Sky on waiving Olajuwon: “Great learning experience for Abi”

The Chicago Sky waived former Oklahoma standout and rookie center Abi Olajuwon.

"This was a great learning experience for Abi," said head coach and general manager Steven Key. "Her time with the Sky will benefit her basketball career down the road."

Olajuwon was drafted by the Sky as the 28th pick in the 2010 WNBA Draft and appeared in six games for the Sky in 2010.

San Antonio Silver Stars waive forward Crystal Kelly and guard Allie Quigley

Just a few days after re-signing her, the San Antonio Silvers waived forward Crystal Kelly. The team also cut guard Allie Quigley from the squad.

From the team’s release:

In six games with the Silver Stars, Kelly has accumulated averages 1.0 points and 0.8 rebounds in 5.5 minutes per game. In her three-year WNBA career, Kelly has recorded averages of 5.2 points and 2.3 rebounds in 13.0 minutes per game.

Kelly was acquired by San Antonio from the Tulsa Shock in exchange for guard Shanna Crossley on April 14. She then was waived on June 9 but the Stars re-signed her on June 29; forward Megan Frazee suffered a knee injury and the team was granted an emergency hardship exception which allowed San Antonio to add Kelly to the roster.

Quigley has played in three games with the Silver Stars, tallying 2.3 points per game in 6.3 minutes per game. San Antonio added her on June 9; prior to her time with the Stars, Quigley played in three games with the Indiana Fever with whom she averaged 2.0 points and 6.0 minutes per game.

Sue Bird and Becky Hammon top WNBA vs. USA Basketball balloting

Monday night the WNBA announced the top vote-getters for the “WNBA vs. USA Basketball: The Stars at the Sun” game in early July. While seeing names such as Sue Bird and Becky Hammon at the top of the list was no surprise to fans, others like Michelle Snow and Jayne Appel garnered incredulity and outright derision from the public and media.

The Seattle Storm’s Bird led all players (127,490) in final returns and San Antonio Silver Stars player Hammon (116,391) finished second.

The others in the top five are Indiana Fever’s Tamika Catchings (100,248), Phoenix Mercury’s Diana Taurasi (93,649) and Bird’s Seattle teammate, Swin Cash (85,236).

The remaining players on the list: Storm’s Lauren Jackson (80,392), Los Angeles Sparks’ Candace Parker (78,624), Silver Star teammates, Jayne Appel (69,316), Michelle Snow (67,906) and Sophia Young (65,974).

Instead of an WNBA All-Star game, this year’s mid-season festivities features the U.S. facing a team of the league’s remaining All-Stars on July 10 at Uncasville, Connecticut.

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 fans will play on the WNBA team.… Read more

San Antonio waives Megan Frazee and re-signs Crystal Kelly

The San Antonio Silver Stars waived forward Megan Frazee, who suffered an injury to her left meniscus, and signed forward Crystal Kelly under the WNBA’s emergency hardship exception to the salary cap. A team can apply for the exception when it falls below 10 players able to play.

From the team’s release:

Frazee is expected to have surgery this week and afterwards, it is anticipated that she will remain in San Antonio during her rehabilitation.

Kelly was acquired from the Tulsa Shock in exchange for guard Shanna Crossley on April 14. Kelly played in four games with the Silver Stars earlier in the season before she was waived on June 9; the 6-foot-2 forward averaged 1.0 points and 0.5 rebounds in 4.3 minutes per game. In her three-year WNBA career, Kelly has recorded averages of 5.3 points and 2.3 rebounds in 13.2 minutes per game.

In 10 games played this season, Frazee tallied averages of 3.8 points per game on 12-of-32 (.375) made field goal attempts, 1-of-9 (.111) made three-point field goal attempts and 13-of-19 (.684) made free throw attempts. Additionally, she has recorded 2.1 rebounds in her 10.1 minutes per game.

List of ESPY categories with female nominees

Yesterday ESPN announced nominees for its 2010 ESPY awards. Fans vote for winners until July 10. The network will broadcast half-hour a nomination show today at 8p.m. ET. Winners will be announced during The 2010 ESPYs, televised LIVE Wed, July 14, at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN/ESPN HD.

The complete list of categories with female nominees:

BEST FEMALE ATHLETE

Maya Moore, NCAA Basketball

• Helped lead UConn to back-to-back national championships.
• Averaged 28.5 PPG and 11.5 RPG in the two games at the Final Four.
• Averaged team-high 18.9 PPG and 8.3 RPG during 2009-10 regular season.

Diana Taurasi, WNBA

• Named WNBA MVP for 2009 regular season and playoffs.
• Led WNBA in scoring during regular season (20.4 PPG).
• Helped Phoenix win the WNBA championship.

Lindsey Vonn, Skiing

• Capped a historic season with her third straight overall World Cup title.
• Won gold medal at Olympics in downhill, becoming the first American woman to do so.
• Won the final super-G race of the season for her 33rd World Cup win, eclipsing Bode Miller as the most decorated American skier.

Serena Williams, Tennis

• Earned number one world ranking at the end of the 2009 season.
• Won 2010 Australian Open, becoming the first woman to successfully defend her Aussie title since Jennifer Capriati in 2002.
• Tied Billie

… 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.

Lisa Leslie makes fun of Michael Cooper’s suit

WNBA legend Lisa Leslie makes fun of USC women’s coach and
Lakers legend Michael Cooper’s green suit during a telecast after
game 6 of the NBA finals. She quotes a famous line from the movie
Coming to America.

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

Plenette Pierson traded to Liberty in exchange for Tiffany Jackson

After weeks of speculation, Tulsa Shock forward Plenette Pierson wrote via Twitter that she is leaving the team to become a member of the New York Liberty. Shortly afterwards, the Liberty announced the trade involving Tiffany Jackson.

From the release:

"We are delighted to have the opportunity to add another player with championship experience to our roster," said Blazejowski. "Plenette has proven to be an aggressive force in the paint during her professional career, and will help fortify our front court."

Through eight games this season in Tulsa, the eight-year veteran is averaging 12.1 ppg, 2.5 rpg and 1.3 apg in 15.8 mpg. She is currently ranked as the WNBA’s No. 5 field goal shooter (.535) and No. 15 free throw shooter (.857).

Jackson, 25, a 6-3 forward, was selected No. 5 overall by the Liberty in the 2007 WNBA Draft and owns a career average of 5.9 ppg and 3.8 rpg. She has appeared in nine match-ups this season while averaging 4.3 ppg and 3.1 rpg off the bench for New York.

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