#WNBA 2021
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#Nneka Ogwumike#Diana Taurasi#Sue Bird#Skylar Diggins Smith#wnba#basketballedit#women's basketball#wospo#Los Angeles Sparks#Phoenix Mercury#Seattle Storm#sportsedit#wnbaedit#WNBA 25 Season#WNBA 2021#gifs by me
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you know i think the only good tumblr poll final result was cecil winning tumblr sexyman its been downhill from there cuz that was like a fun throwback it was like a guy you wouldnt expect to be the consensus favorite kind of a dark horse candidate tbh really shook the whole bracket up guy we hadnt thought about in years but all subsequent large tournaments large polls and so on its literally just who is the most inoffensive the broad appeal the blandness oh the evil villain poll its always some rando from a childrens cartoon whos greatest crime is kicking a gumdrop everyone votes for utena and xena yet does not watch the shows we pretend to support women and yet... nowhere but the polls i guess in many ways this is like watching the nba playoffs the earlier weirder matchups are more interesting before things settle out and u realize the fantasy of ur favorite weird 6 seed team making it to the conference finals is not real and will never be real and its always going to be the same teams and so on this is actually teaching tumblr what its like to be sports fans no vriska will never win finals mvp and the mystics will get knocked out in the first round :(
#i say nba playoffs despite following the wnba playoffs more nwo because they change the format so much#the 6 seed did win the championship in 2021 lol#but this season did kind of suck playoffs wise... oh the big teams with lots of money made it#do you want me to clap do u want me to cheer?
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DIANAAA NOOOOOOO!!! THREE GAMES??? THREE GAMES OF THIS 😭😭😭
Diana after every game against Connecticut:
#JJ broke her sternum in 2021#she pulled her hamstring while playing Connecticut in 2022 and it ended her season...#And now it's 2023 and Dijonai got her in the leg#and I think Tiffany Hayes is responsible for the... broken toe situation 😑#wnba#phoenix mercury#diana taurasi
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K3mistry News Brief 📰
The Anti-Blackness of Liz Cambage
The following speaks on anti-blackness exhibited by WNBA star Liz Cambage.
Narrated by: J. Stokes
#share#promote#repost#k3mistry productions#listen#learn#k3mistryproductions#wnba#wnba basketball#liz cambage#elizabeth cambage#la sparks#los angeles sparks#womens basketball#womens sports#olympics#2021 olympics#tokyo olympics#australian opal#nigeria#stereotyping#stereotypes#stop stereotyping#racial stereotyping#sports#anti blackness#black lives matter
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thepwhlofficial: Two incredible athletes are joining our teams behind the bench as coaches at the Canadian Tire PWHL 3-on-3 Showcase during NHL All Star Thursday! 🎉
Olympian and World Champion Figure Skater Tessa Virtue joins Team King and 2021 WNBA MVP and New York Liberty Forward Jonquel Jones joins Team Kloss.
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Mentioned I was working on something, this isn't that. But here are some fun facts I found while digging through the WNBA website and doing far too much math!
Years of experience DO count years where a player played on hardship contracts, but NOT a year where a player played no minutes in the W.
The Wings have the most rookies of any current team with 5 (Jaelyn Brown, Lou Lopez Senechal, Jacy Sheldon, Stephanie Soares, and Sevgi Uzun)
To go along with that, the Wings have the least years of experience between all of their players---35 years between them. The Fever is second-last with 38.
The team with the MOST experience is the Sun with 71 years total (thanks to the vets that Alexis Morris wanted to 'hang it up')
The Sky have half of all 4th year players in the league currently
Alysha Clark is the only 12th year player, Courtney Vandersloot is the only 14th year player, DeWanna Bonner is the only 15th year player, and Diana Taurasi is of course the only 20th (!!) year player
Much more detailed info & stats (plus a couple of my observations) under the cut bc I don't need to be the WNBA color of the sky post
Most experienced player on each team:
Mercury: Diana Taurasi (19 years of experience)
Sun: DeWanna Bonner (14)
Liberty: Courtney Vandersloot (13)
Dream: Tina Charles (12)
Storm: Nneka Ogwumike (12)
Aces: Alysha Clark (11)
Lynx: Kayla McBride (10)
Sparks: Layshia Clarendon (10)
Mystics: Stefanie Dolson (10)
Wings: Natasha Howard (10)
Sky: Elizabeth Williams (9)
Fever: Damiras Dantas & Erica Wheeler (both 8)
Total Experience Years:
Storm: 56
Dream: 60
Sky : 46
Sun: 71
Fever: 38
Liberty: 52
Mystics: 48
Wings: 35
Aces: 65
Sparks: 46
Lynx: 45
Mercury: 65
Most of each experience group:
Most Rookies: Wings (5)
Most 2nd Year Players: Lynx (4)
Most 3rd Year Players: Dream, Fever, Mystics (3)
Most 4th Year Players: Sky (3)
Most 5th Year Players: Liberty, Wings (2)
Most 6th Year Players: Aces, Lynx (4)
Most 7th Year Players: Sky, Mystics, Sparks (2)
Most 8th Year Players: Dream, Sun, Liberty, Mystics (2)
Most 9th Year Players: Mercury (3)
Most 10th Year Players: Storm, Aces (2)
Number of players in each experience group:
Rooks: 20
2nd Year: 20
3rd Year: 16
4th Year: 6
5th Year: 8
6th Year: 18
7th Year: 12
8th Year: 9
9th Year: 12
10th Year: 7
11th Year: 6
12th Year: 1 (Alysha Clark)
13th Year: 2 (Nneka Ogwumike, Tina Charles)
14th Year: 1 (Courtney Vandersloot)
15th Year: 1 (DeWanna Bonner)
20th Year: 1 (Diana Taurasi)
I'm hypothesizing the drop for 4th year and 5th year players is because of COVID. It's interesting that there's the same number of 4th year players and 11th year players.
The Lucky Covid 4th Year WNBA Survivors:
Chennedy Carter (Sky)
Dana Evans (Sky)
Michaela Onyenwere (Sky)
DiJonai Carrington (Sun)
Temi Fagbenle* (Fever)
Aari McDonald (Sparks)
*Temi wasn't drafted in 2020 or 2021, but she does have 3 years of experience so she's part of this category. She was drafted 35th overall in the 2016 draft.
#all math is correct (i made google sheets do it) but the numbers inputted are subject to human error#wnba#wbb#pls don't let this flop guys#seattle storm#indiana fever#chicago sky#los angeles sparks#alyssa thomas#connecticut sun
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De Montes Claros para o mundo! Kamilla Cardoso é bi-campeã do torneio (desta vez, invicta!), eleita melhor jogadora do final four, eleita defensora do ano pelos técnicos da liga e agora segue com toda sua dominância e carisma para a WNBA.
A técnica Dawn Staley informou depois da partida que a brasileira jogou lesionada, mas que ela tinha certeza que "Cardoso não deixaria nós perdermos sequer um jogo este ano". Foram 15 pontos, 17 rebotes (7 ofensivos), 3 tocos e uma nova legião de fãs brasileiros, que agora vão apoiá-la em sua carreira na WNBA, que - PASME - começa daqui a 40 DIAS! 🥵🤩🏆 BORAAAA @kamilla_cardoso.
O draft já é segunda-feira que vem (15 de abril) e Kamilla deve estar logo nas primeiras escolhas. A temporada começa dia 14 de maio, e os playoffs já começam dia 22 de setembro. ✨
Revanche completa! South Carolina perdeu para Iowa na semi-final do ano passado e reencontrou o algoz nas finais deste ano. Depois de um início alucinante de Caitlin Clark, que fez 18 pontos no primeiro quarto, a equipe de Dawn Staley buscou o placar, virou o jogo e se sagrou campeã: é o segundo título em três anos!
Não fosse Iowa ano passado, poderiam ter sido três títulos em três anos. O recorde da equipe nesse período (2021-2024) foi de 109 vitórias e três derrotas. Este ano, foram 38 vitórias e nenhuma derrota. Em 2022-23, o único jogo que perderam foi esse da semi-final. Que sequência de South Carolina e que trabalho de Dawn Staley! Especialmente porque todo o time titular se formou em 2023. A equipe perdeu as cinco titulares e voltou da reformulação invicta, vencendo o time que a havia derrotado no ano anterior. Emocionante.
Nesse sentido, a história mais marcante é a de Raven Johnson, armadora de South Carolina. No ano passado, no jogo contra Iowa, Johnson estava livre da linha dos três. Quem a devia estar defendendo era Caitlin Clark, mas Clark permaneceu bem distante, dentro da garrafão e abanou a mão na direção de Johnson, como quem diz: "essa aí, pode deixar que não tem chute."
Raven passou a bola. O vídeo viralizou e daí você deve imaginar o que rolou: caiu na rede social, bem vindo à selva. Barbárie. É gente zoando, humilhando, xingando, enfim… Johnson pensou em parar de jogar. Mas não parou.
Ontem, como defensora principal da Clark, forçou 4 turnovers e segurou Caitlin a um baixo aproveitamento: 3 de 11 acertados. Ao ser entrevistada durante a premiação, disse: "A turnê de vingança acabou."
#kamilla cardoso#caitlin clark#iowa#south carolina#ncaa#ncaa womens basketball#wnba#raven johnson#dawn staley#cheryl miller#hortencia
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When 6-foot-7 center Kamilla Cardoso enters the WNBA -- likely as a top five pick after Monday's draft -- she will face a new challenge, in coming up against the world's best players on a regular basis.
Outside the college game with the South Carolina Gamecocks, Cardoso has proven her ability with the Brazil national team under José Neto - including against the college coach who would later help her become one of the most sought-after prospects in women's basketball.
On June 19, 2021, Dawn Staley and Cardoso crossed paths as competitors on the court for the first time. A month and a half earlier, Cardoso had transferred to South Carolina from Syracuse, where she spent her freshman season.
However, on this particular day, Staley and Cardoso were adversaries as Neto's Brazil looked to plot a path past Staley's USA in the FIBA AmeriCup semi-finals.
Ultimately, the USA won 71-60, but Cardoso proved to be undaunted by the occasion - putting in a huge shift on defense. Of her 10 rebounds on the day, eight were defensive rebounds.
According to Neto, it is no accident that Cardoso is entering the WNBA as a player considered ready for a seamless transition from college basketball to the professional game. Rather, her success is a result of young players deliberately being exposed to international camps with Brazil's established WNBA stars.
#kamilla cardoso#wbb#wcbb#wnba#women's basketball#brazil women's national basketball team#women's college basketball#ncaa wbb#international women's basketball
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Can you make a post of all the activism Stewie has done? I know it’s a lot but I love that she really recognizes and uses her privilege and platform for good!
Stewie’s been pretty heavily involved in the Black Lives Matter movement, especially in 2020.
She had custom shoes that had different messages for equality and justice including “Say Her Name” “Time for Change” and even had a transgender flag on half of the shoe to advocate for trans rights and safety.
She, with the entire WNBA, strongly advocating voting in 2020 and even flipped the senate by getting Georgia senator Raphael Warnock elected.
Stewie was very vocal when a former WNBA player Candice Wiggins went on a homophobic rant and stated that “98% of the WNBA is gay” (username inspo!) and she felt “unsafe” to be straight in the league.
TW: s*xual ab*se
In 2017 she published an article in the Player’s Tribune talking about how she was a victim of childhood s*xual ab*se.
Since then she has partnered with RAINN and has been an advocate for SA survivors and victims. In 2021 she did an informational Instagram live all about RAINN and what they stand for and how they can help.
Stewie was very, very adamant about BG’s wrongful detainment and would tweet every single day until she was home.
And of course, Stewie has been a very big advocate for the LGBTQ+ community. Many of her “Kicks For Equality”, a fundraiser the Seattle Storm would host, featured gay and trans flags, as well as messages for LGBTQ equality and safety.
There’s a lot more that she’s participated in but these are the big things. Stewie is a vice president of the WNBPA (women’s national basketball player’s association) and has advocated for charter flights, better pay, general equity between the WNBA and NBA, and more.
#womens basketball#wnba#breanna stewart#wnba blog#seattle storm#new york liberty#ny liberty#gay rights#britney griner#Candice Wiggins
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okay so a league of their own has been everything that i’d hoped it’d be and more.
girls in baseball, nick offerman, and lesbians, it’s wonderful.
and while all of that is great, it’s also just so heartbreaking, harrowing, and painful, to watch the portrayal of how much effort closeted queer people had to put into just living. just blending into the regular crowd. hearing how much you’re hated and how strange you are even if it isn’t knowingly being directed at you.
obviously i don’t have to tell you that queer history being told is incredibly important, just as educating yourself on the topic is, too. but it’s still vital to remember and appreciate that the impact this community has left is larger than life and the entire reason we’ve reached the point we’re at today, with still a ways to go.
but it’s also just so unbelievably moving to me, to see how women in sports have grown and evolved since those times. it’s genuinely soul wracking to see how drastically different things are, and just plain emotional today to see all the women playing professionally who get to live their dream while also having wives and girlfriends.
sue bird making headlines as she leads seattle into the first round of the WNBA playoffs during her final season, while her fiancée, megan rapinoe, plays in the NWSL for the reign.
former league MVP, candace parker and her wife welcoming a baby months after candace won the 2021 WNBA Finals with the chicago sky, only to go back to work three months later for the start of the regular season.
there’s so many others too in different leagues but the WNBA playoffs are just beginning so they’re up to bat, metaphorically. i’ve watched more baseball than basketball so i don’t know what the equivalent of that expression would be but you get it. women belong in sports, gay women belong in sports.
from a personal aspect, as a lesbian teenager who’s passionate about both men’s and women’s sports, it’s wild sometimes to see the inclusion and support that leagues and teams alike make an effort to show towards the LGBTQ+ community, some more than others, but still. and remembering that it took a long time to get to this point, and who we have to be grateful for is both humbling and inspiring, still today.
it’s also amusing to look at any girl on a WNBA, NWSL , or PHF (women’s hockey) roster, or any other women’s league for that matter, and know there’s a pretty good chance she’s gay. yearning so badly to be a WAG is part of the fun imo
but yeah thanks if you read i just had a lot inside after watching and wanted to just let my heart type it all out for a sec.
#also go la sparks!! and angel city fc!!!! my favorite womens teams<3#watch womens sports#a league of their own#a league of their own series#aloto#queer community#queer history#queer pride#lesbian#lesbians#sports#womens sports#womens basketball#womens soccer#womens hockey#wnba#nwsl#nwsl 2022#phf#premier hockey federation#sapphics#pride#queer discussions#queer discourse
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Dawn Staley, the esteemed head coach of the South Carolina Gamecock's women's basketball team, has left an indelible mark on the sport. Her journey from humble beginnings to becoming a prominent figure in the league is nothing short of inspiring. Let's take a closer look at her childhood years, high school experiences, how she entered the league, and her remarkable career.
Childhood Years
Born on May 4, 1970, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Dawn Staley grew up in a challenging environment. Raised by her mother and grandmother in North Philadelphia's Raymond Rosen housing project - a neighborhood known for its economic hardships, Staley faced adversity from an early age. However, it was during these formative years that she developed resilience and determination that would shape her future success.
High School Years
Staley attended Dobbins Technical High School where she quickly made a name for herself as an exceptional athlete. Excelling not only in basketball but also track and field and tennis, she showcased versatility and raw talent across multiple sports. As a standout point guard on the basketball court with unmatched skills and leadership qualities, Staley caught the attention of college recruiters nationwide.
Entering the League
After graduating from high school in 1988 as one of Pennsylvania's most highly recruited players ever seen at that time. Dawn Staley faced numerous offers from top-tier universities across America. Ultimately choosing to attend the University of Virginia under legendary Coach Debbie Ryan was a physical decision that would set her on course for greatness.
Career in College Basketball
During her time at Virginia (1998-1992), Staley became one of college basketball's most electrifying players. She led her team to three Final Four appearances (1990-1992) while earning All-American honors each year - an impressive feat indeed! Known for her exceptional ball-handling skills and court vision, Staley's ability to control the game and make her teammates better was unparalleled. Her leadership qualities were also recognized when she was named ACC Female Athlete of the Year in 1991 and 1992.
Professional Career
Following her illustrious college career, Staley transitioned into professional basketball. In 1996, she joined the American Basketball League (ABL) as a member of the Richmond Rage. Her impact on the court continued to shine as she earned All-Star selections and led her team to an ABL Championship in 1997.
When the ABL folded in late 1998, Staley seamlessly transitioned to the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). She was selected with the ninth overall pick by the Charlotte Sting in its inaugural draft. Throughout her WNBA career, which spanned from 1999-2006, Staley played for both Charlotte and Houston Comets. Known for her tenacity on defense and play-making abilities on offense, she left an indelible mark on each team she represented.
Coaching Career
After retiring as a player in 2006, Dawn Staley embarked on a new chapter of her basketball journey, coaching. She began as an assistant coach at Temple University before taking over as head coach at South Carolina in April 2008. Under her guidance, South Carolina has experienced unprecedented success. Staley has transformed South Carolina into a powerhouse program that consistently competes at the highest level.
The Gamecocks have won multiple Southeastern Conference (SEC) regular season championships and SEC Tournament titles under her leadership. Most notably, Staley guided South Carolina to their first-ever NCAA National Championship victory in women's basketball during the historic season of 2016-2017.
Beyond coaching at South Carolina, Dawn Staley has also made significant contributions internationally by serving as head coach for Team USA Women's Basketball since March 2017. Under her guidance, Team USA won gold medals at the 2018 FIBA World Cup and the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. Dawn Staley's journey from a challenging childhood to becoming a revered figure in women's basketball is a testament to her unwavering determination, resilience, and exceptional skills. As she continues to inspire both on and off the court, Staley remains an influential force in shaping the future of women's basketball for generations to come.
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#Nneka Ogwumike#Diana Taurasi#Sue Bird#wnba#Skylar Diggins Smith#basketballedit#women's basketball#wospo#sportsedit#wnbaedit#wnba 25 th season#wnba 2021#gifs by me
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Houston Rockets guard Kevin Porter Jr. was arrested in New York City on Monday for allegedly assaulting his girlfriend, former WNBA player Kysre Gondrezick, police sources told ABC News.
Porter, 23, was formally charged with assault and strangulation.
Porter returned early Monday morning from an evening out to the Millennium Hilton near U.N. Plaza, where he and Gondrezick were staying. Gondrezick was upset with the late hour of his return and locked the door, according to police sources. Once he entered with the help of hotel security, Porter beat up the woman, the sources said.
Gondrezick was treated for a cut on the right side of her face and neck pain.
The pair was in New York City for Fashion Week. Porter and Gondrezick were photographed at the Vogue Smart Tox NYFW Kickoff event on Sept. 7.
MORE: NBA star Ja Morant sidelined after showing off gun on social media
Porter was drafted with the No. 30 pick in the 2019 NBA draft out of the University of Southern California, but has developed into a star player for the Rockets. He had his best career season in 2022-23 with 19.2 points, 5.3 rebounds and 5.7 assists per game.
Gondrezick, 26, played college basketball for Michigan and West Virginia, before being drafted No. 4 overall in the 2021 WNBA draft by Indiana. She played one season for the Fever before being waived. She has not played the last two WNBA seasons and is currently a free agent.
Porter was previously arrested in November 2020 in Ohio on a weapons charge, but a grand jury declined to indict him. However, the Cleveland Cavaliers made him inactive for the first half of the season and he was traded to Houston in January 2021.
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Stewie and Liberty will be insane if they make it deep into the playoffs since Marta is due in October (according to Stewie's IG post)
This is giving me PTSD flashbacks.
WHY ARE WE DOING THIS AGAIN 😭
"I didn't even know it was a ref." –DT
NO RATIONAL THINKING HAPPENING HERE! JUST PURE MAMA BEAR PROTECTIVE INSTINCTS!
Also there was no sleeping or rest happening at all.
This was fucking crazy and very stressful. I can't believe Stewie and Marta are gonna try this. From now on let's have babies in the OFF SEASON and not the PLAY OFFS thank you
#In that 2021 article Diana says BG and Skylar are two of her best friends 😭#Diana and Skylar! BEST FRIENDS in 2021!#what the fuck happened between them 😭#phoenix mercury#wnba#diana taurasi#breanna stewart#new york liberty#marta xargay
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WNBA Finals: The Australian and WNBL connections run deep
Tipping off tomorrow, Las Vegas and New York face off in the WNBA Finals, and there's plenty of Australian and WNBL storylines to follow.
HAYLEY WILDES
The WNBA Finals get underway tomorrow morning with Game 1 tipping off at 6am AEDT and after an incredible season, it all comes down to the two preseason favourites battling it out in what is sure to be a Finals to remember.
Las Vegas will be aiming to make it back-to-back championships, while New York will be hoping to claim the franchise’s maiden championship. 2022 WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson and 2023 WNBA MVP Breanna Stewart headline both teams, while the likes of Kelsey Plum, Chelsea Gray, Sabrina Ionescu and Jonquel Jones will have a huge say in the outcome of the series.
Speaking of those that will have a big impact in the championship decider, there are a myriad of connections to Australia and the WNBL, with players with WNBL experience set to light up the Finals and a very familiar head coach.
There are three players on each team who have played in the WNBL, and of course Opals head coach Sandy Brondello is running the show in New York. This demonstrates the standing and importance of Australian basketball in the best league in the world.
For New York, Betnijah Laney, Kayla Thornton and Jocelyn Willoughby have all had stops in the WNBL, while Las Vegas’ Jackie Young and Kierstan Bell have suited up in the WNBL, and Opals superstar Cayla George is also on the squad.
Laney and Young in particular have taken their respective careers to new heights after stints in the WNBL and will be among the most important players in the series.
Laney was a revelation for the Perth Lynx in 2015/16, alongside the likes of Sami Whitcomb and Tessa Lavey. That squad made it all the way to the Grand Final series and although they ultimately lost to the Townsville Fire, there’s no doubt it was a special season for the Lynx. Laney led the team in rebounds (7.7 per game) and assists (3.8), while also adding 14.7 points per game (second to Whitcomb at 19.2).
Her toughness and work ethic shone through back then and she returned to the league in season 2017/18 with the Bendigo Spirit, creating a dominant duo with Kelsey Griffin. That season wasn’t to be for Bendigo, with Griffin’s season ending after just six games due to a hip injury, but Laney battled until the end, averaging 14.7 points, 5.1 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.5 steals per game.
After struggling to find her groove in the WNBA, everything changed in 2020 with the Atlanta Dream when she averaged 17.2 points per game, up from 5.6 the previous season. She won the Most Improved Player Award and was named to the All-Defensive Team that season.
Now she is a force for the star-studded Liberty team. As well as being a defensive headache, Laney is just super efficient on the offensive end, making her the perfect fit alongside the likes of Stewart, Jones, Ionescu and Vandersloot. This season she has averaged 12.8 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.4 assists on 49.9% shooting from the field and 39.2% from three.
Young was on the rise prior to coming to Perth for season 2021/22, but really announced herself as one of the best players in the WNBA after her summer with the Lynx. Young spent one season with Perth, in a loaded squad that included college teammate Marina Mabrey, Whitcomb, Darcee Garbin and Lauren Scherf.
Although the Lynx lost to the Boomers in the Grand Final, Young was massive. Despite a slowish start to the season, she quickly found her groove and became deadly on both ends of the court. After averaging 17.8 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game for Perth, Young returned to Las Vegas a different player.
Not known for her three-point shooting in pervious seasons, Young showcased her improvement over the off-season and incredibly became one of the WNBA’s best three-point shooters, finishing third in the league for three-point percentage in 2022. Young’s newfound three-point shooting was integral in the Aces run to the Championship and she was named an All-Star for the first time in her career, while also taking out the WNBA’s Most Improved Player Award.
This season, Young has taken her game to a new level, and much like Laney, it’s all about efficiency and finding a role within a team full of stars. Named an All-Star again, Young is just an assassin on offence, averaging a career-high 17.6 points per game on otherworldly shooting splits of 52.3% from the field, 44.9% from three and 86.7% from the line.
Kayla Thornton, Jocelyn Willoughby and Kierstan Bell all played in the WNBL last season, and Willoughby will be back in the league this summer.
Thornton starred for Southside last season, helping lead the squad to an unlikely Finals appearance after a season filled with injuries. She was everything the Flyers could’ve hoped for in an import and played both side of the ball extremely well.
Leading the team in points (15.7 per game) and rebounds (6.8), Thornton announced herself on opening night with 21 points and 8 rebounds, and never looked back.
While playing for Southside earlier this year, Thornton was traded from Dallas to New York as part of the deal that landed former WNBA MVP Jonquel Jones in New York (and saw Bec Allen head in Connecticut). Although her minutes are down compared to what she playing in Dallas, her importance to New York cannot be underestimated. She’s a star in her role and brings it every game on both ends of the floor.
She does all the little things well and Brondello knows she can rely on Thornton whenever she calls her number.
In a rocky season for the Flames last season, Willoughby just kept working. A coaching and point guard change mid-season threw Sydney into chaos, but Willoughby – as well as Keely Froling and Tiana Mangakahia – did all they could to remain competitive.
Willoughby averaged 15.1 points, 4.2 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game, and will suit up for Adelaide this coming season alongside fellow import and WNBA player Brianna Turner. Willoughby is played sparingly off the bench by Brondello and appeared in 29 games in the regular season.
Bell only played nine games for the Lightning last season before returning to the States. She showed flashes of what Adelaide would’ve been hoping for from her (she did average 14.1 points and 4.7 rebounds per game), but it was shortlived. Back with Las Vegas in her second season of WNBA, Bell hasn’t been able to lock down totally consistent rotation minutes, but for a second-year player on a loaded squad such as the Aces, she’s done well to fight for minutes. She’s shown enough potential to be an option off the bench for Becky Hammon in certain match-ups and is only improving.
Cayla George has done it all in Australian basketball – won WNBL championships, a WNBL MVP, represented the Opals on countless occasions, highlighted by Olympic and World Cup campaigns – and now she is trying to add a WNBA championship to her resume.
George hasn’t seen consistent court time for the Aces this season. She has struggled with her long-range shooting (23.4% shooting from deep), which is vital to her game considering over 60% of her shots this season have been from beyond the arc. With that being said, she’s the type of player that has remained ready and is very clearly a positive personality to have on your bench.
Speaking of positives on the bench, Sandy Brondello has done a fantastic job balancing the many mouths to feed on a Liberty squad boasting ridiculous star power. She will be aiming for her second WNBA championship, after leading Phoenix to the 2014 title, with fellow Aussies Penny Taylor and Erin Phillips members of that squad.
Brondello has long been known as a defensive-minded coach and while the Liberty owned the third best defensive-rating this season (101), their offence was even stronger, finishing second with an offensive rating of 111.8.
Incredibly, as per ESPN, Brondello and Becky Hammon facing off will mark the first time in WNBA history that two former WNBA players will meet as head coaches in the Finals.
This truly is a meeting of the juggernauts and all I can say is, sit back and enjoy!
WNBA Finals schedule
Game 1: Monday, 9 October @ 6am AEDT
Game 2: Thursday 12 October @ 12pm AEDT
Game 3: Monday 16 October @ 6am AEDT
Game 4 (if necessary): Thursday 19 October @ 11am AEDT
Game 5 (if necessary): Saturday 21 October @ 12pm AEDT
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Beautiful Baller @_klc215 😍🏀🔥😍🏀🔥 #throwbacknothursday ✔️ WNBA champion (2021) ✔️ WNBA Finals MVP (2021) ✔️ 2× WNBA All-Star (2021, 2022) ✔️ EuroLeague regular season MVP (2022) #beautifulballer #beautifulballers #basketball #wnba #champion #mvp #allstar https://www.instagram.com/p/Ck6nCFrP4sc/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=
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