After setting the WNBA single-season scoring record earlier this week, Las Vegas Aces star A’ja Wilson added another unique distinction on Sunday.
Wilson became the first player in league history to ever score 1,000 points in a season during Sunday’s 84-71 win against the Connecticut Sun.
For context, this is the 2nd year that the WNBA is playing a 40 games per season. In 2022, the number of games was 36. The WNBA single-season scoring record last year was set by Jewel Lloyd, who scored 939 points, playing 38 games. Wilson set the 1,000 Points in 1 Season playing just 37 games.
A’ja Wilson became the WNBA’s single-season scoring leader and finished with 27 points and 12 rebounds to help the Las Vegas Aces beat the Indiana Fever 86-75 on Wednesday night for their 14th straight win in the series.
Wilson passed Jewell Loyd’s total of 939 points on a jumper from the free-throw line with 26.4 seconds left before halftime. Wilson needed just 35 games to top last year’s record by Loyd, who needed 38 games. Wilson’s previous high was 912 points, set in 40 games last season.
She finished the game with 956 points this season and could potentially be the first player in league history to reach 1,000 in a year.
This is a good measuring stick for the Fever to gauge on how they fare against the best team and facing the best player in the WNBA. Add the shooting woes of Caitlin Clark and foul trouble on Aliyah Boston. Kelsey Mitchell, as always kept them in the game but not enough for them to overcome the 12-point deficit.
Las Vegas Aces is the only team that the Indiana Fever have not beat this season and they will have another chance this Saturday, Sept 14th.
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.
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.”
The roster for the 2024 USA Basketball Women’s National Team have been leaked. In a tweet, Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium reported that “Indiana Fever rookie sensation Caitlin Clark is expected to be left off the 12-player Team USA women’s basketball roster for the upcoming Summer Olympics”
Sources: Team USA women’s basketball roster for the 2024 Paris Olympics – no Caitlin Clark:
Charania then added and named the 12 players in the roster. Except for Kahleah Copper, Sabrina Ionescu, Kelsey Plum and Alyssa Thomas. All other players have Olympic experience. Fans also pointed out that rookie phenom Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever is missing from the roster. Despite receiving an invitation to the USA Basketball Women’s National Team training camp last April, Iowa Hawkeyes standout Caitlin Clark couldn’t attend due to her team’s Final Four run.
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
The final USA Women’s Basketball roster and list of potential alternates must be submitted to FIBA by June 24th. While no official announcement has been made by the USA Basketball on their official website or social media accounts.
Gatorade just released its “It hasn’t changed” ad, which features WNBA stars Caitlin Clark and A’ja Wilson, two-time Summer Olympic gold medalist Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum, and Buffalo Bills star Josh Allen. The company’s first product endorser, Michael Jordan, narrates the ad.
The ad showcases current and rising stars across various sports, including Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever, a two-time WNBA MVP and champion, alongside Las Vegas Aces’ A’ja Wilson. You can also see two-time Summer Olympic gold medalist Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, Buffalo Bills star QB Josh Allen, and Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum, who are favorites to win the NBA Championship this year.
The ad features the tagline “It hasn’t changed,” a reference to the legendary “Is it in you?” slogan. The company also brought back the colored sweat, which can be seen in their past promotional materials.
via wikipedia;
Gatorade was created in 1965, by a team of scientists at the University of Florida College of Medicine, including Robert Cade, Dana Shires, Harry James Free, and Alejandro de Quesada. Following a request from Florida Gators football head coach Ray Graves, Gatorade was created to help athletes by acting as a replacement for body fluids lost during physical exertion.
Everything about the game has changed, except for the most important thing: what you have inside.
Narrated by Michael Jordan.
