The 2018 calendar year in the women’s basketball realm was – to say the least – eventful.
That could be putting it mildly.
As expected, the WNBA once again took bold steps in the social and political arenas as it did on the court. One defining feature of the 2018 WNBA season that garnered its fair share of attention was the “Take a Seat, Take a Stand” initiative.
(Video Credit: WNBA)
This season, the @WNBA is supporting organizations that empower women and girls. WATCH: https://t.co/Npluabxq8y #WNBATakesAStand
— Susan Rice (@AmbassadorRice) May 17, 2018
The initiative gave fans who purchased tickets to WNBA games the opportunity to donate proceeds to non-profit organizations that advanced the empowerment of women and girls.
Bright Pink, GLSEN, It’s On Us, MENTOR, Planned Parenthood, and the United State of Women were the organizations along with fans having the chance to support organizations in all 12 WNBA markets.
The year 2018 in the social sphere had been on many people’s consciences since 2016 because this year was the year of an extremely pivotal midterm election. That election, of course, took place after the conclusion of the WNBA season and many notables from the W hoped to ensure that as many of its fans as possible took their talents to the polls.
Hey Fans! Today’s game day – I’m joining @WhenWeAllVote and @MichelleObama here in Las Vegas to get us fired up to vote in November!
Watch it live tonight at 5pm PT / 8pm ET: https://t.co/99RJ0FYNOh pic.twitter.com/LbwdjjGbKK
— Carolyn Swords (@CarolynSwords) September 23, 2018
Just 28 days til midterm election! Time to use our voices for meaningful change. I support @AngieCraigMN for Congress. She’ll fight to close the income inequality gap created by Trump’s tax reform that favors top earners, work to create good-paying jobs in Minnesota, and work to
— Cheryl Reeve (@LynxCoachReeve) October 9, 2018
bolster Affordable Care Act programs. And frankly, no public office should be occupied by someone who espouses the type of language Jason Lewis has toward women saying “Only we can tell our young women, ‘don’t look like some slut and you won’t get hit on.'”
— Cheryl Reeve (@LynxCoachReeve) October 9, 2018
Done ✅ #Vote2018 #YourVoteIsYourVoice #showup pic.twitter.com/reDsEII6s4
— Katie Smith (@katiesmith30) November 6, 2018
Extremely proud 2 support @staceyabrams 2 b HISTORIC GA Governor – committed 2 ensuring opportunity 4 all Georgians🙌🏽 #VOTE #StaceyAbrams4Governor #SeeHer
— Lisa Borders (@Lisa_M_Borders) November 6, 2018
VOTE.
VOTE.
VOTE.
VOTE.
VOTE.
VOTE.
VOTE.
VOTE.
VOTE.
VOTE.
VOTE.
VOTE.
VOTE.👊
— Seattle Storm (@seattlestorm) November 6, 2018
In the final days prior to Election Day, the WNBPA joined forces with Rock The Vote in one last. Push to encourage everyone to vote.
We love @theWNBPA and everything they have done this year to encourage others to vote tomorrow.🗳
That’s why we teamed up with these elite players to make their voices heard for the midterms! #AthletesRockTheVote
Find your polling location,get ahead: https://t.co/1liBqHHZug pic.twitter.com/piTcGNE5Xy
— Rock the Vote (@RockTheVote) November 5, 2018
The intersection of the WNBA’s place in both sports and society took a surprising turn after the season concluded when it was revealed that Lisa Borders, who was the league’s president for three years, departed from her post to be the first-ever president of the Time’s Up organization.
The news sent shockwaves as it also came on the heels of two other executives that departed and were within high-ranking positions within the league. Christine Simmons also recently departed as president and COO of the Los Angeles Sparks and Kelly Krauskopf, longtime Fever president, took a job within the Indiana Pacers.
Mark Tatum, the NBA’s deputy commissioner has stepped into the role on an interim basis and it is expected that the W will have a new president prior to tip-off of the 2019 season. But Borders’ departure coming at such a crucial time for the WNBA has produced renewed questions about its overall health.
Borders’ departure also raised eyebrows given it came at a time when the players’ association decided in early November to opt out of its collective bargaining agreement with the WNBA.
We’re fighting for “a league that has a fair and consistent work environment, that treats its players as the world-class athletes they are, that invests in its future, that believes in us as much as we believe in it.” https://t.co/xQME9gt8JH @Nnemkadi30 @TheWNBPA @PlayersTribune
— Layshia Clarendon (@Layshiac) November 1, 2018
We stand on the shoulders of the women who came before us. In solidarity with the women in our league today. Most importantly for that little girl who sits at home every summer watching us play as she dreams of her chance.
— Layshia Clarendon (@Layshiac) November 1, 2018
Shout out to @Nnemkadi30 for so eloquently articulating what we are standing up for! ✊🏽
— Layshia Clarendon (@Layshiac) November 1, 2018
Three words. Bet. On. Women.
#BetOnWomen #ThePowerOfTheW pic.twitter.com/IllftAwHi8
— WNBPA (@TheWNBPA) November 1, 2018
All of the issues that the players had been attempting to raise with the WNBA, but had seemingly been falling on deaf ears finally came to a head in early November when the union, led by Terri Jackson and Nneka Ogwumike, decided that enough was enough.
Marketing. Salaries. Exposure. Arenas. Player safety. All are topics the players are hoping to address after the 2019 season, which is when attention towards the CBA will kick into an even higher gear.
One name that has become well-known within women’s basketball circles is David Berri, who previously was a writer at Forbes Magazine and a professor of economics at Southern Utah University.
He wrote an article which centered around why WNBA salaries were so low in comparison to their NBA counterparts. A key element of his article was why the NBA decided to invest in the G-League instead of the WNBA when the latter is more popular than the former.
The article got removed from Forbes and the publication let him go – because the NBA did not like that he wrote the cold reality on why W salaries are what they are.
The NBA would like you to know the WNBA has never made a profit.
The really want you to know this.
What is hard to understand is why a business that needs to grow its customer base would want anyone to know this.
The NBA — when it was young — did not do this. https://t.co/jcwM4KYLBY— David Berri (@wagesofwins) December 30, 2018
Remember… WNBA losses — which the league claims are $12 million this year (and that is a claim, there is no evidence of this) — are “incredible”.
Losses for women’s sports are “incredible”.
Much bigger losses for men are funny. https://t.co/XKpe49uMwq— David Berri (@wagesofwins) December 23, 2018
WNBA attendance after 22 years tops what the NBA drew after 22 years.
And the NBA didn’t have to deal with sexist idiots like this.
Of course, we get why you love sexism.
Without sexism in the sports media, you probably wouldn’t be employed. https://t.co/LwFiSTudvi— David Berri (@wagesofwins) December 21, 2018
The turning point, at least this year in the CBA debate likely occurred when the NBA announced that it would offer select contracts to top high school prospects into the G-League as a potential alternative to being unpaid in the NCAA.
Understandably, that set a lot of WNBA players off.
Hahahahahahahahhahahahahaha let me get one of these “select contracts” https://t.co/80zcLpdGOL
— A’ja Wilson (@_ajawilson22) October 18, 2018
But lowkey the real question here is: with this being more than the WNBA max salary, would women be allowed to hoop in the GLeague? because I think some of us could hang. Asking for a friend. 💯✊🏿 😂 https://t.co/tTLYEg7UzL
— Chiney Ogwumike (@Chiney321) October 18, 2018
so where do I sign up for the G league…..
— Jewell B Loyd (@jewellloyd) October 19, 2018
G league I’m coming for ya!! @Chiney321 was I the friend you were asking for? 🙈
— Chelsea Gray (@cgray209) October 19, 2018
No knock to those guys but if its truly about revenue, then there’s really no scenario in which a Gleague player gets paid more than a WNBA player. Like I said….no knock.
— Diamond DeShields (@diamonddoesit1) October 19, 2018
https://www.instagram.com/p/BpHnfUlFlLa/?hl=en&taken-
Since the WNBA has taken on an unapologetically feminist message, this is in direct contrast to the less-than-feminist views of the current occupant of the White House – aka He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named.
After the Lynx defeated the Sparks in the 2017 WNBA Finals, their accomplishment was not rewarded with being honored by the “president” at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue when Minnesota arrived at the Nation’s Capital to take on the Mystics.
Cheryl Reeve and company, instead, devoted that day to a community service effort at a D.C.-area elementary school. The Lynx hosted a Samartian’s Feet Shoes of Hope distribution at Payne Elementary School.
A litany of shoe brands – including DTLR, Jordan Brand, and Nike donated socks and shoes to the over 300 students that attend Payne Elementary. The Lynx also participated in a ceremony that honored their accomplishments on and off the court from 2017.
In June, the women’s basketball community suffered a huge loss with former Seattle Storm and USA Basketball coach Anne Donovan passing away due to heart failure at the age of 56.
Donovan was the coach for the 2004 Storm team that won the WNBA championship as well as the 2008 USA Basketball women’s national team that won a gold medal in Beijing. She also won two gold medals in her playing days and is in both the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame.
She also coached with the Indiana Fever, Connecticut Sun, Charlotte Sting, and New York Liberty.
Lisa Leslie shares her remembrances of basketball legend Anne Donovan, who died Wednesday at age 56. pic.twitter.com/wKrk1fd0mm
— espnW (@espnW) June 14, 2018
WNBA President Lisa Borders released the following statement regarding the passing of Anne Donovan: pic.twitter.com/04gi5hVXIA
— WNBA (@WNBA) June 14, 2018
So sad to learn of the sudden passing of #AnneDonovan at the young age of 56. She was such a gentle giant & a true legend in women’s basketball…a champion on every level & a mentor to many. We’re thinking of her family and friends and we’ll have more coming up this morn on @GMA
— Robin Roberts (@RobinRoberts) June 14, 2018
Celebrating the life of Anne Donovan — the Women’s Basketball legend was 56. Our thoughts are with her family and all affected by her passing. pic.twitter.com/Ou2sRRKxyG
— Good Morning America (@GMA) June 14, 2018
The New York Liberty has issued the following statement regarding the passing of former head coach and women’s basketball pioneer Anne Donovan: pic.twitter.com/u56uzfO1lk
— New York Liberty (@nyliberty) June 14, 2018
A public celebration of her life was held on June 30 at Paramus Catholic High School in New Jersey.
Another lowlight of the 2018 calendar for the WNBA recently happened with the Phoenix Mercury. The Mercury’s assistant coach, Todd Troxel, was charged with misdemeanor assault and disorderly conduct. Troxel is believed to have been involved in a “physical altercation” in late November with his fiancée at their home in Paradise Valley.
Reports said his fiancée suffered a minor injury to one of her hands while one of Troxel’s was more serious.
When the 2019 season kicks off, three teams will have new head coaches. Among those is the Dallas Wings, who let go of former coach Fred Williams after a disagreement with Wings CEO Greg Bibb as the team as in the throes of an extended losing streak that nearly cost them a playoff berth.
The Wings did make the playoffs, but until Brian Agler’s departure from Los Angeles, Dallas did not have a full-time head coach. This was until a press conference in Arlington where Bibb introduced those in north Texas to the Wings’ next coach.
From Hollywood to the Lone Star State… Find out why Coach @brian_agler decided to make the move down South. 🤠 pic.twitter.com/iNtSUh2CVZ
— Dallas Wings (@DallasWings) December 18, 2018
As for Agler’s former team, the Sparks, they made a surprising hire particularly with names such as Fred Williams available – and instead hired former Knicks coach Derek Fisher to take the job.
It was a hire that put a greater lens on just what is going on in Southern California particularly when looking at Magic Johnson as well as general manager Penny Toler.
Fisher’s name also drew the ire given that it was reported that he had joined Luxury Asset Capital, which lends money to athletes in exchange for assets over an extended period of time. Those assets could include future earnings or long-term contracts.
Another team that was on the find for a new head coach was the Chicago Sky, who let go of former coach Amber Stocks after two seasons in the Windy City – both after Elena Delle Donne departed from the City of Broad Shoulders to head to Washington, D.C. to be closer to her native Delaware.
The Sky eventually decided on former Lynx assistant James Wade – a hire that drew rave reviews from pundits for his ability to be a players’ coach.
A quick look into @coachjameswade‘s first day with the Chicago Sky!
Welcome, Coach! pic.twitter.com/7DnlOMl4dw
— Chicago Sky (@wnbachicagosky) November 14, 2018
Chi-Town got themselves a good one.
Thank you for everything, @coachjameswade! pic.twitter.com/6iaevxpFgI
— Minnesota Lynx (@minnesotalynx) November 13, 2018
Congratulations for this new position @coachjameswade , and good luck. God bless you in this new challenge! 💪🏾🏀 #SkyTown pic.twitter.com/AiXyraWlEA
Skytown made a bit of noise in the early going of the 2018-19 offseason beginning with some quizzical social media posts.
11.7.2018 pic.twitter.com/9QQGdGSeJJ
— Chicago Sky (@wnbachicagosky) November 5, 2018
You’ll want to keep an eye out for #skytown on Wednesday.
MARK. YOUR. CALENDAR. pic.twitter.com/a00YPwR8pN
— Chicago Sky (@wnbachicagosky) November 5, 2018
🚨 We’ll need your attention tomorrow. 🚨 pic.twitter.com/tgj0BtS7Sk
— Chicago Sky (@wnbachicagosky) November 6, 2018
It’s now the beginning of a new era.#skytown pic.twitter.com/hK6Q4p9nC7
— Chicago Sky (@wnbachicagosky) November 7, 2018
Don’t worry.
We have a secondary logo for the minimalists. pic.twitter.com/OvVxxaU37H
— Chicago Sky (@wnbachicagosky) November 7, 2018
— Chicago Sky (@wnbachicagosky) November 7, 2018
And concluding in the reveal of the Sky’s new logo – one that maintains its sky blue and gold colors and highlights a signature landmark of Chicago – Willis Tower.
When the Sky said they were just getting started, they were right as was proven when Wade was hired.
Coaches were not the only ones who made bold moves in 2018. Fresh off winning her third WNBA title, Sue Bird took her talents to the Rocky Mountains as she landed a basketball operations job with the Denver Nuggets organization.
16-year vet.
11-time All-Star.
3-time Champion.
Newest member of the front office.#MileHighBasketball pic.twitter.com/u2VBKNKOIR— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) November 19, 2018
Another standout from a team that participated in the 2018 WNBA Finals also landed a job within the NBA ranks as the Mystics’ Kristi Toliver landed a role on the Wizards’ coaching staff.
“When you’re passionate about something, you find time.”
As @KristiToliver officially becomes a part of the Wizards coaching staff, relive her @WashMystics off-day, where she joined the @WashWizards at summer league! pic.twitter.com/RKzgvz9z9l
— WNBA (@WNBA) October 16, 2018
Along with Bird and Toliver, a major move was also made by Minnesota’s very own Lindsay Whalen – but not into the coaching or front office ranks of the NBA.
The 2018 season turned out to be the final one for Whalen as she became the new coach of the women’s basketball program at the University of Minnesota.
Welcome Home, Coach Whalen!
Lindsay Whalen returns to the #Gophers as the new @GopherWBB
head coach.Full details: https://t.co/Mzx0KYRaA7 pic.twitter.com/D3B9Xje9NV
— Minnesota Gophers (@GopherSports) April 12, 2018
Go inside Athletes Village and see priceless reactions from the #Gophers when Lindsay Whalen was announced as new head coach. #SkiUMah pic.twitter.com/jBUhhyXsl4
— Minnesota WBB (@GopherWBB) April 13, 2018
The early returns look to be good for the Golden Gophers as Whalen’s Minnesota team is first in the Big Ten.
It is common for current and former WNBA players – whether they are Teresa Weatherspoon, Chiney Ogwumike, or Rebekkah Brunson – to eventually make moves into the media realm. Add Candace Parker to that list as she became an analyst with NBA TV and NBA on TNT.
Parker will also provide analysis for CBS and Turner’s coverage of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament – as she did for last season’s March Madness.
Having a blast on @NBATV on #PlayersOnly pic.twitter.com/YGzX91mQyZ
— Candace Parker (@Candace_Parker) October 23, 2018
.@Candace_Parker @iamisiahthomas & @SHAQ discuss how @KingJames‘ size and dominant style of play put him in a class with only The Big Fella as the two most difficult players to officiate in @NBA history
Halftime continues on TNT – @cavs lead @washwizards 59-54 pic.twitter.com/oqWKVyuO54
— TurnerSportsPR (@TurnerSportsPR) April 6, 2018
We will be hearing a lot of the name A’ja Wilson for the forseeable future in the WNBA. The rookie out of South Carolina will be entering her second season with the Las Vegas Aces in 2019 and will always be well-revered within Gamecocks circles.
So revered that plans to erect a statue of Wilson outside of Colonial Life Arena in Columbia are moving forward.
The only other athlete that has been honored with a statue on the South Carolina campus was George Rogers, who played football for the Gamecocks and won the 1980 Heisman Trophy.
South Carolina athletic director Ray Tanner said that an unveiling would likely take place before the 2020-21 season. Dawn Staley, South Carolina’s head coach, agreed to put $100,000 towards the project.
We may have forgotten about this one since it happened in one of the first days of the 2018 calendar year, but one of the rarest occasions in basketball is the quadruple-double. Such a feat was actually accomplished by Grambling State’s Shakyla Hill.
On January 3rd, Grambling State defeated Alabama State by a final of 93-71, but what everyone was raving about was Hill’s 15-point, 10-rebound, 10-steal, 10-asssist outing. In the contest’s waning moments, Hill dished one out to Monisha Neal, who connected on a three-pointer for Hill’s 10th dime of the game.
The last time the achievement was done was in 1993.
?WATCH: ICYMI it was a historic performance by LR Hall product Shakyla Hill as she notched a QUADRUPLE-DOUBLE
15 PTS, 10 REBS, 10 ASTS & 10 steals, becoming only the 4th player in DI women’s basketball history to accomplish that feat (?: Grambling State Athletics) pic.twitter.com/bhpIRCBKTp
— Ben Creighton (@Ben_CreightonTV) January 4, 2018
Crazy!!! Not every day you see a quadruple-double! ?? https://t.co/ScVxD1XUdD
— Chris Paul (@CP3) January 4, 2018
There’s something you don’t see everyday…. crazy https://t.co/9TwdkHaUZ7
— James Harden (@JHarden13) January 4, 2018
LeBron praises Grambling State’s Shakyla Hill after “going off” in the 2nd half of her quadruple-double game (via @mcten) pic.twitter.com/00ThmztA0S
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 6, 2018
Speaking of accomplishments, one was also achieved in the early going of this year’s NCAA women’s basketball season. Legendary coach C. Vivian Stringer won her 1,000th career game when her Rutgers Scarlet Knights defeated Central Connecticut State by a final of 73-44.
She further etched her name in the record books of women’s basketball, joining Tara VanDerveer, Sylvia Hatchell, Geno Auriemma, and Pat Summitt as the only coaches in Division I women’s basketball history to win 1,000 games. She is also the first African-American to reach that plateau.
Now, #HERstoryContinues…
1,000 victories & counting ⬆️@cvivianstringer pic.twitter.com/M8ZG3sVapw
— Rutgers W.Basketball (@RutgersWBB) November 14, 2018
Tonight, @cvivianstringer won her 1,000th career victory as a basketball coach. She’s just the ninth coach in the history of the sport to reach this milestone, the fifth NCAA Division 1 women’s coach and the first African American. Congrats, Coach Stringer, and here’s to 1,001. pic.twitter.com/eC029yWd24
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) November 14, 2018
After @RutgersWBB coach @CVivianStringer reached her 1,000th career win, @EWeezy_For3eezy sent a special message for her former head coach. #CVS1K 👏❤️ pic.twitter.com/txVd6qUf6w
— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) November 14, 2018
At the conclusion of the NCAA campaign, for the second consecutive season, a team other than UConn were crowned the victors. Auriemma’s Huskies managed to advance to the Final Four in Columbus, but thanks to Notre Dame – and Arike Ogunbowale in particular – a championship trophy would travel to a destination other than Storrs.
NOTRE DAME KNOCKS OFF UCONN! (via @ncaawbb) pic.twitter.com/19gZD0kZAK
— SLAM Magazine (@SLAMonline) March 31, 2018
a look at the reaction from @RebeccaLobo, @karalawson20 & @adamamin at the broadcast table in the final seconds of the UConn-Notre Dame game pic.twitter.com/0qqpd8Td58
— Anna Negron (@ItsAnnaNegron) March 31, 2018
Ogunbowale’s buzzer-beater lifted the Fighting Irish over the Huskies – and into the national championship game.
And in that championship game that the Irish played against Mississippi State (after its win over Louisville), lightning struck twice in the same place.
NOTRE DAME… WOW pic.twitter.com/Vs3uR9a9nx
— NCAA Women’s BKB (@ncaawbb) April 2, 2018
NATIONAL CHAMPIONS!!!! ☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️
— Arike Ogunbowale (@Arike_O) April 2, 2018
Let’s take a look inside the locker room of the 2018 #WFinalFour champions, @ndwbb!! ☘️???☘️ https://t.co/18JmW1lJuJ
— NCAA Women’s BKB (@ncaawbb) April 2, 2018
Heartbreak for Starkville…but elation and celebration for the Irish as Notre Dame won the 2018 national championship…and earned a heroes’ welcome when they left Katie Smith’s old stomping grounds in Columbus for South Bend.
Welcome home, champs.#GoIrish pic.twitter.com/5Rr3DteFNK
— NOTRE DAME WBB (@ndwbb) April 2, 2018
When you win the Big Dance, you celebrate with a big dance… Irish style.#GoIrish pic.twitter.com/j6q6Du5rOb
— NOTRE DAME WBB (@ndwbb) April 2, 2018
Ogunbowale’s heroics earned her an appearance on ABC’s Dancing With the Stars, an appearance on Ellen, a magazine cover…
ICE. TWICE!
The first player ever to sink back-to-back buzzer beaters in the semis and finals, @Arike_O is on the cover of @SInow!
Pick up your copy starting this Thursday!#GoIrish☘️ pic.twitter.com/Rlj2PH59MQ
— NOTRE DAME WBB (@ndwbb) April 3, 2018
…and an ESPY win for Best Play.
Thank you @ESPYS and everyone that voted. Couldn’t have done it with out my teammates, coaches, and family. THANK YOU! 🏆
— Arike Ogunbowale (@Arike_O) July 19, 2018
“Come see us on the court.”
Arike Ogunbowale and @ndwbb are bringing another 🏆 back. This time, it’s the Best Play award from the @ESPYS!#GoIrishpic.twitter.com/YbMEuVvBI2
&mdashere; The Fighting Irish (@FightingIrish) July 19, 2018
When it was time for the NCAA season to give way to the WNBA campaign, the players for all 12 teams were sporting updated uniforms as a caveat of the NBA’s apparel deal with Nike.
Dreams also came true at the WNBA Draft, which was held at Nike’s New York City headquarters in advance of said draft. As expected by many, Wilson was selected by the W’s newest team – the Aces – with the first overall pick.
With the 1st pick in #WNBADraft 2018, the @LVAces select A’ja Wilson out of South Carolina!pic.twitter.com/3m7B6sSI78
— Def Pen Hoops (@DefPenHoops) April 12, 2018
Other noteworthy draftees included Kelsey Mitchell to the Fever, Diamond DeShields and Gabby Williams to the Sky, Jordin Canada to the Storm, Azura Stevens to the Wings, Ariel Atkins to the Mystics, Victoria Vivians to the Fever, Lexie Brown to the Sun, and Kia Nurse to the Liberty.
Speaking of the Liberty, New York received added attention in the 2018 season because of three words. Westchester. County. Center.
The White Plains venue that is nearly a century old and seats a mere 2,300 (in comparison to Madison Square Garden which seats many more) was as much a focal point of the Liberty’s 2018 as the players (and new coach) themselves. Needless to say, the County Center did not exactly receive rave reviews.
The Westchester County Center should never be uttered again in the same breath as Cameron Indoor Stadium. That’s an Undisputed/First Take-level hot take @WNBAinsidr #WNBA
— Pat Ralph (@Pat_Ralph) August 13, 2018
There are longtime Liberty fans who’ve dealt with being ignored/taken for granted by MSG Co., made the 3-year trek to Prudential Center, and have endured this dispiriting season at Westchester County Center. I’m sorry; you all deserve better. But your loyalty is commendable.
— Mechelle Voepel (@MechelleV) August 12, 2018
Not only did the County Center not exactly was the envy of other WNBA arenas, the Liberty’s 2018 season was one to forget – a 7-27 season one year after finishing with the best record in the Eastern Conference.
The impending sale of the team is still in the background as well. It appears as if all will be fine for now as New York prepares to take the court for the second straight season in Westchester County, but the AP has reported there have been several would-be deals to sell the team that have fallen through.
Mention the name Liz Cambage to a Liberty fan and cue the long face that will appear on said fan’s face. In one of the signature moments of the 2018 season, Cambage dropped a single-game record 53 points on the Liberty in Arlington which willed Dallas to a 104-87 win.
Liz Cambage put up a historic stat-line today, with 53 POINTS (including 4 threes), 10 rebounds, and 5 blocks to become the record leader in most points in a single #WNBA game!
Watch @ecambage make history 🔥 #WatchMeWork pic.twitter.com/9O9gPVhcUv
— WNBA (@WNBA) July 17, 2018
#WNBA record 53 points
17/22 FG
4/5 3FG
15/16 FT
10 rebounds
5 blocksHISTORY for @ECambage! #WatchMeWork
— WNBA (@WNBA) July 17, 2018
At the outset of the season, it was expected that the Las Vegas Aces would underachieve similar to their previous life as the San Antonio Stars (at least in 2017).
Despite all of the pomp and circumstance, it was a team that finished with one of the W’s worst records in 2017.
Except the presences of A’ja Wilson – who won Rookie of the Year – and coach Bill Laimbeer made a difference and the Aces came close to clinching a playoff berth in their first season in Sin City.
Las Vegas’ season was marred in late July-early August. Shortly after the All-Star break, the Aces were mired in a travel debacle involving a flight from Sin City to Washington, D.C. as they were flying for a game against the Mystics.
A litany of delays and layovers eventually led to the team being stuck for an extended period of time at the airport. The team eventually had a layover in Dallas and there were not any available flights that could hold the entire team.
The team finally left from Dallas-Fort Worth to Washington, D.C. the early afternoon of the game. Meaning they got no sleep in advance of the 8 p.m. tip-off at Capital One Arena. The game was canceled – and ruled a forfeit.
🚨INJURY UPDATE🚨@kaymac_2123 😴@Kelseyplum10 😴@_BonnBonn 😴@LA_Cruisen 😴@dearicamarie 😴@CarolynSwords 😴@kelseybone3 😴@jaimenaredd 😴@Niacoff 😴@tyoung11 😴@jisupark_twt 😴@_ajawilson22 😴@OMG_itsizzyb on the temporarily suspended list but probably 😴 too pic.twitter.com/2MBoeJhPiv
— Las Vegas Aces ♦️♠️ (@LVAces) August 3, 2018
Full statement on tonight’s canceled game in Washington. 👇 pic.twitter.com/SBCypeCav8
— Las Vegas Aces ♦️♠️ (@LVAces) August 4, 2018
It was the first time a forfeit had happened in league history – a controversial decision given the circumstances.
What was jarring about the news was that it came just on the heels of Las Vegas being awarded the 2019 All-Star Game.
WNBA President Lisa Borders announces the location of the 2019 All-Star Game: LAS VEGAS! pic.twitter.com/lhTN3s4wpD
— The W Podcast (@theWpodcast_) July 28, 2018
The announcement made sense given the Aces season and the energy that MGM Resorts had built around the team. It is the first time Vegas will host the All-Star Game – and the third consecutive All-Star Game held in a city that had never hosted it before, which was a staple of the Lisa Borders era.
It is a plus for the game itself because a complaint many fans have had is why the game is not treated as more of an event ala the NBA’s rendition. Las Vegas automatically turns it into an event.
This year’s All-Star Game emanated from the Target Center in Minneapolis – fittingly since this was the season where the Lynx returned to their primary home after it was undergoing renovations.
For the second consecutive year, the game also featured a three-point contest at halftime. Allie Quigley of the Chicago Sky won the 2017 contest at Seattle’s KeyArena and managed a repeat performance in the Land of 10,000 Lakes.
It was a thrilling final between Quigley and the Aces’ Kayla McBride. Quigley put up an 18 in the final round, but McBride matched the Sky’s resident sharpshooter trey for trey.
Kayla McBride sent the contest to OT!!! Such an exciting event #WNBAAllStar @WNBAinsidr pic.twitter.com/raCG0JTpZk
— Nicholas LeTourneau (@nick_lt) July 28, 2018
The contest went to another round and Quigley made sure it was out of reach this time with a 29 score. McBride finished with a 21.
The game itself took on a Team (Candace) Parker vs. Team (Elena) Delle Donne format, similar to what the NBA did with its All-Star festivities in Los Angeles as opposed to the traditional East vs. West format. Fittingly, with the game being in Minnesota and Maya Moore being the recipient of the previous two All-Star Game MVPs, she made it a hat trick as Team Parker bested Team Delle Donne 119-112.
When we look back, though, on 2018 in women’s basketball it may simply be remembered as The Year of Stewie.
That Year of Stewie may not have happened without what happened in Game 5 of a WNBA semifinal contest between the Phoenix Mercury and Seattle Storm. Seattle had a lead in Game 4 of that series only to relinquish it late and losing Sue Bird for the game. Bird, mask and all, scored 14 of her 22 Game 5 points in the fourth quarter which lifted the Storm to the victory.
Sue Bird just murdered the Phoenix Mercury in cold blood: https://t.co/egRufUxXxY pic.twitter.com/QPsn11xrXv
— Deadspin (@Deadspin) September 5, 2018
With Seattle getting by Phoenix, they awaited their opponents in the WNBA Finals – which turned out to be the Washington Mystics. Washington overcame their own injury troubles in the semifinals only to see Delle Donne return for the final two games against the Atlanta Dream.
Seattle swept the Mystics en route to the franchise’s third WNBA title – and a first Finals MVP for Breanna Stewart, who also was named MVP of the regular season.
“It doesn’t feel real yet, honestly.”@breannastewart, the youngest Finals MVP in #WNBA history, reflects on winning the title! pic.twitter.com/2O1rte1BJf
— WNBA (@WNBA) September 13, 2018
.@ROSGO21 chats with #WNBAFinals MVP @breannastewart! pic.twitter.com/pDVIKjKYuA
— NBA TV (@NBATV) September 13, 2018
.@breannastewart drops 30 PTS to cap off an incredible season and earn #WNBAFinals MVP honors!#WatchMeWork pic.twitter.com/qAZktEIgr0
— WNBA (@WNBA) September 13, 2018
Celebration time in the @seattlestorm locker room!#PhantomCam pic.twitter.com/qLoGpvKHM0
— WNBA (@WNBA) September 13, 2018
The Year of Stewie was completed after the completion of a compressed WNBA season when Team USA won the FIBA World Cup in Tenerife, Spain. She added FIBA World Cup MVP honors to what was a banner 2018.
Unprecedented, but not impossible. These are gold habits.
2018 marks a third consecutive #FIBAWWC gold medal & the USA’s 10th @FIBA Women’s World Cup gold medal all-time. pic.twitter.com/uJRx1VR9TS
— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) September 30, 2018
Wow. Only way to make a WNBA Championship more special is bringing home a gold medal!!!!! #USA
— Breanna Stewart (@breannastewart) September 30, 2018
This has been one of the most challenging runs yet. Players resting, injuries, VERY limited practice time, a most competitive & rigorous WNBA summer, A LOT working against @usabasketball #USABWNT in #FIBAWWC. Despite it ALL..amazing job by players, staff, coaches & @dawnstaley!!! https://t.co/e2XGGWvshW
— LaChina Robinson (@LaChinaRobinson) September 30, 2018
OOOOOOOOOOOOOooooo yeeeaaaaaaa!!! 🥇🇺🇸 Congratulations, @usabasketball! #USABWNT wins their third straight @fiba World Cup Gold Medal! #Inspire #Impact #ChangingLives #keepthestreakalive🔥 #SoBlessed pic.twitter.com/orPsHljwM1
— Tamika Catchings (@Catchin24) September 30, 2018
Raise the 🏆 you’re @FIBA World Cup champs! 🇺🇸🏀#FIBAWWC #PhantomCam pic.twitter.com/znHnOQcvDe
— WNBA (@WNBA) September 30, 2018
What a 2018 it was…and one only wonders what 2019 has in store.
The Atlanta Dream will return to State Farm Arena after two years at Georgia Tech’s McCamish Pavilion. The New York Liberty have still yet to be sold and will play the majority of its games again in Westchester. The Washington Mystics will be in a new arena in the Congress Heights neighborhood of D.C. and the Seattle Storm will split games between Alaska Airlines Arena at the University of Washington and Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett.
Three teams will have new head coaches. The league is still in search of a new president. We will likely be hearing a lot more about the CBA.
And we still have not even arrived at free agency or where the 2019 Draft will be staged. It is definitely possible a few teams may look very different from how they are currently constructed.
Lots of questions will be answered and you can rest assured Beyond The W and The W Podcast will keep a close eye of all the latest developments regarding women’s basketball and the WNBA as we enter a new year.
See you in 2019 somewhere!
