Tag: WNBA

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Caitlan Clark was snubbed from the Olympic roster?

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Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark drives on the New York Liberty forward Betnijah Laney-Hamilton at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn on Sat May 18, 2024 (AP file photo)

Caitlan Clark was snubbed from the Olympic roster?

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

It looks like not everybody is pleased with Caitlin Clark’s popularity; could this be pure envy because she is so good, or could there be other motives? In 2023, over 60% of players in the WNBA were black or African American. Caitlin Clark is not. The question is why she was snubbed from the USA Olympic Basketball team roster for the Olympic games in Paris, France. Nobody seems to have a reason why she will not be with the US Olympic team.

However, we all agree that Caitlin Clark put the WNBA on the prosperity map. The Commissioner of the WNBA said in early May that the league plans to commit $50 million over the next two years to provide full-time charter flights for teams during the season.

This addresses years of player safety concerns. That means WNBA players do not have to stand in the security lines to board a regular commercial flight. Commissioner Engelbert said the first two seasons will cost $25 million annually. For the first time in the history of this women’s professional basketball league, all the teams are traveling charter planes. This would not have happened without the arrival of Caitlin Clark.

Caitlin Clark’s base salary for her first year in the WNBA is around $76,000. In April 2024, CBS reported that Clark’s four-year rookie contract is worth $338,056. She’ll be paid $76,535 in 2024, $78,066 in 2025, $85,873 in 2026, and $97,582 in 2027.

Clark has made the WNBA relevant and has grown as popular as ever. Jackie Young of the Las Vegas Aces has the highest average salary in the WNBA for the 2024 season, according to Spotrac. She is making $252,450 for the 2024 season as a part of a two-year, $504,900 contract.

But let’s return to why Caitlan Clark was left off the 2024 US Olympic Women’s Basketball roster. Citing two sources, USA Today columnist Christine Brennan reported one factor in omitting Clark from the women’s national team was the concern about how the former Iowa star’s fans would react to her playing time in the Olympics, which would likely have been limited. “If true, that would be an extraordinary admission of the existence of real tension that the old guard of women’s basketball harbors for this multi-million-dollar sensation,” Brennan wrote of the sources’ knowledge.

Clark has won three gold medals with USA Basketball junior national teams, including her latest with the 2021 USA Women’s U19 National Team. The U.S. women have won every gold medal in women’s basketball since the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.

I’m not speculating why Caitlin is left out, but it doesn’t seem to make sense if the US is trying to win gold this summer. If Caitlin Clark is not with the US Women’s Olympic Basketball team, I truly hope the ‘powers to be’ reconsider.

Just imagine what would have happened if Michael Jordan had not been selected to play with the US Olympic Dream team in Barcelona in 1992. Charles Barkley, who is never afraid of speaking his mind, calls out the “pettiness” of WNBA veterans against rookie Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark and said he was flabbergasted. “Considering the WNBA was hitting the lottery with the “shining star.”

Amaury Pi Gonzalez was a former Golden State Warriors Spanish broadcaster and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Aces Deny Wings Surge Winning in Fourth Quarter 95-81; Vegas’s Wilson makes WNBA history first to score 35 pts, 10 rebounds, with 5 steals in single game

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Las Vegas Aces A’ja Wilson looks like she’s taking the ball over the goal line but fell with the ball. Wilson set a WNBA record scoring 25 pts, 10 rebounds, and 5 rebounds a first by a player in WNBA history against the Dallas Wings at Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas on Wed Jun 5, 2024 (AP photo)

By Barbara Mason

las Vegas Aces (4-2) A’ja Wilson put up huge numbers Wednesday night against the Dallas Wings (4-3). She has been a force for years and continues to improve year after year. She finished with 36 points and 12 rebounds. The Wings challenged at times getting as close as three points in the third quarter but Las Vegas responded every time. The newly signed Tiffany Hayes had a terrific game off the bench with 11 points.

Game recap: Las Vegas got a quick start leading after the first ten minutes of play 29-16. The Wings were a bit slow to start but more then made up for it in the second quarter. As the first half wound down, the Wings had outscored the Aces 23-10 in a great run.

They had trailed by as much as 20 points in the quarter and had mounted an amazing comeback. At the half the Aces lead had been cut to five points 47-42. Dallas had won the second quarter 26-18.

A’ja Wilson had a terrific first half finishing with 20 points and 12 rebounds. Kelsey Plum had also scored in double digits with 13 points. Las Vegas would have to dig deep to get past a tenacious Wings who had really turned this game around in their favor.

The Wings had three players in double digits after the first two quarters. The incomparable Arike Ogunbowale finished the half with 16 points, Maddy Siegrist had scored 10 points and Teaira McCowan also had 10 points and 7 rebounds.

Las Vegas had their work cut out for them going into the second half. They had let Dallas back in this game and they needed to shut them down and take away any momentum the Wings had built up in the second quarter. The second quarter was also extremely physical and more of the same would no doubt persist into the third quarter.

The Wings kept pace with the Aces throughout the third quarter but were unable to take the lead. They trailed early by only three points but the Aces pushed back taking as much as a ten point lead.

With two minutes left in the third the Aces were hanging onto a 63-59 lead. After three quarters Las Vegas had pushed their lead to 75-61. A’ja Wilson had scored 30 points going into the final quarter. The Aces were shooting 51.9 % while the Wings had shot 32.1 % through three quarters.

Three minutes into the fourth quarter, the Aces had built a an 80-63 lead. Missed shots as well as turnovers were really hurting the Wings cause. Dallas challenged Las Vegas at times but the Aces responded every time. Las Vegas simply outplayed the Wings winning this game 95-81 for a 5-2 record. The second half of this game was all Aces.

A’ja Wilson finished this game with 36 points and 14 rebounds. Kelsey Plum had 20 points and Jackie Young shot for 19 points. Alysha Clark also had a solid game with nine points. Tiffany Hayes played a terrific game off the bench with 11 points and six rebounds.

The former Connecticut Sun and Atlanta Dream star came out of retirement signing with the Aces last Friday. This fiery competitor will add another dimension to the powerhouse Aces.

Game notes: Wednesday night the Aces took on the Wings at College Park Center in a Commissioner’s Cup matchup. This is the first time the two teams have met since Las Vegas beat the Wings in three-straight games in the 2023 semi-finals. The Aces have not played since last Friday losing to the Dream in a close game 78-74.

The Wings lost to the Lynx last Sunday 87-76 for their second loss in a row. Both teams will be looking to get back on the winning track. Wednesday night the two top scorers in the WNBA A’Ja Wilson for Las Vegas and Arike Ogunbowale for Dallas met.

Wilson finsished with 36 points and Ogunbowale with 31. Dallas is down two starters and Ogunbowale carried the load for her team. Despite still being without Chelsea Gray, the Aces still have the highest scoring and most efficient offenses in the league thanks to A’ja Wilson who gets better and better every season.

Las Vegas will be back home at Michelob ULTRA Arena for a matchup with the Seattle Storm Friday night. Tipoff for that game is scheduled for 7:00 PM.

Aces Drop Second Game of the Season to Atlanta Dream 78-74

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The Las Vegas Aces battled but couldn’t get by the Atlanta Dream losing by four points at Gateway Center Arena in Atlanta on Fri May 31, 2024 (Las Vegas Aces X photo)

By Barbara Mason

After a terribly slow start, the Las Vegas Aces (4-1) paid the price losing to the Atlanta Dream (3-2) 78-74. They now have a 4-2 record. A’ja Wilson had the team high with 28 points and nine rebounds.

Game recap: The first quarter was a low-scoring affair. Las Vegas led after the first 12 minutes 11-10. Between the two teams there were 26 failed shot attempts; a slow start for both of them. Each team played with more energy in the second quarter after a rather stagnant start. The Aces won the second quarter 23-18 and led at the half 34-28. A’ja Wilson finished the half with 12 points and five rebounds while Jackie Young had 10 points and also had five rebounds.

The third quarter got underway as the Aces took the court in the second half where they have been most lethal not only this season but also in previous seasons. The Dream put up a real fight, however, in the third quarter winning it by the score of 25-19 and after three quarters this game was tied at 53. Atlanta was outscoring the Aces from downtown 46% to 26% through three quarters. The Aces would have to dig deep to get past Atlanta in this game.

The Dream kept pace with the Aces to start the fourth quarter. Las Vegas kept a slim lead as the fourth quarter played on as the Dream continued to keep the pressure on the Aces. With 5:39 left in the game Atlanta had taken a 65-62 lead as the Dream continued to drain three’s.

With 1:02 left on the clock Atlanta had a 73-70 lead and Las Vegas had met their match. Time was running out for Las Vegas trailing 74-70 with 26 ticks left on the clock. The Aces just could not overcome the slow start coupled with trouble from long dropping this game 78-74.

The Dream also had won the fourth quarter 25-21 and it was Atlanta that proved to be lethal in the second half of this game. This may well be a tough road for the Aces. Every team in the league is gunning for Las Vegas adding another element of pressure.

A’ja Wilson had a terrific game finishing with 28 points and nine rebounds. Kelsey Plum and Jackie Young each had double digits but it was just not enough to get past Atlanta.

Game notes: Friday evening the Aces traveled to Atlanta to take on the Dream. After their only loss this season, Las Vegas seems to be getting on track in their quest for a three-peat. There is still no definite timeline for the return of Chelsea Gray. She has maintained that she will not be sitting out the entire 2024 season.

The Aces were without Kiersten Bell who like Gray is also in a walking boot due to a right leg injury. Las Vegas without these two key players will be leaning on A’ja Wilson, Jackie Young and Kelsey Plum to extend their winning streak. Head coach Becky Hammon remains confident that the team has enough to clock another road win but against the Dream they fell short by four points and lost their second game of the season.

Las Vegas will not take the court again until June 5th next Wednesday as they travel to Dallas to take on the Wings. Tipoff for that game is scheduled for 5:00 PM.

Aces beat Indiana and Caitlin Clark, 99-80

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Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) during pre-game of a WNBA basketball game on Saturday, May 25, 2024, in Las Vegas. (Sports Radio Service/Shawn McCullough)

By Shawn McCullough

LAS VEGAS–The Aces bounced back from a tough home loss to the Phoenix Mercury on Tuesday to beat the Indiana Fever, 99-80, at Michelob Ultra Arena.

“We wanted it tonight,” said A’ja Wilson. “We actually played defense and got it done.”

Wilson led the Aces with 29 points and 15 rebounds.

“I am starting to read the defense better,” said Wilson. “I just try to get to my spots and dissect the game a little more.”

Guard Jackie Young scored 22 points, while Kelsey Plum added 20.

Rookie Fever guard Caitlin Clark scored eight points, pulled down five rebounds and added seven assists.

Clark played with Aces guard Kate Martin in college at Iowa.

“She was my teammate, but also one of my best friends,” said Clark. “She was with me for all of my four years at Iowa.”

Martin came off the bench to score 12 points and pull down seven rebounds.

“It’s just really cool,”, said Martin. “We are both living out our dreams and it’s great to experience that with your best friend.”

With the win, Las Vegas improved to 3-1 on the season.

The Aces will next play in Minnesota on Wednesday against the Lynx.

Las Vegas Aces – http://aces.wnba.com

Game Notes:

The Aces shot just 47.9% from the field, while Indiana shot 42.9%.
Las Vegas went 13 for 35 from three-point range.
Each team equally pulled down 36 rebounds.

Game Starters:

C – 22 A’ja Wilson
F – 41 Kiah Stokes
F – 7 Alysha Clark
G – 10 Kelsey Plum
G – 0 Jackie Young

Aces Injury Report:

Chelsea Gray, Out, Lower Left Leg
Kierstan Bell, Out, Lower Right Leg

Aces fall to Mercury, 98-88

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Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson (22) jumps with Phoenix Mercury center Natasha Mack (4) during the first half of a WNBA basketball game on Tuesday, May 21, 2024, in Las Vegas. (Sports Radio Service/Shawn McCullough)

By Shawn McCullough

The Aces lost their first game of the season in a 98-88 defeat to the Phoenix Mercury at Michelob Ultra Arena.

“They came in and punched us in the mouth”, said Aces head coach Becky Hammon. “We didn’t deserve to win the game”.

The Mercury got 37 points from forward Kahleah Cooper, while Sug Sutton added 12 points off the bench.

“I’m really happy how some of our bench players played”, said Mercury head coach Nate Tibbetts. “We have nine players and we are going to play them every night”.

Guard Kelsey Plum led the Aces with 27 points, going seven for 14 from three-point range, while guard Jackie Young added 23 points.

A’ja Wilson scored 21 points and pulled down 13 rebounds.

“We were not good defensively”, said Wilson. “This was a good test for us, because we are not there defensively”.

Guard Chelsea Gray remained out with a lower left leg injury, while guard Kierstan Bell was also out with a lower right leg injury.

With the loss, Las Vegas fell to 2-1 on the season.

The Aces will next play at home on Saturday against Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever.

Las Vegas Aces – http://aces.wnba.com

Game Notes:

The Aces shot just 42.3% from the field, while Phoenix shot 47.4%.
Las Vegas went 11 for 31 from three-point range.
Each team equally pulled down 39 rebounds.

Game Starters:

C – 22 A’ja Wilson
F – 41 Kiah Stokes
F – 7 Alysha Clark
G – 10 Kelsey Plum
G – 0 Jackie Young

Aces Injury Report:

Chelsea Gray, Out, Lower Left Leg
Kierstan Bell, Out, Lower Right Leg

Aces win second straight, top Sparks 89-82

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Las Vegas Aces forward Jackie Young (0) during the first half of a WNBA basketball game on Saturday, May 18, 2024, in Las Vegas. (Sports Radio Service/Shawn McCullough)

By Shawn McCullough

The Aces improved to 2-0 on the season with an 89-82 win over the Los Angeles Sparks at Michelob Ultra Arena.

Jackie Young and A’ja Wilson led the Aces with 22 points.  Young added 11 assists, while Wilson pulled down 10 rebounds.

Kelsey Plum struggled from the field, going just four for 14, but hit three three-pointers for a total of 17 points.

Aces rookie guard Kate Martin played 26 minutes and scored three points.

Former Aces forward Dearica Hamby punished Las Vegas by going 12 for 16 from the field for 29 points.

Guard Chelsea Gray remained out with a lower left leg injury.

The Aces will next play at home on Tuesday against the Phoenix Mercury.

Las Vegas Aces – http://aces.wnba.com

Game Notes:

The Aces shot 42.5% from the field, while Los Angeles shot 51.5%.
Las Vegas went 13 for 31 from three-point range.
The Sparks turned the ball over 17 times.

Game Starters:

C – 22 A’ja Wilson
F – 41 Kiah Stokes
F – 7 Alysha Clark
G – 10 Kelsey Plum
G – 0 Jackie Young

Aces Injury Report:

Chelsea Gray, Out, Lower Left Leg

WNBA podcast with Michael Roberson: With Clark face of the league race is a forefront discussion

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Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever scored 20 points and turned the ball over 10 times against the Connecticut Sun in Clark’s WNBA debut at Uncasville CT on Tue May 14, 2024

WNBA podcast with Michael Roberson:

#1 The signing of Caitlin Clark with the Indiana Fever has raised the subject of race in the WNBA. Clark is the face of the WNBA since she singed. The Las Vegas Aces star player A’ja Wilson said people say it’s not about race, but Wilson insists, it is about race and Wilson said if your a top notch black woman player “maybe that’s something people don’t want to see.”

#2 Wilson added saying no matter how hard she works at it people don’t see the black or minority player as marketable and Wilson said that minority players are still being swept under the rug.

#3 Clark was raising TV ratings when she help lead the Iowa Hawkeyes to back to back championships and the networks and the NCAA and the press who covered her realized that she was the perfect marketing tool. It’s along the lines what Wilson was talking about who wants to listen to a black female player endorsing when they will listen to Caitlin Clark.

#4 Clark matched up against LSU Tigers star Angel Reese who now play for the Chicago Sky. There were discussions that the treatment for Clark a white woman and from the “Heartland of America” compared to Reese and other black players. Michael during that Final Four between Iowa and LSU talk about the differences that you’ve pointed out that was going on at the time between Reese and Clark?

#5 Clark got a deal from Nike for $28 million in endorsements for over eight years it is the largest endorsement contract in women’s basketball. Victoria Jackson a sports historian at Arizona State University said the reason for Clark’s huge contract is a break off into a completely different stratosphere. That anything involving Clark is being questioned.

Michael Roberson covers Stanford Cardinal basketball for http://www.sportsradioservice.com and is a writer for the African American Athlete.

Wilson scored 30 in season opening win over Phoenix

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Las Vegas Aces forward A’ja Wilson (22) watches a shot with Phoenix forward Liz Dixon (20) during the first half of a WNBA basketball game on Tuesday, May 14, 2024, in Las Vegas. (Sports Radio Service/Shawn McCullough)

By Shawn McCullough

LAS VEGAS–The defending back-to-back WNBA world champions started the season with an 89-80 win over the Phoenix Mercury at Michelob Ultra Arena.

“It’s the first game of the season and it looked like it,” said head coach Becky Hammon. “We will take the win. It wasn’t pretty, but it shows us that we have room for improvement.”

The Aces were led by forward A’ja Wilson, who dropped 30 points and pulled down 13 rebounds.

“I just kind of took what the defense was giving me,” said Wilson. “My teammates fed me the ball and I was appreciative.”

Guard Jackie Young scored 23 points, while Kelsey Plum added 19.

“Today was our first game and tried to just shake off the nerves,” said Young. “We tried to be aggressive and execute our game plan.”

Las Vegas was without starting guard Chelsea Gray, who was out with a lower left leg injury.

“We don’t have our point guard right now,” said Wilson of Gray. “We are all trying to compensate for the organizer on the court who is gone.”

During pre-game, the Aces raised their second world championship banner and were presented with their championship rings.

“Ring night is always special,” said Young. “We were trying to have fun and enjoy the moment, but also remember that we have a game to play.”

The Aces will next play at home on Saturday against the Los Angeles Sparks.

Las Vegas Aces – http://aces.wnba.com

Game Notes:

The Aces shot 40.8% from the field.
Las Vegas went just six for 29 from three-point range.
Former NFL quarterback Tom Brady gave a pre-game speech in the Aces locker room.

Game Starters:

C – 22 A’ja Wilson
F – 41 Kiah Stokes
F – 7 Alysha Clark
G – 10 Kelsey Plum
G – 0 Jackie Young

Aces Injury Report:

Chelsea Gray, Out, Lower Left Leg

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: WNBA Season Opener May 14 -Caitlan Clark Revolutionizes the league

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Indiana Fever’s Caitlin Clark (22) drives on the Atlanta Dreams’ Nia Coffey (12) and Aerial Powers (23) during the second half of this WNBA pre season game in Indianapolis (AP News photo)

WNBA Season Opener May 14 – Caitlan Clark Revolutionizes the league

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

All it took was Indiana Fever guard and mega-star Caitlin Clark to bring the WNBA to the big time. However, it never rivaled the NBA, which recognized the need for a professional women’s league years ago by subsidizing the women.

In February 2022, the WNBA raised an impressive $75 million from investors, including NBA and WNBA franchises. Things are changing quickly in the WNBA; for the following two seasons, teams will begin traveling to away games on chartered flights; this is after they primarily rely on commercial planes since the league’s inception almost 30 years ago.

The WNBA kicks its 2024 season this May 14. Eight of the league’s 12 teams will play a game on opening night. The remaining four play on Wednesday, May 15.

The league is also looking for larger-capacity arenas to accommodate the fans it has recruited since the sensational Caitlin Clark was known worldwide. Caitlan has the most 3-pointers scored in WNBA or NBA history, scoring 163 in the 2023-24 season, breaking Stephen Curry’s 162 in the 2007-08 season.

Although the Indiana Fever superstar’s salary is only $76,000, Nike recently endorsed Clark for a $28 million deal, including her signature shoes. Caitlan Clark has become the Michael Jordan of the WNBA. Clark is the all-time leading scorer in NCAA basketball, surpassing Pete Maravich. (Pistol Pete) record of 3,667 points and later became the #1 overall pick in the 2024 WNBA draft, selected by the Indiana Fever.

Last October, the WNBA announced its first expansion team since 2008 by awarding the Golden State Warriors franchise that will begin play in the 2025 WNBA season. The teams will be headquartered in Oakland but play home games at Chase Center in San Francisco.

This means that in this case, Oakland could not put an “airport-like move” on San Francisco. Officials in Oakland recently approved modifying the name of the city’s airport to include “San Francisco. Now, there is a trademark lawsuit from the city of San Francisco over the name change dispute.

I wish the 2024-25 WNBA season lots of success; they are a league going places!

Amaury Pi Gonzalez does That’s Amaury News and Commentaries at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Headline Sports podcast with Jessica Kwong: San Jose Sharks get No.1 draft pick; Celtics bury Cavs to take game 1; plus more news

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NHL overall top draft pick Macklin Celebrini is most likely a top choice for the San Jose Sharks. The NHL announced that the Sharks have the number one choice at the NHL Draft on Jun 28-29th, 2024 which will held at the Sphere in Las Vegas (AP News photo)

On Headline Sports podcast with Jessica:

#1 NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly presented the flip card revealing the number one draft pick and the San Jose Sharks who had the league’s worst record at 19-54-9. The Sharks are looking at Macklin Celebrini the first overall draft pick in the NHL draft.

#2 The Boston Celtics went through the Cleveland Cavaliers like butter on Tuesday night in Boston with a 25 point 120-95 win to take game 1 of the NBA second round playoffs. The Celtics got top scoring from Jaylen Brown with 32 points and Derrick White hit seven three pointers.

#3 The WNBA has committed for the next two seasons to spend $58 million for charter for the league travel as opposed to commercial flying. This would be full time charter flight service. With the arrival of Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever as the face of the league the WNBA plans on stepping it up and taking care of it’s players with charter flights that means no more standing in lines at the ticket counter, at security and with other passengers to board a flight. They’ll be treated truly like a professional team.

#4 The frustration of the Denver Nuggets is starting show. The Nuggets who lost the first two games of this second round of the playoffs to the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Nuggets saw team leader Jamal Murray throw a towel and then a heat pack toward an official and ended up getting fined $100,000 and was lucky he didn’t get suspended for a game. The toss came while live action was taking place with 4:41 was remaining in the second quarter.

#5 On Tuesday the Texas Rangers didn’t hold back scoring ten runs in the top of the second inning against the Oakland A’s at the Oakland Coliseum. The Rangers 15-8 win gives them their fourth straight win and the A’s their third straight loss. The Rangers and A’s split both ends of a doubleheader with the A’s taking the front game and

Jessica Kwong does Headline Sports every other Wednesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com