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Tag: Breanna Stewart – English

  • Skip Bayless' unfiltered take on Caitlin Clark's bold decision

    Skip Bayless' unfiltered take on Caitlin Clark's bold decision

    Caitlin Clark’s every move has become a headline, and for good reason. The Indiana Fever’s rising star has been a transformative figure in the WNBA, captivating fans and driving viewership to record levels in her rookie season. So, when whispers about her potential participation in the inaugural season of the Unrivaled 3-on-3 basketball league began circulating, excitement was palpable.

    Unrivaled, set to debut in Miami this January, boasts a roster packed with WNBA superstars. Fans eagerly awaited Clark’s inclusion among the final names announced for the league, hopeful she would bring her dynamic playmaking to the innovative competition. However, Clark stunned supporters on Wednesday when it was revealed she had opted out, choosing to remain focused on her WNBA career instead.

    Unusual autograph request leaves Caitlin Clark uncomfortable on the golf course

    The decision sparked heated debates online, and few voices were louder-or sharper-than Skip Bayless. The outspoken sportscaster wasted no time sharing his unfiltered opinion, praising Clark’s choice. “Good for Caitlin Clark not playing in this new 3-on-3 league,”Bayless posted on X. “After all the jealousy and resentment she felt last season- all the cheap shots and bullying attempts- she made a late-season run at MVP. SHE’S the reason WNBA popularity exploded last season. She doesn’t need 3-on-3.”

    Bayless’ commentary struck a nerve, framing Clark’s absence as a power move. He emphasized how her resilience during her rookie year, overcoming intense scrutiny and physical play, established her as the WNBA’s marquee attraction. In his eyes, participating in Unrivaled would have been a step down for a player who had already become the face of the league.

    Star-studded Unrivaled debut faces a Caitlin Clark-sized void

    Unrivaled, meanwhile, has drawn considerable star power for its debut season. Founders Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier will suit up alongside league headliners such as Chelsea Gray, Kelsey Plum, and Arike Ogunbowale. Even Clark’s fierce rival, Angel Reese, has committed to the tournament, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the event.

    Interestingly, Clark’s decision leaves her Indiana Fever teammates, Aliyah Boston and Lexie Hull, as two of the players representing the franchise in Unrivaled. The Fever duo joins a roster stacked with talent, but Clark’s absence is undeniably the most significant storyline surrounding the league’s launch.

    For fans, the decision may feel bittersweet. On one hand, Clark’s choice solidifies her focus on building her legacy in the WNBA. On the other, it underscores the challenge Unrivaled faces in securing all of the league’s top-tier stars. With its current roster, the league is poised for an exciting debut, but Clark’s absence serves as a reminder of just how influential she has become in such a short time.

    As the debate rages on, one thing is clear: Caitlin Clark’s every move will continue to shape the narrative of women’s basketball. Whether on or off the court, her decisions carry weight-and Skip Bayless, for one, believes she’s made the right call.



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  • A'ja Wilson unanimously wins WNBA MVP, Caitlin Clark fails to make top three

    A'ja Wilson unanimously wins WNBA MVP, Caitlin Clark fails to make top three

    Las Vegas Aces forward A’ja Wilson was the unanimous choice as the WNBA MVP, the league announced Sunday.

    She is only the second player to win the award unanimously, joining Cynthia Cooper, who did it in the league’s inaugural season of 1997.

    Caitlin Clark sinks deep shot and lets out fierce scream during Indiana Fever shootaround

    Wilson received all 67 first-place votes from a national media panel and now has won the award three times. The Aces’ star forward was also honored in 2020 and 2022. She’s the fourth player in WNBA history to do that, joining Lisa Leslie and Lauren Jackson.

    Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier (467 points) finished in second place, followed by New York Liberty forward Breanna Stewart (295 points), Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (130 points) and Connecticut Sun forward Alyssa Thomas (83 points) in fifth.

    Wilson finished the regular season with 1,021 points, 451 rebounds and led the league with 98 blocks. Last year she was third in the WNBA MVP voting .



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  • US Women's basketball advances to Olympic semifinals after crushing Nigeria

    US Women's basketball advances to Olympic semifinals after crushing Nigeria

    In a showdown at the 2024 Paris Olympics, the U.S. women’s basketball team overpoweredNigeria, securing an 88-74 victory to advance to the semifinals. Leading the charge, A’ja Wilson racked up 20 points, with Jackie Young adding 15, Breanna Stewart contributing 13, and Brittney Grinerchipping in 11.

    Team USA was on fire, shooting an impressive 54% from the field, though their 3-point shooting lagged at 26%. Dominating the boards with a 44-28 edge, they now set their sights on a semifinal clash with Australia on August 9, with hopes of clinching their eighth consecutive gold on August 11.

    Chelsea Gray showcased her passing prowess early on, dishing out assists to Breanna Stewart for the second bucket and a cross-court three-pointer, setting the tone for the game. The Americans’ fluid offense was a spectacle to watch.

    Nigeria, under the guidance of head coach Rena Wakama, who also serves as an assistant coach for Tulane, showed resilience and grit. They went toe-to-toe with the U.S. from the get-go, refusing to be intimidated by the American dynasty.

    Cheryl Reeve, in a strategic move, made her first substitutions with just under four minutes left in the first quarter. Chelsea Gray, A’ja Wilson, and Napheesa Collier stepped off, making way for Sabrina Ionescu, Alyssa Thomas, and Brittney Griner. Diana Taurasi and Jewell Loyd soon followed, bringing fresh energy to the court.

    U.S. Women surge past Nigeria to secure Semifinal berth

    Jackie Young, starting the game for her defensive skills, made her presence felt with early buckets, tallying five points quickly. Breanna Stewart, not to be outdone, had seven points, while Diana Taurasi, off the bench, nailed a crucial three-pointer to give the U.S. some breathing room.

    Despite a somewhat shaky start to the knockout rounds, with Nigeria showing no fear and going directly at Team USA, the Americans managed to close the first half with a 14-4 run. The halftime talk was all about ramping up intensity for the third quarter.

    Breanna Stewart led with 13 points at halftime, followed closely by A’ja Wilson with 10. The U.S. was shooting a red-hot 59% from the field, though Coach Reeve wasn’t pleased with Nigeria’s 40% shooting, knowing defense was key to their success.

    Snoop Dogg gives a small “package” to Team USA basketball star ahead of crucial game

    By the end of the third quarter, the U.S. had blown the game wide open, leading 76-48. Four players had scored nine points or more, with Jackie Young at the helm with 15. Every player had contributed points, and the team’s field goal percentage was an astounding 60%. Australia was undoubtedly preparing for the impending battle.

    The final buzzer saw Team USA firmly in control, dispatching Nigeria and punching their ticket to the semifinals. The victory was expected, but the journey to gold is far from over as they brace for the Aussies next.



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  • Liberty plan to put franchise tag on Breanna Stewart and hope to bring back free agent Jonquel Jones

    Liberty plan to put franchise tag on Breanna Stewart and hope to bring back free agent Jonquel Jones

    Breanna Stewart and the New York Liberty fell just short of winning the franchise’s first WNBA championship, losing to the Las Vegas Aces in the Finals.

    It was the first time that Stewart experienced losing in a championship round since her freshman year of college. The league’s MVP had won the two Finals series she had played in before with Seattle and won four NCAA championships at UConn. Her lone loss in a title game came in the Big East Tournament her freshman season.

    “Making sure that I don’t feel that again, I think that’s really my mindset and mentality going forward,” Stewart said Friday.

    New York hopes to bring back most of the same team next season. Stewart could be an unrestricted free agent but Liberty general manager Jonathan Kolb said that he would give her the franchise tag so that she can’t sign a contract directly with another team.

    “It’s my first time being cored. Not surprising,” Stewart said. “I’m excited for what we’re doing here in New York and with the Liberty. … I’m looking forward to it for many years to come.”

    Stewart enjoyed her first season in New York and is focused on trying to bring the city a championship.

    “This isn’t the goal that we had at the start of the season. We didn’t want to just get to the Finals. We weren’t content with being one game away from winning the whole thing,” she said. “But we wanted to win, and really just building off of that and not forgetting what it feels like to be here.”

    While Stewart definitely isn’t going anywhere in the near future, the Liberty will need to figure out a way to re-sign free agent Jonquel Jones, who flourished in the playoffs. She averaged 17.0 points, 11.6 rebounds and 2.4 blocks in the postseason.

    Jones, who came to New York in a trade in the offseason, is also an unrestricted free agent.

    “She’s a player that we definitely want to retain, and we’ll continue those talks into the offseason,” Kolb said.

    Jones enjoyed her first season in New York and said that she’s “definitely trending towards coming back here.”

    The Liberty already have Betnijah Laney, Courtney Vandersloot and Sabrina Ionescu signed for next season. Ionescu revealed on Friday that she was dealing with a hip injury in the WNBA Finals that she sustained against Connecticut in the previous round.

    She refused to use the ailment “as an excuse” but said that was not 100% in the Finals. She averaged just 9.7 points and shot 31.5% from the field in the four games.

    “I had to get an injection before (Game 1) just to be able to play those first two Vegas games,” she said. “So obviously, not ideal. It’s just kind of what happens. There’s no excuse obviously but, I mean, I wasn’t really able to walk, so timing wasn’t great.”



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