WNBA

LeBron James Reacts To Brittney Griner’s Release

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LeBron James is one of the most vocal players in the NBA when it comes to social issues. He has always made sure to be politically conscious. Subsequently, this has led to numerous statements on Brittney Griner. During her incarceration, LeBron was one of the loudest voices demanding that we bring her home.

On Thursday, Griner was officially released via prisoner swap. Last night, Griner was able to land in the United States, and she appeared to be in good spirits. Overall, it is a positive story for the basketball world as Griner will now get to be with her family again.

LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers runs down court during the first quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on December 06, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)

LeBron James Speaks

Last night, LeBron got to speak on the Griner release during a special Thursday Night Football edition of The Shop. As you can imagine, LeBron James was very excited about Griner’s release. Moreover, he noted that the U.S. needs to work on bringing even more people home.

“I think it’s a great day for us as Americans having BG back,”  LeBron explained. “In the sports world, just having her presence back. Her wife misses her. Her family misses her. Club misses her here in Phoenix. To have her a part of the basketball brother and sisterhood once again, it’s a big day for us and what we do. Kudos to the President. Kudos (to) Kamala Harris and everyone who had something to do with it.

“Like Mav said, there’s a lot of people that’s wrongfully detained right now. We hope we can get them all back.”

At this point, many are trying to get Paul Whelan home as well. The former marine is currently being held on espionage chargers, and the Russian government won’t let him go. Needless to say, many are up in arms over this situation.

Stay tuned to HNHH for all of the latest news on this developing story.

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Brittney Griner’s College Coach Refuses To Give Her Opinion On Griner’s Imprisonment

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Brittney Griner is currently serving a nine-year prison sentence in Russia after being convicted of drug possession and smuggling. In the eyes of many, this sentence is a massive injustice that needs to be fixed immediately. The United States is looking into a prisoner swap, but for now, nothing is set in stone.

Most of Griner’s former teammates have spoken about this injustice, except for her former Baylor Coach Kim Mulkey. Today, Mulkey was asked directly about Griner’s imprisonment, to which she said that she would not be commenting on the story, at all.

This was a pitiful response when you consider how Griner helped Mulkey win a National Championship while also bringing her to two final fours. Her career at Baylor was phenomenal, and Mulkey owes much of her success to the WNBA champion. Queen Ego, a former Baylor player, commented on Mulkey’s remarks, noting that it is pretty despicable.

“A player that built Baylor, 2 national titles, & a 40-0 record,” Egbo wrote. “Yet her former coach refuses to say anything or simply just show any kind of support. Keep that in mind when you’re choosing schools.”

Interestingly enough, the current coach for Baylor Nicki Colleen had a much better answer when asked about Griner. As you can see, Colleen noted that Griner means a lot to the Baylor program and that she sees Griner as a human first. Colleen also believes 10 years is way too long for a simple mistake of this magnitude.

“No one’s saying she didn’t make a mistake. None of us are perfect,” Colleen said. “But I guess I would wanna know if I did something and was stuck in a foreign country, what it was, what it wasn’t. I think we all know that 10 years is a long time. I see her as a mother, as a sister, as a spouse, as a daughter, as an unbelievable ambassador for the game of basketball.”

Griner’s Phoenix Mercury were instrumental in the efforts to get her home and we’re sure they will continue that fight.

Stay tuned to HNHH for updates on this developing story.

NBA 2K23 Announces New Gameplay Features and Updates for The W, Including WNBA All-Star Game

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NBA2K23 The W Key Art

New features and enhancements for The WNBA in NBA® 2K23 for PlayStation® 5 (PS5TM) and Xbox Series X|S gamers were announced by 2K today. The W will provide further brand-new content, community challenges, and new ways to manage the league’s growth.

“The WNBA is quickly growing and evolving, and we are ensuring that we also expand the breadth and scope of The W mode to bring fans of the WNBA more ways to experience it,” said Felicia Steenhouse, Senior Producer at Visual Concepts. “This year The W provides an even more authentic WNBA experience that players can enjoy, from choosing how to expand the league to leading the community to new heights.” 

The W mode will have community goals, which the community can cooperate to achieve six weekly goals. Every NBA 2K23 player will be rewarded if the community meets the objective in four of the Season’s six weeks.

For full details on the new updates coming to The W in NBA 2K23 for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S consoles, check out the latest Courtside Report.

You can see glimpses of The W in NBA 2K23 below.

NBA2K23 The W Player Boosts
NBA2K23 The W Player Boosts
NBA 2K23 The W Screenshot 2
NBA 2K23 The W
NBA 2K23 The W Screenshot 1

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“Griner Shouldn’t Be Political Pawn” WNBA Players Exec Director Terri Jackson To Biden Admin

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Britteny

Monday night, Women’s National Basketball Players Association Executive Director, Terri Jackson was interviewed on Comedy Central’s The Daily Show with Trevor Noah. Jackson spoke to Trevor about Brittney Griner, who has been detained in Russia for five months. 

The Phoenix Mercury star entered a guilty plea over a week ago while saying she “didn’t want to break the law.”  The guilty plea aids as a pre-condition for consideration of a negotiated release and possible prisoner exchange between Russia and the U.S.

READ MORE: WNBA Star Brittney Griner Pleads Guilty To Moscow Drug Charges

 Griner is facing up to 10 years in prison on the charge of large-scale transportation of drugs. Less than 1% of defendants in Russian criminal cases are acquitted, which can be overturned.

Jakson explains why the WNBA was told not to respond or comment publicly when Griner was first detained. She also shared comments that many people feel Griner is being used as a political pawn. Griner “should not be a political pawn,” Jackson continued. “We are BG,” calling on the Biden administration, what comes next and much more in the clip below.

Share your thoughts and comments with us on social media.

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WNBA Players Exec Director Terri Jackson Calls On Biden Admin To Bring Brittney Griner Home

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brittney griner wnba russia detained wrongfully

Last night, Women’s National Basketball Players Association Executive Director, Terri Jackson was interviewed on Comedy Central’s The Daily Show with Trevor Noah. Jackson spoke to Trevor about Brittney Griner, who has been detained in Russia for five months. 

The Phoenix Mercury star entered a guilty plea over a week ago while saying she “didn’t want to break the law.”  The guilty plea aids as a pre-condition for consideration of a negotiated release and possible prisoner exchange between Russia and the U.S.

READ MORE: WNBA Star Brittney Griner Pleads Guilty To Moscow Drug Charges

 Griner is facing up to 10 years in prison on the charge of large-scale transportation of drugs. Less than 1% of defendants in Russian criminal cases are acquitted, which can be overturned.

Jakson explains why the WNBA was told not to respond or comment publicly when Griner was first detained. She also shared comments that many people feel Griner is being used as a political pawn. Griner “should not be a political pawn,” Jackson continued. “We are BG,” calling on the Biden administration, what comes next and much more in the clip below.

Share your thoughts and comments with us on social media.

The post WNBA Players Exec Director Terri Jackson Calls On Biden Admin To Bring Brittney Griner Home appeared first on The Source.

[WATCH] Twitter Clowns WNBA For Low Budget All-Star MVP Trophy

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trophy

You know Black Twitter doesn’t miss a thing and now they are dragging the WNBA for its less than stellar WNBA All-Star Most Valuable Player trophy.

The WNBA was dragged on the social media platform for its low-budget MVP hardware in comparison to the trophy the NBA splurges on.

Las Vegas Aces star Kelsey Plum, of Team Wilson, was presented with the pint-size MVP trophy during the 2022 AT&T WNBA All-Star game at the Wintrust Arena on July 10, 2022 in Chicago.

Kelsey led her team to a 134-112 victory over Team Stewart. She scored 30 points to match the All-Star scoring record set by Maya Moore in 2015.

One Twitter user wrote, “The WNBA could have gone to Amazon and bought a better looking trophy.”

Other Twitter users decided to chip in and buy Kelsey a fancier MVP trophy with her name on it.

Do you think the WNBA could have done better?

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SOURCE SPORTS: Kelsey Plum Wins MVP as Team Wilson Bests Team Stewart at WNBA All-Star Game

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During the 2022 WNBA All-Star game, the game’s legends were celebrated as basketball icons Sue Bird and Sylvia Fowles are closing the curtain on their WNBA careers.

Throughout the game in Chicago, both stars celebrated their achievements and what they provided to the game, including standing ovations as the two received flowers from game captains A’ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart. Fowles impressively slammed home a breakaway drunk during the second quarter.

The game was a 134-122 win for Team Wilson and Kelsey Plum of the Las Vegas Aces took home the MVP award behind a 30-point effort. Plum tied the scoring record set by WNBA legend Maya Moore.

During halftime, every player in the game changed into Brittney Griner’s jersey to play the remainder of the game. Griner was named an honorary starter and received fan support throughout Wintrust Arena in BG-branded t-shirts.

“We just wanted to make sure at some point that we were able to — on national television, obviously in front of a sold-out crowd — put Brittney’s name in the forefront,” said Bird to ESPN. “Hopefully at some point she sees a picture or something, letting her know that she is always on our minds and in our hearts.

Highlights from the star-studded game are available below.

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SOURCE SPORTS: Candace Parker Makes History as Oldest Player in WNBA to Get Triple-Double

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Candace Parker had it all going on Sunday. During the Chicago Sky’s 82-73 win over the Washington Mystics, CP3 got her second career triple-double, stuffing the box score with 16 points, 13 rebounds, and 10 assists.

For Parker, she now holds the record for the oldest player in league history to get a triple-double. Parker also is the second player in league history to have two triple-doubles, the others are Hall of Famer Sheryl Swoopes and her teammate Courtney Vandersloot.

“It means a lot,” Parker said to ESPN. “To be in the company of Sloot, who is going to end her career probably leading the league in assists, and then Sheryl Swoopes — I grew up watching her play, and just idolizing her.

“I’ve always [been] the person who was like, ‘Posts can dribble, too, and posts can pass, too.’ I hope that coaches are watching. I hope that the game is evolving. We’re gonna see more and more triple-doubles.”

Parker, Sloot, and the rest of the Chicago Sky now prepare for their ring night on Tuesday when they host the Indiana Fever.

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SOURCE SPORTS: PUMA Hoops Signs WNBA Athlete NaLyssa Smith

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SOURCE SPORTS: PUMA Hoops Signs WNBA Athlete NaLyssa Smith

PUMA has signed NaLyssa Smith, the No. 2 overall choice in the 2022 WNBA draft, to its basketball roster.

“I am thrilled to be joining the PUMA Hoops family and to rock PUMA both on and off the court,” said Smith. “PUMA’s dedication to being a champion for women athletes along with being disruptive in the basketball sneaker space mixing sport innovation with style made this a perfect fit for me. I couldn’t be more excited to start my rookie season being part of such an iconic brand and joining an incredible roster of PUMA Hoops athletes.”

Smith earned multiple awards during her time at Baylor, including the 2021 Wade Trophy, 2021 All-American first team, 2019 NCAA Champion, and 2018 McDonald’s All-American. She joined PUMA’s roster of young WBNA and NBA athletes, including LaMelo Ball, Breanna Stewart, Skylar Diggins-Smith, Deandre Ayton, Katie Lou Samuelson, RJ Barrett, and others, when she began her debut season with the Indiana Fever in May.

PUMA’s commitment to advancing women’s sports continues with this agreement. In December 2021, the brand officially launched its Women’s Hoops category with a basketball-inspired lifestyle collection, PUMA High Court, coached and created by June Ambrose in collaboration with PUMA Hoops Creative Director June Ambrose.

PUMA created the SHE MOVES US platform in 2020, and this year it was expanded to include its top female sports ambassadors, honoring the women who have advanced sports to inspire other women around the world. Smith will appear in SHE MOVES US-themed PUMA Hoops advertising and product launches.

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WNBA To Honor Phoenix Mercury’s Center Brittney Griner With Decal

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Brittney Griner

The WNBA is planning to honor Phoenix Mercury center Brittney Griner with a floor decal this season.

Griner has been detained in Russia since mid-February after customs officials say they found hashish oil in her luggage at an airport near Moscow. She has a hearing set for May 19. The charges Griner faces could carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.

READ MORE: Brittney Griner Meets with U.S. Officials, Doing “Well”

The decal will feature Griner’s initials along with her number 42 and will appear on the home court of all 12 WNBA teams. Griner is coming off a season in which she led the Mercury to the WNBA Finals where they lost to the Chicago Sky.

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert shared with the Associated Press,

“As we begin the 2022 season, we are keeping Brittney at the forefront of what we do through the game of basketball and in the community. We continue to work on bringing Brittney home and are appreciative of the support the community has shown BG and her family during this extraordinarily challenging time.”

The Mercury opens their season at home Friday night against the Las Vegas Aces. The center will still receive her full salary at almost $228,000.

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