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Monday Links: WNBA Preseason Games, Roster Moves, Penny Taylor Update & Becky Hammon's Russia Commitment

WNBA news is picking up as preseason games begin and the tough roster decisions must be made on some talented young players, including the Washington Mystics' first round draft picks.

Here's a look around the web at what the media is reporting.

  • Marc Allard of the Norwich Bulletin writes that the Connecticut Sun are hoping that their roster continuity will help them build chemistry faster this season as a "young, veteran team." Sun coach Mike Thibault is looking to focus on playing the younger players on the roster in their game against the New York Liberty tonight. Read more >>>
  • The Day highlighted guard Dawn Evans, forward Stefanie Murphy, and forward Chay Shegog as players still looking to make the Sun roster tonight. Read more >>>
  • Terrence Thomas of the San Antonio Express-News recapped the San Antonio Silver Stars' 69-67 loss to the Indiana Fever on Saturday, highlighting the adjustment rookie Shenise Johnson is making to the WNBA as emblematic of the team as a whole. Johnson recorded 11 points and 5 rebounds in the preseason opener but there is still no boxscore to be found for this one. Read more >>>
  • Ria Novosti reports that Becky Hammon, who wasn't present for the Silver Stars' preseason opener, will be leaving for the Czech Republic in June in order to prepare for the Olympics with Russia. Also in that article is that Svetlana Abrosimova, who last appeared in the WNBA in 2010 on the Seattle Storm's title team, will not be representing Russia in the Olympics because she hasn't earned enough game time with UGMK Ekaterinburg to merit selection. Read more >>>
  • Mark Giannotto of the Washington Post reports that the Washington Mystics have waived forwards Kerri Gardin and Tia Lewis. Also of note is that Mystics coach Trudi Lacey couldn't guarantee that 2012 first round draft picks LaSondra Barrett and Natalie Novosel would make the team. The article is well-worth the read for insight about center Ashley Robinson's role with the team and why the Mystics traded Nicky Anosike this off-season. Read more >>>
  • The Minnesota Lynx have announced that they've waived Tavelyn James, Jasmine Lee, and Kayla Standish to bring the roster to 14. Remaining rookies in Lynx camp are Queralt Casas, Devereaux Peters, Brittany Rayburn and Julie Wojta. Read more >>>
  • The Tulsa World reports that the Tulsa Shock have waived Marshae Dotson with veteran point guard Temeka Johnson arriving in training camp on Tuesday. That brings the Shock's roster back to 15 players. Read more >>>
  • Jayda Evans of the Seattle Times offers an update on Alysha Clark, who is making her third attempt at making a WNBA roster. Most importantly, she's feeling more comfortable at the small forward now than she was two years ago. The bigger challenge might be impressing Brian Agler enough to make the final cut over 2012 lottery pick Shekinna Stricklen and former first rounder Victoria Dunlap. Read more >>>
  • Marlon W. Morgan of the Memphis Commercial Appeal looked at Memphis Tigers players Brittany Carter and Jasmine Lee who were invited to the Sun and Minnesota Lynx training camps, respectively. Neither player remains on a roster, but Memphis coach Melissa McFerrin believes that Carter could eventually find a niche in the league as someone who can defend both guard positions while Lee will have to make her way as a rebounder. Read more >>>
  • The Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter provides the details for the bus trip for Wisconsin - Green Bay fans to see Julie Wojta's first game with the Minnesota Lynx on May 15. Read more >>>
  • Garrett Renzelmann of the Sheboygan Press writes that Wojta's former Green Bay teammate, Kayla Tetschlag, deserves a chance at the WNBA. She went undrafted in 2011 but still hopes to get a chance in the WNBA. Read more >>>
  • Ron Ward of The Age reports that Penny Taylor aims to return to the court from her ACL injury by January 2013. She already expects to play in the 2016 Olympics in Rio. Read more >>>

Got more links? Especially of player transactions? Feel free to drop them in the comments.