It is 2017, and while the women’s basketball game, admittedly, has strides left to make to put itself on equal footing (in terms of coverage) as the men’s game, the women’s game has made strides over the years.
A common stereotype that is thrown out amongst the masses is that the game of women’s basketball does not garner the same amount of passion as does the men’s game. Even though anyone who is watching any of the NCAA women’s tournament games can clearly see this is not the case.
My first for @TeenVogue: a powerful message on the value of women’s basketball. @bre_stewart30 @StephanieWhite @WNBA https://t.co/nUIXMH7Rb7
— Lyndsey D’Arcangelo (@darcangel21) March 24, 2017
In her first article for Teen Vogue, Lyndsey D’Arcangelo caught up with several women’s basketball players and fans that shared exactly why they love the game.
Among those she talked to was the Seattle Storm’s Breanna Stewart.
Playing basketball has influenced my life in a positive way by taking me places that I never thought I would go. It helped me create friendships and relationships that will last a lifetime as well as develop a strong sense of self and values that are unwavering.
–Breanna Stewart
Stewie also said she looked up to Lisa Leslie, Sheryl Swoopes, and Rebecca Lobo for paving the way for today’s players.
D’Arcangelo also talked with Ashley Battle, a former UConn player who had a five-year stint in the WNBA beginning with the Storm and later with the New York Liberty.
I was able to travel the world, and now I have friends in many different countries. Basketball also gave me some great opportunities after I retired and helped with my ability to interact and communicate with others in business.
–Ashley Battle
She cites Teresa Edwards as her favorite player.
D’Arcangelo also caught up with Stephanie White, who was the head coach with the Indiana Fever before she accepted the Vanderbilt job.
It’s taught me teamwork, leadership, accountability, responsibility, time management, how to respond to failure and setbacks as well as how to fight for what I believe in.
White says watching the Women’s Final Four exposed her to players such as Dawn Staley and Sheryl Swoopes and she later learned the history of the game which taught her more about players such as Anne Donovan and Nancy Lieberman.
Darcangelo also caught up with Alice “Cookie” Barron who played for the Wayland Baptist University Flying Queens. Before the dominance of UConn in today’s women’s game, Wayland Baptist won 131 consecutive games from 1953 to 1958 and won 10 AAU national title games.
It has taught me to recognize that hard work and a never give up mentality, even when others say, ‘that’s impossible.’
–Alice “Cookie” Barron
By: Akiem Bailum (@AkiemBailum on Twitter, Instagram)
