http://www.yardbarker.com/wnba Recent articles about WNBA en-us MINNEAPOLIS Minnesota's hometown tandem hankered for this kind of reunion over the course of a decade. The reconvening of former University of Minnesota teammates Lindsay Whalen and Janel McCarville could've taken place in a European league. It could've happened in international play. The pair could've wound up together on any of the WNBA's other 11 franchises. But two very different professional basketball journeys have converged right where they commenced. Perfect, Whalen said at the team's media day Thursday. "It's a pretty unique opportunity for us, after all these years after college to now be able to play together as pros," said Whalen, entering her fourth year with the Lynx. "I think we all just kind of hoped and thought someday it would work out again. "To have it work out here, at home, with the Lynx is pretty special." Thursday's gathering in the Target Center's Lifetime Fitness center gave the pair its first opportunity in nine yea Thu, 16 May 2013 21:11:06 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/wnba/article_external/former_gophers_whalen_mccarville_reunite_as_lynx/13634795 http://network.yardbarker.com/wnba/article_external/former_gophers_whalen_mccarville_reunite_as_lynx/13634795 Former Gophers Whalen, McCarville reunite as Lynx http://www.yardbarker.com/wnba/articles/former_gophers_whalen_mccarville_reunite_as_lynx/13634795 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png MINNEAPOLIS Minnesota's hometown tandem hankered for this kind of reunion over the course of a decade. The reconvening of former University of Minnesota teammates Lindsay Whalen and Janel McCarville could've taken place in a European league. It could've happened in international play. The pair could've wound up together on any of the WNBA's other 11 franchises. But two very different professional basketball journeys have converged right where they commenced. Perfect, Whalen said at the team's media day Thursday. "It's a pretty unique opportunity for us, after all these years after college to now be able to play together as pros," said Whalen, entering her fourth year with the Lynx. "I think we all just kind of hoped and thought someday it would work out again. "To have it work out here, at home, with the Lynx is pretty special." Thursday's gathering in the Target Center's Lifetime Fitness center gave the pair its first opportunity in nine yea Thu, 16 May 2013 21:11:06 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/former_gophers_whalen_mccarville_reunite_as_lynx/13634804 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/former_gophers_whalen_mccarville_reunite_as_lynx/13634804 Former Gophers Whalen, McCarville reunite as Lynx http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/articles/former_gophers_whalen_mccarville_reunite_as_lynx/13634804 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png PHOENIX They were separated by nine years at the top of the WNBA Draft and about nine minutes in Fridays media-day lineup for the Phoenix Mercury. But one day before reaching the practice court for the first time as teammates, Diana Taurasi and Brittney Griner already were at odds. I dont like it one bit, Taurasi, the superstar guard who hit town as the messianic overall No. 1 draft choice in 2004, said of possibly ceding some of the media attention to the hotshot rookie. And Griner, the hotshot rookie, had this to offer when told that Taurasi might impose some sort of dinner-buying initiation fee as the Mercurys top gun. Sure, the 6-foot-8 super-powerhouse from Baylor said while leaning down and into a microphone on the dais set up at US Airways Center workout gym. We can go to McDonalds. Is there early trouble in this potential paradise-level, inside-out combination? Nah. Unlike most of their male counterparts in this professional basketball region, Taurasi and Griner have the fun-loving chops to alm Fri, 10 May 2013 18:47:09 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/wnba/article_external/griner_taurasi_embrace_pairing_mercurys_future/13593137 http://network.yardbarker.com/wnba/article_external/griner_taurasi_embrace_pairing_mercurys_future/13593137 Griner, Taurasi embrace pairing, Mercury's future http://www.yardbarker.com/wnba/articles/griner_taurasi_embrace_pairing_mercurys_future/13593137 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/9/3/933ca2462d40328371e08252b742f657fb1d4a7a/mini/seattle-storm-phoenix.jpg It looks like Seimone Augustus could get her Minnesota wedding after all. The Minnesota Lynx star has been planning to marry fiancee LaTaya Varner, but she wasn't sure she would be able to do it in her adopted home state because gay marriage was not legal. That could change by as early as next week. The Minnesota House passed a measure to legalize gay marriage on Thursday and there is optimism among supporters that it will pass the Senate and be signed into a law by Tuesday. Augustus returned to the Lynx on Friday after playing in Russia during the offseason, and she says she's excited to hear the news. She says she hopes to marry Varner this fall, after the Lynx win another title. Fri, 10 May 2013 18:18:44 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/wnba/article_external/augustus_looking_forward_to_minnesota_wedding/13592930 http://network.yardbarker.com/wnba/article_external/augustus_looking_forward_to_minnesota_wedding/13592930 Augustus looking forward to Minnesota wedding http://www.yardbarker.com/wnba/articles/augustus_looking_forward_to_minnesota_wedding/13592930 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png With most of their star players healthy again, the Phoenix Mercury were expected to be back among the WNBA favorites after a dismal 2012 season. The addition of Brittney Griner ratchets expectations up even more. The 6-foot-8 center is one of the most highly touted players to enter the WNBA after the Mercury selected her with the No. 1 overall pick of the draft. She will join a team that already has stars like Diana Taurasi, Penny Taylor, Candice Dupree and DeWanna Bonner. With most of those players battling injuries last season, the Mercury finished with the WNBA's second-worst record at 7-27. Phoenix won the WNBA lottery, though, and the addition of Griner makes the Mercury the favorite to win a third WNBA title. Fri, 10 May 2013 18:18:42 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/wnba/article_external/mercury_becomes_title_favorite_with_griner/13592915 http://network.yardbarker.com/wnba/article_external/mercury_becomes_title_favorite_with_griner/13592915 Mercury becomes title favorite with Griner http://www.yardbarker.com/wnba/articles/mercury_becomes_title_favorite_with_griner/13592915 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png MINNEAPOLIS The way things ended last season didn't sit well with Maya Moore. The Minnesota Lynx advanced to their second straight WNBA Finals a year ago but failed to defend their title, losing to the Indiana Fever in the championship. The sting of defeat lingered for Moore all the way until Sunday, when the Lynx opened up their training camp for the 2013 season. One of the first things Moore, the team's star guard, did before camp began was talk to coach Cheryl Reeve and her teammates about how she still has a bad taste in her mouth from last year's playoff loss. The Lynx will now try to use that feeling as motivation as they attempt to return to the WNBA Finals in 2013. "It's a long year for everybody," Moore said after the team's first practice Sunday. "But if you take care of what you need to take care of every day and just stay consistent at an even higher level, that will set you up to win an opportunity to win a championship. That's what we did last year. We Sun, 05 May 2013 19:40:11 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/lynx_focused_on_consistency_as_training_camp_opens/13556093 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/lynx_focused_on_consistency_as_training_camp_opens/13556093 Lynx focused on consistency as training camp opens http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/articles/lynx_focused_on_consistency_as_training_camp_opens/13556093 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Brittney Griner is arguably the best female basketball player in the world, but shooting hoops is not her only passion. What most people do not know about Griner is that she is also an avid skateboarder. As you might expect, this causes a bit of anxiety for the Phoenix Mercury, who took Griner with the top overall pick in the WNBA draft last month. According to TMZ, Griner’s contract with the Mercury includes a clause about her skateboarding habits that is aimed at decreasing her risk of injury. “I agreed with the Mercury that I would only ride in a controlled environment,” Griner said. “No tricks or hill bombing. I know what is at stake, so I’ll just be cruising. I’ll get my adrenaline rush on the court.” That’s probably for the best. Griner once broke her wrist while riding in a parking structure while she was playing for Baylor. Griner and her 6-foot-8 frame will not only ideally turn the Mercury into a top contender in the WNBA, but she is also a major marketing tool because of ... Fri, 03 May 2013 15:18:11 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/wnba/article_external/brittney_griners_wnba_contract_has_a_skateboarding_clause_in_it/13545158 http://network.yardbarker.com/wnba/article_external/brittney_griners_wnba_contract_has_a_skateboarding_clause_in_it/13545158 Brittney Griner’s WNBA contract has a skateboarding clause in it http://www.yardbarker.com/wnba/articles/brittney_griners_wnba_contract_has_a_skateboarding_clause_in_it/13545158 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/3/8/381ef3dc18ca00eb2c37655660aaf889bc987f4c/mini/167219878.jpg Brittney Griner is not the first WNBA athlete to come out as gay, but she is probably the most prominent. Griner was one of the most dominant college basketball players of all time during her tenure at Baylor. As expected, she was selected by the Phoenix Mercury with the No. 1 overall pick in the WNBA draft on Monday. During an interview with Sports Illustrated’s Maggie Gray on Wednesday, Griner publicly acknowledged that she is a lesbian. While it was the first time she had ever discussed her sexuality so openly, Griner said it was not difficult because it is something she has always embraced and was not trying to hide. “It really wasn’t too difficult, I wouldn’t say I was hiding or anything like that,” Griner said. “I’ve always been open about who I am and my sexuality. So, it wasn’t hard at all. If I can show that I’m out and I’m fine and everything’s OK, then hopefully the younger generation will definitely feel the same way.” For whatever reason, society has made it so that it wo Thu, 18 Apr 2013 13:28:57 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/wnba/article_external/brittney_griner_comes_out_as_gay_following_wnba_draft_video/13430014 http://network.yardbarker.com/wnba/article_external/brittney_griner_comes_out_as_gay_following_wnba_draft_video/13430014 Brittney Griner reveals she is gay http://www.yardbarker.com/wnba/articles/brittney_griner_comes_out_as_gay_following_wnba_draft_video/13430014 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/f/e/fea641355b4514ba7274b3e803cd4d90e549c879/mini/Brittney-Griner.jpg Sheryl Swoopes is moving courtside as the new women's basketball coach at Loyola of Chicago. And the school is making a move of its own. Swoopes, a four-time WNBA champion and three-time Olympic gold medalist, was formally introduced Monday. She takes over a Ramblers program eager for a revival as the school moves to the Missouri Valley Conference from the Horizon League. ''This has always been a lifelong dream of mine, to have the opportunity to do something that I love,'' Swoopes said. ''That is to not only play basketball but be in position to pass that on to the up-and-coming generation.'' The school in recent years has opened a new multipurpose athletic facility and remodeled its arena. Loyola has also accepted an invitation to the Missouri Valley, according to a person familiar with the situation who spoke Sunday on condition of anonymity because the move has not been announced. A formal announcement is expected this week, with the move taking effect on July 1. Lo Mon, 15 Apr 2013 14:52:00 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/wnba/article_external/swoopes_takes_over_at_loyola_of_chicago/13404127 http://network.yardbarker.com/wnba/article_external/swoopes_takes_over_at_loyola_of_chicago/13404127 Swoopes takes over at Loyola of Chicago http://www.yardbarker.com/wnba/articles/swoopes_takes_over_at_loyola_of_chicago/13404127 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Sheryl Swoopes, one of the top players is women's basketball history, is the new coach at Loyola of Chicago. The school announced the hiring Friday. A standout at Texas Tech in the early 1990s and the first three-time MVP in the WNBA, Swoopes will try to boost a struggling program. The Ramblers only finished higher than fifth in the Horizon League once under former coach Eric Simpson, who resigned after leading them to a 57-66 record in four seasons. They went 17-15 this past season and reached the Horizon championship game. Swoopes says she is ''honored and humbled'' and calls Loyola ''a special place.'' A three-time Olympic gold medalist and four-time WNBA champion, Swoopes stopped playing in 2011, and spent the past season as a TV analyst for Texas Tech women's games. In 2005, she announced she is gay. Fri, 12 Apr 2013 20:59:25 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/wnba/article_external/swoopes_hired_as_loyola_of_chicagos_womens_coach/13386343 http://network.yardbarker.com/wnba/article_external/swoopes_hired_as_loyola_of_chicagos_womens_coach/13386343 Swoopes hired as Loyola of Chicago's women's coach http://www.yardbarker.com/wnba/articles/swoopes_hired_as_loyola_of_chicagos_womens_coach/13386343 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Connecticut Sun forward Asjha Jones says she will sit out the upcoming WNBA season to recover from nagging injuries. The 6-foot-2 Jones, who played for the U.S. Olympic team, missed 14 games with the Sun last year because of a strained left Achilles tendon. She returned to average 13.6 points and 6.4 rebounds in five playoff games. Jones says she does not feel she would be fit and ready to play this summer, but plans to return in 2014. Jones has spent 10 seasons in the WNBA, including nine with the Sun. She is the second leading scorer (3,336 points) and rebounder (1,447 rebounds) in team history. Sun coach Anne Donovan expressed disappointment with the decision, but says she's confident in the ability of the players that are returning. Thu, 04 Apr 2013 17:52:05 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/wnba/article_external/connecticuts_asjha_jones_to_sit_out_wnba_season/13317979 http://network.yardbarker.com/wnba/article_external/connecticuts_asjha_jones_to_sit_out_wnba_season/13317979 Connecticut's Asjha Jones to sit out WNBA season http://www.yardbarker.com/wnba/articles/connecticuts_asjha_jones_to_sit_out_wnba_season/13317979 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Lauren Jackson says she has no plans to play basketball until she returns to the Seattle Storm next May for the 2014 WNBA season, and that she's experiencing no pain for the first time in three years. Jackson, who has won four Olympic medals with Australia, including a bronze last year at the London Games, underwent surgery on her right hamstring in January, a chronic injury which she says nearly forced her to retire. The three-time WNBA MVP told Australian media that ''now I'm running up hills, doing everything I can, pain-free.'' Jackson has not played a full WNBA season since 2010, when Seattle won its second league title. In nine games last year after the Olympics, she averaged a career-low 10.2 points. Tue, 26 Mar 2013 19:41:50 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/jackson_recovering_from_hamstring_surgery/13242007 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/jackson_recovering_from_hamstring_surgery/13242007 Jackson recovering from hamstring surgery http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/articles/jackson_recovering_from_hamstring_surgery/13242007 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png One of the WNBA hottest talents and big fashion lover, Cappie Pondexter( NY Liberty) recently shared a photo of herself on Instagram rocking a dope, loud and funky outfit,consisting of an oversized “Love” printed crew neck sweater, tribal print tights, accessorizing with gold rope chain, and vintage spurs snapback. I always admired females with this sense of style, referred to as “Tomboy chic” or “Tomboy trend” which is composed of a variety of streetwear pieces, it just really puts that pep in a womens swagger in my opinion, especially when you can transition into a more elegant look with dresses and heels at anytime. What are your thoughts?? Tue, 06 Nov 2012 23:05:46 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/wnba/article_external/wnba_cappie_pondexter_styling_with_tomboy_trend/12148903 http://network.yardbarker.com/wnba/article_external/wnba_cappie_pondexter_styling_with_tomboy_trend/12148903 WNBA Cappie Pondexter Styling With Tomboy Trend http://www.yardbarker.com/wnba/articles/wnba_cappie_pondexter_styling_with_tomboy_trend/12148903 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Here is a story full of all kinds of awesome. The Indianapolis Star reports that an Indiana Fever fan was arrested on Monday night for public intoxication after admitting to police she was drinking to celebrate the team’s WNBA championship. According to the story, a 43-year-old woman stumbled into a police investigation into another matter and had to use a policeman to stand up. She allegedly resisted the police’s effort to handcuff her, and actually admitted she was drunk. “Baby, I’m celebrating the Fever winning the championship,” the fan told police, according to the report. “I’m loaded. I ain’t gonna lie.” Let’s try to break down all the amazing aspects of this story. 1) This is confirmation the WNBA has fans. 2) People actually get excited about their team winning WNBA championships. 3) The fan was so excited, she was still partying A DAY AFTER the team won the title. 4) She didn’t even try denying to police that she was drunk. I’m still stunned. Big thanks to Hot Clicks for sh Tue, 23 Oct 2012 18:09:00 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/wnba/article_external/indiana_fever_fan_arrested_for_public_intoxication_while_celebrating_teams_wnba_championship/12038741 http://network.yardbarker.com/wnba/article_external/indiana_fever_fan_arrested_for_public_intoxication_while_celebrating_teams_wnba_championship/12038741 Fever fan busted for public intoxication http://www.yardbarker.com/wnba/articles/indiana_fever_fan_arrested_for_public_intoxication_while_celebrating_teams_wnba_championship/12038741 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/f/b/fb0ddc6dce626ed4fa65f709d201e90c0cdfe917/mini/fever.jpg In the second game of the best of five, Indiana Fever and Minnesota Lynx were locked in a tie game in the final minutes of the 3rd quarter at 48 apiece when #13 Lindsay Whalen of the Minnesota Lynx clearly gets hacked by an Indiana defender as she was in the act of shooting and miraculously the refs failed to make a call on the blatant foul!  Whalen was then hit with a technical to make matters worse! It was as if the NFL Replacement Refs were asked to do this game instead of the usual officials…Minnesota coach Cheryl Reeve had a few words with one of the refs and was promptly teed up as well.… Read more Fri, 19 Oct 2012 12:33:58 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/wnba/article_external/replacement_refs_calling_a_wnba_finals_game/12004468 http://network.yardbarker.com/wnba/article_external/replacement_refs_calling_a_wnba_finals_game/12004468 Replacement refs calling a WNBA Finals game? http://www.yardbarker.com/wnba/articles/replacement_refs_calling_a_wnba_finals_game/12004468 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png