After Monday night’s record-breaking WNBA Draft, this edition of “This Week in Women’s Basketball” will catch up on the new and developments that have been burbling around the W over the past week.
Time for the WNBA
The WNBA, Tissot and Wilson have partnered to create a one of a kind wrist watch to celebrate the WNBA as a unique and powerful force in the sports world.
The design, featuring leather straps to match the orange and white WNBA game ball and a face that features the WNBA logo, is meant to intentionally appreciate the league and its players. Maybe most iconic of all? The watch also has a subtle nod to the 24-second shot clock used in the WNBA. Everything together creates a one-of-a-kind piece fans can use to show off their support of the WNBA and its players.
In honour of the WNBA draft, Tissot, Wilson and the @WNBA are proud to introduce two special edition watches. The Tissot Seastar Wilson WNBA is a symbol of women's basketball passion and the dedication it takes to break frontiers. #Tissot #Wilson #WNBA #Seastar #WatchMeMakeMoves pic.twitter.com/pUdmResjej
— TISSOT (@TISSOT) April 15, 2024
“In terms of excitement in the world of women’s sport, there is no better partnership than the WNBA,” says Sylvain Dolla, CEO of Tissot. This partnership comes at a time where women’s sports, and women’s basketball in particular, is taking center stage in the media. Yet, there has always been a demand for authentic and intentional partnerships surrounding the WNBA and these incredible athletes.
“We always use this phrase, ‘How do we matter as much off the court as on the court?’” says Amanda Lamb, VP of Brand, Wilson Sporting Goods. “I think this watch is a really great example of two partners coming together who are already supporters of the women’s game and finding ways to extend what that meaning is.”
The WNBA is heading into maybe its most anticipated season to date. The league will be welcoming in an influx of new fans, and the recently-broken viewership records are set to be broken again.
”I just think [this watch] speaks to where the WNBA sits, at the intersection of sport, culture, fashion and lifestyle,” says Colie Edison, WNBA Chief Growth Officer. Now the official watch of the WNBA, this iconic piece is a way for W fans to show off their support of the league in a unique way.
Storm reveal new basketball performance center
On Thursday, the Seattle Storm opened the doors to the Storm Center for Basketball Performance, the WNBA’s second dedicated practice facility. (The Las Vegas Aces had the first; the Phoenix Mercury will open the third later this year.)
She's here and she's beautiful pic.twitter.com/2gq7z1u75n
— Seattle Storm (@seattlestorm) April 18, 2024
Starbucks also was announced as the founding parter for the facility, with the team and company working together to support the local community by providing basketball camp scholarships to underserved youth and donating money to help the unhoused.
☕️ Presenting the first Founding Partner of our new Storm Center for Basketball Performance, and the Official Coffee & Tea of the Storm: @Starbucks
— Seattle Storm (@seattlestorm) April 17, 2024
We're excited to work together to build community & advance equity in our hometown
Thanks to Starbucks, every rebound this… pic.twitter.com/eqCCLn7wvE
A’ja named to TIME 100
A back-to-back champion, two-time MVP, two-time Defensive Player of the Year, Finals MVP and best-selling author? Yep, A’ja Wilson is influential. The Las Vegas Aces’ superstar was named one of the 100 Most Influential People of 2024 by TIME. To get a sense of Wilson’s influence, be sure to revisit her interview with our Zachary Draves about her book, Dear Black Girls.
TOP TIER ✨@TIME's list of the 100 Most Influential People in the world!
— Las Vegas Aces (@LVAces) April 17, 2024
Congratulations, @_ajawilson22!https://t.co/0CmaGP8rFS pic.twitter.com/pDNygxZF1H
And for more A’ja, take a look at Episode 1 of “M’VP: A Champ’s Diary.”
Happy Friday W fam!
— WNBA (@WNBA) April 19, 2024
Today would be a good day to watch “M'VP: A Champ's Diary" on the WNBA App ⬇️https://t.co/KaoedjCS4A
Sky add Ty Young as assistant coach
After a 12-year WNBA career, with nine of those seasons spent with the Chicago Sky, Ty Young is returning to the Windy City, now as an assistant coach to new head coach Teresa Weatherspoon.
Officially official.
— Chicago Sky (@chicagosky) April 17, 2024
Welcome BACK to Skytown, Coach @tyoung11!
https://t.co/rWUGUBBzq3 pic.twitter.com/2PTrwILU7E
Teams fill out training camp rosters
WNBA teams can roster up to 15 players for training camp, which begins April 28. In the aftermath of the draft, several teams snatched up players, both rookies looking to making their way into the W and vets aiming to return to the league.
Welcome @teamcole5 , @Big_Homieeee and @eli4bathball to the ATL ! pic.twitter.com/x4ymbFmVuV
— Atlanta Dream (@AtlantaDream) April 19, 2024
Keep adding to the roster!
— Los Angeles Sparks (@LASparks) April 17, 2024
Welcome to LA, @BIakeDietrick! pic.twitter.com/ihN9Q8pY5R
let's work, @ceciznd. pic.twitter.com/NSAwVRzubU
— Minnesota Lynx (@minnesotalynx) April 19, 2024
The NY Liberty has signed @JaylynSherrod to a training camp contract. ✍️
— New York Liberty (@nyliberty) April 17, 2024
Welcome! pic.twitter.com/I7POYByqul
We love a Rebel!
— New York Liberty (@nyliberty) April 17, 2024
The NY Liberty have signed Rita Igbokwe to a training camp contract. ✍️
Welcome! pic.twitter.com/Z7JI0yw8mf
Per WNBA Transactions:
— Across the Timeline (@WBBTimeline) April 17, 2024
- Phoenix Mercury signed Bella Murekatete to a rookie scale contract
- Phoenix Mercury signed Desi-Rae Young to a rookie scale contracthttps://t.co/P3GJUhjr9y
We’ve signed Honesty Scott-Grayson (@The_Ma3stro) to a training camp contract. LETS GO! pic.twitter.com/qafm8ButJZ
— Washington Mystics (@WashMystics) April 17, 2024
We’ve signed Jakia Brown-Turner (@JustJakiaa) to a training camp contract. Let's work! @TerpsWBB pic.twitter.com/JheyMLeMoD
— Washington Mystics (@WashMystics) April 17, 2024
New threads for six squads
In case you missed it, check out the new Nike Rebel Edition jerseys for the Las Vegas Aces, Phoenix Mercury, Chicago Sky, Los Angeles Sparks, Seattle Storm and Connecticut Sun.
The Mercury also introduced a Rebel court, making the organization the first to use an alternate court.
The Phoenix Mercury and Nike today unveiled a new Rebel Edition uniform. The Mercury will also debut a matching Rebel court, becoming the first WNBA team to introduce an alternate court that will be used throughout an entire season.
— Blake (@blakesilverman) April 18, 2024
: @PhoenixMercury @Winsidr pic.twitter.com/HyjbDb5ILA
WNBA Canada Game rescheduled
Due to a conflict with the first round of the NHL Playoffs, the second WNBA Canada Game, featuring the Los Angeles Sparks and Seattle Storm, has been rescheduled from Sunday, May 5 to Saturday, May 4 at 7:30 p.m. ET at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta.
CANADA GAME UPDATE
— WNBA (@WNBA) April 19, 2024
Due to the NHL playoffs, the #WNBACanadaGame will now be played May 4th at 9:30pm/ET
Check out the link in bio for more information. pic.twitter.com/CD3Nst8h11
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