WNBA

San Antonio Silver Stars acquire Michelle Snow for Dalma Ivanyi

The San Antonio Silver Stars acquired eight-year WNBA veteran center Michelle Snow in exchange for Dalma Ivanyi and the right to swap second round picks with San Antonio in the 2011 WNBA Draft to Atlanta. The draft picks option must be exercised within 15 days of the conclusion of the draft lottery.

“We are very excited about the addition of Michelle Snow to our roster,” said Silver Stars head coach Sandy Brondello in a statement. “She has always been a player that was difficult for us to stop in the past and she has all the skills that will make her a great asset to our team. At 6′ 5” she is a player who will give us a dominant low-block presence on both ends of the floor as well as helping us to be a better rebounding team. Her mobility makes her a perfect fit for our 2010 campaign.”…

Tulsa Shock signs embattled former Olympian Marion Jones

The WNBA Tulsa Shock signed former track star Marion Jones. Although drafted by the Phoenix Mercury in 2003, she never suited up for the team and will be considered a rookie free agent in the league.

WNBA president Donna Orender attended the team’s press conference announcing the signing. Jones, a 34 year-old who gave birth to her third child last spring, had an individual workout with Shock head coach Nolan Richardson on Saturday in Tulsa. He offered a chance to join the team a few days later.

I’m extremely excited to join the team and the WNBA,” Jones said.  “After a lot of thought, I realized this is a great fit for me because of Coach Richardson’s uptempo style of play.  I can’t wait to start training camp and learn more about the city and team I’ll be representing.”

Coach Nolan Richardson planned to put Jones through another workout…

Tulsa Shock to sign former track star Marion Jones

Late Tuesday evening the Tulsa Shock hinted via Twitter.com that the team had a big announcement for Wednesday.

Big news from coach Richardson tomorrow at 10 am! Watch the news!

Nearly an hour later, WNBA president Donna Orender tweeted that she was in Tulsa.

Just checked in in Tulsa – tuned in to sportsnight Oklahoma on tv and they were previewing the high school girls tournament – gotta love it

Shortly afterwards, news reports revealed that the cryptic message from the Shock was in reference to the signing of disgraced American sprinter Marion Jones who has been working her way back into shape with the hope of starting a pro basketball career.

She trained with the new head coach of the San Antonio Silver Stars, Sandy Brondello and assistant Olaf Lange this past winter. She was in Tulsa recently working out with the Shock’s head…

The San Antonio Silvers announce Sandy Brondello as new head coach, Dan Hughes becomes GM

The San Antonio Silvers shuffled their coaches with the announcement of former assistant Sandy Brondello as their new head coach. Former coach Dan Hughes moves to the general manager position and Brondello’s husband Olaf Lange becomes the associate coach of the team.

“Sandy will be my fourth assistant coach to become a head coach in the WNBA,” said Hughes. “Her evolution from player to coach over the past five years has been unlike any other I have seen. She is an effective teacher of the game, relates to the professional player and is ready to lead a team of her own. Along with Olaf Lange as associate head coach, the Silver Stars family is in great hands. I will do all I can as general manager to compliment this wonderful staff.”

Brondello expressed eagerness to continue learning from Hughes.

"I’ll be using him as a sounding board because I’m…

Day 5 of NBA All-Star Week and recap: Finale record and stepped up WNBA involvement

• Photos: NBA All-Star Week 2010

ARLINGTON, Texas — Even as Dallas residents and visitors braved the cold to come out in big numbers for NBA All-Star Week, the final event had all the signs of being an underwhelming footnote. But after a freak snowstorm followed by frigid temperatures, plus a disappointing Slam Dunk contest, Sunday night’s All-Star Game exceeded expectations on many fronts.

While thousands tweeted complaints about the traffic jam on the way to the stadium, disappointment vanished upon entered Cowboys Stadium. Tens of thousands of first-time visitors literally watched the game and walked around the hulking edifice bug-eyed for several hours. NBA athletes, hardened public relations professionals and youngsters were all in awe.

“I’ve never seen anything likes this before in my life,” was a frequent line heard from members of the world’s largest audience…

Day 4 of NBA All-Star Week: The sun comes out and WNBA players continue making the rounds

DALLAS—The sun made an appearance Saturday after a few days of being missing in action during a week of rare, snowy weather. Fans came out in droves for the day’s Jam Session and partygoers kept the city hopping during the wee hours.

Amanpour’s Brain Dazzles Early Risers

Saturday morning was a treat for those who were able to shake off sleep-deprivation after the non-stop activities. CNN chief international correspondent Christiane Amanpour spoke at a “Newsmaker” breakfast sponsored by the NBA. Actually it looked like the entire CNN political news talent roster was in the house. Wolf Blitzer held court at a table near the back and several other news personalities dotted the tables in the ballroom which was filled with several hundred people.

WNBA president Donna Orender attended along with Renee Brown, chief of basketball operations and player relations,…

Photo Gallery: NBA All-Star Week 2010 Celebrity Game and Jam Session

Photos: C. Vorhis/Hoopfeed.com

Day 3 of NBA All-Star Week: Snow? What snow? Dallasites ignore the weather

DALLAS—Day three of NBA All-Star Week looked like a vision of New England winter splendor, except it was North Texas. As the weather began to sink into the mindsets of out-of-towners and residents alike, the annual basketball love fest continued with no cancelled events or schedule changes. In fact, by the time Friday evening rolled around, Dallas residents seemed to be oblivious to the weather as they packed the convention center to the gills for the evening’s Jam Session of activities and the Celebrity Game.

The day began shortly after the crack of dawn for attendees to the exclusive, invite-only Tech Summit at the Ritz-Carlton. NBA TV’s Ahmad Rashad hosted the event. Other participants included:

• John C. King, Anchor & Chief National Correspondent, CNN
• Wolf Blitzer, Anchor, CNN’s The Situation Room
• Soledad O’Brien, Anchor & Special Correspondent, CNN
• Dave Alberga, Chief Executive Officer, The Active Network, Inc.

…

The winter wonderland of NBA All-Star Week

DALLAS—As the temperatures drop in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex after a rare snowstorm, events for NBA All-Star Week continue as planned while league officials keep an eye on the weather. Schools and business began emptying out Wednesday and Thursday and most schools are closed on Friday. The NBA Cares Day of Service and Celebrity Game continues as planned although weather reports advise citizens to stay off the roads.

Photos: C. Vorhis/cvorhisphotography.com

Day 2 of NBA All-Star Week: Snow, snow, snow and more WNBA players

The east coast snowmageddon touched Dallas and hindered the travel plans of many athletes and league employees on their way to the DFW Metroplex. With temperatures dipping into the 30s and 40s early in the week, Thursday morning visitors woke up to snow on the ground. Ticha Penicheiro, a recent addition to the Los Angeles Sparks’ roster after playing for the Sacramento Monarchs for 12 years, tweeted her disappointment at the weather:

Seriously?? I’m level 5 pissed rt now!! This is what I wake up to?? I feel like I’m in Russia! http://twitpic.com/12leaw

Former Los Angeles Sparks star Lisa Leslie made the rounds as part of the NBA Cares All-Star Community Caravan. She is the Vaccines for Teens spokesperson.

Leslie appeared at the William James Middle School in Fort Worth to…