGG

— WNBA (@WNBA) September 9, 2022

The Game 5 win also helped Connecticut exercise their Chicago demons. The Sky swept the Sun 4-0 in the regular-season and eliminated Connecticut in the first round of last year’s postseason before claiming the 2021 title.

It would’ve been easy for the Sun to fold after allowing Chicago to outscore them by 18 during the second and third quarters, but this playoff-tested Connecticut team needed a moment like that Bonner-Copper action to inspire them to greater heights. Connecticut’s series-clinching 18-0 run is the longest to close out a WNBA playoff game in League history.

“When adversity hits, sometimes we fold,” Hiedeman said. “Not no more, we’re not folding no more. As you all saw (after) the third quarter, we picked up right back up once again. Now we’re going to the championship. Job not done yet.”

Definitely Hiedemans night pic.twitter.com/3uEsdqzqGj

— WSLAM (@wslam) September 9, 2022

The WNBA Finals will begin on Sunday.

The post DeWanna Bonner On the Exchange That Led to Decisive 18-0 Run: ‘That Was Our Moment to Settle It Down’ appeared first on SLAM.

The loss is especially brutal, knowing it was Sue Bird and Briann January’s final contests in front of Storm fans at Climate Pledge Arena. Game 4 was a barn burner featuring three lead changes and three ties over the fourth quarter. Breanna Stewart and Jewell Loyd more than pulled their weight during the series-clinching loss, with Stewie dropping 42 points and four rebounds while Loyd followed up with 29 points and four boards.

Stewart played all 40 minutes while becoming the fifth player in WNBA playoff history to score at least 40 points, tying the individual playoff scoring with her 42-point outing.

“We are a duo that’s hard to stop,” Stewie said per Hunter Hames. “We are both still early in our careers and know how scary we can be on (the) court. You saw that last night.”

Stewie sharing how much she loves to play with Jewell

Stewie- “We are a duo that’s hard to stop. We are both still early in our careers and know how scary we can be on court. You saw that last night.”

— Hunter Hames (@hunter9h) September 7, 2022

As brilliant as Stewie and Loyd were on Wednesday, Seattle couldn’t find a third scorer to help lighten the load.

Meanwhile, the Aces were led by four double-digit scorers, with Chelsea Gray leading the way with 31 points and 10 assists, including 15 in the fourth quarter, followed by A’ja Wilson’s 23 points, 13 boards, three blocks, and one steal. Jackie Young contributed 18 points and five rebounds, and Kelsey Plum rounded out the Aces with 15 points and four dimes.

The loss plunges Seattle into an unknown future. The Storm only has two players under contract next season and eight free agents, including Stewie and Gabby Williams. Tina Charles is also a free agent after she reportedly opted out after the season concluded, according to Percy Allen of the Seattle Times.. Loyd is now the longest-tenured player on the Storm roster.

Jewell Loyd on next year’s team- “You find players you want to play with. People have seen my game, how Stewie and I play, & I hope they want to be here. There will be some calls and chats to recruit, but I’m not a recruiter, so you hope it happens organically.”

— Balanced Sports (@balanced_sports) September 7, 2022

The Finals between the Aces and the winner of the Chicago Sky-Connecticut Sun semifinal series will begin on Sunday.

The post Breanna Stewart on Playing With Jewell Loyd: ‘We Are a Duo That’s Hard to Stop’ appeared first on SLAM.

RACK EM UP A’JA Your 2022 M’VP @_ajawilson22 pic.twitter.com/8TUw2g72t2

— WSLAM (@wslam) September 7, 2022

Wilson beat out MVP finalist Breanna Stewart for the illustrious regular-season award.

Wilson averaged 19.5 points, 9.4 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.4 assists, and 1.9 blocks per game on 50.1 percent shooting from the field and 37.3 percent from beyond the arc. Wilson led the Aces to a League-best 26-10 record, was named the Defensive Player of the Year last week, won the Commissioner’s Cup, was voted a WNBA All-Star captain, and earned two Player of the Month and four Player of the Week nods.

The moment @BeckyHammon told @_ajawilson22 that she just earned her second @WNBA M’VP pic.twitter.com/Z302OWI4Th

— Las Vegas Aces (@LVAces) September 7, 2022

Wilson and the Aces are headed to the Finals for the first time in 2020 after dispatching the Seattle Storm in four games. The Aces await the winner of the Chicago Sky-Connecticut Sun semifinal series. The Sky and Sun play a series-deciding Game 5 on Thursday.

Can’t put into words how truly blessed I am! forever grateful to compete in such a talent league! BIG BLESSINGS! https://t.co/bGWG9DW5lj

— A’ja Wilson (@_ajawilson22) September 7, 2022

The post A’ja Wilson Wins the 2022 WNBA MVP appeared first on SLAM.

Gray posted 31 points and 10 assists, becoming the first player in League history to top 30 points and 10 dimes per ESPN Stats and Information. Gray has averaged 24.0 points per game on 63 percent shooting from the field and 59.5 percent from beyond the arc.

“I don’t really know how,” Gray said of her hot shooting, per ESPN. “I’m going into my shots like I practice them. It’s not anything different.”

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Gray’s transformation into the Aces’ closer came after Las Vegas lost Game 5 of their semifinal series against the Phoenix Mercury. Gray and recently crowned DPOY and MVP candidate A’ja Wilson texted about how to get over the hump, and the answer came in letting Wilson cook and dominate the ball often while Gray’s shot-making turned out to be the ultimate difference-maker in the fourth quarter that featured three ties and three lead changes.

“I just put the work in,” Gray said during her televised interview with Holly Rowe. “I’m so proud of this group; it’s been one helluva season, man. Shit, I don’t know how it went it I just know that it did.”

The 2016 champ knocked down three straight jumpers during the final 2:03 of Game 4, starting a short back-and-forth sequence where Las Vegas and Seattle switched leads before Gray hit her final two field goals of the night, including a 16-footer that gave the Aces a five-point lead in the final 30.7 seconds of the game they wouldn’t surrender.

“I don’t think anyone on planet Earth can guard her,” Seattle Coach Noelle Quinn said. “She was unconscious. We did a lot of things this series to try to slow her down. You limit her scoring; she has the ability to pass and play make. She’s an incredible player.

“I think that our team did a very good job of trying to limit her, but I think she’s been on a roll; and when a player’s on a roll like that, it’s very hard to stop.”

The semifinal series between the Aces and Storm will likely be considered a classic in WNBA history. Just one of the four games was decided by more than five points (Game 3), and that contest went to overtime after Jackie Young sank a buzzer-beating layup to force an extra period.

Las Vegas’ series-clinching win avenged their Finals loss to Seattle in 2020 and validates their regular-season finale win over Seattle during Sue Birds’ final home game at Climate Pledge Arena.

The post ‘Unconscious’ Chelsea Gray Leads Las Vegas Aces to WNBA Finals appeared first on SLAM.

The semifinal series between the Storm and Aces was pressure-packed and full of entertaining shot-making between the two WNBA titans. It was the kind of series you can expect between two teams that field a combined seven former No. 1 overall picks, the first time that many have played in a playoff series in WNBA history.

Thank you, @S10Bird pic.twitter.com/zn4jR5OvQZ

— WSLAM (@wslam) September 7, 2022

Bird ended her final game with eight points and eight assists. The all-time point gawd stayed on the hardwood after the fourth quarter buzzer rang off, receiving hugs from the Acesd receiving “Thank you, Sue” chants from Storm fans who cried with her.

Wednesday’s Game 3 concludes a career that includes four titles and five Olympic gold medals, 13 All-Star selections, eight All-WNBA nods, and retired as the all-time leader in wins; most seasons played, games played, assists in the regular and postseason, minutes played, All-Star appearance, and turnovers.

“Sad,” Bird said about her feelings as she soaked in Climate Pledge Arena for the final time during a tv interview with Holly Rowe. “Obviously, so thankful for 20 years here. I’m gonna miss it so much, I’m not going anywhere, but I’m gonna miss it. I wish we could’ve done a little bit more to get to the Finals, but I’m so proud of this team this year. I’m so so so proud to be a member of the Seattle Storm. It has been my honor to play for this franchise, to play for these fans. I don’t know what else to say.”

The final bow. #ThankYouSue

@trapographer pic.twitter.com/e9IG5k8JPo

— WSLAM (@wslam) September 7, 2022

At 41-years-old, Bird came in thinking the 2022 season would be her last but didn’t make it official until June 16. Funny enough, Bird’s last regular-season home game was against Las Vegas, who also played party pooper during the regular-season finale.

“It’s hard to say,” Bird said about her legacy. “I just hope the next person that comes in and plays point guard here, just keep the tradition going, keep the winning going, keep that championship level going, keep these fans happy. The same goes for the rest of the team as well, but I hope I made everyone in here proud.”

Sue Bird helped change the game in and off the court.

She built for the future. #ThankYouSue pic.twitter.com/BHWPgXGRfr

— WSLAM (@wslam) September 7, 2022

The Aces advance to their third Finals and first since 2020, a title round series they lost to — Bird and the Storm. The 2020 title in the “Wubble” was the fourth championship for Bird and Seattle.

The post Sue Bird Officially Hangs It Up After Game 4 Loss appeared first on SLAM.

Parker played a crucial role in Chicago taking a 2-1 series lead after dropping 16 points, 11 rebounds, and four assists on Sunday for her fifth double-double outing this postseason. So far, the two-time MVP is averaging 16.7 points, 11.3 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 2.8 blocks, and 1.3 steals per game on 46.3 percent shooting from the field through the playoffs.

According to ESPN, the 2016 Finals MVP has also held Connecticut to 27 percent (14-51) shooting on shots she’s contested. Although the Tennessee alum balks at the idea she’s playing her best basketball, she believes her younger self was more dominant in the playoffs; Parker has put up career-high rebounding, assists, and blocking averages this playoff.

#skytown secured the DUB against the Sun 76-72.@Candace_Parker with her 27th career playoff double-double
16 pts
11 rebs
4 ast pic.twitter.com/NpR8aOwNvL

— WSLAM (@wslam) September 4, 2022

Parker’s uptick in production has come despite the Sun taking Chicago out of their comfort zone with their physical style of play, mucking up the defending champs’ offensive actions. Parker became the first player in W history to record a 15/15/5/5 statline in a single playoff game this postseason. Her double-double on Sunday was her 27th career playoff double-double, tied with Tamika Catchings for the most in WNBA playoff history.

Coach Curt Miller, a Spark assistant coach in 2015 before becoming head coach of the Sun, said it’s been “impressive” that Parker had improved her fitness, strength, and intangibles at 36-years-old. Miller also Parker “doesn’t take plays off anymore,” and that “it’s impressive to watch and I think it’s a big credit to her commitment to fitness, nutrition and strength and conditioning.”

“Her fitness and strength and the intangibles that she’s added late in her career is impressive,” Miller said per ESPN. “It’s not to talk about in ’15 she wasn’t, but she is really fit and plays with a really high motor and is physical. She doesn’t take plays off anymore. And it’s impressive to watch, and I think it’s a big credit to her commitment to fitness, nutrition, and strength and conditioning. She looks great.”

hard in the paint! pic.twitter.com/FkjCryRvcU

— WSLAM (@wslam) September 4, 2022

To that point, Parker admits that she’s changed her approach to maintaining her body after injuries hampered her season in 2019 and 2021; she now prioritizes treatment and recovery (cold tubs, electrical stimulation, acupuncture, yoga, and pilates).

She’s also strengthened her mental approach to the hardwood, which she believes has helped her stay at an elite level. Parker is focusing on the scouting report, ensuring she knows her opponents’ tendencies while figuring out a strategy to get to her spots. Parker also ensures she’s ready late in games when she needs to take over or make clutch plays to cement a Chicago victory.

“You can still get there; it’s just going to be different,” Parker said. “I look at guys like [the NBA’s Nikola] Jovic and guys that are slower that get to their spots. How do they do that? It’s like, really being a master of your matchup, and sometimes it involves slowing down and figuring out what the defense is giving you within a game.”

pic.twitter.com/zXlwOBz6Nz

— WSLAM (@wslam) September 4, 2022

Chicago has a chance to end their best-of-five semifinal series with a series clinching Game 4 win over Connecticut on Tuesday.

“I just want to win a championship because I like to win and because this team likes to win,” Parker said. “I don’t think I have anything else left to prove to myself and to the game. I don’t play for that.”

The post Candace Parker Speaks About the Intangibles of Her Game appeared first on SLAM.

During halftime of Chicago’s Game 3 win, Parker checked in on Williams’ match against No. 2 seed Anett Kontaveit and was elated when she learned that Williams won the first set of the match. Williams later won the match and will live to fight another day before her expected retirement after her Grand Slam tournament appearance is over.

“I was keeping up at halftime,” Parker said per ESPN. “When I saw she won the first set, I was hyped.”

The 36-year-old has been openly contemplating retirement after a 14-year career where she’s earned career accolades like winning two WNBA titles, a Finals MVP, two regular-season MVPs, DPOY, and nine All-WNBA selections and two All-Defensive team honors.

Williams is a 23-time Grand Slam champion, winning the U.S. Open six times, the Wimbledon seven times, the Australian Open seven times, and the French Open three times. Even though they both have more playing days behind them than ahead, Parker admitted that their longevity comes from working on “the things you’re really good at” and “playing more of that mental game.”

“I know you can’t teach an old dog new tricks, but we can better our tricks a little bit,” Parker said. “I think the game slows down and I think Serena, her serve, you don’t have to be mobile to serve (like she does). You’re not returning her serves. I think it’s just working on the things you’re really good at and playing more of that mental game.”

Parker will lead Chicago as they head into Connecticut for Games 3 and 4 on Sunday and Tuesday.

The post Candace Parker Sees Similarities Between Her and Serena Williams appeared first on SLAM.

Cooked ‘em on the court all season long.

Brionna Jones is your @Kia Sixth Player of the Year!@_bjones18 | #CTSun pic.twitter.com/hs8U4OV5dS

— Connecticut Sun (@ConnecticutSun) September 1, 2022

Jones averaged 13.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per game on 56.9 percent shooting from the field. She scored 394 points in the paint, fifth most in the League. She also scored 99 second-chance points after corralling 95 offensive rebounds.

Jones won the 6POY after earning 53 out of 56 first-place votes from a 56-member voting panel.

The post Brionna Jones Named the 2022 Sixth Player of the Year appeared first on SLAM.

We won. Serena won.

Today was a good day.#skytown #ReCrownSkytown pic.twitter.com/ozppJ4dRsB

— Chicago Sky (@chicagosky) September 1, 2022

Parker headlined Chicago’s five double-digit scorers with a 22-point, four-rebound, four-assist, and three-block performance. Emma Meesseman poured in 14 points, seven rebounds, and three dimes, and Allie Quigley contributed 13 points, followed by 10 points, four boards, and two assists from Kahleah Cooper. Courtney Vandersloot rounded out Chicago’s double-digit scorers with 10 points, eight helpers, one block, and one steal.

“When you have generational talents (like Parker), they’re just too good, too dominant,” Coach James Wade said per the Chicago Tribune. “Great wine just ages well. — You can’t put an age on that. What did Aaliyah say? Age ain’t nothing but a number.”

Parker also held the Sun to just six second-chance bucks on seven total offensive boards. Wade contributed that effort to Chicago’s will and physicality. Parker summed it up as Chicago simply making “shots hard” for the Sun.

Candace Parker helped Chicago get the DUB:

22 points
4 rebounds
4 assists

Series is tied 1-1 pic.twitter.com/K1WPbLwKz2

— WSLAM (@wslam) September 1, 2022

While the win ties up the semifinals at 1-1 between the Sky and Sun, Ace wants to see Chicago follow up the success with a better effort in Sunday’s Game 3. Playing your best basketball when your backs against the wall is a needed quality, but being able to dominate and establish your will from the beginning is even better.

“I think after a win is when we need to be even more focused,” Parker said per ESPN. “Come ready to play, come focused and come with the right mentality. I don’t think we had the right mentality in Game 1.”

The Sky responded well to Coach James Wade premonition that the team was “going to make shots” after shooting 35.3 percent in Game 1. On Wednesday, Chicago came out the gates, hitting six of their first 10 shots of the game, and finished the night shooting 32-63 from the field and 6-15 from beyond the arc. Chicago also hit 15-22 free throws.

Chicago held Connecticut to 45.7 percent shooting from the field. They also held DeWanna Bonner and Courtney Williams to eight points on a combined 3-16 shooting from the field. Jonquel Jones (23 points, seven rebounds, and two blocks) and Natasha Hiedeman (14 points and three assists against three turnovers) were the only double-digit scorers for the Sun. Connecticut never led after Jones hit a triple on the game’s first possession.

Wade also gave Parker props for her consistency and veteran leadership with championship experience since signing with Chicago last summer. Wade said he’s noticed that Parker has been especially ardent in her belief that Chicago can be the first repeat champs since the Los Angeles Sparks in 2001 and 2002.

“She wants to do everything in her power to get another championship,” Wade said. “And so that’s where I think you see, I wouldn’t say desperation, but urgency.”

Connecticut will host Game 3 and 4 on Sunday and Tuesday.

The post James Wade Speaks on Candace Parker’s Championship ‘Urgency’ appeared first on SLAM.

The two MVP candidates used those playoff implications to fuel a fire Game 2 duel that led to Wilson posting a game-high 33 points, 13 rebounds, and three blocks. Stewie poured in a Seattle-high 32 points, seven rebounds, three assists, and three blocks. Wilson not only won the Game 2 individual battle but has tied up the Seattle-Las Vegas war after the Aces won, 78-73.

“That’s what grows the game. Everyone loves a good matchup,” Wilson said per ESPN. “Everyone loves to be like, ‘Oh, what’s going to happen here?’ I think that’s what draws fans and attention to us. When you look at the NBA, when you look at football, anything, there’s always a good matchup that everyone’s tuned into no matter what.”

A’ja Wilson vs. Breanna Stewart.

Best matchup in the WNBA, without a doubt. pic.twitter.com/xnoPxZUjaw

— WSLAM (@wslam) September 1, 2022

Wilson went 12-18 from the field and 8-11 from the free throw line during her career-best outing. Stewie went 12-23 from the field and 3-7 from beyond the arc, and scored at least 20 points for her eighth consecutive postgame. Wilson posted the fifth ever 30-point, 10-rebound, three-block performance in WNBA playoff history.

“I think matching up against A’ja, you’ve got to respect everything she has done and what’s she capable of,” Stewart said. “It’s just a battle. It’s what motivates you, what keeps you going, what makes you want to be better. It’s competitive.”

DOMINANT

The DPY dropped 33 PTS // 13 REB // 3 BLK on 12-18 shooting as the Aces secured the 78-73 W to even the series.@_ajawilson22 // #RaiseTheStakes pic.twitter.com/r7ABUgCcDx

— Las Vegas Aces (@LVAces) September 1, 2022

Her performance was also the second-highest playoff performance in Aces franchise history, just behind Coach Becky Hammond and her franchise-record 35-point performance in 2008. Stewart and Wilson are the third pair of opposing players to score 30 points in W-playoff history. It was also the first time two playoff opponents did that and recorded three blocks.

“I’m watching it during the game,” Aces teammate Chelsea Gray said. “I’m like, ‘Stewie just scored; A’ja, what are you about to do?’ Those matchups, a lot of attention is on it, and there is a lot of these players are going through with all that pressure to be that spotlight. But it’s good for the fans, it’s good for the sport and it’s good for them. It raises their level of play. They get better by challenging each other.”

Wednesday’s Game 2 effort was a vast improvement from Wilson’s disappointing semifinal opener when she posted eight points and 12 rebounds in Game 1.

Hammon utilized a small-ball lineup that helped Las Vegas’ spacing, giving Wilson plenty of room to operate in her preferred spots. She and Gray showed how deadly they are in the pick-and-roll. Gray contributed 19 points and seven assists on 66.7 percent shooting from the field, 3-5 shooting from beyond the arc. Gray has accounted for 44 percent of Las Vegas’ 151 points in the semifinals per ESPN.

“When you look at great guards and great posts, the whole thing is you’ve got to figure out how to guard it,” Wilson said of the pick-and-roll. “You have to pick your poison. What are you going to do? Once we mastered that, it’s like Play-Doh in our hands at that point.”

From 8 points in Game 1 to 33 points in Game 2 of the Semifinals, @_ajawilson22 speaks on what changed and how team chemistry has allowed the @LVAces to perform under pressure. #WNBAPlayoffs presented by @Google pic.twitter.com/dCAGjcHMiy

— WNBA (@WNBA) September 1, 2022

Seattle will host Las Vegas on Sunday and Tuesday for Game 3 and 4. The last time the Storm and Ace faced off in the playoffs, Seattle swept Las Vegas for their fourth-ever championship. Seattle likely remains confident after splitting the first two games of the semifinals as the No. 4 seed.

The post A’ja Wilson Outduels Breanna Stewart and Leads Las Vegas to a Game 2 Win appeared first on SLAM.

Team Update: Interim Head Coach Carlos Knox will not be retained for the 2023 season.

https://t.co/5BxpfILADv pic.twitter.com/RJpaacS3zF

— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) August 31, 2022

Knox was tapped as the interim head coach this season on May 25 after Indiana fired Marianne Stanley. Knock recently returned to the organization as an assistant coach on December 1, 2021. When he took over, Indiana was 2-7; they ultimately finished the season with a 5-31 record, tied for the most losses in WNBA history, the worse in Fever history, and the worse in the League.

“We thank Carlos for stepping into this role last season and for helping our young, talented team continue to improve. We took important steps forward this year, but the expectation for this team and this franchise is sustained success on the court. We are working hard to build a coaching staff that will deliver on that expectation,” Fever Interim General Manager Lin Dunn said.

Interim GM Lin Dunn said she was still evaluating the coaching staff after the regular-season ended. She said she wanted to do her research and said that exit interviews with players and support staff before making any decisions. Last season, the Fever focused on the long-term future of the franchise as they looked to develop around No. 2 pick NaLyssa Smith and No. 10 pick Queen Egbo, who was named to the W’s All-Rookie team.

Despite that highlight, Indiana finished the season on an 18-game losing streak and averaged a League-worst 78 points per game. Since 2017, the Fever has worse the winning percentage (45-147, .234) of any team in the W, NBA, NFL, or NHL. The Fever hopes to win the top pick in next spring’s 2023 WNBA Draft.

Last season was about building for the Fever’s future, with seven rookies on the roster. Plenty of them showed promise, including No. 2 pick NaLyssa Smith and No. 10 pick Queen Egbo, who was named to the WNBA All-Rookie team. But it didn’t translate to wins. The team lost 18 straight games to finish the regular season and averaged a league-worst 78 points per game.

Since 2017, the Fever has had the worst winning percentage (45-147, .234) of any team in the WNBA, NBA, NFL, or NHL. 

The post Indiana Will Begin Head Coach Search After Deciding to Not Retain Carlos Knox appeared first on SLAM.

The critical performance came two months after Charles signed with Seattle after she controversially left Phoenix following a contract divorce. The former two-time national champ admitted that leaving Phoenix wasn’t about her role on the offense but about “taking care of herself and maintaining standards she thinks players need to have.”

As a member of the Storm, the former MVP joined a lineup filled with extraordinary talents like Sue Bird, Breanna Stewart, and Jewell Loyd. Surrounded by two-way scoring talent like that, all the eight-time All-Star decided to focus on was rebounding after Mercedes Russell went down with recurring headache syndrome.

“She’s been very professional,” Seattle Coach Noelle Quinn said, per ESPN. “She came with a mindset of, ‘I’m willing to do whatever you ask,’ and that was a great starting block. It was an understanding on both parties: She wanted to come in and win.”

Since joining Seattle, Charles has averaged 12.6 points and 7.4 rebounds per game on 51.6 percent shooting from the field.

Charles’ presence in the paint and on the boards helped set the tone for Seattle against Washington and Game 1 against Las Vegas. Her familiarity with Bird, Stewart, and Gabby Williams as UConn grads or Team USA teammates also helped her transition into Seattle on and off the court. Stewart said it’s helped her game having another big body in the lineup.

Bird said the lineup meshed well because they focused on helping Charles get “comfortable playing our style and finding ways to fit her in.” Not to mention that Seattle is used to playing with a dominant center like Charles in her career.

“What I’ve been able to do here is adapt, and I’m thankful to be able to show I can adapt,” Charles said about the work it took to transition. “I take pride in being a New Yorker, and that’s what we do: We adapt to our surroundings, keep moving, and keep our heads up. Regardless of people’s opinions or what else is thrown at you. But, yes, when I was making my decision on leaving Phoenix, I knew there was a potential landing space — that Seattle could be a good fit.”

Charles also clarified that her game has evolved past being a dominant post player. She says she’s worked on other aspects of her game, like spreading the floor and utilizing her skills and basketball IQ to take advantage of whatever opportunities she has on the court.

Seattle will look to take a 2-0 lead and be one step closer after Wednesday’s Game 2.

The post Tina Charles Speaks on Adapting to Title-Contending Seattle Storm appeared first on SLAM.

No surprise here!

𝐃𝐏𝐘
𝐀𝐋𝐋-𝐃𝐄𝐅𝐄𝐍𝐒𝐈𝐕𝐄 𝐅𝐈𝐑𝐒𝐓 𝐓𝐄𝐀𝐌 @_ajawilson22 // @WNBA pic.twitter.com/rHSBlealFw

— Las Vegas Aces (@LVAces) August 30, 2022

Wilson averaged 19.5 points, 9.4 rebounds (including 7.6 defensive rebounds), 2.1 assists, 1.4 steals, and 1.9 blocks per game on 50.1 percent shooting from the field and 37.3 percent from beyond the arc. Wilson holds a 98.5 defensive rating (top 15 amongst players that played 36 games this season) and leads the League in defensive rebounding percentage (24.2 percent).

Wilson was also eighth in steal percentage (24.0 percent) and first in block percentage at a staggering 64.2 percent. Wilson also holds a 1.32 defensive win share ranking, good for eighth amongst players who played all 36 games this year.

Wilson and the Aces will look to rebound from their Game 1 loss to Seattle and tie up their semifinal series on Wednesday at 10 p.m. EST. Game 2 will air on ESPN2.

The post A’ja Wilson Wins the 2022 Defensive Player of the Year appeared first on SLAM.

The accolades just keep coming @JackieYoung3 is your 2022 Most Improved Player, well deserved pic.twitter.com/K6759PYPXQ

— WSLAM (@wslam) August 29, 2022

Young, who earned her first All-Star Game start this year, won the award after averaging 15.9 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 39 assists per game on 43 percent shooting from beyond the arc. The former Notre Dame standout posted career-high numbers in points, boards, and three-point accuracy. She was third on the time points per game behind A’ja Wilson and Kelsey Plum.

The 24-year-old received 36 out of 52 possible votes from a panel of sportswriters and broadcasters. Sabrina Ionescu finished second with 10 votes, followed by Sophie Cunningham (seven votes), Plum (four votes), and then Teaira McCowan, Gabby Williams, and Han Xu, who each earned one vote.

Young and the Aces have a chance to tie up their semifinals series with the Storm on Wednesday. Game 3 will be aired on ESPN2 at 10 p.m. EST.

The post Jackie Young Named the 2022 Most Improved Player of the Year appeared first on SLAM.

Game 1 was tightly contested between the two title contenders. So it’s only fitting that the opening game end in such a heroic fashion. Jewell Loyd (26 points and four assists) delivered that heroic finish after she hit a leftwing stepback three-pointer over A’ja Wilson (eight points, 12 rebounds, three assists).

@jewellloyd is TAKING OVER! #TakeCover pic.twitter.com/9hysrChKra

— Seattle Storm (@seattlestorm) August 28, 2022

Loyd wasn’t the only member of the Storm to post a memorable performance. Sue Bird (two points and four rebounds) became the playoffs assist queen after posting 12 assists and zero turnovers on Sunday. Tina Charles (13 points) hauled in a franchise playoff 18 rebounds, including five offensive boards. Breanna Stewart contributed 24 points, six rebounds, two assists, one steal, and three blocks.

“When I made the decision to come here, I was just here just trying to fill in the holes,” said Charles per Swish Appeal. “And I knew that was rebounding, being the third, fourth option scoring and just taking my shots when they come to me. So for me, coming into this game, the thing I knew I could control was just being on the boards and watching their tendencies when we box out — So for me, I definitely took it personal coming into this game just to try to be on the boards, start early outlets, get second chance opportunities — I know those are always key come playoff time.”

Stewie and Loyd played a strong 1-2 game for Seattle, with the former UConn legend hitting high-arching turnaround jumpers before Loyd took over in the fourth quarter. As Seattle’s closer in Game 1, Loyd scored or assisted on the Storm’s final 12 points, including 10 points herself.

Loyd scored on a fadeaway in the paint, a short bank shot from the left side, split a pair of free throws to cut Las Vegas’ lead, and then buried a triple after forcing a Vegas turnover to give Seattle a 73-71 lead with a minute 45 to go. She subsequently hit that game-winning walk-down three over Wilson to ice Seattle’s come-from-behind win. Kelsey Plum (20 points, four rebounds, and two assists) had a chance to steal Game 1, but she missed the potential game-winner.

“I think last series she grew up a lot, tremendously,” Storm head coach Noelle Quinn said of Loyd, who is also known as the Gold Mamba, a nickname given to her by Kobe Bryant. “And had the same kind of cadence today, you know, rhythm. She started off good, maybe a little bit of lulls, but just ended with a lot of firepower — Some poise, making great reads, She got trapped early and she’s been trapped multiple times this year and handled it tremendously today. She continues to grow up before our eyes. I think that the last series helped with that experience and how to handle that. And she continues to make big plays for us because she’s a great player.

“Jewell is playing with a lot of confidence, and we need that. We’re not gonna be successful if Jewell’s not at her best, point blank, period. And I think she understands that, and she’s locked into that. And what’s amazing today is that she guarded (Chelsea) Gray most of the game and still able to be very effective down the stretch. She’s finding ways to help our team outside of just getting buckets. It’s the defense, it’s the steals, it’s getting in the passing lanes, it’s the energy. All of those extra little things matter.”

Seattle will look to take a 2-0 series lead over Las Vegas on Wednesday at 10 on ESPN 2.

The post Jewell Loyd Continues to Impress With Clutch Shotmaking appeared first on SLAM.

During the regular-season, Chicago swept their regular-season series with the Sun 4-0. A continuation of their 3-1 series over Connecticut on the way to the Sky winning the 2021 WNBA title. So the Sun leaving Wintrust Arena with a 68-63 win over the Sun was even more rewarding. The Connecticut Sun hopes that it can be a precursor of things to come.

“This is just about whoever wants it more,” Azurá Stevens said per the Chicago Tribune. “Because they have beef with us from last year. … That’s the type of series this is going to be: Who wants it more, who’s not going to let the ball go.”

Candace Parker finished Game 1 with 19 points, 18 rebounds, five assists, four steals, and six blocks. With that statline, Ace became the first player in WNBA history to post at least 15/15/5 and five blocks. She fell short of the second ever 5×5 game in League history, a feat she achieved as a rookie in 2008.

Looking at the positives, CP3 had an All-Time GREAT performance.

Now we move to Wednesday. pic.twitter.com/D8J0ou8xz4

— Chicago Sky (@chicagosky) August 29, 2022

Stevens lauded Parker for the historical performance and gave CP3 props as the walking bucket and security blanket that the defending champs can lean on.

“She was able to keep us alive, especially in the second half,” Stevens said. “It was almost like whenever we needed a bucket, she answered.”

CP with the 3#skytown pic.twitter.com/ib9OMf7o0R

— Chicago Sky (@chicagosky) August 29, 2022

Chicago opened the fourth quarter with an 11-2 run to take a 57-56 lead with 5:13 seconds left on the clock. From then on, the Sky and Sun traded leads, with the critical moment coming after the Sun forced Sky into a shot-clock violation in the final minute of Game 1. The Sun took a 66-63 lead with 17.1 seconds remaining after a clutch bucket from DeWanna Bonner (15 points, nine rebounds, and five assists).

The final dagger of Game 1. @athomas_25 @DEEBONNER24 | #CTSun pic.twitter.com/NdClTBzftw

— Connecticut Sun (@ConnecticutSun) August 29, 2022

Parker had a chance to play hero one more with 7.4 seconds left, but she missed, and the Sky is down 1-0 for the second time in these playoffs.

The Sky didn’t lose on that moment alone, though. The Sun forced Chicago to shoot 35.3 percent from the field and 26.7 percent from beyond the arc. Kahleah Copper and Emma Meesseman were the only Sky players to score in the double-digits. Courtney Vandersloot (five points and two assists) didn’t score until the third frame, while Stevens, Allie Quigley, and Rebekah Gardner combined for 13 points.

The Sky will host Game 2 of the semifinals Wednesday night at Wintrust Arena before traveling to Connecticut for Games 3 and 4.

The post Azura Stevens on Candace Parker’s Historic Performance: ‘Whenever We Needed a Bucket, She Answered’ appeared first on SLAM.

After guiding the @LVAces to a 26-10 record and the No. 1 seed in her first season at the helm, @BeckyHammon is your 2022 #WNBA Coach of the Year

Hammon is the 1st former player to win COTY honors in her debut season and the 3rd former player to earn this award #MoreThan pic.twitter.com/l9Y6Bk3r77

— WNBA (@WNBA) August 26, 2022

Hammon led the Aces to a 26-10 record, tied with the Chicago Sky for the best record in the League. The Aces also won the 2022 Commissioner’s Cup after beating the Sky, 93-83 in July. Las Vegas earned the No. 1 seed after earning the tiebreaker over the Sky. Hammon is the first former player to win the award during her debut season on the sidelines and she’s the third former player to earn the COTY award overall.

Add @WNBA 𝐂𝐎𝐀𝐂𝐇 𝐎𝐅 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐘𝐄𝐀𝐑 to @BeckyHammon‘s debut season as Aces Head Coach!

#1 overall record
#1 in scoring & offensive efficiency
2nd best winning percentage ever by a rookie H.C.
Franchise record for wins in a season
All-Star H.C.
Commissioner’s Cup Champ pic.twitter.com/9g08o0Dy7u

— Las Vegas Aces (@LVAces) August 26, 2022

The Aces coach became the second-ever female NBA coach when she worked the sideline as a Spurs assistant coach on Gregg Popovich’s coaching staff from 2014-2022. During her time on the Spurs coaching staff, she became the first-ever female head coach of a Summer League team in 2015. That same season, the Spurs won the Las Vegas Summer League title. She also became the first woman to serve on an All-Star coaching staff.

This was the voting breakdown for Coach of the Year. James Wade received eight votes. pic.twitter.com/JIggIK3XCb

— James Kay (@James_M_Kay) August 26, 2022

Hammon decided to sign on as the Aces’ head coach and first million-dollar coach after an offseason full of interviews for high-profile NBA head coach and GM jobs. She received prior offers and calls from the WNBA, including one from the Liberty that she nearly signed.

The Aces return to action on Sunday to play Game 1 of their series against the Seattle Storm. The semifinal series will feature a record seven former No. 1 overall picks being played between the Aces and Storm.

The post Becky Hammon Wins 2022 Coach of the Year appeared first on SLAM.

Heading into this offseason, Ionescu said her goal is to become a better scorer off the bounce as she heads into an offseason full of optimism and new experiences. Ionescu also said she’s “super excited” to work out 5-on-5, and most importantly, “being healthy and having that mindset helps — I haven’t had that yet.”

“This season is just touching the surface of what we want,” Ionescu said. “We want to be a playoff team every year. Not as a seven or eight seed, but in conversation for a top seed, so it’s laying the foundation down.”

Sabrina Ionescu: "This season is just touching the surface of what we want. We want to be a playoff team every year. Not as a seven or eight seed, but in conversation for a top seed, so it's laying the foundation down." (Q: @ClassicJpow) #OwnTheCrown #WNBA

— Myles (@MylesEhrlich) August 25, 2022

After Game 3, Coach Sandy Brondello said that New York would be focusing on continuing to add the right players around their core and to keep building. She also said New York would have to become consistent on the defensive side of the ball. Brondello is a fan of New York’s small-ball lineup for its effectiveness and how well that group has utilized Laney’s scoring and playmaking versatility.

Ionescu said she had “no idea” how the Liberty would reach those goals since “that’s out of any of our control” as players.

“I have no idea. That’s out of any of our control,” Ionescu said. “It’s just what (GM) Jonathan (Kolb) and our coaches decide (what) we need. As long as we get a good teammate that’ll work hard and understand the culture of this team, that’s what’s most important.”

Sabrina Ionescu on offseason: "I have no idea. That's out of any of our control. It's just what Jonathan and our coaches decide we need. As long as we get a good teammate that'll work hard and understand the culture of this team, that's what's most important." (Q: @mercash22)

— Myles (@MylesEhrlich) August 25, 2022

Ionescu averaged 17.4 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 6.3 assists per game on 41.1 percent shooting from the field and 33.3 percent from beyond the arc. The former Oregon Duck’s first healthy season resulted in her first All-Star nod, becoming the first to post 500 points, 200 rebounds, and 100 assists in a single season.

The all-time triple-double leader in NCAA history also became the WNBA’s biggest triple-double threat after posting two triple-doubles this season, including a record-setting 30-point triple-double in July. The Oregon product is the youngest player in WNBA history to record multiple triple-doubles in their career.

The post Sabrina Ionescu Speaks On Liberty ‘Touching the Surface of What We Want’ appeared first on SLAM.

Dangerfield signed with the Indiana Fever on a hardship exception, but she was ultimately cut after playing three games with the franchise. She had to wait 15 days before New York swooped in to sign her to consecutive hardship exceptions as the team battled injuries and illness.

Dangerfield’s perseverance and hard work eventually resulted in New York offering a rest-of-season contract on July 3. During her 30 appearances for the Liberty, including 27 starts, Dangerfield averaged 5.4 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game on 39.5 percent shooting from the field while playing 22.1 minutes per game.

Dangerfield spoke about her tumultuous journey through the 2022 season during end-of-season meetings following the Liberty’s season-ending Game 3 loss to the Sky on Tuesday.

“It took a long time, longer than most people would expect,” Dangerfield said about her adjustment, per Myles Ehrlich of The Next Hoops, “It wasn’t as quick as I’d have liked it to be because you have a job at the end of the day. But my teammates did a good job making me feel like I was here to help.”

Crystal Dangerfield on adjusting to Liberty: "It took a long time, longer than most people would expect. It wasn't as quick as I'd've liked it to be, because you had a job at the end of the day. But my teammates did a good job making me feel like I was here to help." (Q: @busyxb)

— Myles (@MylesEhrlich) August 25, 2022

A moment later, Dangerfield elaborated further on how she felt about her season. The former ROY said that things were difficult after the Lynx waived her, especially when she didn’t know who would be interested in signing her after she cleared waivers. Dangerfield called the experience in Indiana quick simply because she was only there for four days.

Additionally, Dangerfield revealed that because of how the season was going, when the Liberty called her to offer the hardship deal, her initial inclination was to decline it. But her support system was able to turn her mindset around about playing after telling her, “no, you need to go do this. Go have this opportunity.” That boost she got ended up being fruitful because her time in New York “ended up working out.”

“I told (Jonathon Kolb) that I really appreciate him bringing me in. I told the coaching staff I appreciate them bringing me in.” Dangerfield said. “It took a while to settle in, mainly because you have a vision for yourself and how you want your career to play out. And it just, it hadn’t been like that for the last two years. So, bouncing around and coming to be with New York, being with the people that they are, the teammates that they are — really saved me. They’re fun people; it was a fun team. You saw us on the court; we had fun out there. So they did help with that, but it was mostly just me. I didn’t want to play. I wanted to save my career basically, but I didn’t want to play.”

“I think that was half the battle of it taking so long to settle in, just like one foot in, one foot out the door type deal. Like I said, I had really great people around me. My support system outside of this New York Liberty organization and inside it.

Crystal Dangerfield shared her journey: “You have a vision for yourself and how you want your career to play out. And it just, it hadn’t been like that for the last two years… I didn’t want to play. I wanted to basically save my career, but I didn’t want to play.” @Winsidr pic.twitter.com/w4U9GwWBFr

— Myles (@MylesEhrlich) August 25, 2022

When Michaela Onyenwere was asked about Dangerfield and her impact on the team, she credited Dangerfield for pushing the pace and taking the pressure off Sabrina Ionescu.

“Crystal’s a great player,” Onyenwere said. “So I knew the skills she had — we needed someone who could push the pace, take the pressure off Sabrina. For Crystal to come in and have that burden was really helpful for us.”

Dangerfield is a free agent heading into the offseason.

The post Crystal Dangerfield Gets Candid About Her Journey to New York appeared first on SLAM.

The first-round series between the Sun and Wings was full of double-digit wins, with no win being more impressive than Connecticut’s 15 point Game 3 win. The Sun put on a defensive clinic after they held the Wings a season-low final score of 58 points, including holding Dallas to 22 points on 6-27 shooting from the field during the secone half. Connecticut also forced Dallas to commit 11 turnovers during the final 20 minutes of Wednesday’s contest.

“I think the biggest thing they learned is they’re very good,” Johnson said per ESPN. “I told them when Arike went out to just believe in themselves. Play together, play with energy and effort, and that’s what we did.”

Dallas’ troubles began after Isabelle Harrison suffered an ankle injury in the first quarter that was severe enough to make Dallas hold her out for the remainder of the game. Not even Arike Ogunbowale’s short-lived return from abdominal surgery could spark Dallas’ stagnant offense. The former national champ went scoreless in six minutes, going 0-3 from the field and 0-2 from beyond the arc.

The loss led to interesting postgame introspection from Dallas, specifically from Marina Mabrey and Veronica Burton about the culture and the kind of team that the Wings are looking to build.

“I feel like we’re growing here in Dallas,” Mabrey (team-high 20 points) said. “We had so many fans and they’re always so supportive. They know we gave it our all, we put our hearts in it so they’re always super proud of us and I can’t thank them enough from our whole team.”

Sentiments that Burton echoed, going on to say that the fans “supporting us means the world” and the Wings appreicate the consistency of the fans in the building too.

We’re building something special, and we couldn’t do it without you, fam pic.twitter.com/GN1htO2F4u

— Dallas Wings (@DallasWings) August 25, 2022

The Wings have now made their first back-to-back playoff appearence since 2017-2018 where they lost in the first round to the Mystics and Mercury, respectively. After consecutive stinging losses to end their season, Dallas will look to make the next step towards winning a playoff series, than on to becoming a Finals threat. The Wings haven’t won a WNBA title since moving from Detroit to Tulsa and now Dallas as of 2016.

The original Detroit Shock franchise won three titles during the 2000s, taking home the Finals Trophy in 2003, 2006, and 2008.

“When you see yourself do something, you believe it more,” Mabrey said. “Not that we didn’t believe before but watching this horn go off and winning in COnnecticut, (it’s) just a confidence booster. Now we know we can do it and (now) it’s back to work.”

“We played a veteran team that’s lost plenty of times, they won so they know exactly what it feels like, they know exactly what to do with their backs gainst the wall and we lacked that a litle bit so that’s okay. It comes with experience so take the good with the bad.”

“When you see yourself do something, you believe it more.”

– @mmabrey1 pic.twitter.com/2wbDKxGAUa

— Dallas Wings (@DallasWings) August 25, 2022

The post Dallas Wings ‘Believe it More’ Despite Season-Ending Game 3 Loss appeared first on SLAM.

Rhyne went CRAZY this season @howard_rhyne is your 2022 Kia @WNBA ROY pic.twitter.com/ZP9Dcblhti

— WSLAM (@wslam) August 25, 2022

Howard led the Dream (14-22) to a fifth-place finish in the Eastern Conference standings. The former Kentucky All-American averaged 16.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game on 36.1 percent shooting from the field and 34.3 percent from beyond the arc. She was the only rookie to be nominated to the 2022 All-Star Game. She also made history after she became the sixth rookie to score 30+ points in her first four games.

Howard earned 53 votes out of a possible 56 votes she could’ve gotten from WNBA media members and broadcasters. Howard also headlines the All-Rookie team that features NaLyssa Smith, Queen Egbo, Shakira Austin, and Rebekah Gardner. Austin received two ROY votes, and Smith received one. Howard is the second Dream player to win the RY after Angel McCoughtry received it in 2009.

Howard entered the WNBA after a legendary career at Kentucky. Her accolades include earning First-Team All-American honors twice and winning the Freshman of the Year award from the WBCA, USBWA, and SEC. Her SEC accolades include earning the back-to-back Player of the Year awards, four All-SEC nominations, including three First-Team nods from 2019-2021, and an All-Defensive team nod in 2020.

The post Rhyne Howard Crowned the 2022 Rookie of the Year appeared first on SLAM.

HOW DOES IT FEEL, SUN FANS??? #CTSun pic.twitter.com/3twme5dlRy

— Connecticut Sun (@ConnecticutSun) August 25, 2022

DeWanna Bonner led all scorers with 21 points, five rebounds, and five assists. Alyssa Thomas followed up with 13 points, eight rebounds, and two assists. Jonquel Jones dropped 11 points, 10 rebounds, and two assists, and Natisha Hiedeman rounded out Connecticut’s double-digit scorers with 11 points, two boards, and two dimes.

Bonner also became the 10th player in WNBA history to knock down 300 career field goals and passed Angel McCoughtry in the process of doing so.

“Our team is incredibly confident in what they do and who they are,” Sun Coach Curt Miller said, per ESPN. “We’re back to the semis for four straight years. This group wants to take another step, and there’s not one person that’s going to pick us to beat Chicago. So we’re going to go with the underdog mentality and give it our best shot.”

.@DEEBONNER24 with a BIG 21-5-5 Game 3 to lead the @ConnecticutSun to the Semifinals of the #WNBAPlayoffs presented by @google pic.twitter.com/eJAZpTCFrM

— WNBA (@WNBA) August 25, 2022

Marina Mabrey posted a team-high 20 points, Veronica Burton contributed 10 points, six rebounds, and four dimes, and Teaira McCowan followed up with eight points, 12 boards, and two blocks.

The Sun won Game 3 after holding the Wings to perhaps the worse scoring effort of the season. Connecticut held Dallas to 22 points in the second half, and their final tally of 58 was a season-low. Dallas shot just 6-27 from the field in the second half and turned the ball over 11 times.

Part of Dallas’ offensive struggles could be attributed to Isabelle Harrison suffering an ankle injury in the first-quarter that she wouldn’t come back from. Not even Arike Ogunbowale’s short-lived return from abdominal surgery could spark Dallas’ stagnant offense. The former national champ went scoreless in six minutes, going 0-3 from the field and 0-2 from beyond the arc.

Bonner credited Connecticut’s defensive clinic to second-year guard DiJonai Carrington. The 35-year-old forward believed Carrington’s “defensive pressure was unbelievable,”, especially in the last 20 minutes of the game.

Carrington was so successful as a defensive pest that she got into a squabble with Mabrey midway through the fourth. The two guards were jaw-jacking as Mabrey set up to inbound the ball from the sideline.

“Forget all that; the credit to this game goes to DiJonai Carrington,” Bonner said. “I think she was the difference maker for us this whole game. Her defensive pressure was unbelievable; she kinda jump-started us the whole game. So take the ball out of my hands and give it to her cause tonight was all about her and her pressure. She definitely jump-started us that second-half, and (I’m) definitely so proud of her.”

The semifinal matchups will start on Sunday, with Las Vegas and Seattle kicking off the action at 4 p.m EST on ESPN. The Sun and Sky will play at 8 p.m. EST on ESPN 2. The Sky swept their regular-season series with the Sun, 4-0, winning by an average of 4.5 points per game.

The post Connecticut Advances to Second-Rounds After 73-58 Rout Over Dallas appeared first on SLAM.

Wade signed a contract extension through 2025 back in 2021. I reached out to the team about this and this was their response more TK for @TheNextHoops tomorrow (I’m flying back to CHI shortly) https://t.co/mx41FlnSzQ pic.twitter.com/1gFXiu7WPF

— James Kay (@James_M_Kay) August 24, 2022

Per James Kay of The Next Hoops, the latest extension Wade signed was a “renegotiated, refurbished contract” that will replace the contract Wade signed in 2021 after leading the Sky to their first title in franchise history.

“The clock starts again, and the new contract is now three years.”

Wade has compiled a 74-50 record since taking over the sidelines in 2019. Wade led the Sky to third, first, second, and first place finishes in the Eastern Conference. He led the Sky to their first title as a sixth seed in 2021.

This year, the Sky (26-10) finished as the best team in the East but are the No. 2 overall seed of the playoffs behind the Aces, who finished with an identical record but held the tiebreaker after beating the Sky three times over their four regular-season meetings.

The post Chicago Sky Extend Coach James Wade Through 2025 appeared first on SLAM.

After Chicago eliminated New York from the playoffs with a 90-72 win on Tuesday, Ionescu didn’t let the fourth-quarter collapse stop her from having a positive outlook on her first fully healthy season in the W. The face of the franchise felt like she was at “the low point? of her pro career because she couldn’t shake the ankle pain that plagued the first two seasons of her career.

Sabrina Ionescu talks with @mariacmarino about how tonight's loss was a learning experience, how the team battled throughout the year, how the fans played such a huge role throughout the season, and what words Kobe Bryant would have for the team if he were still here today: pic.twitter.com/IfEAk1sOlW

— SNY (@SNYtv) August 24, 2022

Heading into a pivotal offseason, the Liberty will be looking to continue building around Ionescu and Laney with “the right people,” per Brondello. Brondello also wants to improve the team’s defensive consistency and is a fan of the Liberty’s small-ball lineup that utilized Laney’s offensive versatility as a scorer and playmaker. After her first All-Star campaign, Ionescu will have a lot to prove as she looks to give New York an improved encore performance.

Ionescu is the first player in W history to record 500 points, 300 rebounds, and 200 assists in a single season. She’s also become the WNBA’s biggest triple-double threat after posting two triple-doubles this season, including a record-setting 30-point triple-double in July. The Oregon product is the youngest player in WNBA history to record multiple triple-doubles in their career.

“If you want me to be honest, I’m happy,” Ionescu said after New York’s season-ending loss, per Stefan Bondy. “I never thought I’d be able to complete a full season. I was at my lowest point a year ago. Obviously, I hate losing more than I love winning. But at the end of the day, I just have to look big picture and understand that a lot of people counted me out and didn’t think I’d be able to play at this level.”

“So being able to come back in my first year healthy and kind of show everybody that isn’t the full player that I am, but I’m still able to do it is something I’m excited about and something I’m going to take into the offseason. It’s fuel to the fire.”

The former All-American will head into the offseason looking to exercise the demons of scoring just 21 combined in Games 2 and 3 while turning the ball over (eight) more than she passed out dimes (seven). On Tuesday night’s Game 3 loss, Ionescu missed her final five shots of the night while Chicago ran off a decisive 16-0 run. As a result, Ionescu will likely work on becoming a better iso scorer.

“(Beating defenders off the dribble) is definitely something I’m capable of. I just haven’t been able to train at for the last two years,” Ionescu said. “I’m definitely excited to bring that next season.

“I think it should have in my pocket that I continue to use. This year, I faced a lot of teams trapping and hard hedging and bringing two on the ball. If I’m able to create offense without using a ball screen, it helps that much more.”

Ultimately, Ionescu will look to improve on the foundation she and New York have built. The Liberty has improved dramatically since winning two games in 2020. Going into her fourth season, the first-time All-Stars bar for success will likely be higher.

“The goal for me and my career is to be able to put this team in the playoff conversation every year,” she said. “And not the seventh or eighth seed. A lock. So that’s the goal next year. Not to have our backs against the wall.”

The post Sabrina Ionescu ‘Happy’ After Career Year Leading New York to Playoffs appeared first on SLAM.

The defending champs won two straight games to close out the series after the Liberty after New York shocked the Sky in Game 1 with a 13-0 run to steal the opening game. The Sky came back with a vengeance next time out and won Game 2, 100-62. The Sky being able to recapture that magic during Game 3 is a good sign to Coach James Wade, who believes Chicago has reached “another level of play” through the first round.

“I think after the first game, we’ve added another level of play or sense of urgency — we were able to keep out composure and respond — I think for us, it starts on the defensive end.”

Coach Wade on if the team has reached “another level”: “I think after the first game, we’ve added another level of play or sense of urgency….We were able to keep our composure and respond…I think for us it starts on the defensive end…”

— Her Hoop Stats (@herhoopstats) August 24, 2022

Wade’s confidence and evaluation couldn’t come at a better time for a Chicago team looking to be the first back-to-back champions since the Los Angeles Sparks did it in 2001-02. Those ambitions might happen, led by stalwart talents like Candace Parker, Kahleah Copper, Allie Quigley, and Courtney Vandersloot.

The post Coach James Wade Believes Chicago Has Reached ‘Another Level of Play’ appeared first on SLAM.