The WNBA preseason continues with the Connecticut Sun beating the New York Liberty last night and the Phoenix Mercury taking on the Japanese National Team tonight.
Meanwhile, WNBA roster decisions still need to be made and Svetlana Abrosimova's availability might add a new wrinkle to things.
- John Altavilla of the Hartford Courant reports that both Mistie Mims and Chay Shegog had an opportunity to make a case for themselves in the Connecticut Sun's 96-81 win against the New York Liberty last night. Altavilla notes that both finished with 5 points and 5 rebounds, but Shegog also finished with a +25 plus/minus and was in the game for the majority of that 26-6 first half run mentioned in the article. Read more >>>
- Marc Allard of the Norwich Bulletin described the physical nature of the game between the Liberty and Sun with both DeMya Walker and Tan White leaving the game due to injury. Although he hasn't confirmed it, he wrote that Walker, "was the first WNBA player to be removed from the arena floor on a stretcher." Read more >>>
- Jayda Evans of the Seattle Times reports that Seattle Storm coach Brian Agler was "surprised to see Russian star Svetlana Abrosimova cut from her national team's Olympic consideration." Agler has contacted Abrosimova about a possible return to the WNBA, but making that happen would be no easy task for the Storm. Read more >>>
- Kevin Pelton of StormBasketball.com has more on the Abrosimova situation, noting that, "Adding Abrosimova would not be as simple as replacing one of the players vying for a spot on the end of the roster, because the minimum salary for players with at least four years of experience (Abrosimova has nine) is higher than for players in their first three seasons." You may recall that part of the motivation behind trading Swin Cash and Le'coe Willingham for a draft pick was to clear salary cap room. Read more >>>
- Odeen Domingo of The Arizona Republic reports that the Phoenix Mercury aren't expected to have any of their established stars in town for tonight's game against the Japanese National Team at 7 p.m. PST at the U.S. Airways Center. One player looking to take advantage of that opportunity is Dymond Simon, an Arizona State alum and Phoenix native who is one of the many players in training camp competing for that vacant starting point guard spot. Read more >>>
- Roman Augustoviz of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports that Minnesota Lynx assistant coach Shelley Patterson thinks 2011 Rookie of the Year Maya Moore has gotten stronger and more willing to go to the basket. That could be a huge development for the Lynx in their efforts to repeat: Moore's free throw rate (FTA/FGA) was well below league average last season. Read more >>>
- Mechelle Voepel of ESPN highlights the evolution of Indiana Fever draft pick Sasha Goodlett, who has a chance to contribute right away as a low post presence. She notes that it's not the first time Goodlett and Fever coach Lin Dunn have come into contact with one another. As a tangent, there is still no boxscore available for Saturday's Fever - San Antonio Silver Stars game. Read more >>>
- Dave Campbell of the AP writes that Taj McWilliams-Franklin sees a younger version of herself in Minnesota Lynx rookie Devereaux Peters. She's been watching film of Peters in advance of arriving at training camp to get ready to serve as her mentor. Read more >>>
- Tina Akouris of the Chicago Sun-Times reports that Sylvia Fowles considers Swin Cash the Chicago Sky's "Energizer bunny" for the way that she gives 110% when she's on the floor. The Sky are hoping that energy and veteran presence will help them make the WNBA playoffs for the first time in franchise history. Read more >>>
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