Category: Women’s Basketball

Hailey Van Lith joins seasoned pros on FIBA 3×3 roster ahead of Paris

The teams were composed of players various levels, including the WNBA, NCAA and Athletes Unlimited.

If you are a phenomenal player, it doesn’t matter if you are still in college or a seasoned professional player. USA Basketball was represented by two teams at the 2024 FIBA 3×3 Women’s Series opener with players from the WNBA, NCAA, Athletes Unlimited and the international level.

After winning the gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics, the United States is looking to repeat in Paris. Team USA consisted of Hailey Van Lith, Cierra Burdick, Lexie Hull and Rhyne Howard. The other roster, Team Springfield, boasted Allisha Gray, Cameron Brink, Dearica Hamby and Linnae Harper.

Team USA took second to Canada in the final at the Springfield stop of the series, falling short, 20-18. The teams competing in the series consisted of athletes from Canada, France, Germany and Puerto Rico.

The 3×3 game is a bit different than the 5×5 full-court basketball. For example, 3×3 is played on a half-court with a 10-minute game clock. The first team to score 21 points via 1-point field goals or 2-pointers behind the arc is victorious. If neither team reaches 21 before time expires, the team with the most points wins.

“I just like how free-flowing it is; there’s a lot of room for error,” Brink said. “If you mess up, you just have to move on to the next possession immediately.”

The FIBA 3×3 Women’s Series “offers women a chance to play 3×3 at the highest competitive level regularly, representing a unique opportunity to bring new countries and players into the limelight and to recognize the best and upcoming players in the industry.” The event culminates in a 3×3 World Cup and then the Olympic Games in Paris.

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Michigan State women’s basketball adds Ohio State transfer Emma Shumate

Michigan State women’s basketball adds Ohio State transfer Emma Shumate

Michigan State women’s basketball has been hit by the transfer portal bug, like many teams, this offseason, but now it’s being kind to them in return, as the Spartans landed a commitment from Ohio State transfer Emma Shumate on Thursday.

Known for her defensive prowess and entering her third season, Shumate shot an impressive 41.8-percent from three last year for the Buckeyes.

Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan state news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Andrew Brewster on Twitter @IAmBrewster.

Wings could play in a new arena in Dallas as early as 2026

The agreement is pending approval by the WNBA, and if all goes well, the Wings could begin playing in the new arena as early as 2026.

On Wednesday, the city of Dallas council members approved a 15-year, $19 million use agreement for the Dallas Wings to play in the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Dallas Memorial Arena. The agreement is pending approval by the WNBA, and if all goes well, the Wings could begin playing in the arena as early as 2026.

“The Dallas Wings would like to thank the City of Dallas and especially Mayor (Eric L.) Johnson for his strategic vision and commitment,” said Wings President and CEO Greg Bibb. “The City of Arlington, the University of Texas at Arlington and College Park Center continue to be valued partners, and we look forward to playing in Arlington for the next two seasons.”

The Wings have played eight seasons in the city of Arlington, College Park Center on the campus of the University of Texas at Arlington. They will finish the 2024 season and the 2025 season in Arlington.

The Wings have sold out of 2024 season ticket memberships and individual ticket sales are up more than 1,100%. It is the first time in the Wings’ history they have sold out season tickets.

“Dallas is the place to be right now – for residents, for businesses, and for professional sports teams and their fans,” said Mayor Johnson. “This deal has been a top priority for us because we know the Dallas Wings will soar in the city they represent. We will be thrilled to welcome the Wings to the heart of our city – and we are even more excited to see this franchise anchor our new convention center district that will transform downtown Dallas for decades to come.”

The Wings’ first preseason game is against the Indiana Fever on May 3.

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Clemson lands former Alabama starter in transfer portal

Clemson Women’s Basketball: Loyal McQueen, a former Alabama Crimson Tide starter, has landed with the Clemson Tigers via the transfer portal.

The Clemson women’s basketball team has landed a big commitment via the transfer portal.

The Tigers announced the signing of former Alabama starting point guard and South Carolina native Loyal McQueen in an official social media post to X, formerly known as Twitter, Wednesday.

A native of Florence, S.C., McQueen chose Alabama over coach Dawn Staley and South Carolina in 2022. McQueen spent two seasons in Tuscaloosa, where she was the Crimson Tide’s starting point guard in all 34 games in 2023-24, averaging 9.8 points per game in almost 31 minutes a night.

McQueen was part of an Alabama team that won 24 games and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament before losing to Texas. A graduate transfer student, McQueen set career highs last season for games played, points scored (332), rebounds (99), assists (105) and steals (25).

In all, McQueen played in 65 games in two seasons for Alabama. The former standout at Wilson High School was the 2020 South Carolina Gatorade Player of the Year.

Tigers coach Shawn Poppie shared his thoughts on Poppie returning to her home state to play for Clemson.

“I couldn’t be more excited to welcome Loyal and her family back home. I’ve known Loyal for quite some time as I recruited her at an early age while I was at Virginia Tech. She’s one of those I’ve always watched and been a fan of from afar due to how strong our relationship was during the initial recruiting process. As Loyal and I reconnected in this process, our relationship together grew even tighter. I believe she is a perfect fit here at the perfect time. She has had a phenomenal college career up to this point, but I truly believe she has so much more to accomplish. I’m thrilled to add her experience and playmaking ability to our backcourt. With that said, I’m confident the Clemson family and the state of South Carolina will be proud of how Loyal will represent our program on and off the court as we welcome her back HOME.”

McQueen becomes the second addition Poppie has made via the transfer portal this week. On Tuesday, the Tigers announced the commitment of sophomore transfer Hannah Kohn, who became a standout shooter at Chattanooga last season. Kohn reunites with Poppie, the former Mocs coach, at Clemson.

Iowa’s Cooper DeJean confident in taking Caitlin Clark one-on-one ahead of NFL Draft

Cooper DeJean weighed in on NFL teams asking if he could take Caitlin Clark one-one-one. The Iowa star lacked no confidence in his response.

Cooper DeJean does not lack confidence. But, why should he? The Iowa Hawkeyes’ star defensive back is slated to go in the first round of the NFL Draft and is one of the best defensive backs to ever wear the tigerhawk helmet.

He happened to be at Iowa the same time as another all-time great, Caitlin Clark. She is the most recent Iowa Hawkeye to be drafted as she went No. 1 in the WNBA Draft recently. Despite being the all-time NCAA scoring leader, DeJean thinks he could take her one-on-one on the basketball court.

DeJean met with CBS Sports to talk about his draft process and he let them know that during the interview process teams asked if he could beat her on the basketball court.

“I said that I think I could win,” DeJean said Tuesday in an interview with CBS Sports.

DeJean’s answer caught me off guard, and he could tell.

“You don’t think I can win?” he asked, which I responded by reminding him that Clark, the former Iowa Hawkeyes superstar and the Indiana Fever’s No. 1 overall draft pick, is widely considered to be the greatest women’s basketball player ever. In DeJean’s defense, he does have a hoops background. In high school, he was a three-time letter winner at point guard.

“She’d definitely score on me, for sure, but I think I could pull it off,” said DeJean, who added that Clark’s shooting prowess would be his biggest challenge. “It would be close, though. … She can shoot from anywhere, I think.” – Bryan DeArdo, CBS Sports

Cooper DeJean is no slouch on the court. Everyone knows his collegiate All-American status on the gridiron, but in high school, he could light it up on the court. DeJean scored 1,832 points during his high school basketball career and is the state’s all-time steals leader, which is fitting for his ability to create turnovers in football.

Next up for Cooper DeJean is the opportunity to hear his name called in the NFL Draft and become the next Hawkeye to continue to NFL pipeline. While we can hope that the Clark vs. DeJean matchup happens one day, we may have to wait as each are getting the professional careers underway.

Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes and opinions.

Follow Riley on X: @rileydonald7

LSU transfer Hailey Van Lith refutes reports that she has committed to TCU

Hailey Van Lith told the Associated Press that she has not committed to any program, though she is “close.”

[autotag]Hailey Van Lith[/autotag] opted to move on from LSU women’s basketball after one season, and when reports surfaced last week that Van Lith had committed to TCU, it seemed her recruitment was at an end.

However, the saga has taken another twist. On Tuesday, the Associated Press reported that Van Lith has not committed to TCU or any other program for that matter.

Though she said she’s “close” to a decision in a statement to the news outlet, Van Lith reiterated that she has not signed.

“I did take a visit to TCU and am very interested in them, but I took visits to other schools and was very interested in them, too,” Van Lith said. “I haven’t made an official commitment, but I’m very close. The ink has not touched the paper for any school.”

A highly anticipated transfer addition last offseason from Louisville, Van Lith moved to the point guard role this year at LSU and saw a dip in production, though she still averaged 11.6 points and 3.6 assists.

Tigers coach [autotag]Kim Mulkey[/autotag] said Van Lith was looking to play her final season with a team that would allow her to play her more natural position at the two.

Contact/Follow us @LSUTigersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Louisiana State news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Tyler to continue the conversation on Twitter: @TylerNettuno

Rivals to teammates: Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso are happy to be teammates

Reese and Cardoso were rivals in college, each battling it out under different and methodologically diverse coaches.

The Chicago Sky shared a video of former rivals LSU’s Angel Reese and South Carolina’s Kamilla Cardoso, who were both drafted by the Sky in the 2024 WNBA draft. The rivals are now teammates and they couldn’t be happier.

“We are finally teammates. Finally,” Reese said to Cardoso.

“I’m so happy,” Cardoso remarked.

“I know, me too,” Reese responded.

The two were rivals in college, each battling it out under different and methodologically diverse coaches. But now, they will finally play together under the same scheme for the same team.

Cardoso is a two-time NCAA champion, while Reese boasts one national championship, but they both have a winning mindset. Reese is 6 feet, 3 inches and mainly plays the small forward and power forward positions, while Cardoso is 6 feet, 7 inches and plays a dominating center.

Together, the two will bolster the Sky’s roster, which has made impressive moves on and off the court. In the summer of 2023, the Sky hired a new head coach in Teresa Weatherspoon, and former NBA superstar Dwyane Wade became a part owner of the franchise.

The Sky are building on the momentum and are ready to win this season. During Weatherspoon’s call with Reese after the Sky drafted her, the head coach made a promise to Reese: “We gon win. We gon win.”

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WNBPA makes strong statements regarding salaries versus endorsements

It seems increasingly likely that the WNBA players will opt out of their current CBA at the end of the 2024 season.

It seems increasingly likely that the WNBA players will opt out of their current CBA at the end of the 2024 season. The WNBA and the Players Association each have the option, exercisable by providing written notice on or before Nov. 1, 2024, to terminate the CBA effective on Oct. 31, 2025, or, if later, on the day following the final playoff game of the 2025 season.

From veteran player Breanna Stewart recently revealing in a new documentary about the WNBA that she wanted to opt out of the current CBA to the most recent statement from the Players’ Association, something is definitely brewing.

The WNBPA recently took to social media to clarify a few things regarding the 2020 CBA, which runs through 2027:

  • As good as the 2020 CBA is, player SALARIES have always been an issue. They didn’t just become an issue now.

This seems to point to the recent interest by outside parties regarding the low W salary. When Iowa phenom Caitlin Clark was drafted No. 1 overall in the 2024 WNBA draft, everyone seemed shocked about her rookie salary. Players found this shock laughable since the salaries and everything related to compensation have always been public information and easily accessible. They have always advocated for higher salaries and a bigger portion of revenue split, among other areas of the basketball business.

  • The league’s talking point that a WNBA player can make up to $700k blurs the line between salary and additional compensation (bonuses/marketing agreements). Think about it, to come close there can only be ONE player and that ONE player MUST be perfect and have a perfect season.

A compensation package is made up of many parts, but benefits such as bonuses are not always guaranteed, like a salary. While it is true the current CBA reflected a 53% increase in total cash compensation for players, which consists of base salary, additional performance bonuses, prize pools for newly created in-season competitions and league and team marketing deals, that is not a 53% increase in salary.

  • And in the latest iteration of its talking point, the league now wants to take credit and count the NIL deals of this INCOMING rookie class. Endorsements are not salary.

The players finished the post with a powerful statement: “Pay EQUITY means equitable pay for The 144+, not just the top players. We cannot permit an employer to disparage employees who seek a stable financial foundation through fair pay.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/C6EPP_Ju8Kp/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=7a2661bd-1b9b-44a8-a2a9-bce33ed1fd40

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Legislation that grants immediate availability to multi-time transfers approved on Monday

Effective immediately, players who transfer will be immediately eligible at their new schools regardless of whether they have transferred before.

In a Monday vote, the NCAA Division I Board approved a motion that grants immediate eligibility for players who transfer for a second time.

The Division I Council already approved the suggestion last week, meaning Monday’s vote was the last step in the ratification process.

The new eligibility rules went into effect immediately, so if the Blue Devils pursue any players who have already transferred this offseason, head coach Jon Scheyer doesn’t need to worry about legislation snags. After commitments from former Purdue guard Mason Gillis and former Syracuse forward Maliq Brown, the Blue Devils coach still has three scholarship spots left to fill.

The new rule also applies to the seven former Duke players who left the program this offseason. For example, if Mark Mitchell decides he wants to leave Missouri after a season, he’ll be free to do so.

Report: Angel Reese had second-most NIL deals across all college sports

Reese will be carrying major deals into the WNBA, including her multiyear, exclusive partnership with Panini America.

SponsorUnited recently released its Name, Image, Likeness
Marketing Partnerships 2023–24 report, which offers an in-depth analysis of brand endorsements and social media collaborations across 17 college sports. According to the report, former LSU player Angel Reese had the second-most NIL endorsements over the past year with 26 deals, tied with UCLA quarterback Chase Griffin.

Reese also had the highest follower growth of any athlete across her social media accounts and the highest number of deals in SEC women’s basketball. The report also found that 35% of brands invest exclusively in NIL athletes versus major pro sports athletes. However, players like Reese will be carrying major deals into the WNBA, including her multiyear, exclusive partnership with Panini America, which includes autographed trading cards and memorabilia.

The report also found that while male athletes currently represent 65% of all NIL athletes, women athletes average a higher number of brand deals than their male counterparts at a rate of 3.5 to 2.5. There is also a broader distribution of deals across sports for women than men. NIL deals for male athletes are predominantly seen in football at 72%, while women’s deals are more evenly spread across basketball (35%), gymnastics (18%) and volleyball (15%).

Additionally, NIL deal distribution among the top 100 most endorsed athletes is balanced between women (52%) and men (48%), which is a marked difference from the previous year’s distribution of 62% men and 38% women.

Reese is no longer in college athletics, as the Chicago Sky drafted her No. 7 overall in the 2024 WNBA draft. However, her partnerships will continue to increase, and she will continue to make waves in professional sports, just like she did in college.

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