MVP Arike Ogunbowale scored 21 points in the third quarter and finished the contest with 34 points all in the second half with three rebounds, six assists, and a pair of steals. Her effort led the youthful Team WNBA to a surprising victory.  It was a night of individual brilliance as incoming league sensations etched their names into the WNBA All-Star rookie record books. Cailin Clark’s 10 assists and Angel Reese’s 11 rebounds were standout performances.  

MVP, MVP, MVP!

With 34 PTS, 3 REB, 6 AST Arike Ogunbowale is named the @ATT #WNBAAllstar Game MVP for the 2nd time in her career! pic.twitter.com/SfJrdzECFB

— WNBA (@WNBA) July 21, 2024

Nneka Ogwumike scored 14 points, Kelsey Mitchell scored 13, and Angel Reese added 12 points with her first WNBA All-Star double-double.  USAB Women’s National Team had guard Breanna Stewart leading the squad with 31 points and ten rebounds in the loss. A’Ja Wilson posted 22 points (6 rebounds), Brittney Griner hit 10 points (7 rebounds), and Diana Taurasi notched 13 (6 rebounds).

Team WNBA’s biggest lead was 20 points, including 16 fast-break points, with the bench players contributing 54 points on the evening.  The National Team staged a late, dramatic rally, bringing the game within eight points before the final buzzer, adding a thrilling finish to the game.

Welcome to the WNBA, Angel Reese. No champion can say they don’t welcome the battles without having the battle scars as proof. The Sky’s rookie continues to play steadily with the Chicago Sky during their 86-82 loss to the Connecticut Sun on Saturday night. Reese had a couple of hard falls at the hands of veteran forward Alyssa Thomas. The last tumble was from a Flagrant 2 penalty, resulting in Thomas’ ejection from the contest.  

It’s like Alyssa Thomas was deliberately trying to take Angel Reese out. She’s notorious for playing like this & could’ve seriously injured Angel. Alyssa shouldn’t have even joined the #WNBA & should’ve gone into the WWE instead because this is ridiculous. It’s embarrassing… pic.twitter.com/oq8aporAQb

— Sha Hartley (@shahartley) May 26, 2024

Media and fans posted negative commentary about the level of physicality of Thomas’ play, but Reese’s postgame remarks shed a different light. “It’s not just because I’m a rookie,” Angel Reese said. “I’m a player. I’m a basketball player. They don’t give a damn if I’m a rookie. I mean, I want them to come at me every day. I want them to come at everybody. I mean, they’re not supposed to be nice to me. I hope you all know that.”   

Angel Reese on that hard foul by Alyssa Thomas which led to an ejection: “They don’t give a damn if I’m a rookie. … They’re not supposed to be nice to me. … Thank you AT for sending a message to me because I got back up and I kept going.” pic.twitter.com/tZUsMjSm8g

— Julia Poe (@byjuliapoe) May 26, 2024

Whether people agree or not, basketball is a contact sport in which hard and tough fouls occur by accident and on purpose. “They’re not supposed to be nice to me or lay down because I’m Angel Reese or because I’m a rookie. Like, thank you, AT, for sending the message to me because I got back up, and I kept going, and kept and kept pushing. Like, me and AT have been cool since we were in Maryland. So I know it’s no hard feelings, and I appreciate her for going out here every day for today.”

Angel Reese tonight

13 points
5 rebounds
44% FG

pic.twitter.com/HA4txsGgdT

— Women’s Hoops Network (@WomensHoops_USA) May 26, 2024

Reese finished the highly competitive matchup against Thomas with 13 points, five rebounds, two assists, and one steal.   After four professional games, the rookie forward has averaged 12.3 points, 7.8 rebounds, 1.0 steals, and 1.5 assists.  

One aspect of her game you can admire, is her willingness to clash and extend playing time. Reese’s minutes have gone from 26, 25, 31, to 33, as head coach Teresa Weatherspoon is developing trust in her young player.

LSU’s recent graduate, Angel Reese, showcased her potential with another solid performance in her second game. The rookie forward was one rebound away from her first double-double as a professional in 25 minutes of game action. Reese registered 11 points, 9 rebounds, and 2 assists in the win.

This Chicago Sky team is gonna be something special. Teresa Weatherspoon brings the energy & passion

And how great is it that Angel Reese has the respect of vets just two games in? Love seeing the relationship between her and T-Spoon #SkyTown #WNBA pic.twitter.com/Ip5wXMKsjR

— Joshua Sánchez (@jnsanchez) May 19, 2024

No. 3-draft pick Kamilla Cardoso is nursing a shoulder injury and should be ready to join the team in a few weeks.  Her return could potentially bring a significant boost to the team’s performance, adding depth and strength to the roster.

The Mystics announced moving its game with the Chicago Sky to Capital One Arena.

Angel Reese/Kamilla Cardoso effect: Mystics move their June 6 home game against the Chicago Sky from their home building, the Entertainment and Sports Arena (capacity 4,200), to Capital One Arena (capacity 20,000): pic.twitter.com/UPeJlpNpNZ

— David Aldridge (@davidaldridgedc) May 14, 2024

The Sky will play Indiana and Caitlin Clark for an NBA TV broadcast on Saturday, June 1.

Allow us to introduce to you…
𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐠𝐨 𝐒𝐤𝐲!#skytown pic.twitter.com/kpCNV8Dd5y

— Chicago Sky (@chicagosky) May 13, 2024

CHICAGO SKY 2024 FULL BROADCAST SCHEDULE  

*CC = Commissioner’s Cup Games  

As the official underwear of the @WNBA, SKIMS is as comfortable as it gets. Just in time for the season tip-off Candace Parker, Cameron Brink, Kelsey Plum, Dijonai Carrington, and Skylar Diggins-Smith sport our Fits Everybody collection. pic.twitter.com/CYj9Ab6E0P

— SKIMS (@skims) May 13, 2024

Diggins-Smith described herself as a “menace” while Plum said she is “fire” on the basketball court.

“We’re thrilled to partner with the WNBA and to excite fans and female athletes through WNBA marquee events, brand activations, media, and campaigns,” Co-Founder & Creative Director, SKIMS, Kim Kardashian, said. “We look forward to working together in amplifying our joint values of women empowerment and individual confidence.”

The WNBA and SKIMS are gearing up for exciting activations at the 2024 AT&T WNBA All-Star Game in Phoenix. Stay tuned for exclusive product launches, interactive experiences, and more, all designed to celebrate the spirit of the game and the power of women in sports.

WNBA IN SPORTS BUSINESS:  A’ja Wilson: New Signature Basketball Shoe From Nike

Andscape’s Sean Hurd shares on the significance of Wilson’s signature shoe from Nike:

• Wilson is the first Black WNBA player to have a signature shoe since Candace Parker (2010-11)
• Wilson is the first Black woman since Sheryl Swoopes (2002) to have a signature basketball shoe with Nike.

Excerpts from the press release:

• “It’s been incredible working with Nike toward a dream of having my collection, and it really is an honor to take this next step and become a Nike signature athlete,” says Wilson. “From my logo to the look of the shoe and the pieces throughout the collection, we’ve worked to make sure every detail is perfectly tuned to my game and style.”

• Wilson’s experience with Nike has been reflected throughout the design process, says Ben Nethongkome, the lead footwear designer for her collection. From the onset, he says, A’ja was quick to share her aesthetic and performance priorities for her signature shoe, and her collaborative spirit and infectious energy helped the design team bring her vision to life.

• “The design process with Nike was really gratifying, and I didn’t realize how much goes into designing a shoe,” says Wilson. “My biggest asks were that the shoe was light and comfortable for all the hours I spend on the court, and that it also looks really good. It’s versatile, and I hope people will wear it when they’re hooping but also just when they’re walking around every day. It’s so exciting to be sharing my signature, a piece of me, with the world.”

.@_ajawilson22 dropped some clues for her new Nike signature shoes

Here’s what to expect for now. pic.twitter.com/rUB23ZwgZm

— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) May 11, 2024

Wilson joins Nike’s growing list of women in sports who are their signature athletes including Serena Williams, Megan Rapinoe, Naomi Osaka and Sabrina Ionescu.

The game between Chicago Sky and Minnesota Lynx was thrilling, showcasing the exciting new connection between Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso. Their debut surely didn’t disappoint their rookie head coach, Teresa Weatherspoon.  

“They came from great programs,” Weatherspoon said in her postgame interview. “They’re winners. They’re champions. They’re competitors. They compete. So, this is just a learning process for them. We’ve got leaders on this team that’s going to bring them along, and bring them along well. And that’s what matters. We play with and for each other.”

Reese was a starter in the preseason opener. The ‘Chi-Town Barbie’ played 24 minutes and contributed 13 points, nine rebounds (4 Defensive, 5 Offensive), a pair of steals, and one block as the Sky fell 92-81 to the Lynx. Also, she forced several fouls and went 9 of 10 from the free-throw line. Unfortunately, Reese had five personal fouls and two turnovers.

Angel Reese’s offensive rebound & putback.

: @heyheyitsalli #WNBA #SkyTown@Reese10Angel pic.twitter.com/goNS9GbYSI

— SUMMER (@SummerDC_) May 4, 2024

“She just got her feet wet,” Weatherspoon responded to a question about Reese’s foul trouble. “There’s nothing to be worried about, nothing at all. You’re talking about a freaking competitor. We’re going to be fine. We’re going to look at film. We’re going to get better. She loved every minute of this. Trust me.”

Kamilla Cardoso came off the bench and played for 13 minutes in her first outing. The center went 3 of 5 from the field, scoring six points, grabbing four rebounds, two blocks, one assist, and a steal.

Unfortunately, the WNBA had a major flub last night. Due to an omission and opportunity to cash in, fans were left searching beyond the Fever-Wings game for the Sky-Lynx showdown with Reese and Cardoso. Many were able to watch a stream on X from @heyheyitsalli’s account.

The game, which streamed up to 300K viewers at one point and now has over 1.7M views, was a missed opportunity for the league. By having it on League Pass, the WNBA could have capitalized on the potential earnings from these two new burgeoning stars and dynamic duo.

Angel Reese to Kamilla Cardoso in their WNBA preseason debuts

(via @chicagosky) pic.twitter.com/Aw7uX6V3uj

— espnW (@espnW) May 4, 2024

“The Lynx-Sky game was moved from Sat to Fri causing issues for Bally Sports who already committed to broadcasting the Twins game,” according to Rob Knox.

In what can be described as Caitlin Clark’s coming out party, the NCAA scoring champion made a significant impact.  She scored 21 points, grabbed three rebounds, and had a pair of assists and steals.  However, the downside was her committing five turnovers, which played a role in the Fever’s 79-76 loss to the Wings.

With the arrival of new talents like Angel Reese, Kamilla Cardoso, and Caitlin Clark, the WNBA has a wealth of star power for this season. It will be up to the league’s brass to understand how to capitalize on these new arrivals instead of focusing solely on Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever games.  

Despite past struggles with viewership and fan engagement, the league’s diverse talent pool promises an exciting future but must learn to convert into financial windfalls.

After her impressive rookie coaching campaign, Harding received the 2024 NBA G League Coach of the Year honors voted by her fellow head coaches and league general managers.

The Kings lost 114-107 to the Oklahoma City Blue in the Western Conference Finals on Apr. 7.

If the Charlotte Hornets decide to bring Lindsey Harding on board, she will make history as the first woman and black female head coach in the National Basketball League.

Harding, 39, was recruited to Duke University after a highly successful high school career with Cy-Fair High School in the greater Houston area. After four years with the Blue Devils, the Phoenix Mercury selected her as the first overall draft pick in the 2007 WNBA Draft.

Her professional playing career spanned from 2007 to 2017 in the WNBA and Europe. Harding officially hung up her basketball shoes after nine seasons and six teams in the league. She averaged 9.8 points, 4.0 assists, and 2.9 rebounds in 270 games during her WNBA career.

The retired veteran accepted the head coach position with the South Sudanese Women’s national basketball team in 2021. Harding was named the head coach for Mexico’s national women’s basketball squad the following year. On June 20, 2023, the Stockton Kings named her the team’s new head coach.

“As a little girl growing up you always dream of playing basketball and getting your first trading card – I can’t wait for fans everywhere to be able to start collecting my Panini cards,” Reese said.

The former “Bayou Barbie” and 2023 national champion from LSU is projected to be a top-ten prospect in the 2024 WNBA Draft on Apr. 15.

A true game changer, on and off of the court

Honored to welcome the iconic @Reese10Angel to the Panini Exclusive Family!

Angel’s first Panini Cards will be available at 3:00 PM EST here: https://t.co/3XsYkmPG2a #WhoDoYouCollect pic.twitter.com/dWAA9AoHEv

— Panini America (@PaniniAmerica) April 10, 2024

“Angel is an outstanding talent and an electric player, and we are excited to welcome her to the Panini family as an exclusive athlete,” Jason Howarth, Panini America’s senior vice president of marketing and athlete relations, said in a released statement.

Panini’s first product with Reese is the $9.99 Panini Instant card, which is available on the company’s website.

Reese declared for the WNBA Draft a day after losing to Iowa in the NCAA Women’s Championship semifinal game. The Hawkeye’s legendary guard, Cailin Clark, announced a deal with Panini last month.   Clark projects to become the overall draft pick in the WNBA Draft’s first round.

The two young superstars intend to make their professional debut at the beginning of the WNBA season.

In the article, Reese stated: “I’ve done everything I wanted to in college,” Reese said. “I’ve won a national championship, I’ve gotten [Southeastern Conference] Player of the Year, I’ve been an All-American. My ultimate goal is to be a pro—and to be one of the greatest basketball players to play, ever. I feel like I’m ready.”

She’s an influential business figure in sports. Reese, “The Bayou Barbie,” already has over 5 million social media followers, a NIL deal with Reebok, and partnerships with Goldman Sachs, Amazon, Mercedes-Benz, AirBNB, Beats by Dre, and ZOA.

The loss to Iowa hurt the LSU faithful but not Reese’s impact and marketability. During her post-game interview, she expressed her frustrations with handling pressures outside the basketball court after leading LSU to win the 2023 NCAA Women’s National Championship.  

Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark could become for the WNBA what Magic Johnson and Larry Bird were for the NBA in the 80s and 90s. The arrival of the two legends propelled the professional league into a different stratosphere — so can Reese and Clark do the same for the WNBA.

Monday, April 15, will be one of the most important for the struggling league as the draft will have emerging stars entering the league. Most will be well prepared for the limelight and exposure.  

Angel Reese may not be selected as the overall selection in the WNBA Draft, but it shouldn’t matter. Her determination to become one of the league’s best players will make her a recognizable figure worldwide, enhancing the WNBA brand and market demand.