Four-time gold medalist Leslie says U.S. women have earned name, too Aug 24, 2008
The success of 1996 led to the formation of the WNBA. Felicitously, most of the Supremes were on their way back to the USA Sunday to rejoin their WNBA teams. Leslie stayed for the men's game to soak up one more golden moment. (USA Today -- Sports)
Leslie still living Olympic dream Aug 24, 2008
Less than two months past her 36th birthday, the author of the WNBA's first dunk is still a formidable presence in the women's game ... She has a 1-year-old daughter, and missed the 2007 WNBA season to maternity leave. (San Diego Union-Tribune -- Sports)
* BASKETBALL: Hammon leads Russia to womens basketball bronze Aug 24, 2008
It was a strong bounceback game for Hammon, the US-born WNBA star and naturalized Russian citizen. She managed three points on 1-for-6 shooting in Thursdays 67-52 semi-final loss to the US, but had 11 in the first half and finished with four threes yesterday. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
Florida fourth in Olympic athletes Aug 24, 2008
Lisa Leslie, the WNBA player who starred at USC in the early 1990s, also could take gold. The U.S. women's basketball team beat South Korea on Tuesday to advance to the semifinals. (Florida Sports -- Rivals.com)
US women grab fourth straight crown Aug 24, 2008
Not even Australia s WNBA trio of Lauren Jackson, Penny Taylor and Erin Phillips could stem the US tide. Taylor and Phillips had skipped the first-half of the US pro season to prepare for the Games, while Jackson left the Seattle Storm two weeks early to train with her team-mates. (The Star Online, Malaysia -- Sports)
Donovan 'riding high' Aug 24, 2008
"I feel like everything has been left out there. In the last three years since I've taken this team over, there have been a lot of questions. Could this team pull it together? Could I pull it together? So for me, it's tremendous satisfaction -- not just to win a gold medal, but to really win it with an exclamation point."Once the coach of the now-defunct WNBA franchise in Charlotte, Donovan fell in love with the city and never left after moving to Charlotte in 2001. She commuted cross country... (News & Observer -- Sports)
U.S. women's basketball team winsfourth straight gold Aug 24, 2008
That's a near 40-point margin of victory when the rest of the world is supposed to be catching up by virtue of an influx of international talent playing in the WNBA. ... NCAA champion, No. 1 overall pick in the WNBA and a gifted ball handler despite being 6-4. (MSNBC)
Spencer: China, Russia tick off Olympic Opinion Guy Aug 24, 2008
She plays in the WNBA for the San Antonio Whatevers. But she also plays for some professional team in Russia six months out of the year and she makes good money at it, I'm fine with that. (The Delaware County Times, PA)
U.S. women rout Aussies for gold Aug 24, 2008
"There is not a single person on this team who is happy to have silver," said forward Penny Taylor, Taurasi's Mercury teammate on last summer's WNBA championship team, as she cried in dismay ... " The Aussies were anxious to prove that they were finally as good, if not better, than the U.S. They had won the last world championship. But that title might have been the beginning of an end to their aspirations. Above all, it was a warning to the Americans, who finished third at the 2007 world... (AZCentral -- Sports)
Commentary: Lisa Leslie lifts the women to basketball title in her final Olympics Aug 24, 2008
When Leslie won her first gold medal in 1996 in Atlanta -- with teammates like Sheryl Swoopes and Cynthia Cooper, who helped her co-found the WNBA -- Parker was just 10 years old. No one back then believed that women would ever be able to play at the rim consistently. (Modesto Bee, CA)
U.S. women basketball team reclaims the gold Aug 24, 2008
" Leslie presumably put or maybe threw away that bronze medal after the game. In its place at the awards ceremony were four golds dangling from her neck - one won by each of the last four Olympic teams, all of which she was a member. "It's just been awesome for me to experience this for the fourth time with such a great group," said Leslie, who has already said this would be her last Games. She looked like she could definitely play some more Saturday night. Her point totals came inside which was... (Scripps Howard News Wire)
Lisa Leslie, 36, caps her perfect run with stellar performance Aug 24, 2008
Although Leslie has been the constant through four Olympic cycles, the U.S. has kept building around her, restocking with WNBA players. The U.S. has been ranked No. 1 by FIBA, the world governing body for basketball, most of the past 10 years -- save for a third-place finish at the 2006 World Championships in Brazil, where Australia won the gold and Russia the silver. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, PA -- Sports)
Hammon's medal makes it all worthwhile Aug 24, 2008
"Hammon left that open, saying only that she planned to return to Texas Sunday and finish out the WNBA season with San Antonio."I never doubted my decision to go. I knew I was here for the right reasons," she said."Russia and the United States, everyone knows the history there, but we've got to move forward and get past that. (Rapid City Journal, SD)
DEITSCH: What to watch today Aug 23, 2008
"Several of the Opals' players play in the WNBA, and the teams have more similarities than differences. Both teams like to run, and each has great outside shooters and strong, mobile post players. Depth is where the U.S. trumps Australia: The Opals go about eight deep, while everyone on the U.S. squad plays at least 10 minutes, but no more than 20. I'd expect the U.S. to focus on rebounding, taking care of the ball and playing tenacious team defense. If the U.S. can execute on offense with more... (SportsIllustrated.CNN)
Basketball teams in hunt for gold Aug 23, 2008
" Argentina was 10 for 10 in free throws in the second quarter The Americans then did what they always do -- they zoomed. Carmelo Anthony led the team with 21 points, including a 13-of-13 night in foul shots, which helped balance his 3-for-14 shooting from the field. "I'm just trying to go in on the outside and I made my free throws, so that's good," Anthony said. The American women, all WNBA players, will face a lot of WNBA teammates and opponents from Australia in the gold-medal game today.... (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, PA)
Team Memorabilia Stays; Courtside Seats Go Aug 22, 2008
The team is taking with them a sound effects machine currently used by the Seattle Storm WNBA team. The equipment will be moved after the season is over. (KIRO TV, WA)
Taylor a certain starter for gold medal showdown Aug 22, 2008
Taylor and her team mate Belinda Snell were presented with their stunning 2007 WNBA championship rings outside the Athletes Village earlier today by a representative of television giant NBC.. The pair were members of the Phoenix Mercury outfit that defeated Detroit Shock in last year's WNBA decider. (Sydney Morning Herald)
U.S. women basketball team advances to gold medal game Aug 22, 2008
BEIJING -- United States women's basketball coach Anne Donovan has been preaching defense since the first day of practice to her group of WNBA superstars - Thursday at the Summer Olympics they found out why ... There was also the X-factor of WNBA star Becky Hammon playing for the other team. (Scripps Howard News Wire)
Taurasi provides the spark Aug 22, 2008
"An interesting subplot involved Becky Hammon, a South Dakota native who plays professionally in the WNBA and Russia. She accepted an invitation to play for Russia after she felt she wouldn't get selected to play for the US. Hammon finished with 3 points on 1-of-6 shooting, 1 rebound, and 1 assist in 24 minutes."The [US] national anthem for me was no different than the thousands of times I've heard it before," Hammon said. "It meant just as much today as it did when I was in high school, grade... (Boston Globe -- Sports)
The Jackson drive Aug 21, 2008
Jackson has been named the best player in competitions on four different continents Europe, Australia (three times), Asia, and twice in the world's best women's basketball league, the WNBA she has collected numerous statistical awards, countless off-court accolades, two Olympic silver medals, and three medals from the world championships, the most recent a gold, in 2006, when she captained the Opals to Australia's first senior basketball success. Just one thing is missing, an Olympic gold medal,... (Sydney Morning Herald -- Sport)
Banners to stay in Seattle as part of settlement Aug 21, 2008
The franchise is also leaving some KeyArena furniture and equipment in Seattle, noting it will take 150 courtside seats, 24 office chairs, three televisions and other equipment that is still being used by the WNBA team. Those items -- including 200 CDs, a sound-effects machine, a basketball inflater, radios, headphones and a replay monitor -- will be shipped to Oklahoma City when the WNBA season is over. (ESPN -- Golf News)
UConn frees recruit Delle Donne from scholarship Aug 21, 2008
ESPN - Delle Donne released from UConn scholarship, can play volleyball for Delaware - Women's College Basketball. Try the NEW ESPN Search. (ESPN -- Women's Basketball)
Queen and her court: Leslie shooting for fourth gold Aug 21, 2008
And there is no doubt she has been the Queen of the WNBA. Are you ready ... Parker is the new WNBA poster girl, a photogenic 6-5 forward out of Tennessee. (Boston Globe -- Sports)
Hammon to face off against U.S. in Olympic semifinal (6181) Aug 21, 2008
The American born and bred WNBA star, who opted to play for the Russian Olympic team after not being offered a spot on the U.S. team, will face the team that spurned her. On Thursday, Russia will play the heavily favored USA team in the semifinals of the women's basketball competition at the 2008 Olympics being held in Beijing. (Rapid City Journal, SD)
Shock ink McWilliams-Franklin, Shields to contracts Aug 20, 2008
ESPN - Shock sign McWilliams-Franklin to extension, Shields to 7-day deal - WNBA ... Shock sign McWilliams-Franklin to extension, Shields to 7-day deal - WNBA ... -- The signed six-time WNBA All-Star Taj McWilliams-Franklin to a one-year contract extension and free-agent Ashley Shields to a seven-day contract on Tuesday. (ESPN -- WNBA)
Now or never: Mystics owner fumes over losing Aug 20, 2008
ESPN - Mystics owner Johnson expresses frustration about losing tradition - WNBA ... Mystics owner Johnson expresses frustration about losing tradition - WNBA ... "The Mystics have defined instability since entering the WNBA in 1988. They have had 10 coaches in 11 seasons, leading to dizzying changes in philosophy and constant lineup shuffles. They entered this season's Olympic break with a 10-16 record and recently fired coach Tree Rollins, replacing him with interim coach Jessie Kenlaw. They... (ESPN -- WNBA)
LJ To Have Surgery Aug 20, 2008
ESPN - Jackson opts to have ankle surgery, could end WNBA season - WNBA ... Jackson opts to have ankle surgery, could end WNBA season - WNBA ... Jackson opts to have ankle surgery, could end WNBA season. (ESPN -- WNBA)
It's no mystery: Mystics are bad Bennett settles with Seattle Aug 20, 2008
" The Mystics have defined instability since entering the WNBA in 1998. They have had 10 coaches in 11 seasons, leading to dizzying changes in philosophy and constant lineup shuffles. They have been to the playoffs four times, but are 70 games below .500 since the team's inception. "I think my fans are getting fed up," she said. "I'm getting fed up. " -- Clay Bennett's ownership group has reached a final settlement with the city of Seattle, allowing the former SuperSonics franchise to move to... (San Francisco Chronicle -- Sports)
Storm's Jackson to have surgery after Olympics Aug 20, 2008
Jackson to have ankle surgery after Olympics - Wire Services - WNBA - nbcsports ... SEATTLE (AP) -Australian and WNBA star Lauren Jackson will undergo surgery on a nagging right ankle injury after the Olympics are over ... The surgery likely will force Jackson to miss the rest of the WNBA regular season with the Seattle Storm. (MSNBC -- Sports)
Detroit Shock sign McWilliams-Franklin, Shields Aug 20, 2008
- The Detroit Shock signed six-time WNBA All-Star Taj McWilliams-Franklin to a one-year contract extension and free-agent Ashley Shields to a seven-day contract on Tuesday. The Shock received McWilliams-Franklin last week in a trade with the Washington Mystics for Tasha Humphrey, Eshaya Murphy and a 2009 second-round draft pick. (MSNBC -- Sports)
Celizic: U.S. women's hoops seeking redemption, too Aug 20, 2008
The Russians blew a tight game against Spain in the fourth quarter of their game Tuesday night and come in bolstered by Becky Hammon, an American WNBA star who joined the Russian Olympic team when she felt she was being passed over by her own country. About half of the current team was in Brazil for that 2006 wakeup call. (MSNBC -- Sports)
Aussies Jackson Injured; Will Play Through Pain Aug 20, 2008
Jackson, who plays for the WNBA Seattle Storm, has been bothered by an ankle injury but has opted to play through her pain. Jackson recently underwent an MRI which revealed an impingement at the front of the right ankle joint caused by wear and tear during her career. (ABC 7 News, DC)
Spurs team up with other franchises for career day Aug 20, 2008
The list of organizations expected to participate includes the Spurs, Rockets, San Antonio Rampage (AHL), San Antonio Silver Stars (), (NBA developmental league), (WNBA), (AHL), Laredo Bucks (CHL) and the (). The WNBA league office, Argus (ushering and security), and are also slated to participate. (San Antonio Business Journal, TX)
Sports In Brief Aug 20, 2008
The surgery likely will force Jackson to miss the rest of the WNBA regular season with Seattle, and the earliest Jackson would return to the Storm would be during the playoffs ... (AP) The Detroit Shock signed six-time WNBA All-Star Taj McWilliams-Franklin to a one-year contract extension. (Yahoo News -- Auto Racing)
Selena RobertsSI IN BEIJING: BASKETBALL Aug 20, 2008
As the men's Redeem Team barrels toward a gold medal, and as the women's Dream Team continues to dominate the Beijing Games, it's obvious that while the players of the NBA and WNBA are nobly playing for country, they are also auditioning for a world of cash ... The women have been hip to this overseas biz for years, often supplementing their $50,000-level WNBA incomes with Euro League money, but even they are being feted with unthinkable new deals ... They make more than six times their WNBA... (SportsIllustrated.CNN)
UConn trio lands on 25-player Wade Watch list Aug 20, 2008
Try the NEW ESPN Search. ESPN.com news services. (ESPN -- Women's Basketball)
U.S. women's basketball team has so many weapons Aug 20, 2008
" So, next comes the semifinals Thursday night and a game against Russia, a team with its own stable of talented players and WNBA standout Becky Hammon to boot. Russia trailed for much of the game against Spain on Tuesday before rallying in the fourth quarter for a 84-65 victory. "They are super talented," Lawson said. "The scary thing about them is that they have players with tremendous ability. Their front line is something to contend with. (Scripps Howard News Wire)
Clayton Brum caps huge summer with victories at Oakdale Rodeo Aug 20, 2008
I never met them but I've heard a lot about them," said Brum, who recently completed a school project about his family history.Plans: Brum hopes to have a career in rodeo.The Athlete of the Week is selected by the News-Sentinel sports staff. Nominations are gladly accepted. Brum will receive a T-shirt courtesy of Lodi Sporting Goods for being selected. Note to Commenters: Valid Registration Required Effective immediately, we will be reviewing registration information submitted by commenters.... (Lodi News Sentinel, CA)
Phelps completes Olympic mission Aug 19, 2008
Reigning WNBA MVP Lauren Jackson scored 16 points, helping Australia rally past Russia 75-55 to clinch the top seed in its pool and avoid playing the U.S. until the championship game. SOFTBALL: The U.S. women won their 20th straight Olympic game with as little drama as they usually provide. (Pekin Times, IL)
A whopping 83 percent of teen girls play sports Aug 19, 2008
Approximately 83 percent of teenage girls play sports, with basketball as the top choice, according to a survey sponsored by Seventeen magazine and the WNBA. ... We know firsthand how the role of sports can develop young girls into leaders, WNBA President Donna Orender said ... The women of the WNBA are strong, passionate and determined individuals who exhibit these traits both on and off the court. (San Diego Union-Tribune -- Sports)
Schedule may test Lady Dogs' mentality Aug 19, 2008
" The conference slate, which starts Jan. 8 at Ole Miss, again includes just one game against Tennessee, the defending national champs. The Lady Bulldogs visit Knoxville on Feb. 5. Tasha Humphrey, who finished as the program's No. 2 all-time leading scorer, is now in the WNBA, but the Lady Bulldogs return junior guard Ashley Houts. Georgia also returns junior forward Angel Robinson from a team that went 23-10 and reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament. LSU transfer Porsha Phillips joins... (Athens Banner-Herald)
Terps' all-time time leading sco... Aug 19, 2008
Q Crystal Langhorne :: Terps' all-time time leading scorer and rebounder talks WNBA, Terps basketball ... Crystal Langhorne is in her first season with the WNBA's Washington Mystics ... Terps' all-time time leading scorer and rebounder talks WNBA, Terps basketball. (Umterps.com)
Phelps gets 8th gold medal Aug 19, 2008
Reigning WNBA MVP Lauren Jackson scored 16 points, helping Australia rally past Russia 75-55 to clinch the top seed in its pool and avoid playing the U.S. until the championship game. Becky Hammon, an American turned naturalized Russian, led her team with 20 points. (Altus Times, OK)
He had 'better' idea Aug 18, 2008
"Kaman's great-grandparents on his father's side are of German descent. Once German star Dirk Nowitzki learned that, he pushed for Kaman to become a member of the national team. Kaman got the passport and helped Germany qualify for the Olympics in July.Kaman isn't the only American playing for another country in the Olympics. Guard Becky Hammon, who plays professionally in the WNBA and has played in Russia, is suiting up for Russia's women's team and has received a lot of criticism. Guard J.R.... (Boston Globe)
Opals emerge from rocky beginning Aug 18, 2008
A game that looked lost at half-time was won in a canter as Opal stars Penny Taylor and Lauren Jackson seized control, Belinda Snell found her shooting range, and damaging Russian guard Becky Hammon, known in the WNBA as "Hammontime", was shackled. The result means Australia - topping its group with five straight wins - will not have to face the United States until the gold-medal round if they get through the quarter- and semi-finals against opponents yet to be decided. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Sport)
Still Top Dog Aug 17, 2008
ESPN - Nation's top recruit Delle Donne withdraws from UConn - Women's College Basketball. Try the NEW ESPN Search. (ESPN -- Women's Basketball)
Shock's Ford has surgury on ACL in right knee Aug 16, 2008
ESPN - Shock's Ford undergoes surgery on right knee - WNBA ... Shock's Ford undergoes surgery on right knee - WNBA. (ESPN -- WNBA)
Augustus now playing prominent role for U.S. Aug 16, 2008
Augustus, fresh off another successful pro season in the WNBA, is a key member of the U.S. women's Olympic basketball team that's running through Pool A of the preliminary bracket like Godzilla, with Mali being the latest victim Wednesday after a 97-41 mauling ... August, the No. 1 overall selection in the 2006 draft by the Minnesota Lynx and twice second-team All-WNBA, is playing in her first Olympics. (Nola.com -- Sports)
Pac-10 Olympic Spotlight: Basketball Aug 16, 2008
A three-time WNBA MVP with the Los Angeles Sparks, Leslie ended her USC career as a three-time All-American with 2,414 career points. As a senior, Leslie was named the 1994 Naismith National Player of the Year. (Pac-10.org)
Ten Tigers to Graduate Sunday Aug 16, 2008
Women's Basketball: The women's basketball team's first-ever WNBA draftee, Johnson still ranks third in the record book with 2,232 points ... A three-time All-Conference USA honoree and a Great Midwest Conference honoree as a freshman, Johnson was drafted by the Utah Starzz in the third round of the WNBA draft in 1998 ... She played for seven seasons in the WNBA and overseas before spending 2007-08 as a member of the women's basketball support staff, helping in the development of the team's Most... (Gotigersgo.com)
Yankees send Cabrera to minors Aug 16, 2008
Ford was injured during a WNBA home game against Los Angeles July 22. She fell to the court while trying to restrain a teammate during a fracas with seconds left in the game. (Boston Globe -- Sports)
TALE OF THE TAPE: Pitting Brett Favre vs. Roger Clemens Aug 15, 2008
WNBA brawl vs. NBA brawl. Madonna vs. Cynthia Rodriguez. (SportsIllustrated.CNN)
Opals continue unbeaten run Aug 15, 2008
Despite her impressive points haul, the WNBA star wasn't over the moon with her performance. "I'm struggling still - I was a little more aggressive in shooting the ball," Jackson said. (Sydney Morning Herald)
Ex-UConn F Jones gets 3-year extension with Sun Aug 14, 2008
ESPN - Former UConn forward re-signs with Sun - WNBA ... Former UConn forward re-signs with Sun - WNBA ... -- Former University of Connecticut star Asjha Jones signed a three-year contract extension with the WNBA's Connecticut Sun. (ESPN -- WNBA)
Opals slowly polishing up their act Aug 14, 2008
They re just another European team Australia s star WNBA forward Lauren Jackson said. They ve got a great player in Jekabsone-Zogota. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Sport)
U.S. women roll to 28th straight Olympic victory Aug 14, 2008
The trio have all dunked in either college or the WNBA and Fowles was throwing down slams in pregame warmups to the delight of the crowd. Sininta led Mali (0-3) with 13 points. (SportsIllustrated.CNN -- NBA)
Jazmine Robinson Aug 14, 2008
Favorite sports team: Houston Comets, WNBA. Who do you most admire and why. (Appeal Democrat, CA)
Breezing in Beijing Aug 14, 2008
How odd that it s true for women who are used to playing back-to-back seasons in the WNBA and abroad during their peak years as basketball stars ... Bird and USA teammates Diana Taurasi and Tina Thompson helped Spartak Moscow Region win a second straight Euroleague title this winter before the WNBA season started in May ... USA forward Candace Parker went from winning an NCAA title at Tennessee to being the No. 1 WNBA draft pick, to playing for the Los Angeles Sparks, then onto these Olympics... (New Haven Register, CT)
TRANSACTIONS Aug 14, 2008
Don't have an account. (older than 14 days). (Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier)
Rested, relaxed, rolling Aug 14, 2008
How odd that it's true for women who play back-to-back seasons in the WNBA and abroad ... Bird and U.S. teammates Diana Taurasi and Tina Thompson helped Spartak Moscow Region win a second straight Euroleague title this winter before the WNBA season started in May. (News & Observer -- Sports)
NCAA reveals 8 finalists for 2012-16 Final Fours Aug 14, 2008
ESPN - Hosts for 2012-16 Final Fours to be selected from eight finalists - Women's College Basketball. Hosts for 2012-16 Final Fours to be selected from eight finalists - Women's College Basketball. (ESPN -- Women's Basketball)
Former Olympic medal winner McConnell-Serio still can't get enough of the games (Today) Aug 14, 2008
She worked as a WNBA coach for the Minnesota Lynx from 2003-2006. She was named WNBA Coach of the Year in 2004. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, PA -- Sports)
Cash reporting on basketball games, setting sights on future Olympic gold (Today) Aug 14, 2008
But, the former Olympian, who played with the gold medal women's basketball squad in Athens in 2004 and has since added another WNBA title to her lengthy list of accomplishments, was unexpectedly cut from this year's team July 2 ... made me hungrier and more focused to be playing," she said. Plus, Ms. Cash, who boasts two NCAA championships with University of Connecticut and two WNBA championships with the Detroit Shock, needs one more gold medal, for symmetry, she said. "I just feel to round... (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, PA -- Sports)
Dog days drama Aug 13, 2008
Any sports editor who greenlights a "Huston, we have a problem" headline for a story about Mr. Street's recent struggles will be punished with three months on the WNBA beat. Don't say you haven't been warned. (CBS News)
Mercury center Smith out 4-6 weeks after surgery Aug 13, 2008
ESPN - Smith has arthroscopic surgery on right knee - WNBA ... Smith has arthroscopic surgery on right knee - WNBA. (ESPN -- WNBA)
