Press "Enter" to skip to content

Posts published in “WNBA”

US Women’s Basketball Team Narrowly Escapes France for Women’s Basketball Gold at 2024 Paris Olympics (67 – 66)

August 12, 2024

It was a rematch of the Tokyo Olympics medal game, but the US Women’s Basketball team took care of business and claimed the gold medal in the Women’s 5×5 Basketball Tournament at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Unlike their male counterparts, the US women needed a bit of luck to secure the gold, as Gabby Williams’ buzzer-beating shot was just inches inside the three-point line, potentially sending the game to overtime.

A’ja Wilson led the team with 21 points and 13 rebounds. Wilson also took have the MVP awards for the tournament. Kahleah Copper and Kelsey Plum contributed 12 points apiece, both going 6-for-6 from the free-throw line.

After clawing back from a 10-point deficit early in the third quarter, France kept the game close. However, Kelsey Plum’s offense and the team’s defense in the fourth quarter created a 3-point lead, ultimately securing the gold medal.

Gabby Williams led France with 19 points and 7 rebounds. Valeriane Ayayi and Marine Johannes added 9 points each, but no other French player scored more than 8 points. Fast break points (6-15), points in the paint (20-30), and bench points (20-29) were significant factors in France’s defeat.

Game stats;

Advance Stats from FIBA

Box Score from ESPN

Just like with the men’s basketball team, the United States and France could become regular rivals in Olympic women’s basketball medal games.

WNBA secures $2.2 Billion Media Rights Deals with the Walt Disney Company, Amazon Prime Video and NBC Universal

July 25, 2024

The WNBA has secured a groundbreaking 11-year media rights deal with The Walt Disney Company, Amazon Prime Video, and NBC Universal. This partnership will significantly increase the visibility of women’s basketball, with more games broadcast across multiple platforms. The 11-year media rights is reported to be worth $2.2 Billion or $200 million per year.

The new deal will start in 2026, WNBA fans can expect to see over 125 regular season and playoff games each year. Disney will air 25 regular-season games on ABC, ESPN, and ESPN2, while NBCU will broadcast 50 regular-season games on NBC, USA Network, and Peacock. Amazon Prime Video will stream 30 regular-season games globally.

Disney will broadcast two first-round series each year, while NBCU and Prime Video will each air one. The Semifinals and Finals will rotate over the 11-year deal, with Disney airing more Finals and NBCU and Prime Video airing more Semifinals.

Additionally, Disney platforms will continue to telecast all events from WNBA All-Star, including the All-Star Game, and the WNBA Draft, while Prime Video will continue to stream the Championship Game of the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup presented by Coinbase. Prime Video Channels will be the global channels store destination for WNBA League Pass, the WNBA’s subscription service for streaming live and on-demand games, in the U.S. and internationally.

Included in the deals, is the potential for WNBA and Media Partners to review and reevaluate the rights fees after three years, giving the league the chance to receive more money.

This announcement comes on the heels of a record-breaking season for the WNBA, with increased viewership, attendance, and merchandise sales. The league is also expanding with new teams in San Francisco/Bay Area and Toronto. With the current crop of WNBA rookies like Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese and Cameron Brink, and with the influx of generational talent from the college ranks like Paige Bueckers and Juju Watkins, that $2.2 Billion could be a very good deal.

Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese makes the WNBA All-Stars Roster

July 3, 2024

WNBA has announced the 2024 WNBA All-Stars Roster that will face the USA Women’s National Team this coming July 20th, which is one of the main event for the coming WNBA All Star in Phoenix.

The are rookie phenom Caitlin Clark (Indiana) with 700,735 votes, followed by her teammate Aliyah Boston with 618,680 votes, then A’ja Wilson (Las Vegas) with 607,300 and NY Liberty star Breanna Stewart with 424,135 votes. To complete the top 5 fan vote-getters we have Chicago rookie Angel Reese with 381,518 votes.

Here’s the rest of the WNBA All-Stars Roster;

PLAYER TEAM POSITION
Aliyah Boston Indiana Fever Frontcourt
Allisha Gray Atlanta Dream Backcourt
Angel Reese^ Chicago Sky Frontcourt
Arike Ogunbowale Dallas Wings Backcourt
Brionna Jones Connecticut Sun Frontcourt
Caitlin Clark^ Indiana Fever Backcourt
Dearica Hamby Los Angeles Sparks Frontcourt
DeWanna Bonner Connecticut Sun Frontcourt
Jonquel Jones New York Liberty Frontcourt
Kayla McBride Minnesota Lynx Backcourt
Kelsey Mitchell Indiana Fever Backcourt
Nneka Ogwumike Seattle Storm Frontcourt

Aside from the WNBA All Star vs USA Women’s National Team, other events at the WNBA All Star are; 3-Point Contest and the Skills Challenge. The league has yet to announced the participants to these events. Last year, Sabrina Ionescu won the 3-Point Contest, while team mate Kelsey Plum and Chelsea Gray won the Skills Challenge.

Source: WNBA

Team USA Women’s Basketball Roster for 2024 Paris Olympics now Official

June 12, 2024
Team USA Women’s Basketball Roster for 2024 Paris Olympics now Official

After being leaked a couple of days ago, the official roster for the Team USA Women’s Basketball for 2024 Paris Olympics have been officially announced.

As previously leaked and now official, below are the official roster of Team USA Women’s Basketball for 2024 Paris Olympics;

Player WNBA Team Position
Napheesa Collier Minnesota Lynx Forward
Kahleah Copper Phoenix Mercury Guard/Forward
Chelsea Gray Las Vegas Aces Guard
Brittney Griner Phoenix Mercury Center
Sabrina Ionescu New York Liberty Guard
Jewell Loyd Seattle Storm Guard
Kelsey Plum Las Vegas Aces Guard
Breanna Stewart New York Liberty Forward
Diana Taurasi Phoenix Mercury Guard
Alyssa Thomas Connecticut Sun Forward
A’ja Wilson Las Vegas Aces Forward/Center
Jackie Young Las Vegas Aces Guard/Forward

USA Women’s National Team head coach Cheryl Reeve with the assistance of Kara Lawson, Joni Taylor and Mike Thibault.

Here is what USA Basketball Women’s National Team Committee chair Jen Rizzotti said in the official statement;

“On behalf of USA Basketball, I’m excited to announce the 2024 USA Women’s National Team, We have selected a team that we are confident will represent our country to the highest standard in Paris. Basketball in the United States boasts unparalleled depth, making this a challenging and competitive process. The commitment these athletes have shown to USA Basketball is unmatched and I look forward to watching them take on the World in Paris.”

This is what USA Women’s National Team head coach Cheryl Reeve said regarding the roster;

“This roster features some of the best basketball talent our country has to offer and I’m excited to lead this team with the goal of winning an eighth straight Olympic gold medal in Paris, I’m looking forward to getting together in Phoenix and starting the journey to Paris.”

Caitlin Clark reacts to being left off the USA Women’s Basketball Roster for the 2024 Paris Olympics

June 9, 2024

ookie phenom Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever finally ended the discussion regarding the reported USA Women’s Basketball Roster for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

After practice with the Indiana Fever on Sunday, Caitlin Clark spoke about being left off the final Team USA roster for the Paris Olympics.

“I’m excited for the girls that are on the team. I know it’s the most competitive team in the world, and I know it could have gone either way, me being on the team, me not being on the team. So I’m excited for them. I’m going to be rooting them on to win gold. I was a kid that grew up watching the Olympics, so, yeah, it’ll be fun to watch them.

When asked if she was disappointed to be left off the roster, Clark added “Honestly, no disappointment. I think it just gives you something to work for. That’s a dream. Hopefully one day I can be there. I think it’s just a little more motivation. You remember that and hopefully in four years… I can be there.

Indiana Fever Head Coach Christie Sides also answered questions regarding the topic of Caitlin Clark not making the USA Women’s Basketball Roster.

You can watch the full video below;