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Women's Basketball

AS SUE BIRD AND SYLVIA FOWLES SAY GOODBYE, WNBA PLAYERS REFLECT ON THEIR LEGACIES

August 12, 2022 by Tara S

BY Emma Hruby | Just Women’s Sports

The WNBA regular season is nearing its end, and so are the careers of two of the game’s best players.

Sylvia Fowles and Sue Bird will meet for the final time in the regular season Friday, as Fowles’ Minnesota Lynx host Bird’s Seattle Storm. In the coming weeks, each will step onto a WNBA court for the final time as a player. Still, the impact each has had on the game will remain.

Los Angeles Sparks forward and WNBPA president Nneka Ogwumike underlined the power of both players, which extends well beyond their stat lines.

“The legacy that they’re leaving – it touches so many young players that I can’t wait to see how that evolves in someone else’s game,” Ogwumike told Just Women’s Sports. “They’ve done so much for the league, so much for the culture, so much for certain franchises that are now living in history.

“I’m happy we can give them their flowers while they’re still going hard and hooping.”

As a young player, Las Vegas Aces guard Kelsey Plum looked up to the duo, who she said not only influenced her game but also made her proud to be part of a league like the WNBA.

“You can’t speak enough to what both of them have done in different realms of the sport,” Plum said.

Speaking at the WNBA’s All-Star weekend, stars from across the league pointed to Bird and Fowles as trailblazers, role models and leaders.

Chicago Sky guard Candace Parker has played against Fowles since she was 14 years old and matched up against Bird for the first time in college in 2006, but also has gotten to play alongside both as part of gold-medal winning U.S. Olympic teams.

“For me personally, they’ve made me better as teammates but also made me better competing against them,” she said. “It’s amazing to be able to honor them.”

For Connecticut Sun forward Jonquel Jones, Fowles is “the toughest matchup” that she’s ever played against in her career.

“So strong physically. So dominant. A great finisher around the rim,” she said of the Lynx center. “She’s definitely someone that I look up to, someone that I try to model and shape my game around. She was the prototype of what success for a long time in this league looks like.”

Jones views Bird as a “prototype” for point guards in the league. The Storm star has helped shape the game both for the WNBA and women’s sports as a whole, Jones said.

“I’m happy to say that she’s a member of the WNBA and I’m a member of the WNBA with her,” she added.

When Fowles and Bird each were asked about the other’s impact, both focused on the strengths of the person – not the player.

“Sue Bird is everything this game needed: her leadership, her sisterhood, her friendship and just the things she does for the community,” Fowles said. “I think any young player, young point guard should have a good foundation of role models to go off of and Sue Bird is definitely one of those people.”

For Bird, Fowles’ care for her teammates sets the Lynx center apart from the rest.

“Sylvia is the one player I think in our league, when you see how her teammates interact with her, how they take to her – I know they jokingly call her grandma and whatnot – she really just has a certain nature about her that is so warm, so welcoming and so inviting,” Bird said. “I think the way that she impacts her team, the way she’s able to bring groups together, I can’t even think of another player that does it the same way Syl does.

“Believe me, I could sit here and talk about points and rebounds and championships and all of the things, but that, I think, is the secret ingredient that she has.”

Younger players, including Atlanta Dream rookie Rhyne Howard and New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu, recognize how Fowles and Bird have elevated the WNBA.

“It’s pretty remarkable, what they’ve meant to our sport and to everyone,” Ionescu said. “Where they came from and where they’ve left the game is absolutely in better hands. We’re excited as younger athletes to continue to pave the way for those to follow but they’ve done an incredible job and their career has been nothing short of amazing.”

For Howard, Fowles and Bird have provided footsteps to follow.

“They’ve set the stone,” Howard said. “They’ve been and done everything that young rookies like me want to do. So just to have them to look up to is big.”

Seattle Storm star Jewell Loyd sees in the retirements of Fowles and Bird a call to action for those still in the league and those to come.

“They’re what it means to be a professional athlete. To be a role model. To be a leader,” she said. “They are a generational talent. It’s sad that they’re leaving but they’ve left their mark and it’s our job now to carry that through.”

Filed Under: Athlete Spotlight, Women in Sports, Women's Basketball, Women's Sports

Hyde sets Wheaton North scoring mark

February 1, 2022 by Tara S

By Stan Goff
Daily Herald Correspondent

What Claire Hyde has accomplished on the basketball court for Wheaton North is quite impressive, but the way she acted during her crowning moment on Saturday was just as impressive.

When the Falcons senior guard knocked down a 3-point shot less than a minute into the second half, Wheaton North called a timeout to recognize the fact that Hyde had just broken the school record for most points scored in a career. But Hyde was not ready for a celebration, rather she wanted to get her team’s defense fired up for the next possession of the game.

There wasn’t much need to worry, after all, as Hyde’s shot put her team up 34-20 and they were well on their way to defeating their crosstown rivals 58-32. But it’s that extreme focus that has helped this 5-foot-4 dynamo pile up a historic total of points, as well as lead this year’s team to an 18-5 record and a 9-2 mark in the DuKane Conference.

“We called that timeout to congratulate her and she was like, ‘Hey we need to focus on getting a stop here.’ It just shows you what a great kid she is and what this whole team is focused on,” said Wheaton North coach Dave Eaton, who presented Hyde with the game ball following the win. “She’s just an all-around great player but also one of the best kids to ever where a Wheaton North jersey. She’s an unbelievable kid. As good a basketball player as she is she’s an even better person.”

Hyde doesn’t follow her individual stats very closely, but she was aware that she was within the school record of 1,381 points set by 2018 graduate Hannah Swider. She entered Saturday’s contest needing 13 points to set the record and tallied a game-high 12 through two quarters as the hosts built a 28-14 lead. Hyde hit on three shots from beyond the arch in the first half, showing off her range with a couple bombs from well beyond the line.

Having grown up on the south side of Wheaton, Hyde knows many of the Tigers players well and was even coached on a seventh-grade team by Wheaton Warrenville South coach Rob Kroehnke.

“It was crazy how it played out that it was that amount of points and it landed on this game,” said Hyde, who finished with 21 points and 7 rebounds. “I’ve always appreciated Kroehnke and all that he’s done for me. He’s always been such a role model in my life. I grew up on the South side so I obviously have a connection there.

“I did [know about the record] because my parents and the coaches were all talking about it. I was really nervous coming into this game, I’m not gonna lie. My stomach was turning but I was just focusing on getting the win and thinking let’s get another conference victory.”ADVERTISING

Hannah Struebing paced the Tigers (13-11, 2-8) with 14 points and Campbell Bastian added a trio of 3s, but the day belonged to Hyde and the Falcons.

“I got to coach Claire when she was in seventh grade, so I’m very happy for her,” Kroehnke said. “It’s well-deserved. I told her I hope I never have to coach against her again, but that I love you and I’m very happy for you.”

Filed Under: Athlete Spotlight, Women's Basketball, Women's Sports, Youth Sports

Caitlin Clark is a Superstar Who’s in Right Place at Right Time with the Right People

January 26, 2022 by Tara S

Caitlin Clark Reflects on Success

Iowa sophomore guard Caitlin Clark speaks on her accomplishments, her hopes for the remainder of the season and her plans for the future.

By Zachary Draves | SB NAtion

If you’re looking for a 6-foot point guard who is a consummate playmaker and can handle the ball with such precision, get her teammates involved at every chance, shoot the ball from beyond the arc as good as the likes of Steph Curry, put up triple doubles and win you the game, then Iowa’s Caitlin Clark is the player for you.

The 19-year-old sophomore is on a roll and she has been collecting accolade after accolade going all the way back to the 2020-21 season when she first came to Iowa City.

After scoring an impressive 27 points in her first game as a Hawkeye, Clark set the Iowa freshman record of 26.6 points per game that season and became Division I’s scoring leader.

Along with that, she led the nation in total assists (214), total points (799), field goals made (266) and 3-pointers made (116).

As a result, she was named Big Ten Conference Player of the Week a record five times and was also named Big Ten Freshman of the Year. In addition, she led her team to the Sweet 16.

[Read more…] about Caitlin Clark is a Superstar Who’s in Right Place at Right Time with the Right People

Filed Under: AOTM, Athlete Spotlight, Women in Sports, Women's Basketball, Women's Sports Tagged With: Caitlin Clark

Caitlin Clark becomes Big Ten’s fastest to 1,000-point mark in Iowa’s 93-56 win over Evansville

January 26, 2022 by Tara S

Alyssa Hertel Hawk Central

Sophomore guard Caitlin Clark needed just three points to reach 1,000 in her career ahead of Sunday’s home game against Evansville.

Clark has averaged 22 points per game this season, so it wasn’t a question of if she would reach that milestone but when. She gave Iowa its first lead of the game with a jumper in the opening two minutes. With 5:04 on the clock in the first quarter, Clark sunk a deep 3-pointer on a fast break.

She officially broke the 1,000-point mark and, in doing so, became the fastest player in Big Ten history to accomplish this feat. It took Clark just 40 games to score 1,000 points, which beat out previous record holder Kelsey Mitchell, who did it in 41 games for Ohio State.

Iowa guard Caitlin Clark (22) makes a basket during a NCAA non-conference women's basketball game against IUPUI, Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2021, at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.

Clark finished the day against Evansville with a career-high 44 points, a Carver-Hawkeye Arena record, and accounted for nearly half of Iowa’s points in the Hawkeyes’ 93-56 win.

In her historic day, she also recorded eight assists, five rebounds and two steals in 30 minutes of play.

“No matter who’s on the floor, it’s a read and react offense,” Clark said about what about Iowa’s offense makes her so successful. “Nothing’s really set in stone and that’s really when I’m at my best, when I’m just playing, my teammates are flowing, when we pass the ball as well as we do and we just shoot it really well.

[Read more…] about Caitlin Clark becomes Big Ten’s fastest to 1,000-point mark in Iowa’s 93-56 win over Evansville

Filed Under: AOTM, Athlete Spotlight, Women in Sports, Women's Basketball, Women's Sports Tagged With: Caitlin Clark

Iowa’s Caitlin Clark makes basketball history with second straight 30-point triple-double

January 26, 2022 by Tara S

Caitlin Clark Iowa Hawkeyes
  • Mechelle VoepelESPN.com

Stat stuffing is a favorite hobby of Iowa Hawkeyes guard Caitlin Clark, who leads Division I women’s basketball in scoring at 26.2 PPG. But her history-making past two games were pretty ridiculous even for her.

On Thursday, the sophomore became the first player in Division I basketball history, men’s or women’s, to record back-to-back triple-doubles while scoring 30 or more points in both games. Clark also became the first player in Big Ten women’s hoops history to have back-to-back triple-doubles, and she did it on a night when Iowa got its largest margin of victory ever — 56 points — against a Big Ten foe.

[Read more…] about Iowa’s Caitlin Clark makes basketball history with second straight 30-point triple-double

Filed Under: AOTM, Athlete Spotlight, Women's Basketball, Women's Sports Tagged With: Caitlin Clark

CHICO STATE WOMEN’S BASKETBALL COACH REACHES HISTORIC MILESTONE IN CAREER

December 27, 2021 by Tara S

Chico Basketball Coach

by: Chase Napear | ABC Action News Now

Coach Brian Fogel secured his 200th career win after the women’s basketball team defeated Cal Poly Pomona.

CHICO, Calif. – A Chico State coach has reached a historic milestone. Over the weekend, the Chico State Women’s Basketball team defeated Cal Poly Pomona, marking Coach Brian Fogel’s 200th career win. 

Now, Coach Fogel only trails the legendary Fran Coslet as the winningest coach in the program’s history with 286 victories. 

During his time at Chico State, Fogel has many accomplishments including a CCAA Title, nine postseason appearances, and four NCAA Championships. But players say his impact on the team goes much farther than the court. 

“He’s one of the best coaches I’ve ever had to be honest. I feel like I can talk to him about anything, not just basketball-related. Outside of basketball, he’s very open and very easy to talk to,” Myli Martinez said.

“As far as the accomplishment I’m very proud of that. I think the most important thing for me the way I look at it is I’ve surrounded myself with really good people. It starts with the players. Players win games. The other thing I’m proud of is the fact I’ve hired some really good assistant coaches,” Coach Fogel said. 

Coach Fogel will look for win 201 this Saturday as the Wildcats host Sonoma State. 

Filed Under: Women's Basketball

CATARINA MACARIO, CHLOE KIM AND MORE: 20 FEMALE ATHLETES TO KNOW IN 2022

December 21, 2021 by Tara S

Top 22 Female Athletes of 2022

As 2021 comes to an end, it’s time to look forward to the year ahead in sports.

With the Winter Olympics in February, March Madness on the calendar and a landmark NWSL season to come, women’s sports fans are in store for an exciting year.

Here are the 20 athletes to know or get reacquainted with in 2022: 

[Read more…] about CATARINA MACARIO, CHLOE KIM AND MORE: 20 FEMALE ATHLETES TO KNOW IN 2022

Filed Under: Athlete Spotlight, Golf, Gymnastics, Hockey, Lacrosse, Olympics, Paralympics, Racing, Running, Skiing, Soccer, Softball, Swimming, Team USA, Tennis, Track and Field, Volleyball, Women in Sports, Women's Basketball, Women's Golf, Women's Hockey, Women's Soccer, Women's Sports, Women's Tennis, Women's Wrestling

Puma Has Its First Women’s Basketball Collection

December 14, 2021 by Tara S

Puma's First Women's Shoe Line

By Devine Blacksher

“Every other sports brand is taking a male-centric approach,” says author, costume designer, stylist, and #Rockmom June Ambrose while explaining the vision behind Puma’s first women’s basketball collection. “They’re keeping it safe with mesh shorts and tank tops. My whole entire career has been about taking risks, tapping into my authentic intelligence to make decisions for a consumer who I want to see imagining themselves outside of themself. You can’t do that without trying on things that scare you a little bit.”Court Appearances A newsletter by New York‘s Choire Sicha, covering the Ghislaine Maxwell trial.

In 2020, Ambrose joined Puma as the creative director of womenswear for the brand’s basketball category, Puma Hoops. She focused on transforming the women’s basketball collection into gear that can be worn while training or while meeting your friends for a cozy Sunday brunch. With her hand in everything from design to creative, Ambrose set out to add personal flair to the brand’s apparel, accessories, and footwear by reinventing what women’s basketball wear can look like.

Take professional athletes like Serena Williams, Elizabeth Cambage, and Ashlyn Harris — they all have a personal style they sport on and off the field or court. For Ambrose, it was important to create a collection with women of all ages, body types, and identities in mind, while acknowledging the history of women being unseen and unheard in professional, and even recreational, sports.

The Puma High Court collection is a first for the brand; in the past, the women’s basketball category simply looked like the men’s but in smaller sizes. The new collection was designed to celebrate the contributions, fearlessness, and boldness of all the women of Puma. The visuals for the campaign were directed by Hype Williams and feature WNBA stars Skylar Diggins-Smith, Breanna Stewart, Katie Lou Samuelson, and Jackie Young.

[Read more…] about Puma Has Its First Women’s Basketball Collection

Filed Under: Women in Sports, Women's Basketball, Women's Sports

BIG TEN TABS MEGAN KAHN AS VICE PRESIDENT OF WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

November 19, 2021 by Tara S

Megan Kahn Big 10 Vice President

By: EMMA HRUBY | just women’s sports

Megan Kahn has been named Vice President of Women’s Basketball for the Big Ten, the conference announced Thursday.

The creation of the position was announced in October at the conference’s combined Basketball Media Days in Indianapolis. It’s the first senior-level position in the conference dedicated specifically to growing women’s basketball.

“Megan has been a leader and innovator in women’s college basketball for many years,” said Big Ten Commissioner Kevin Warren in a release. “She has an extraordinary amount of experience in various roles and has developed a wide network of strong relationships in the women’s basketball community. Her ability to work collaboratively, while also thinking creatively and strategically, will be a tremendous asset to the Big Ten Conference and we are thrilled to welcome her to the Big Ten family.”

Primarily, Khan will be tabbed with “developing cohesive strategy to strengthen, enhance and expand the Big Ten women’s basketball operations, brand and strategic initiatives.”

As part of her new role, Khan will serve as the liaison to head coaches and campus administrators as well as Big Ten Network and other national television partners. Additionally, she will assist in the development of conference scheduling and in coordinating all day-to-day women’s basketball operations.

“I am excited and energized to take on this new role as the Big Ten’s first Vice President of Women’s Basketball,” Kahn said. “Big Ten women’s basketball is trending in an extremely positive direction, making this an ideal time to join our student-athletes, coaches, fans and the whole Big Ten community in taking our sport to new heights. We are at a critical inflection point nationally, not only in women’s basketball, but when it comes to gender equity as a whole and I believe the Big Ten is uniquely positioned to make impactful change in this area in the future.”

Khan most recently worked at WeCOACH, a non-profit committed to the educational and professional development of women’s coaches across all sports and levels. There, she served as Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer. Prior to WeCOACH, Khan served as both an assistant and associate commissioner at the Atlantic 10 Conference from 2008-12 where she supervised all of the conference’s women’s basketball operations.

Filed Under: Women in Sports, Women's Basketball

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