You're likely to be familiar with the most recent WNBA news if you are a fan of the WNBA. The WNBA's roster has been announced for the AT&T WNBA All-Star 2022. Noelle Quinn has been appointed the Seattle Storm's first Black head coach, while Brittney griner was sentenced at nine years in a Russian penal institution. LASparks was also awarded their 500th victory. Read on for more details.
WNBA announces roster for AT&T WNBA All-Star 2022
The roster was announced by the WNBA for the AT&T WNBA All-Star on Sunday. This roster includes Jewell Love, Courtney Vandersloot as well Atlanta Dream rookie Rhyne. All-Stars are selected by fans and head coaches. The WNBA's roster is the largest in history, with two-thirds of the players chosen from each team. Notable players are missing, including Elena Delle Donne who has not played since she had back surgery and Nneka Ogwumike who was injured and missed the Olympics.
Noelle Quinn is the first Black head coach of the Seattle Storm
Noelle Quinn is the new Seattle Storm head coach. Quinn joins Vickie Johnson, the Dallas Wings' head coach, as the only Black woman currently leading WNBA teams. There are also two Black men who have served as head coaches in the league: James Wade of the Chicago Sky and Derek Fisher of the Los Angeles Sparks. Quinn boasts a impressive record - she was a Los Angeles Sparks player from 1997 to 2000.
Brittney griner sentenced to nine-years in a Russian penal colonies
Brittney Griner, an American basketball player, has been sentenced in Russia to nine years imprisonment for drug smuggling. The lengthy trial, which lasted several months, became a geopolitical hot spot between Russia and the United States. Griner was arrested in February at Moscow's airport. Russian officials claimed she tried to smuggle cannabis oil inside her suitcase. While Griner denied that she was knowingly trying to violate any laws or to have packed her vape cartridges full of cannabis oil, she did admit to it.
500th game for LASparks
The LASparks won their 500th game! Congrats! The Sparks are now tied for second in league history with three championships won. However, they have missed the playoffs five consecutive times. While they made some notable moves in the winter, the team is still stuck at the bottom of their game. Here are some things you should keep in mind as you consider the future of this team.
Players forced to fly chartered flights
The WNBA has been making waves lately for its recent policy requiring its players to fly on chartered planes while traveling for games. Although it is claimed that the NBA would prohibit this, the WNBA has different rules than the NBA. Additionally, the WNBA has no revenue sharing with the NBA. Furthermore, the WNBA is not the only professional sports league in the United States that has faced controversy over charter flights. Charter flights have also been a point of contention in Major League Soccer.
The new season of the WNBA aims to raise funds for non-profits
The WNBA's new season aims at raising funds for nonprofits. Players are vocal supporters of social justice and have played a key role in numerous organizations. Cheryl Swoopes was a Houston Comets former star. Former WNBA player Cheryl Swoopes founded two non-profit organizations to help women in STEM fields. She has won four championships.