WNBA SEASON 27
By Mia Sabino
(photo from Bleacher Report)
Basketball fans should not to worry, as the 2023 WNBA season is approaching fast. The 27th season of the WNBA begins May 19 with all 12 teams playing on opening weekend. A huge milestone for this season is teams will now be playing 40 games, an extra four from last season, building on from the success of the 2023 season.
Another milestone for the WNBA this season is all the buzz around “super teams” in the league. The defending champions Las Vegas Aces with head coach Becky Hammon, have added superstar and future Hall of Famer Candace Parker to their lineup. With newly signed Kelsey Plum, MVP A’ja Wilson and finals MVP Chelsea Gray, will the Las Vegas Aces be able to win back to back championships for the first time since the Los Angeles Sparks last 2001-2002?
Not only was a supert eam formed in Las Vegas, a new facility was built for the Aces as well. A 64,000 square foot practice facility right next door to the Las Vegas Raiders. This is the first time during the 27 year history of the WNBA that a facility has been built for the sole use of a WNBA team.
The New York Liberty has been the talk of the league after acquiring Breanna Stewart and Jonquel Jones in free agency, both of whom are former MVPs. With the former first overall pick Sabrina Ionescu, a new trio formed in New York. Do the Liberty have what it takes to take the crown from Las Vegas and win the first ever championship of the franchise? The Liberty play the Washington Mystics on May 19 for their season opener at home.
(photo from ESPN)
Brittney Griner is set to make her debut for the first time since her arrest in Russia last February 2022 against the Los Angeles Sparks on May 19, 2023, which will be aired on ESPN.
With Griner’s return, the Phoenix Mercury hope to make a run for the organization’s fourth championship. Second year head coach Vanessa Nygaard stated in an interview, “Her [Griner] return just brings that great light and breath of fresh air, and new energy, and an ability to focus in a way we weren’t able to do last year.”
The seven time NBA all star did not play during the preseason opener in Seattle on May 7, but Nygaard mentioned that it was part of the team’s plan to slowly ramp her up and have her ready by the start of the season.
Some more thrilling news to watch out for this season is the impact of new head coaches of five different teams: Connecticut Sun - Stephanie White, Dallas Wings - Latricia Trammell, Indiana Fever - Christie Sides, Los Angeles Sparks - Curt Miller, and the Washington Mystics - Eric Thibault.
Highly anticipated rookies are set to make their debuts as well. First overall pick Aliyah Boston and Zia Cooke from the South Carolina Gamecocks, Diamond Miller of Maryland and Madison Siegrist of Villanova are all ready to showcase their talents on a professional level.
(photo from NBC sports)
Women’s basketball is slowly growing and we all have a front row seat. Will we see you at the games?
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