When you’re a champion, the work never stops. You can’t rest on your laurels and count on last season to propel you forward. The competition is always getting better and when you’re at the top, you have to fend off challengers from all angles. Luckily for the New York Liberty, they have a new infusion of energy to help in their title defense. Over the winter, the champs acquired star guard Natasha Cloud in a trade. ... Read more
Dominating the Court Was Easy—What Comes Next for the Aces Forward Could Redefine Her Legacy.BT
The Las Vegas Aces have struggled all season long. Among other issues, Jewell Loyd, who was acquired in a three-team deal that sent out Kelsey Plum this offseason, simply hasn’t looked like a great fit with the other Aces starters. Halfway through the season, Becky Hammon and Loyd decided it would be better for the veteran to come off the bench. The change led to a much-needed win. 25-year-old Kierstan Bell took Loyd’s ... Read more
Behind the Numbers: Why Jackie Young’s Two-Way Brilliance Deserves More Hype Than Her Ranking Suggests.BT
Editor’s Note: This is one of a series of stories ranking the top 30 players in the WNBA as part of Quickbooks’ “WNBA Hoopers Hierarchy.” Check out the rest of the rankings here. Jackie Young emerged in the 2022 WNBA season, her fourth-year in the league, displaying a reliable midrange jumper and insane upper-body strength. Those attributes, combined with continued improvement, put her at No. 5 in the ... Read more
From Small-Town Dreams to SEC Stardom: How Sarah Ashlee Barker Is Redefining the Future of Women’s Hoops.BT
Sarah Ashlee Barker has been named the Shelby County Female Athlete of the Year after leading Spain Park's girls basketball team to the 2019-20 Class 7A State Championship. (File) Story by Alec Etheredge Photos by Keith McCoy Two weeks after a second surgery on her left knee, Sarah Ashlee Barker was crying in her room at home. “Why is this happening to me when I should be on the basketball court with my varsity ... Read more
Before They Make History on the Court, These WNBA Draftees Are Owning the Spotlight With Their Style.BT
Caitlin Clark. Cameron Brink. Kamilla Cardoso. Angel Reese. All will step into the glaring spotlight of Monday night's WNBA's draft having faced the challenge essentially every woman can identify with: Wearing just the right outfit for a special occasion. When a woman finds what she wants, it’s not a question of whether alterations are needed, but how much. The taller the woman, the bigger the challenge. This draft, ... Read more