#2020 wnba draft

[imaginespazzi]

Nivi baby, do you have a final mock draft before tomorrow? I can't believe this class is about to become WNBA rookies. Where did the time go with my little 2020 freshmen? 🥺

No because literally like trying to imagine next season without Nika and Aaliyah is hard enough but then trying to imagine without Cam or Angel or Rickea or Kamilla etc.? I'm so excited for them but I'm really gonna miss my college girlies. 🥺

Anyways this is my draft based mainly on who I would take. I don't watch a lot of international basketball and I know there's two prospects who will probably be taken first round but since I don't know them, they're not making this list.

Caitlin Clark (the Fever could do the funniest thing and because it's the Fever and they're known for dumb shit there's always a chance they could but yeah if it's not CC, something has gone very wrong behind the scenes)

Cam Brink (in my opinion, the most complete player in the class and I don't know why anyone would pass her up)

Rickea Jackson (offensive and defense both go insane and the Sky need a player like her while they're rebuilding)

Aaliyah Edwards (now do I expect the WNBA to fuck up and let her slip lower? Yes. But should she? Absolutely not.)

Kamilla Cardoso (you don't pass up a true center like Kamilla and pretty much every team needs her height)

Jacy Sheldon (honestly probably one of the most complete guards in the draft in terms of offense and defense and the Mystics need a good guard)

Angel Reese (did y'all see my girl is developing a three-point shot? this was the Lynx's pick and they traded it which is unfortunate but Kea and Angel on the Sky should be fun too)

Alissa Pili (#APHive hello!! AP playing with Phee and Dorka? The way I need this beyond anything and I think it'll be a good place for her to fully transition into being a 3 which she should be in the W)

Charisma Osbourne (just a great player, great guard and the league needs pgs always and I like her game)

Dyaisha Fair (I think the Sun would be a great landing spot for my girl. Their backcourt is good but I think could use someone who can basically score at will like Dyaisha)

Nika Muhl (I need this more than I need air like y'all don't understand. And NY needs a good defensive gaurd so bad and Nika off the bench would be so perfect for them)

Liz Kitley (yes I know she's injured but I do think Liz makes it into the first round anyways the same way Soares did last year. In a different draft class, despite injury she'd have gone higher but I think the Dream would like to keep the rights to her)

#ask #wnba draft #gonna come back and look at the predictions after tomorrow and i already know some of them are gonna be way off

[aussie-wbb]

Alanna Smith to sign two-year deal with Lynx, agent says

Unrestricted free agent Alanna Smith will be signing with the Minnesota Lynx on a two-year deal, her agent Sammy Wloszczowski of SIG Sports told ESPN.

Alexa Philippou, ESPN

The 6-foot-4 forward is coming off a career season with the Chicago Sky where she averaged 9.2 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game with a league-best 63% clip on 2-pointers.

As a starter for the Sky in 2023 -- which fell in the first round of the playoffs to the eventual champion Las Vegas Aces -- Smith averaged a career-high 26.5 minutes per game and was a candidate for Most Improved Player.

The Australian, who played collegiately at Stanford before being drafted No. 8 overall in 2019, spent the first three seasons of her WNBA career in a reserve role for the Phoenix Mercury before playing nine games for the Indiana Fever in 2022. Smith was also a member of the Australian women's basketball team at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

She joins a Lynx roster featuring fellow forwards Napheesa Collier, Jessica Shepard, Diamond Miller and Dorka Juhasz (all on unprotected contracts).

#alanna smith #wnba #aussies in the wnba

[98percentofthewnbaisgay]

what’s some stuff a brand new Stewie stan needs to know about her?

Great question! There’s not much you need to know if you just started following her, but here’s a little information.

- Stewie played basketball at UConn and won four national championships and final four MOPs. She is regarded as one of the greatest collegiate athletes of all time!

- She got drafted #1 overall to Seattle in 2016 and won ROY. In 2018 she won WNBA MVP and her first WNBA championship, along with finals MVP. Then, in 2020 she won her second WNBA championship and finals MVP.

- She is a 2x Olympic gold medalist and 3x FIBA WWC gold medalist!

- In 2021 she signed with PUMA. Then in 2022 her first signature shoe came out, the Stewie 1, and was released in multiple colorways. Just before the 2023 WNBA season started, she released her second signature shoe, the Stewie 2, which was also released in multiple colorways.

- During 2023 free agency, she signed with New York to be closer to family (she’s from Syracuse) and to be in a larger media market.

- In July 2021, she got married to her overseas teammate Marta Xargay. A month later, they welcomed their first child, Ruby. In May of 2023, Stewie and Marta announced that they were expecting their second child in October!

Hope this helped! And if you ever have any questions about #lore you can always ask them!

#womens basketball #wnba #breanna stewart #wnba blog #seattle storm #marta xargay #lgbtq couple #new york liberty #lesbian couple #ny liberty

[vintagehoops]

Renee Montgomery Shots

Renee Montgomery is a former professional basketball player with an extensive and incredibly impressive rap sheet both on and off the court. Hailing from South Charleston High School in West Virginia where she averaged 22.5 points per game, 6 assists, 5 rebounds, and 5 steals while leading her school to the WV Class AAA Final as a senior in high school, Montgomery would go on to play for the iconic UCONN Women's basketball team from 2005 to 2009, starting 35 of their 37 games her freshman year, all 36 of their games as a sophomore, as well as be named Big East Freshman of the Year in 2006. That year she collected ppg in the double digits in 29 games that included FOUR 20+ point performances. In 2008, she passed the 1,000 point mark in a W against North Carolina. Montgomery would win a championship with UCONN her senior year, leading them to an UNDEFEATED 39-0 season. She would set *numerous* UCONN records including No. 1 in games played at 150, No. 3 in Assists at 632, No. 4 in 3-point FG's at 254, No. 5 in Steals at 266, and No. 9 in FT's at 330.

Drafted into the WNBA the 4th overall first-round pick to the Minnesota Lynx, she would be traded to Suns, then to Seattle, only to be traded back to Lynx where she would help the team win their fourth championship in seven seasons. She was then traded to Atlanta, where she literally broke the league record for most 3 pointers in half and the most 3 pointers made in a season for the franchise.

The scope of her 11-year basketball career reaches far beyond the WNBA, however, as she also has a lengthy history playing overseas in Israel, Australia, and Russia to name a few. She is a 2x WNBA champion (2015 and 2017), 2012 WNBA Sixth Woman of the Year, and 2011 All-Star. She also received the Honda Sports Award for basketball in '09.

In 2020, Montgomery would announce an absence from the season due to systemic racism and the burgeoning pandemic. She would renounce her retirement in 2021, and would acquire the FCF Beasts that same year.

Let's not forget she also played USA Basketball!

NOTE: Montgomery is fun asf to watch. From her handles to her finishing to her timing and her passing and play execution — her entire game, especially during her days at UCONN and the championship games with the Lynx, are entertainment at its finest. Personally, I'm a little young to have watched the games in real-time, but boy are those fun games to tune into and recount. For whatever reason when it comes to hoops, I adore the nifty point guard/shooting guard types — high scoring, exciting dashes to the rim, the steals lol, — it's all great bidness to me, stats be damned.

#basketball #nba history #sports #uconn wbb #wnba #wnba all star #all star #point guard #renee Montgomery #atlanta dream #womens basketball #college basketball #vintage hoops #carmelo anthony #magic johnson #charlotte hornets #hornets #minnesota lynx #minnesota timberwolves #nba #ncaa #ncaa basketball #goated #stats

[beardedmrbean]

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.

#nunyas news

[female-buckets]

Dearica Hamby is processing a lot of emotions: excitement, anger, sadness, fear.

Excitement for her future with the Los Angeles Sparks, anger at the way she was treated by her former team, sadness at having to leave the city and teammates she loves, and fear for the health of her unborn son.

On Wednesday, the 29-year-old spoke to the media for the first time since she was traded and shared her grievances with the Aces in a statement on her Instagram account.

In the post, Hamby claimed she was “lied to, bullied, manipulated and discriminated against” by the Aces organization, and that they were trading her because of her pregnancy.

Hamby was dealt to L.A. on Jan. 21 along with a 2024 first-round pick in exchange for “exclusive negotiating rights” to Amanda Zahui B. and a 2024 second-round pick. The WNBA Players Association announced that it would investigate Hamby’s claims in accordance with the league’s 2020 collective bargaining agreement as well as federal and state laws.

“I’m excited now,” Hamby said of playing in L.A. “Initially there was a lot of sadness, and I was very transparent about the way I was feeling when I spoke to KB (Karen Bryant) and Curt (Miller). It was a little bit up and down, a little triggering at times, but moving forward on the basketball side of things with the Sparks and I’m looking forward to it.”

Hamby didn’t seem to have much ownership over the situation — she said the Sparks were the only team she talked to when the Aces expressed their desire to trade her — but she says she felt instantly supported by the Sparks organization.

“They just kind of wrapped their arms around me,” she said. “During that moment, I was very emotional. I was crying on the phone and I think KB was about to cry on the phone, but I kind of fell in love with that.”

As Hamby comes to terms with leaving Las Vegas, the franchise that drafted her in 2015 when it was still the San Antonio Stars, her main concern is her health. The soon-to-be mother of two says her blood pressure was “through the roof” a few weeks ago.

“I’m dealing with the waves of emotions,” she said. “But I’m trying to remind myself to not be too stressed out. Just trying to remain calm for him (her son), and just make sure he gets here. Then I will deal with the aftermath.”

Hamby announced she was pregnant with a son she plans to name Legend during the Aces championship parade in September. She also has a daughter, 5-year-old Amaya, who was heavily featured in Aces promotional material during her time with the organization.

During the press conference on Wednesday, Hamby addressed her status as a well-known mother in the league and how that influenced her decision to make a public statement about the way the Aces treated her during the trade.

“My relationship with my daughter has been broadcasted, it has been shown to the public,” she said. “So if that can happen to me, it can happen to anybody. I am confident that the people, the person that said these things, did these things will be held accountable.”

Hamby went on to say that she will let the WNBPA investigation happen before she decides whether to take any legal action of her own.

The two-time Sixth Player of the Year said leaving the Aces is “a hurtful situation,” but that she’s thankful for the fans who have supported her and hopes they will continue to support her former teammates. Two-time WNBA champion Candace Parker cited her own family in her decision to sign with the Aces in free agency this week.

“I know that they are feeling the pain just as much as I am,” she said of Las Vegas fans. “But don’t take it out on the girls. It’s not Candace’s fault, it’s not A’ja or Chelsea’s fault, so continue to support them.

“I’m going to miss them. I know that when I come back to play in Vegas, I will probably cry. It will be a very pivotal moment in my life, but I’m looking forward to meeting the new fans in L.A.”

#dearica hamby #los angeles sparks #las vegas aces #wnba

[portlandfire2000]

Saving this to watch later - about AD Durr's journey with long COVID.

#ad durr #wnba

[petnews2day]

Sue Bird joins Seattle Storm ownership group after starring for WNBA team for 21 years

New Post has been published on https://petn.ws/FZUR2

Sue Bird joins Seattle Storm ownership group after starring for WNBA team for 21 years

Bird was the No. 1 overall pick by Seattle in the 2002 WNBA draft out of UConn  The four-time WNBA champion has been engaged to Megan Rapinoe since 2020  DailyMail.com provides all the latest international sports news  By Alastair Talbot and The Associated Press Published: 05:39 BST, 25 April 2024 | Updated: 06:06 BST, 25 April […]

See full article at https://petn.ws/FZUR2 #BirdNews

#Bird News

[thej320]

Week 2: The Work of Representation/Interpreting Media

How a sign can be interpreted differently in media

Signs are not a part of a fixed system; they are not defined universally. Everyone can interpret a sign or a gesture differently. Usually, this difference is constructed as cultures, language and norms vary. A pattern we will see is how social and cultural backgrounds shape the interpretation of an event and why the role of the viewer is so critical. A recent example of this is the double standard surrounding Iowa's Caitlin Clark and LSU's Angel Reese. During this year’s March Madness, these two players went viral for using the gesture “You can’t see me.” Caitlin Clark initially made this gesture after she made her sixth three-pointer of the night against Louisville (Henderson). Overall, the gesture was well-received, and she even got a congratulations from John Cena (the originator of the gesture) after the game.

The narrative began to shift as Angel Reese recreated this gesture during the women’s NCAA tournament. Although the gesture was the same, the media interpreted it much differently. Angel Reese got criticized for “taunting” Caitlin Clark and being “classless.” Many viewers felt that Reese displayed “ugly sportsmanship” and this was a reflection of LSU’s head coach, Kim Mulkey (Salvador). The narrative quickly received Clark as a hero and Reese as a villain. However, some viewers noticed the double standard being formed and encouraged people to see the bias behind it. What were people’s reaction saying about their individual backgrounds? Meg Linehan says, “If you celebrated Clark for doing this but not Angel Reese you got to take a long, long look in the mirror.” Linehan is referring to the racial bias that is being revealed through people’s reaction and the common stereotype of black women as “aggressive” or “angry.” Angel Reese shares “I don’t fit in the box that you all want me to be in. I’m too hood, I’m too ghetto. You told me that all year. But when other people do it, y’all don’t say nothing.” Reese herself criticizes the narrative that has been surrounding her. Overall, signs can be interpreted in many ways. In this case, the gesture was interpreted as “competitive” or “classless.” Many have pinpointed this difference as a reflection of racial bias and individual background. 

PART 2:

How the NCAA's Women's basketball tournaments created a discourse that reconditioned our regimes of truth

Growing up, I watched a lot of basketball. More specifically, I watched a lot of march madness. In my house, it was the busiest month of the year. My dad worked for the NBA draft and year after year I sat on the couch with him watching these pivotal games. I never once watched a women’s basketball game. 

Men’s basketball was dominant and in the world of basketball, women were often discredited. Forbes reports that in 2020, the average NBA player made five million dollars, whereas the average WNBA player made 120k. This pays difference reflects the lower ticket sales, lower attendance, and lower viewership in the WBNA. It was the reality and “regime of truth” that the NBA was more successful and entertaining. 

This was until this year’s March Madness and the discourse surrounding it. For the first time, the Women’s title game received more viewers than the men’s (Porter). The women’s tournaments more than doubled its viewership. Many credit this to Caitlin Clark and her rise to super star status. The media coverage on her has been outstanding and she has taken over popularity on all platforms. Even if people started watching because of their interest in her, they learn more about the game and the other dominant players that are leading women’s basketball right now. Caitlin Clark has announced that she is declaring for the WNBA draft. This is monumental and means so many great things to come for the sport. She has left a lasting legacy and a promising future for the NCAA tournaments, but is going to bring her determination and skill into the WNBA which will hopefully cut some of these disparities. Men’s basketball may have sustained their dominance, but the future is promising, and change is on the way. For most, that change is Caitlin Clark. 

References:

#ncaa women’s basketball #caitlin clark #angel reese #Youtube

[prettyhennytea]

In the world of basketball, there are a few stories as inspiriting as that of Niele Ivey, the head coach for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish Women's Basketball team. Join us as we delve into the remarkable journey of this extraordinary coach, from her humble beginnings in St. Louis, Missouri, to her current tole as a trailblazer in the world of women's collegiate basketball. Growing up in St. Louis, Niele Ivey was the youngest of five children in a tight-knit family. It was within this loving circle that her passion for basketball first took root. From a young age, she displayed an inherent talent and love for the game, spending countless hours honing her skills on the courts of her neighborhood. Niele's dedication to the sport propelled her to attend Cor Jesu Academy in St. Louis. As a junior, she played an instrumental role in her team's incredible 31-0 record and Class 4A state championship victory, marking a historic milestone for the school. Through her skills and leadership, Niele demonstrated her ability to rise to the occasion and make a lasting impact. Continuing her basketball journey, Niele Ivey made the decision to attend the prestigious University of Notre Dame. Playing for the Fighting Irish, she showcased her exceptional abilities and became an integral part of the team's success. In 2001, Niele's talent and dedication paid off when she and her Notre Dame teammates clinched the program's first-ever national championship, defeating Purdue with a thrilling 68-66 victory. This unforgettable victory solidified Niele's place in Notre Dame basketball history. In addition to her team's triumph, Niele was recognized individually for her outstanding contributions to the sport. In 2001, she was awarded the esteemed Frances Pomeroy Naismith Award, which honors the nation;s top senior college point guard standing at 5'8" or under. This accolade served as a testament to Niele's skill, determination, and relentless pursuit of excellence. After her college career, Niele Ivey continued to excel in basketball, taking her talents to the WNBA draft, she embarked on a fruitful professional career that spanned over five seasons. Niele's hard work and dedication on and off the court earned her the respect of her peers and fans alike. In 2020, Niele Ivey's remarkable journey came full circle when she was named the head coach of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish women's basketball team, after legendary coach Muffet McGraw retired. Niele stepped into her new role with determination and a burning desire to continue the program's storied success. With every game and practice, Niele Ivey brings her wealth of knowledge and experiences to guide the Fighting Irish towards greatness. As a leader, she fosters a sense of camaraderie and inspires her players to reach their full potential. Her passion for the game, combined with her unwavering belief in the power of teamwork, creates a transformative environment both on and off the court. Niele Ivey's incredible journey from a dedicated young athlete in St Louis to the head coach of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish Women's Basketball team is a testament to her unwavering passion, resilience, and exceptional talent. Her tireless pursuit of excellence and determination to make a lasting impact serve as an inspiration to basketball enthusiasts, young athletes, and aspiring coaches worldwide. As we celebrate Niele ivey's achievements both as a player and as a coach, we look to the future with excitement, knowing that she is poised to continue building on the legacy of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish women's basketball program. With her guidance and leadership the team is undoubtedly in excellent hands, and we eagerly await the remarkable yet to come.

#NieleIvey #InspiringJourney #WomenInBasketball #TrailblazingCoach #NotreDame #WomensBasketball #StLouis #LocalCourts #CorJesuAcademy #StandoutPlayer #ExceptionalTalent #CollegeRecruiters

[mirecalemoments01]

#GameChangers #JonathanKolb #KolbForTheWin #LibertyRising #WNBAChampions

[juarezesdeporte]

ARRESTAN A PORTER JR POR AGREDIR A SU NOVIA

NUEVA YORK — La supuesta agresión de Kevin Porter Jr., el base de los Rockets de Houston, a su novia en un hotel de Nueva York dejó a la mujer con una fractura vertebral en el cuello y un corte en la parte superior de su ojo derecho, revelaron los fiscales en la presentación de cargos el martes

Porter, de 23 años, fue imputado por un delito de agresión y estrangulación en el incidente ocurrido el lunes en el hotel Millennium Hilton, próximo a las Naciones Unidas en Manhattan. El jugador no tuvo que hacer una declaración de inocencia o culpabilidad durante su breve comparecencia en el juzgado.

Porter, quien está preso desde que fue arrestado alrededor de las 6:45 de la mañana del lunes, tendrá que entregar 75.000 dólares en efectivo o depositar una fianza de 100.000 dólares para poder quedar en libertad. También tendrá que cumplir con una orden de alejamiento de su novia, la ex WNBA Kysre Gondrezick.

Porter deberá volver a comparecer ante el juzgado de Manhattan el 16 de octubre. Los Rockets tienen previsto disputar un partido de pretemporada ese día en San Antonio. La temporada regular arrancará dos semanas después.

The Associated Press dejó un mensaje al abogado de Porter en busca de comentarios.

Según la denuncia criminal que se presentó, Gondrezick dijo a la policía que Porter le pegó repetidamente en el rostro con el puño cerrado, provocándole un corte en la parte superior del ojo derecho, además de moretones y un fuerte dolor en su rostro.

Gondrezick dijo que el astro de la NBA también le apretujó el cuello con sus manos a la fuerza, lo que le causó tener dificultad para respirar y le dejó el cuello enrojecido y con moretones.

Un examen en el hospital confirmó que la mujer de 26 años sufrió una fractura vertebral en el cuello, según la denuncia.

En un comunicado divulgado el lunes, los Rockets dijeron que se encontraban recabando información sobre la situación que involucra a Kevin Porter Jr. y que no harían más declaraciones.

Porter lleva cuatro temporada en la NBA — una etapa marcada por un buen rendimiento en la cancha y problemas fuera de la misma.

La pasada temporada, Porter promedió 19,2 puntos, 5,3 rebotes y 5,7 asistencias por juego, con lo que obtuvo una lucrativa extensión de cuatro años con Houston, donde desembarcó tras salir en malos términos de Cleveland.

En noviembre de 2020, cuando era jugador de los Cavaliers, Porter fue arrestado luego que la policía dijo haber encontrado una pistola cargada y marihuana en su automóvil tras chocarlo. Porter aseguró que no sabía que la policía estaba en el auto, y los cargos fueron eventualmente descartados.

Porter, primera selección del draft en 2019, fue transferido de Cleveland a Houston unos meses después luego que increpó al gerente general de los Cavaliers tras enterarse que le habían cambiado de lugar su casillero para darle espacio a una nueva adquisición.

Además, en abril de 2021, la NBA impuso una multa de 50.000 dólares a Porter por quebrantar el protocolo sanitario contra el COVID-19 al visitar un club de striptease en Miami.

(Associated Press)

#internacional

[diarioelpepazo]

Kevin Porter Jr., jugador de los Houston Rockets, fue detenido por una agresión a su novia, la jugadora de la WNBA Kysre Gondrezick, a quien intentó estrangular. ENRIQUE CORBELLA El informe de la físcalía informa que Kysre Gondrezick, jugadora de la WNBA y número 4 del Draft de 2021, sufrió una fractura en una vértebra del cuello y un corte encima del ojo derecho durante la presunta agresión que sufrió por parte de su novio, el jugador de la NBA Kevin Porterl Jr. (Houston Rockets). Kevin Porter Jr. se declaró inocente ante el tribunal de los delitos graves de agresión y estrangulamiento, de los que se le acusa en relación con el incidente que se produjo con el Hotel Millennium Hilton de Manhattan. El informe de la fiscalía sostiene que Kevin Porter Jr., que está en libertad tras pagar una fianza de 75.000 dólares, no dejó de golpear a Kysre Gondrezick hasta que ella logró salir al pasillo del hotel cubierta de sangre. "Este es un caso grave de violencia doméstica", denunció la fiscal adjunta Mirah Curzer. Mientras tanto los Houston Rockets han informado sobre el 'Caso Kevin Porter Jr' que está "en el proceso de recopilar información sobre el asunto". Carrera en la NBA de Kevin Porter Jr. Elegido en la posición 30 del 'draft' de 2019 por los Milwaukee Bucks, Porter Jr ha jugado en la NBA con las camisetas de Cleveland Cavaliers y de Houston Rockets. En la última temporada, promedió 19,2 puntos, 5,3 rebotes y 5,7 asistencias por partido en los Rockets. Carrera en la WNBA de Kyrse Gondrezick Kyrse Gondrezick tiene 26 años y es hija de Grant Gondrezick, quien jugó en la NBA para los Suns y los Clippers a finales de los 80. En la NCAA destacó en Michigan (2016-2017) y West Virginia (2017-2020), lo que le sirvió para ser selecionada por las Indiana Fever como número 4 del Draft de la WNBA de 2021. Tras jugar para Indiana Fever y las Chicago Sky en la actualidad no tiene equipo y es agente libre. Para recibir en tu celular esta y otras informaciones, únete a nuestras redes sociales, síguenos en Instagram, Twitter y Facebook como @DiarioElPepazo El Pepazo/Marca

[opinionatedmedia]

🔗 LINK AVAILABLE IN STORY AND HIGHLIGHTS 🔗

🚨 NEW 6TH PODCAST OF THE YEAR EPISODE 🚨

🗳️ WNBA RE-DRAFT!! 🗳️

🔭 We re-draft the 2019, 2020, 2021 & 2022 drafts with 2023 hindsight.

Very fun episode! 😏🤗

🎧 TUNE IN 🎧

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/4ST1ciTZPYPJd309rgw0sx?si=dKmtfa7XRCe9bsIFUHbrcw

Apple:

https://t.co/rCiM2feXMs

#WNBATwitter    #WNBA   

#Spotify #Apple #podcast

#wnba #spotify #spotify podcasts #wbb #apple podcasts #women's basketball #apple #wnba basketball #WNBA draft

[female-buckets]

The Shey Peddy Saga

(thread)

After graduating from Temple, Peddy was selected 23rd in the 2012 draft by the Sky. But Sloot, Epiphanny Prince, and the GOAT Penicheiro were the point guards on the roster, so she was cut early in training camp. 

Peddy went overseas to play in Israel, where she made $4,000 a month. Checks were months late, she had to tape her own ankles, provide her own practice gear, drive to away games. She was incredibly homesick, but kept going. 

Thibault invited her to Mystics training camp in 2013. She was cut in preseason again, and thought her WNBA dreams were dead. That fall, playing in Austria, and was so depressed she didn’t leave her room except for basketball. She told her family and agent she wanted to quit. 

But she gave it one last shot, focusing on Europe, not the WNBA. She played Germany, then in 2017 with TTTRiga in Latvia. She stopped eating junk food and partying, told herself, “Maybe I’m not sacrificing enough, maybe I need to sacrifice more.” The hard work paid off. 

In 2019, TTTRiga played in Euroleague Women, and Peddy was nominated for league MVP and point guard of the year. After 6 years without a bite from the WNBA, Thibault invited her back to Mystics training camp. 

Peddy excelled in camp. She made friends, learned the system, felt she belonged. But on the last day of camp, she was cut. Kim Mestdagh made the final roster instead. Third time wasn't the charm. 

Still, she had her career in Europe. Latvia wanted Peddy to compete for them in 2019 Eurobasket, and thought they could get her a passport. So she flew to Latvia, was ready for practice. Then she got a call from Thibault. 

Meesseman and Mestdagh had left for a few weeks to play in Eurobasket, and Thibault wanted to sign Peddy as a replacement player. She was thrilled. But she was in Latvia, about to play Eurobasket herself! What to do?

The next day, her request for a passport was denied. 

Peddy raced back over the pond and finally signed a WNBA contract. At 30 years old, she made her WNBA debut. She was a garbage-time player. Her roster spot was temporary. It was a dream come true.

This is when I wrote about her:

Peddy played with the Mystics for 3 weeks before Emma and Kim returned, and she was cut again. BUT she was such an asset to the team, Thibault hired her as a coaching + video intern for the remainder of the season. 

So in 2019, Peddy became a WNBA champion as a member of the Mystics coaching staff. Her Instagram post about the whole journey is worth a read.

Then 2020 happened. No teams signed her, even to a camp contract, in the offseason. On her way the Mystics’ ring ceremony, Thibault called. She thought he wanted her to join the coaching staff again.

He had something else in mind: A roster spot for the wubble season. 

The Mystics and Peddy herself struggled with injuries in the wubble. For salary cap finagling reasons, Thibualt waived Peddy midseason. He planned to re-sign her when she cleared waivers.

Only she didn’t clear waivers. The Phoenix Mercury picked her up. 

With Phoenix, Peddy averaged 18 minutes per game in the final 8 games of the season. The Merc made the postseason.

In the playoffs, the Mercury faced the Mystics in a sudden-death game, and Peddy hit the game-winning 3 as time expired. It was mayhem.

She’s played in every game for the Mercury in 2021. She's started 6 games when DT has been injured, including the first playoff game.

She's a key contributor for a team one game from the finals, averaging 20.5 minutes per playoff game. Today she had 10 points, 7 rebounds, 2 steals. 

The WNBA is nearly impossible to break into, and there are so many stories of players overcoming the odds and finding their place. But I don't think any player has a success story with as many improbable twists and turns as Peddy's. It's one to celebrate.

–––

In 2022, Shey Peddy played in all but 2 games. And she started in 24 of those games. She averaged 10 points, 4 rebounds, 3.5 assists.

Diana Taurasi and Skylar Diggins-Smith couldn't play the last four games of the Mercury's impossibly challenging season. Most people believed the Mercury would never make the playoffs without their superstars.

But Shey Peddy stepped up her game. She averaged 17 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.5 assists in those last four games. She set career highs in every stat category. And she put together the first double-double game of her WNBA career. Her elevated play got the Mercury into the playoffs.

She led the team with her joy, her grit, and her characteristic craftiness.

Last night, in game 1 of the playoffs, she suffered a major injury. It looked like an Achilles tear. But I know this isn't the last chapter of Shey Peddy's professional basketball saga. There are still more chapters to come.

#shey peddy #phoenix mercury #wnba #Youtube

[pashterlengkap]

The Chicago Blackhawks cancel a Pride-themed warm-up citing Vladimir Putin

In a remarkable reaction to a foreign country’s anti-LGBTQ+ policies, the Chicago Blackhawks, an NHL team, abandoned plans for players to wear Pride-themed jerseys during warm-ups this Sunday at the team’s Pride Night celebration, citing security concerns for three players with ties to Russia. The Chicago Tribune reported sources with the team say the Blackhawks didn’t want to risk “any media” depicting the Russians in Pride Night colors, which would put the players in conflict with official Russian government policy. --- Related Stories Former Log Cabin Republican “ambassador” tweets support for Uganda “Kill the Gays” bill The gay Republican group picked her to represent them, despite her history of using anti-gay slurs. And then this happened. --- In December, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed an expansion of the country’s “gay propaganda” law, banning the promotion of “non-traditional sexual relations and/or preferences.” In a statement, the team sidestepped the issue of how another country’s discriminatory laws are directly impacting American players. “The Chicago Blackhawks organization is proud to continue its annual Pride Night celebration, an evening — alongside year-round efforts — fueled by partnership and LGBTQIA+ community engagement,” the team said in a statement Wednesday. “Together, our activities will focus on fostering conversation and more equitable spaces in our pursuit to make hockey more inclusive. We do not condone anti-LGBTQIA+ rhetoric, and we stand firmly with the community.” The three players with ties to Russia are Hawks defenseman Nikita Zaitsev, a Moscow native who represented Russia in eight major international tournaments; goaltender Anton Khudobin, a Kazakhstan-born Russian; and forward Philipp Kurashev, a Swiss national and son of former Russian hockey player Konstantin Kurashev. “I can’t speak to the Russian influence,” said Kurt Weaver, chief operations officer of the You Can Play Project, an LGBTQ+ athlete advocacy group, “but I deeply hope that that’s not the case for this team or any team that we’re going to adjust our advocacy according to a different country’s laws.” Those same Blackhawks sources indicated management was also influenced by Russia’s harsh treatment of other professional athletes, including out WNBA star Brittney Griner, who was sentenced to nine years in prison in Russia before being released in a prisoner exchange, and Philadelphia Flyers goaltending prospect Ivan Fedotov, who was detained as an “army evader” shortly before his planned move to the U.S. Fedatov has since been drafted and assigned to a remote military base in northern Russia. The NHL has been plagued by recent controversy surrounding Pride Night player defections, including Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Ivan Provorov’s refusal to wear a Pride-themed jersey in January,  citing his membership in the Russian Orthodox Church, and San Jose Sharks goaltender James Reimer’s decision last Saturday to opt out of warm-ups after refusing to a wear rainbow-themed jersey, also citing religious beliefs. And last night, brothers Eric and Marc Staal, who play together for the Florida Panthers, said religious beliefs were their reason for skipping a Pride Night warm-up, despite the fact both men have worn Pride-themed jerseys in the past, Eric with the Montreal Canadiens in 2021 and Marc with the New York Rangers in 2020. In the locker room after the Panthers’ 6-2 loss to the visiting Toronto Maple Leafs, Eric Staal struggled to explain the brothers’ decision and denied having ever worn a Pride-themed jersey. Left unsaid was what influence Ivan Provorov, James Reimer, and Vladimir Putin had on the brothers’ decision. http://dlvr.it/SlRqcd