Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024 | 9:07 p.m.
Alysha Clark seized the opportunity to play near her hometown. After spending many years playing overseas during the offseason, the Tennessee native has joined Athletes Unlimited this winter.
The organization will hold its fourth season in Nashville from Feb. 5-March 2.
“It’s really exciting as I haven’t played at home since college,” Clark, a Middle Tennessee State alum, told The AP over the phone. “To return to where everything began at this stage of my career is thrilling.”
The professional league previously held games in Las Vegas in its first season and then in Dallas for the following two years.
Clark was also thrilled to give back to the community.
“What AU does outside the court with the players is something I’m truly excited about,” she expressed. “It allows me to make a difference in the community back home.”
The 37-year-old forward, who has three WNBA titles under her belt, was pleased to see multiple opportunities for players to compete domestically now, between Athletes Unlimited and Unrivaled, the new 3-on-3 women’s basketball league set to start on Jan. 17 in Miami.
“It’s incredible to see the growth and opportunities, with AU leading the way,” she noted. “To be a part of that journey now and witness it showcases the progress of women’s basketball and sports in general.”
Clark, who grew up 30 minutes from Nashville before relocating there in her teenage years, is among the players with Tennessee connections who will participate in AU this season. Chicago’s Isabelle Harrison, a Nashville native, and former Tennessee Lady Vols players Jordan Horston and Meighan Simmons are also part of the league.
Other WNBA players in the league include Kia Nurse, Maddie Siegrist, Kiersten Bell, Sydney Colson, and Lexie Brown. AU has revealed 15 of its 40 players, with the remainder to be announced later.
AU Pro Basketball features five-on-five basketball, where players earn points for both team victories and individual performances. Teams change weekly, and the top four players in the standings become captains who then select rosters. The player with the most points by the end of the season becomes the individual champion. Previous winners include Tianna Hawkins, NaLyssa Smith, and Allisha Gray.
Brown has been part of the league since its inception and was excited for the opportunity to play in Nashville after attending an event there last month.
“They are passionate about women’s basketball; I met a couple who has a WNBA watch group that gathers around the city to watch games,” Brown shared. “It’s wonderful. The south appreciates basketball. While people associate the south with football, I know numerous basketball enthusiasts who would love to have a WNBA team nearby in a city accessible from most locations.”
The closest WNBA team to Nashville is Atlanta.
