The Chicago Sky had a very successful 2015 WNBA season. The team finished the season first in scoring in the league with almost 83 points per game and second in rebounding with 36. A huge part of their run last season was the return of a healthy Elena Delle Donne. Delle Donne was named the league’s most valuable player after averaging 23.4 points and having a player efficiency rating of 32.72. Also worth mentioning is Allie Quigley, who signed a multi-year contract before the start of the season, being named the 2015 sixth woman of the year for the second consecutive season. She had a fantastic year averaging almost 12 points per game off the bench and hitting the second most three pointers on the team. Despite being without the services of their all star Sylvia Fowles who decided not to suit up for the Sky last season the team made [Read more…]
WNBA Free Agency 2016; Atlanta Dream
December 7, 2015
The Atlanta Dream finished the 2015 WNBA season in fifth place with a 15-19 record. A disappointing season for a team that made consecutive post season appearances prior. As usual Angel McCoughtry led the way for the Dream averaging 20 points per game and being named to her fourth all-star team. Shoni Schimmel, who was selected in the first round of the 2014 WNBA draft by the Dream and named to the all star team in her rookie season gave the fans in Atlanta a lot to look forward to. Finally, McCoughtry would have the help she needed on the wing to go along with the bigs Sancho Lyttle and Erika de Souza. But for Shoni things didn’t start out as many had hoped. It seemed as if coach Michael Cooper felt that Shimmel didn’t come into training camp in an expected condition and therefore her minutes were limited to start the season. In addition to a rocky start, after the all star break, the Dream decided to part ways with their veteran center Erika de Souza in exchange for Damiris Dantas and rookie forward Reshanda Gray. [Read more…]
WNBA Free Agency 2016
During the next month we will have a team by team analysis on what we think teams will or should do in free agency this offseason. Free agency usually starts sometime after the new year. Last year players were able to sign their new contracts beginning February 1st. There are a few big names in the market both restricted and unrestricted. Unlike the NBA, many big stars usually stay with the team that drafted them for their entire careers but after former Chicago Sky center and new WNBA champion Sylvia Fowles refused to return to the Sky and was eventually traded to the Minnesota Lynx maybe other stars in search of a championship will start to team up with each other.
During free agency teams will be able to re-sign players who have expired contracts. They will also have to convince players who are unrestricted free agents not to leave for other teams if they desire to retain that player’s services. Teams have the option to “core” a player which means that any one player entering free agency (usually saved for unrestricted agents) will receive a max contract for at least one year. The team and player can also negotiate a long-term deal under the core designation. In exchange, this player does not have the option to negotiate with other teams. The core designation in theory is in place so that teams can retain their star player and avoid having to rebuild if their best player decides to leave. This way, they are able to build around that player, keep fans happy and build a core group. It may be disadvantageous to the player because the core designation eliminates their chance to explore other opportunities but at the same time it gives that player stability. There are arguments on both sides about whether or not the core designation should stay or be eliminated. At least for now it is here to stay so don’t count on many star players jumping ship. Teams won’t allow it to happen! First up will be the Atlanta Dream.
Life After Basketball: Armintie Price
ATLANTA Dream guard Armintie Herrington CURTIS COMPTON / CCOMPTON@AJC.COM
Unlike NBA players retirement after basketball is not your typical retirement for WNBA players. It’s not filled with charity golf tournaments and vacations to exotic destinations or lounging around the house spending time with family and friends. For most professional women basketball players, life after retirement marks the beginning of your second career. Although the living made by basketball is significant most players venture off into other worlds once they hang up their shoes. Many stay close to whats near to them and thats sports. Whether it be coaching, commentating, or training, many former professional athletes are still working in the athletic department. WomensBasketball247 caught up with Armintie Price Herrington who recently announced her retirement after nine seasons in the WNBA to talk about life after basketball. [Read more…]
Epiphanny Prince Suffers Knee Injury
FIBA/DYNAMO KURSK
Epiphanny Prince suffered a devastating knee injury during Dynamo Kursk’s fifth round loss to Villeneuve d’Ascq. Prince has already returned to the U.S. to have the injury evaluated from Cushing Law attorneys and filed for a personal injury case through Sweet Lawyers, LLP. This could be a devastating loss to Dynamo Kursk in both their domestic and Euroleague play if she is out for the remainder of the season.One can have a peek at this web-site in case there is need for legal help. [Read more…]
Glory Johnson Shares Her Story With Cosmopolitan Magazine
The sensational 28 day marriage and eventual divorce between WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury star Britney Griner and then Tulsa Shock’s (Dallas Wings) Glory Johnson made headlines nationwide. Glory who recently gave birth prematurely to a set of twin girls who were conceived by in vitro fertilization speaks out again about her worldwind relationship with Griner. This time around she lays it all out with Cosmopolitan Magazine where she makes some very serious accusation against her ex and thanks the magazine for “sharing The Truth w/ the World.”
Laurel Richie Stepping Down As WNBA President!
After five seasons with the WNBA President Laurel Richie will be stepping down effective November 9th to “pursue other interests.” Mark Tatum, the Deputy Commissioner of the NBA, will serve as interim president until a replacement is found for Richie. In what may come as a surprise to many actually isn’t that surprising at all. After all, on the eve of the start of the 2015 WNBA playoffs your boss, Adam Silver proclaims to the media that the WNBA is not where “we hoped it would be” and that “we thought it would have broken through by now.” Doesn’t sound like very encouraging words if you asked me. And it definitely doesn’t sound like someone in support of the person that is running your league. More recently Richie was no where to be found during the unveiling of The Dallas Wings new name and team logo which was a telltale sign that something unusual was going on and today we learned why. [Read more…]
Erlana Larkins Undergoes Surgery
Erlana Larkins of the WNBA’s Indiana Fever underwent a knee arthroscopy today. Larkins who was an integral part of the Fever’s success this season missed several games due to injury. Recovery from a scope is much fast than recovery from traditional open knee surgery. The recovery time is from 6 to 8 weeks. Expect to see her dominating the boards somewhere in Europe soon.
Tulsa Shock Renamed The Dallas Wings
After moving from Detroit to Tulsa in 2010 the Shock are moving again but this time they are leaving the name behind. After six seasons in Tulsa the Shock announced this summer that they would be relocating to the Dallas Fort Worth area. Today Full Court Partners, LLC, the ownership group of the relocating team introduced the new name and team logo. A news conference was held at College Park Center on the campus of the University of Texas at Arlington, which will serve as the team’s home court this season. In front of team owners, players, WNBA officials and new fans the team unveiled it’s blue and yellow colors and Pegasus inspired design and the former Tulsa Shock became the Dallas Wings.
After having their best performance yet in Tulsa this past season where they led the western conference before their superstar Skylar Diggins suffered a torn ACL the Shock look to pick up where they left off in Arlington. Majority owner Bill Cameron says the Wings are “a young and dynamic team with tremendous upside.” In attendance, Wing player Skylar Diggins spoke on what to expect from the team this summer. “We are the market disrupters,” Diggins said. “We are the team that you don’t want to play. We’re not nice. We’re going to be in your face the whole game.” They certainly will be a team to watch this summer. NBA Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum calls the Dallas-Fort Worth area “home to some of the most passionate basketball fans in the world.” Lets see if they show up to support their new franchise. However, the jury is still out on whether or not we like the new team name… What do you think?
Who Said Girls Can’t Dunk?! Video!
Thanks Stefanie Dolson from the Washington Mystics for sharing this cool video with us! Check out Brittney Griner, Candice Parker and soon to be a member of the Seattle Storm Brianna Stewart showing off their dunking skills while training with USA basketball! Please enjoy the sound effects and singing by the one and only purple haired all-star Stefanie! Who do you think had the best dunk?