If you follow the WNBA you will be well-versed in the latest WNBA news. The WNBA released its roster for AT&T WNBA All-Star 20,22. Noelle Quinn is the new head coach of the Seattle Storm. Brittney griner was sentenced this week to nine years in a Russian penal prison. LASparks was also awarded their 500th victory. Continue reading for additional details.
WNBA announces roster for AT&T WNBA All-Star 2022
The roster of the AT&T WNBA All-Star Next Sunday was released by the WNBA. The roster features first-timers Courtney Vandersloot, Jewell Loyd, and Atlanta Dream rookie Rhyne Howard. Fans and head coaches select the All-Stars. The WNBA's roster, which includes two-thirds each of the players from each team, is the biggest in history. Many notable players are absent, including Elena Delle Donne, who is still recovering from back surgery, as well as Nneka Ogwumike. Nneka was also injured and has missed the Olympics.
Noelle Quinn, the first Black head coach for the Seattle Storm
Noelle Quinn was named the first Black head coaching position in the history and development of the Seattle Storm. Quinn joins Vickie Smith, Dallas Wings coach, to make Quinn the first Black female head coach of WNBA affiliates. The league also has two Black head coaches: James Wade, of the Chicago Sky, and Derek Fisher, of the Los Angeles Sparks. Quinn has a remarkable resume. She was a player for the Los Angeles Sparks from 1997 through 2000.
Brittney Griner sentenced to nine years in a Russian penal colony
American basketball star Brittney Griner has been sentenced to nine years in a penal colony in Russia after being found guilty of drug smuggling. The trial lasted many months and has become a geopolitical flashpoint. Griner was detained in February at Moscow airport. Russian officials had accused her of trying smuggle marijuana oil into her luggage. 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 has won their 500th match! Congrats! Congratulations! Their playoff run was not as successful as they expected, missing the playoffs five more times. Although they made some high-profile moves this winter, their season is still stagnating. These are some important things to remember when you look at the future of the team:
Players forced to fly on chartered flights
The WNBA's recent policy of requiring its players on charter planes to fly while they travel for games has caused a lot of controversy. Many people claim that the NBA would never allow this, but the WNBA is not the same as the NBA. Additionally, the WNBA is not allowed to share revenue 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 source of controversy in Major League Soccer.
The new season of WNBA aims raise money for nonprofits
The new season of WNBA aims for raising funds for charities. Players are vocal supporters of social justice and have played a key role in numerous organizations. Cheryl Swoopes, a former Houston Comets player, is an example of such an advocate. The former WNBA player, who has won four championships, founded two nonprofit organizations to raise money for women in STEM fields.