Over the past week, some of the best in women’s basketball have received the honors and opportunities they deserve. Catch up on the biggest happenings:
A’ja x NBA 2K25
A’ja Wilson is the cover athlete for the WNBA Edition of NBA 2K25, the video game announced on Wednesday.
Queen of the courts
On Friday, the Phoenix Mercury announced that the courts at the franchise’s forthcoming practice facility will be named after Diana Taurasi.
She’s dedicated her career to us for 20 years, now we’re dedicating the courts to our 3x WNBA Champion, 6x Olympian, and 11x All-Star!
The Phoenix Mercury and owner Mat Ishbia will celebrate the official grand opening of the Mercury’s new state-of-the-art, $70 million practice… pic.twitter.com/Ie4if0FGoR
— Phoenix Mercury (@PhoenixMercury) July 12, 2024
Unrivaled unveiled
On Tuesday, Unrivaled, the 3-on-3 women’s league co-founded by Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier, began announcing its 30 participants, beginning with Stewart and Collier. Chelsea Gray and Arike Ogunbowale were the third and fourth participants to be revealed, with Jewell Loyd rounding out the first five. That’s quite the quintet. Who’s next? Follow Unrivaled on X to find out.
Women’s hoops owned the ESPYs
Need more evidence for the rising prominence of women’s basketball in American sports culture? The ESPY’s provided it, highlighted LSU star Flau’jae Johnson showing off her versatility, dropping bars with just as much ease as she gets buckets.
Dawn Staley received the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance, while her team, the 39-0 and national champion South Carolina Gamecocks, were honored with the Best Team award.
Staley’s most successful protégé, A’ja Wilson, won the Best WNBA Player award.
Caitlin Clark took home the Best Women’s Sports College Athlete award, as well as the Best Record-Breaking Performance award for becoming the NCAA Division I all-time leading scorer.
Best Record-Breaking Performace
congratulations to Caitlin Clark on her ESPY for becoming the NCAA All-Time Scoring Leader, passing Pete Maravich. pic.twitter.com/MLJYDEyIK0
— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) July 12, 2024
Finally, JuJu Watkins received the Best Breakthrough Athlete award.
Second All-Female BWB Camp at WNBA All-Star 2024
At WNBA All-Star 2024, the WNBA, NBA and FIBA will host the second Basketball Without Borders (BWB) Global girls camp, with nearly 40 top high-school-aged prospects from 24 non-US countries set to participate in the three-day event.
Former WNBA and FIBA players and coaches will serve as coaches, including WNBA Coaches Development Program participants Edniesha Curry, Shey Peddy, April Sykes and Kelly Raimon. Allison Feaster, former WNBA player and current Vice President of Team Operations and Organizational Growth for the Boston Celtics, will be the camp director.
Former BWB campers who have made the WNBA include:
Ezi MagbegorJade Melbourne Aaliyah Edwards Nika Mühl Kamilla Cardoso
TWENTY-FOUR different countries will be represented in this year’s installment. Another reminder that the game is global. #WNBATwitter https://t.co/7tNVw0Ntrp
— Alford Corriette (@alfcorriette) July 9, 2024
