Oklahoma’s Whitney Hand cleared to play

 
Whitney Hand’s Twitter message about her medical clearance.

Oklahoma sophomore guard Whitney Hand received a medical clearance to play after six months of rehabilitation from an ACL injury.

Hand suffered a tear in her right knee on Nov. 27, 2009 during a game against San Diego State.

"Whit, to no one’s surprise has been maniacally committed to her rehab,” said Oklahoma head coach Sherri Coale. “She has attacked it with the same passion and determination that she exhibits on the basketball court.”

The knee was surgically repaired in December.

The 2009 Big 12 Freshman of the Year was averaging 13.4 points and 4.4 rebounds while shooting 39 percent from 3-point range when her season came to an end.

Maya Moore named co-winner of the Honda-Broderick Cup Award

University of Connecticut star player Maya Moore is the co-winner of the 2010 Honda-Broderick Cup Award. She shares the honor with Penn State volleyball player Megan Hodge. Moore is third athlete from the UConn to receive the prestigious honor given by the Collegiate Women Sports Awards.

“This year’s history-making tie for our top award is highly unusual,” said Judith R. Holland, co-founder and executive director of the Collegiate Women Sports Awards. “And while it is extremely rare for us to have a tie for Collegiate Woman Athlete of the Year, in this case it is quite fortuitous, as we are delighted to be able to give the award to two such outstanding athletes and exemplary young women as Maya and Megan. They are both very worthy recipients and we are proud to have them join our legacy.”

The only other co-winners were Southern California basketball player Cheryl Miller and Florida swimmer Tracy Caulkins in 1984.

Moore helped her team achieve an NCAA record of 78 consecutive wins over two seasons, as well as its sixth undefeated season and second straight NCAA National Championship. She ended the season averaging 18.9 points and 8.3 rebounds, and scored in double figures 34 times. She finished the 2009-2010 season with 736 points, the second most points scored in a season by a UConn player… Read more

Candace Parker to miss remainder of the 2010 season

Thursday night the Los Angeles Sparks released the following statement regarding star forward Candace Parker:

Los Angeles Sparks forward Candace Parker will miss the remainder of the 2010 season, it was announced today by Sparks Vice President/General Manager Penny Toler. Parker dislocated her shoulder in the first half of the Sparks game against the Minnesota Lynx on Sunday, June 13.

"Losing Candace is definitely a huge loss for us and the league in general," said VP/GM Penny Toler. "We still have a great team that is led by two Olympians and loaded with talent. Our goal, as always, is still to win."

Parker’s surgery will be scheduled in the coming weeks. For the season, she was averaging 20.6 ppg, 10.1 rpg and 2.2 bpg in 33.5 minutes per game.

Maya Moore a finalist for the 2010 Honda-Broderick Cup

University of Connecticut star Maya Moore is a finalist for the 2010 Honda-Broderick Cup. The winner will be announced at an awards ceremony on June 21^st at UCLA in Los Angeles.

The finalists were chosen from previously announced Honda Sports Award winners in 12 different sports.

The other two finalists are: Megan Hodge, Penn State University (volleyball) and Lisa Koll, Iowa State University (track & field).

Previous women’s basketball winners include:

• Candace Parker, 2007-08, University of Tennessee
• Jackie Stiles, 2000-01, Southwest Missouri State
• Chamique Holdsclaw, 1997-98, University of Tennessee
• Jennifer Rizzotti, 1995-96, University of Connecticut
• Rebecca Lobo, 1994-95, University of Connecticut
• Dawn Staley, 1990-91, University of Virginia
• Teresa Weatherspoon, 1987-88, Louisiana Tech University
• Kamie Ethridge, 1985-86, University of Texas
• Cheryl Miller, 1983-84, University of Southern California
  Nancy Lieberman, 1978-79, Old Dominion University
• Ann Meyers, 1977-78, University of California, Los Angeles
• Lucy Harris, 1976-77, Delta State University

(Photo Courtesy of University of Connecticut Athletic Department)

Early returns of 2010 “WNBA vs. USA Basketball” balloting

San Antonio Silver Stars players lead in votes in early returns of 2010 “WNBA vs. USA Basketball” balloting, the event that replaces this year’s All-Star game. San Antonio’s Michelle Snow leads all players and teammate Jayne Appel is a close second.

Snow is ranked 42^nd in scoring in the league while Appel is not even in the top 50.

Scoring leaders:

1. Diana Taurasi, PHO – 21.4
2. Angel McCoughtry, ATL – 20.8
3. Candace Parker, LAS – 20.6
4. Lauren Jackson, SEA -20.4
5. Cappie Pondexter, NYL -20.3

Source: WNBA.com

The Connecticut Sun will host the event at Mohegan Sun Arena on Saturday, July 10 and ESPN will televise it nationally at 3:30 p.m. ET.

Fans vote in person at WNBA arenas and at the NBA Store.  Fans can also vote online through June 21 at WNBA.com. A write-in option is also available, allowing fans to choose players not listed on the ballot.  The 10 players who receive the most votes will be guaranteed a position on the team rosters.  Unlike previous years, the players selected by fans will not necessarily be starters.  Any player voted in who is already in the USA National Team Pool will play on the USA Basketball team, led by head coach Geno Auriemma, while the remaining players who have been voted in by the… Read more

Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame: Induction and coverage roundup

Teresa Weatherspoon, Rebecca Lobo, Leta Andrews, Teresa Edwards, Gloria Ray, Chris Weller. Photo: Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame

The Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame (WBHOF) announced its 12^th group of inductees during last season’s WNBA All-Star game at Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, Connecticut. They are:

• Leta Andrews – The winningest high school girl’s basketball coach in the U.S.
• Teresa Edwards – The most decorated Olympic athlete, with four gold medals and one bronze. Former ABL, WNBA and Georgia player.
• Rebecca Lobo – Former UConn player who led the Huskies to their first national championship with an undefeated record in 1995. Former WNBA player. Currently an ESPN analyst.
• Gloria Ray – The first women’s Athletic Director at the University of Tennessee. Led the drive to plan and construct the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame
• Teresa Weatherspoon – One of the original players in the WNBA. New York Liberty legend. Member of the 1988 Olympic Gold Medal team. Currently head coach at Louisiana Tech.
• Chris Weller – Legendary Maryland coach. Coached for 25 seasons average nearly 20 wins per season at her alma mater.

The WBHOF held its 2010 Induction Weekend on Friday and Saturday in Knoxville.

Coverage from around the Web:

• WBHOF inducts 12th class into hall

… Read more

Sparks president Kristin Bernert resigns

Los Angeles Sparks president  Kristin Bernert resigned today, effective immediately, “to pursue other opportunities.” Even with a roster of Olympians and seasoned veterans, the Sparks have a 1-6 record, the worst start in the team’s history.

Sparks co-owners Kathy Goodman and Carla Christofferson hired Bernert in October 2008 after the Siena College graduate worked for three-years as the Vice President of Business Development at WNBA headquarters in New York City.

“We are very excited to have Kristin joining our team. She has experience at both the team and the league level, and it allows her to bring a wealth of knowledge to our front office,” said Christofferson when Bernert was hired in 2008. “In addition, she shares our vision of the WNBA and our commitment to the Los Angeles community. We look forward to having her work with us to bring the fans an even better experience.”

Prior to joining the league office, she served as the Vice President of Business Operations for the Detroit Shock from 2002-2005. She has a master’s degree in sport management from Ohio State.

The team takes on the Phoenix Mercury at 7:30 p.m. PT at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

Ashley Walker’s time on Shock short-lived, eams waives forward and Thompson, signs two vets

Just one week after getting signed by the Tulsa Shock, second-year forward Ashley Walker lost her spot on the roster along with second-round draft pick and Oklahoma graduate Amanda Thompson. Coach Nolan Richardson signed veterans Kiesha Brown and Jennifer Lacy to replace the two younger players.

Brown (University of Georgia), an eight-year veteran, appeared in 34 games last year for the Connecticut Sun, averaging 3.8 points-per-game in 11.6 minutes of action. She joined the Sun in training camp last summer, a late addition from waivers. She was waived by the Washington Mystics on June 1, 2009. Brown also played for Los Angeles, Minnesota, New York, Houston and Washington.

Lacy (Pepperdine University)  is a four-year veteran and played this season for the Washington Mystics after being traded from the Atlanta Dream.  She appeared in 32 games for Atlanta in 2009, averaging 3.0 points and 2.2 rebounds per game.

Lacy was the first player from the West Coast Conference (WCC) to make a WNBA roster when she signed as a free agent with the Phoenix Mercury in April 2006. She averaged 4.9 points and 3.1 rebounds in her rookie season. In 2007, when the Mercury won its first championship, she averaged 1.8 points and 1.0 rebound in 4.7 minutes per game. In 2008, after being selected by Atlanta in the… Read more

New York Liberty become fourth WNBA team to get jersey sponsor, Foxwoods Resort Casino

The New York Liberty announced a multi-year partnership with Foxwoods Resort Casino, a deal which includes prominent logo placement on the team’s home and road jerseys.

“We are very proud to partner with Foxwoods Resort Casino and welcome their support of the Liberty and WNBA,” said New York Liberty president Carol Blazejowski. “We look forward to strategically integrating the Foxwoods brand across all of our business platforms and developing a partnership that will be great for our team and fans both on and off the court.”

Foxwoods is the country’s largest resort casino and the first to have branding on the front of a professional sports team jersey. The casino’s name and logo will also appear on shooting shirts for all games. The Liberty will debut its new uniforms when the team takes on the Connecticut Sun on Friday, June 4 at 7:30 p.m. ET.

“The New York Liberty has a passionate fan base in the world’s largest media market, and we are thrilled by the opportunity this partnership presents to promote our brand to WNBA fans, the team’s loyal followers and the New York Metropolitan area at large,” said chief marketing officer for Mashantucket Pequot Gaming Enterprises Robert Victoria in a press release. “As North America’s largest resort casino and the East Coast’s premier entertainment destination,… Read more

Tulsa Shock sign Ashley Walker

The Tulsa Shock signed 6-1 forward Ashley Walker yesterday morning. The team announced the signing today. The Cal graduate spent a few weeks training in Oklahoma after being cut by the Seattle Storm the day before the regular season began.

She fills the open roster spot created by the trade of second-year guard Shavonte Zellous last week to the Indiana Fever for the second round pick in the 2011 WNBA Draft.

Walker will relieve pressure on Amber Holt, a 6-0 small forward doing double-duty as a power forward for Tulsa. Holt has indicated she wants to play the three position where she is more comfortable.

Seattle drafted Walker in the first round of the 2009 WNBA draft (12^th overall). She had a foot injury during her rookie season and only played in thirteen games. She played in Israel during the offseason for Maccabi Ashdod.

At Cal, Walker led the Pac-10 in scoring as a senior and is the only player in school history with at least 1,000 points, 800 rebounds, 200 assists and 100 blocks. She faced the Shock in their pre-season game on May 9 as a member of the Storm and recorded three points and three rebounds in seven minutes.

There is speculation that other trades are in the mix for Tulsa possibly involving Plenette Pierson… Read more