Erin Achenbach Articles - Page 13

South Carolina women’s basketball coach and Team USA women’s basketball selection committee member Dawn Staley acknowledged that  Indiana Fever rookie Caitlin Clark would have been given strong consideration for the 2024 Paris Olympics roster if selections were made today. Staley’s comments came on the eve of Team USA’s first game against Japan on Monday adding […]

Former world No. 1 tennis player Naomi Osaka suffered a first-round defeat at the Paris Olympics on Saturday, losing to Germany’s Angelique Kerber 7-5, 6-3. The loss has prompted Osaka to admit she needs to rediscover her winning form. “I guess I need to learn how to win again. Maybe that’s something I forgot how […]

American track and field star Chari Hawkins experienced a heartwarming full-circle moment at the 2024 Paris Olympics, rekindling a memory from her youth involving NBA superstar LeBron James. Hawkins, who is making her Olympic debut in the heptathlon, shared her touching story about meeting James for the second time, 22 years after their first encounter. […]

The most decorated gymnast in history, Simone Biles, impressed the world yet again with her performance at the Olympic qualifiers on Sunday, despite concerns about a leg injury. The 27-year-old gymnast scored an impressive 15.800 on the vault, the highest score recorded globally this year. However, the accomplishment was not without challenges as she was […]

Sports commentator Bill Simmons issued a stark warning about a potential labor strike in the WNBA, predicting significant turbulence within the next two years. Simmons, in a recent discussion with Derek Thompson on Friday, highlighted the growing dissatisfaction among WNBA players over the stark pay disparity between them and their NBA counterparts, despite increasing viewership […]

In a lighthearted moment at the Paris Olympics, American tennis player Emma Navarro recreated an iconic meme of basketball superstar LeBron James. Navarro shared a photo on her Instagram story of her meeting the legendary Lakers player, with a caption mirroring a well-known image of James, “Smiling through it all! Can’t believe this is my […]

During the Opening Ceremony of the Paris Olympics on Friday, Team USA women’s basketball forward A’ja Wilson added a touch of fashionable flair to the event, all thanks to NBA superstar and Team USA basketball guard Stephen Curry. Wilson, in a social media post, thanked Curry for a quirky and colorful pair of sunglasses featuring […]

The Team USA women’s basketball team kick-started its quest for an eighth consecutive gold medal at the Paris Olympics with an intense and rigorous practice session in London. Following a demanding 10-hour flight from Phoenix on July 20 and a day of rest, the team gathered for their first practice on July 22 since their […]

Four-time Olympic champion Simone Biles is on the brink of making history once again as she prepares for the Paris Olympics. Known for her skills and dominance in gymnastics, Biles has submitted an original move on the uneven bars, which, if successfully completed, will become the sixth element named after her. The new skill, a […]

The WNBA announced a groundbreaking 11-year media rights deal on Wednesday valued at $2.2 billion. The agreement, which includes partnerships with Disney, Amazon Prime Video  and new rights holder NBCUniversal, marks a historic moment for the WNBA and highlights the growing interest and value of women’s basketball. “Partnering with Disney, Amazon, and NBCU marks a […]

Women’s basketball legend and Phoenix Mercury star Diana Taurasi spoke on the mindset driving Team USA women’s basketball as they aim for their eighth consecutive gold medal at the Paris Olympics. When discussing what it takes for Team USA to secure another gold, Taurasi acknowledged the challenges but is confident in the team’s ability to […]

Former Stanford pitcher NiJaree Canady, the 2024 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year, has committed to Texas Tech, a significant shift in college softball. Canady’s move comes with a record-breaking NIL deal, reportedly worth seven figures annually, making it the largest for a college softball player. This historic deal was facilitated by Texas Tech […]

Indiana Fever coach Christie Sides is taking full advantage of the WNBA’s Olympic break to fine-tune her team’s performance and build stronger team chemistry. With 11 out of 12 players remaining in town, Sides sees this period as a crucial time for the team to practice together and implement new strategies. “The time that we’re […]

Chicago Sky rookie Angel Reese will join the new professional three-on-three league, Unrivaled, founded by WNBA stars Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart, in the WNBA offseason. The announcement was made official through an Instagram post on Wednesday by the league, where Reese was introduced as the “305 Barbie.”. Reese already set a remarkable record by […]

The U.S. women’s basketball team secured an 84-57 victory over Germany in an exhibition game Tuesday night in London ahead of the Paris Olympics. The win comes as a morale booster following their unexpected loss to a team of WNBA All-Stars just days prior. A’ja Wilson led the charge for the American squad, posting a […]

Brittney Griner is back in Europe with the USA Basketball women’s national team, marking her first trip abroad since her detainment in Russia. Griner, who is focused on winning an Olympic gold medal in Paris, expressed her excitement and relief about the journey, noting that she feels secure and supported by her teammates. “I’m excited […]

In the WNBA, the influence of emerging stars Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese can’t be overstated. The league has seen a significant uptick in attention and attendance, largely thanks to their contributions. Sue Bird, a retired WNBA legend, recently commented on their impact, emphasizing how these rookies have accelerated the league’s growth. “You can look […]

Satou and Nyara Sabally are set to make history as they lead the Germany women’s basketball team to its first Olympic appearance. The Sabally sisters, who have long dreamed of sharing the court on an international stage, are eager to embrace their historic journey in Paris. “It means everything. I love to share the court […]

The WNBA All-Star Game reached a historic milestone Saturday, drawing 3.44 million viewers on ABC, the highest audience for the event in 21 years. This viewership surpasses the previous record set in 2003, when 1.441 million tuned in to watch a matchup at Madison Square Garden. The 2003 WNBA All-Star Game featured legends like Lisa […]

Indiana Fever rookie sensation Caitlin Clark garnered more praise from Hall of Famer and basketball analyst Rebecca Lobo. Speaking on SiriusXM NBA Radio on Monday, Lobo declared Clark the “best passer in the league,” a praise that comes just halfway through Clark’s inaugural WNBA season. “She’s incredible,” Lobo added, per Scott Thompson of Fox News. […]

Dallas Wings standout payer Arike Ogunbowale opened up about her decision to withdraw from consideration for Team USA ahead of the Paris Olympics. Despite her impressive performances and accolades, Ogunbowale cited a sense of not being truly wanted on the team and the presence of politics in the selection process. In an interview with Amina […]

The U.S. national women’s basketball team finds itself in a familiar situation after losing to a team of WNBA All-Stars in an exhibition game ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics. The All-Star team defeated Team USA 117-109 on Saturday, echoing a similar defeat before the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. A’ja Wilson, who contributed 22 points […]

Midway through the WNBA season, the league has already drawn more than a dozen audiences exceeding 1 million, a milestone not reached since 2008. The remarkable increase in viewership is largely attributed to the arrival of rookie Caitlin Clark, whose popularity has propelled the Indiana Fever’s games to the top of the ratings chart. The […]

American swimmer Katie Ledecky shared her unique motivation heading into the Paris Olympics, emphasizing her determination to prove her initial success in London was no fluke. “I never dreamed of that as a young kid, to make an Olympics,” Ledecky said, as reported by Nicole Auerbach of The Athletic. “So, after London … I wanted […]

The WNBA All-Stars triumphed over Team USA in the WNBA All-Star Game on Saturday, a result that left veteran player Diana Taurasi of the Phoenix Mercury visibly frustrated. Taurasi, who is set to represent Team USA at the Summer Olympics in Paris, France later this month, didn’t hold back her feelings after the loss, delivering […]

The WNBA is exploring the possibility of expanding its regular season to 44 games for the 2025 season, confirmed by Commissioner Cathy Engelbert on Saturday before the league’s All-Star Game. “We’re looking at the footprint for next year,” Engelbert said, as reported by Alexa Philippou of ESPN. “We don’t have an international competition like the […]

Las Vegas Aces star A’ja Wilson achieved a significant milestone Friday, tying Maya Moore for the sixth-most Player of the Week honors in WNBA history with her 20th award. Wilson’s latest accolade marks her as the third player in WNBA history to earn four or more Player of the Week honors in three different seasons, […]

The Phoenix Mercury unveiled their new state-of-the-art practice facility on Thursday ahead of the All-Star Weekend. The 58,000-square-foot performance center, which cost $100 million, was specifically designed to cater to the needs of the Mercury players and is located just three blocks from the team’s arena. “I wanted to make the best facility out there,” […]

Diana Taurasi is set to participate in her record sixth Olympic Games, leading Team USA women’s basketball in their quest for an eighth consecutive gold medal at the Paris Olympics. At 42 years old, Taurasi continues to demonstrate her passion for the game. “Why not? I say this all the time: If I sign up […]

The WNBA confirmed that Caitlin Clark and Sabrina Ionescu declined invitations to participate in the 3-point contest during the league’s All-Star weekend. According to the league, both players opted out of the event, citing their respective commitments and personal reasons. Phoenix Mercury’s Brittney Griner and New York Liberty’s Jonquel Jones are among the notable names […]

The WNBA is reportedly set to expand its schedule for the upcoming season in 2025, increasing the number of regular-season games from 40 to 44. The development comes amid growing interest in the league and increasing attendance figures. An email obtained by Chicago Sun-Times indicated that the Chicago Sky’s home schedule would increase to 22 […]

The executive director of the WNBA players’ union, Terri Jackson, expressed concerns that the league is being undervalued with its new media rights deal. In a statement released Wednesday, Jackson criticized the $2.2 billion valuation over 11 years, arguing that the deal does not accurately reflect the WNBA’s growing popularity and success. “We have wondered […]

The WNBA trade deadline is still over a month away, but the Chicago Sky have already made a significant move by sending veteran guard Marina Mabrey to the Connecticut Sun. The transaction on Wednesday was not just a routine shuffle but what could be a strategic maneuver that could have huge implications for both teams’ […]

Connecticut Sun coach Stephanie White benched star forward Alyssa Thomas during the critical fourth quarter of Tuesday’s 82-74 loss to the New York Liberty. Despite Thomas’s impressive performance with 16 points, eight rebounds and five assists in just 23 minutes, she was notably absent from the most pivotal part of the game. White addressed the […]

The WNBA is set to make huge strides with its upcoming national media rights package, securing approximately $2.2 billion over the next 11 years, averaging about $200 million annually. The substantial increase in revenue represents a significant boost from its current deals, which are valued at around $50 million per year. The new agreements provide […]

A’ja Wilson continues to etch her name into the WNBA history books, this time by matching the all-time record for most games with 25+ points, 10+ rebounds, and 5+ blocks in a career – and she did it in just one month. Wilson has now recorded three such games in July, tying the records held […]

A hot mic caught A’ja Wilson expressing frustration with her teammates following a disappointing loss to the Chicago Sky on Tuesday. The Las Vegas Aces star was captured on video reacting to her teammates’ eagerness to take photos with Usher, who attended the game, despite their poor performance on the court. After the game, a […]

Natasha Cloud made a memorable return to Washington, D.C., on Tuesday as the Phoenix Mercury secured a 96-87 victory over the Washington Mystics. Cloud, who spent the first eight years of her WNBA career with the Mystics, contributed 12 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds for the Mercury, narrowly missing a triple-double. Cloud, a 2015 […]

The Los Angeles Sparks paid a heartfelt tribute to Joe “Jellybean” Bryant, the father of NBA legend Kobe Bryant, before their game against the Seattle Storm. The pregame ceremony featured a montage of photos on the jumbotron at Crypto.com Arena, shared in a video on X, formerly Twitter, by ClutchPoint’s David Yapkowitz. The montage honored […]