Howard was the first pick in the 2022 WNBA draft when the Dream selected her out of Kentucky. She was the first player ever drafted No. 1 overall in the WNBA draft in school history and left the program as the all-time top 3-point shooter and a two-time SEC Player of the Year. Howard was named the WNBA Rookie of the Year in 2022.
This season, Howard is averaging 17.9 points, 4.6 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game. Although she only had 11 points in Atlanta’s win against Washington, it was all she needed to reach the franchise record. She also recorded five rebounds, five steals and two blocks in the win.
When asked what impact she hopes to leave on the WNBA, Howard said: “Obviously, you see people breaking records every day, and you always see, ‘Since Candace Parker.’ I want to have an impact like that.”
I asked what impact Rhyne Howard (@howard_rhyne) hopes to leave on the #WNBA when her career is said and done. Howard said:
“Obviously, you see people breaking records every day, and you always see ‘since Candace Parker.’ I want to have an impact like that.”
Parker was playing on a fractured foot this season and doctors suggested the healthiest route was to undergo surgery.
Las Vegas Aces superstar Candace Parker announced late Monday night that she had undergone successful foot surgery. Parker was playing on a fractured foot this season and doctors suggested the healthiest route was to undergo surgery.
“Earlier today, I underwent surgery on a fracture in my foot,” Parker said. “I’ve been playing on a fracture all season, tolerating the pain, but after consulting with doctors, the only option for me to be healthy again and to avoid further injury was to elect for surgery. I’ll rehab and work my way toward being healthy as soon as possible. For my teammates; for my circle; for my family; for myself.”
The Aces (21-2) are in first place in the WNBA this season. They have a strong roster to pick up the slack while Parker is out. This season, Parker is averaging nine points, 5.4 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game, but missed the last five games.
This is the perfect time to elect for surgery; it creates a chance for her to return for the playoffs, which begin in seven weeks (Sept. 13).
For the first time in WNBA history, a facility was built solely to house a WNBA team.
The Aces brought the first major professional sports championship to the city of Las Vegas in 2022 when they took home the WNBA title. Now the team is doubling down on its efforts to provide a state-of-the-art environment for its players. For the first time in WNBA history, a facility was built solely to house a WNBA team.
The Aces unveiled the facility on Friday and it boasts:
Now this might seem like something standard for professional athletes, but in the world of professional women’s sports, it’s not as common as you would imagine. WNBA superstar Candace Parker explained the significance of the facility to NBA player Draymond Green.
Parker not only now has a dedicated locker room, but a state-of-the-art facility to practice and hone her craft. She finally has a facility that is worthy of her talent, time and experience. As the league continues to grow, hopefully, more teams are able to provide the same level of training facility to their players.
Former Lady Vol Candace Parker signs with Las Vegas.
Former Lady Vol Candace Parker has signed with Las Vegas in the WNBA.
“After evaluating the landscape together with my family, we’ve decided the Las Vegas Aces are the right organization for us at this point in our lives,” Parker announced.
Parker is a two-time WNBA champion, two-time WNBA MVP and a seven-time WNBA all-star.
She was selected No. 1 overall by the Los Angeles Sparks in the 2008 WNBA draft. The former Lady Vol won the 2016 WNBA championship with the Sparks.
Parker played at Tennessee from 2004-08 under head coach Pat Summitt, winning a national championship in 2007 and 2008.
While at Tennessee, Parker averaged 19.4 points, 8.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.9 steals and 2.4 blocks per game. Her No. 3 jersey was retired by the University of Tennessee on Jan. 2, 2014.
The news came out of nowhere as not many had connected Parker and the Aces. The thought was that the two-time WNBA champion and two-time league MVP would either return to Chicago (her hometown) for a third season or head back to Los Angeles where she’d spent most of her famed basketball career.
Instead, Parker is off to the City of Sin to help the Aces try to repeat as league champions, leaving everyone stunned.
The Aces will continue to be must-see basketball with the addition of Parker. They have +145 odds at FanDuel Sportsbook to win the 2023 championship.
Shaq really, really, really has to stop betting his colleagues on the NBA on TNT set. It never turns out fun for this guy.
He already had to eat frog this year after losing a bet on the TCU Horned Frogs. He also was forced to grow his hair back twice after losing bets on the set.
Now, he’s got hair again after losing a bet to Candace Parker. Again. But this time, it’s in the wildest place.
Shaq bet Candace that Joel Embiid would score 50 points against the Clippers. Unfortunately for Shaq, Embiid didn’t hold him down. He didn’t score 50, so Shaq had to come on set with his baby hair popping.
No idea how he acquired this hair, but I’m almost certain it didn’t grow considering where his forehead was the last time he grew hair. But, regardless, Shaq looks completely ridiculous.
Shaq is a man of his word, indeed. The baby hairs are poppin’. Then when Candace brushes it, too? Whew boy. I absolutely lost it. This man really has one patch of hair on his head.
Nah, man. They really got Shaq on the set looking like Phil and Lil off of Rugrats. What a time.
Fans were cackling at the look.
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The NBA on TNT crew got the popcorn popping to welcome Jamal Crawford to its Tuesday night lineup.
With the three-time NBA Sixth Man of the Year winner joining Shaquille O’Neal, Candace Parker and Adam Lefkoe for the NBA’s Tuesday night slate, he got a very fun bit of new guy hazing.
While he was on set for a segment, Crawford found himself the victim of a popcorn dump for the ages.
He took it in stride as anyone does who gets pranked on the show, and he’ll no doubt find himself being pranked in the future. It’s part of what makes this show so enjoyable.
Jamal Crawford gets annihilated by popcorn as a nice welcome to the NBA on TNT shenanigans.
Well, that’s quite a welcome for the studio newbie. Crawford will be a great addition to the Tuesday night crew, and he’ll certainly be thinking of a way he can get the rest of his new co-workers back with a prank of his own.
Wade was a fixture on Turner’s broadcast since joining the network in 2019. But according to Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson, Wade left the media space to focus on his other business ventures. Wade also owns a minority stake in the Utah Jazz.
Crawford, however, is a brilliant choice to replace Wade in the studio.
NEWS: TNT is hiring Jamal Crawford as Dwyane Wade's replacement, The Post has learned. https://t.co/NtklU98Qo6
Crawford will replace Wade every Tuesday night for the NBA on TNT Postgame Show. He will work alongside Shaquille O’Neal, Candace Parker, and Adam Lefkoe.
“Anybody that knows me knows I hate asking anybody for anything. But I’ll ask the kids who they want to see and I’ll try to go get that person. I’ll ask the pros because it means more than just playing in a pick-up game or a scrimmage game. It gives these kids hope. If they can see you in person for free, that’s what it’s all about.”
Crawford last played in the NBA on Aug. 4, 2020. He retired in March 2022.
It is clear when listening to him speak that the 21-year NBA veteran is an incredibly knowledgeable basketball mind who should provide great insight on these broadcasts.
The WNBA playoffs are more exciting than ever because of their new format
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What’s good, family? It’s Sykes, once again, delivering another edition of Layup Lines into your inbox. Today, let’s talk about the Chicago Sky.
The WNBA’s defending champions find themselves in a precarious situation. They’re down 1-0 to the New York Liberty after losing Game 1 on their home floor.
Nobody can really blame them — Sabrina Ionescu was absolutely brilliant. Marine Johannes’ passing is still sending shockwaves through the basketball world. Nobody expected them to play as perfectly as they did down the stretch, but it happens. Sometimes, you lose a game you’re supposed to win. That’s what happened with the Sky.
In a best-of-3 series? That’s normally OK. You’ve still got two games to make it up. But the Sky are going to have a tough time doing that now. Why? Because of the W’s new playoff format.
Everyone lauded the league for going away from single elimination games in round 1 and getting rid of the bye-week. Ultimately, it means more games. More games mean more chaos — more drama. And that’s a good thing.
Just look at the situation the Sky is in right now. They’ve essentially lost homecourt advantage.
Under the new rules, the first two games are played at the higher seed’s court. The lower seed gets the final third game in the series. The Sky will have to beat the Liberty on the road in order to advance and defend their title — that’s if they can beat them at home.
That’s a tough road to take for the champs. Can they do it? Absolutely. They’re the champs. They’ve got Kahleah Copper (We think?????) and Candace Parker. They can do anything.
But will they? We’ll see.
That’s the drama everyone loves. That’s the intrigue that brings eyes to the table. And the more eyes on these games, the better. Because it’s great basketball.
Buckle in, everyone. We’re in for a wild ride.
The Tip-Off
Some NBA goodness from around the USA TODAY Sports network.
(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Bronny James’ recruitment is, apparently, underway. Obviously, dude has already pulled offers from places like North Carolina A&T and UNC Central, but he was never going there.
Now, it’s getting serious. Penny Hardaway and Memphis are reportedly sending an offer his way. Our Bryan Kalbrosky wrote about how this is just the start to what will almost certainly be a chaotic process.
“In addition to Oregon and Memphis, there are several other schools with reported interest in landing a commitment from Bronny. On3 reports that USC has offered Bronny a scholarship as well.
But now that there is apparently an offer letter extended to the four-star recruit, expect several other high-major universities to get involved and do the same. The madness has officially begun.”
We’ll have to keep it locked on this one. No idea where Bronny is going, but teams will no doubt be pulling out all the stops to get him. We’ll see how it ends.
Shootaround
(Carlos Avila Gonzalez/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)
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The versatile and all-around efficient guard’s latest accomplishment might be her best yet. Better said: It’s one of the most noteworthy achievements in WNBA history. Early during the Liberty’s (-5) matchup with the Mercury on Saturday night, Ionescu became the first WNBA player to score over 500 points, log over 200 rebounds, and record over 200 assists … in one year.
It takes consistent excellence to put yourself in the company of active legends like Candace Parker (the only other player ever to rack up 500 points, 200 rebounds, and 150 assists) and then surpass them altogether.
Ionescu’s had a year for the ages. And it’s not even over yet.
