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Diggins' Diary: Follow My Lead

Fri, 17 May 2013 00:08:00 ET

Before she had her name in the Notre Dame record books, a deal with Jay-Z's media agency and her own hashtags, Skylar Diggins was a big sister.

With no fewer than four younger siblings, Skylar was a role model long before she donned a Tulsa Shock -- or even a Notre Dame -- jersey.

"I can remember times when, you know, kids get to an age where it's monkey see, monkey do, and you have to be a role model for them," Diggins said. "I know (my siblings) were looking up to me and I just tried to be that example for them."

Given that platform -- by virtue of birth order -- Diggins felt a responsibility to give her siblings a playbook for success.

"I'd try to do the right things for them and always do the things I said I was going to do," she said. "Keep my word. Work hard. Be goal oriented. And do everything in my power to achieve my goals and kind of give them somebody to look up to and someone to be like."

Growing up in South Bend, in the shadows of Notre Dame's campus, Diggins had someone like that to look up to as well. In addition to her mother, who Diggins called the, "perfect example of a strong, humble, woman," a young Skylar also admired Niele Ivey, then a point guard on Notre Dame's women's team, who won a National title in college and went on to play five years in the WNBA.

"She was always someone that I looked up to at a young age," Diggins remembered. "She was right there in the city of South Bend and I just loved to watch her and the team play. I loved the way she took command of the game and was a great point guard and did all the things that as a player I wanted to become."

When it came time for Diggins to play at Notre Dame herself, Ivey was the Recruiting Coordinator and then an assistant coach, focusing on the guards. Diggins said that her relationship with her former idol came full circle because Ivey "actually really played a crucial role in my development as a player."

As Skylar's talent blossomed, her fame exploded. Therefore, given this rare platform -- by virtue of stature this time -- Diggins continued to play the role of big sister, just to a bigger audience.

"I just want to encourage the youth to try everything you want to try," Diggins said. "I think that's important, whether it be basketball or piano or art or whatever you want to do -- try it. The more time you put into your craft, the better you'll become at it. Stay focused on your goals and don't let people try to pull you away for peripheral things. "

It only takes a casual scan of Diggins' flourishing social networks to see the kind of impact she has on young people.

The admiration poured on Diggins is deserved. It's an all-too familiar cliche in sports, but Diggins is, by every account, a strong leader and consummate team player. So much so that -- even as a rookie in her first few weeks in camp -- she is starting to take the reigns on a young team.

"I think when I'm a point guard, I think I lead naturally," Diggins said. "The position that I play, I'm play calling. I'm telling people where to go and things like that. I'm talking in the huddle, but as I get to know my teammates, I think I'll settle into that role nicely."

But Diggins -- who acknowledged the many past accomplishments of her teammates -- seems to understand the balance of leading her team and learning from the veterans.

"I'm just trying to learn from my teammates too and try to get to know them as much as I can just so they understand that I respect everything that they've done up to this point," Diggins said. "I think that so far they've let me lead and be the player that I am. You've got to appreciate that."

Through it all -- from Washington High School to the Tulsa Shock -- Diggins has also been extremely appreciative of her family. Her family was a key factor in her deciding to stay local and attend Notre Dame and not go to Stanford for college, and her family has continued to mold her into the inspirational person she is today.

And when it comes to role models, Diggins doesn't have to look any further than her mother.

"My mom was someone who always stuck with her values and fought for what she believed and who taught me those same values," Diggins said. "She's someone who has been my rock, and everything that's good that's happened in my life, I can trace back to her."

Somewhere, whether with her siblings or an adoring fan, Diggins is having that same effect on someone else.

The circle continues.

WNBA Cares Week Tips Off 17th WNBA Season

Thu, 16 May 2013 15:41:00 ET

NEW YORK, May 16, 2013 -- To tip off the WNBA's 17th season, the league, its teams and players will join community members and partners in a series of special events and community activities to celebrate WNBA Cares Week.

Community outreach efforts will emphasize the importance of WNBA players and executives as role models in their community, both inspiring youth and promoting health and wellness. Highlights of WNBA Cares Week will include:

-The reigning champion Indiana Fever partnering with Habitat for Humanity to build homes.
-The New York Liberty hosting a basketball clinic teaching the importance of teamwork for 75 children in the Bronx.
-Maya Moore of the Minnesota Lynx speaking to children at a WNBA FIT Assembly about the importance of health and wellness, and living an active and healthy lifestyle.

A schedule of select WNBA Cares Week activities is below. Additional information, including dates and locations for each event, can be found on WNBA.com or on specific team websites.

Atlanta: Dream players and staff will work with the Atlanta Food Bank's Product Rescue Center sorting canned goods that will be delivered to those in need. The team will also hold its first "Take the Show on the Road" open practice and meet-and-greet in Kathleen, Ga. Additionally, members of the Dream's front office will participate in Atlanta Streets Alive, an event that promotes keeping Atlanta healthy and moving.

Chicago: The Sky will team up with No Kid Hungry and the Greater Chicago Food Depository for a Day of Service, during which players will volunteer their time at Beidler Elementary working the Choice Market set up by the Food Depository. Players will assist families at the market in selecting an assortment of fresh fruit, vegetables and non-perishable items. Each family will also receive tickets to the Sky home opener on May 31.

Connecticut: For the second consecutive season, the Sun players, coaches and front office staff will serve dinner at the New London Community Meal Center. During the May 11 preseason game, the Sun hosted a food drive for non-perishable food that was donated to the Community Meal Center.

Indiana: The 2012 WNBA champion will participate in a series of WNBA Cares events throughout the month of May, including building a home with Habitat for Humanity and conducting WNBA Fit clinics at local youth organizations,. Additionally, the team will host its annual MVP Tip-Off Party for season-ticket holders.

Los Angeles: For the fifth consecutive year, the Sparks will participate in a Family Fun Day with the Jenesse Center, Inc., which aims to prevent and end the cycles of domestic violence through education, research, resources and advocacy throughout the nation. Players and coaches will host activities for the kids such as art projects, dribbling drills and exercise stations.

Minnesota: The Lynx hosted a FIT Assembly featuring an appearance from Maya Moore, who spoke to the kids about the importance of health and wellness. Additionally, as part of Habitat for Humanity's National Women Build Week, Lynx players will help to repair and repaint houses.. The Lynx will also host the inaugural Tip-A-Lynx, which includes the entire Lynx team and coaching staff serving food and pouring drinks, as well as raffling off experiences in a silent auction. A portion of the night's sales will go to support the Lynx Foundation and the Lynx Fastbreak Foundation.

New York: The Liberty will host 75 children from Garden of Dreams Foundation partner organization WHEDco at Van Cortlandt Park's Classic Playground in The Bronx. Liberty players and coaches will teach the children the fundamentals of basketball and the importance of exercise and teamwork. The clinic will include shooting, passing, ballhandling and defensive drills.

San Antonio: The Silver Stars will join volunteers from Spurs Sports & Entertainment and St. Philips College in helping to clean up Martin Luther King Park on San Antonio's Eastside. Silver Stars players and volunteers will help paint over graffiti in an effort to make the park a better environment for the community to enjoy.

Phoenix: The Mercury hosted a "DeWanna Be Fit?" clinic for Valley children at a local Boys and Girls Club. The team and members of the Mercury Hip Hop Squad demonstrated how health and fitness can be fun by teaching the children a dance routine and discussing the importance of healthy eating. In Addition, the Mercury will make a special appearance to speak to students within the Elevate Phoenix program about the importance of education and fulfilling their dreams.

Seattle: Storm players will read stories and help out with crafts at Ballard Public Library's "Pajama Party," as well as speak to audiences at the Hero House and Girl Rising movie screening about their path to the WNBA and what it's like to play in the league. They will also be on hand at the Girls on the Run 5K to kick off the race and offer words of encouragement to the runners.

Tulsa: Players from the Shock attended the Go Red for Women Luncheon to support Go Red, the AHA's national campaign that supports women's heart health research.

Washington: Mystics players will join forces with DC Central Kitchen to help prepare meals for underserved families and those most in need. DC Central Kitchen provides rigorous culinary job training program for unemployed men and women who want to replace homelessness, addiction, and incarceration with new careers and changed lives.

Welcome to the Pros, Skylar

Mon, 13 May 2013 16:23:00 ET

As a point guard, a social media celebrity and now a professional, Skylar Diggins never seems fazed.

The No. 3 pick in this year's WNBA Draft -- one of ESPN's "3 to See" -- is settling into her new role as a member of the Tulsa Shock, not even a month after taking the stage at ESPN's campus. The immensely popular Notre Dame product has already even moved into her new apartment.

And it was there, of all places, where she found herself outside of her seemingly vast comfort zone.

"I've got an apartment. It's pretty nice too," Diggins explained. "I even used my kitchen. I don't usually cook, but I decided to cook a little bit. I did the taco route. It's pretty simple. You don't have to do too much.

Usually it's just Ramen, toast and cereal and sandwiches, but I stepped outside my comfort zone."

An anecdote like that reveals a different side of the extensively reported-on Diggins. While the 22-year-old may appear unflappable in front of the legions of her fans that can watch her just about anywhere -- there was the appearances on ESPN, the @NBAonTNT Twitter Takeover during a Golden State Warriors vs. Denver Nuggets Playoff game and, of course, the brush with hip-hop royalty when she recently signed with Jay Z's agency Roc Nation -- it's easy to forget that South Bend native with over 385,000 Twitter followers is still a week away from her college graduation.

"Getting everything done in the midst of the WNBA and getting set up out here in Tulsa, I still had to finish college," Diggins said with a laugh. "So I actually just finished up this week with a final exam for my last business class, so getting that done was kind of crazy."

Crazy might not be a strong enough word to describe Skylar's last couple months.

Diggins, who played her last game at Notre Dame, a loss to rival UConn in the Final Four, on April 7, has not only received an enormous amount of media attention in the sports world since then -- she's attended NBA games and Kobe Bryant tweeted at her, calling her #ladymamba -- but her appeal has crossed over into pop culture, a fact that is validated by celebrities such as Rihanna reaching out to her via -- you guessed it -- Twitter.

"I had my fair share of celebrity shoutouts that have reached out to me," Diggins said. "That's always cool just knowing they like the game of basketball, like watching, appreciate my craft. That's always pretty flattering."

With this type of fanfare comes responsibility, and Diggins is ready to take that on.

"It makes you want to work harder," Diggins said of the attention she's receiving. "When you see people that are so excited to see what you can bring to the table, not only just on the court, but off the court."

On the court, Diggins saw her first action as a member of the Shock when Tulsa lost to the Atlanta Dream on May 9 in the season's first preseason game. Diggins finished with nine points, three assists and two steals in 22 minutes, but the biggest headline was the bloody lip she received when getting leveled by a screen from Atlanta's Aneika Henry. Diggins, who received five stitches and shared her wound via Instagram, says it was the first time she ever had to receive stitches for a basketball injury.

"I don't know if it was a �welcome to the pros' thing or what," Diggins joked.

Her transition to a professional life off the court has been just as abrupt.

"You're an adult now and I'm not in South Bend where my whole family is to lean on for meals and stuff like that," she admitted. "I can't just go to my grandma's house anymore, can't count on my mom for meals as much as I would if I was in South Bend."

No, the budding and ever-visible superstar is not in South Bend anymore.

But, as long as tacos don't get more complicated, we know she won't go hungry.

A Revealing Weekend for Griner

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 00:40:00 ET

Bristol, Conn. -- Baylor's Brittney Griner has been billed as a lot of things. The new face of the WNBA. A game-changing prospect. The most dominant force in all of women's basketball.

She's also still a kid.

At 22-years-old, a noticeably nervous Griner revealed to the nation, after being selected as the No. 1 pick in the 2013 WNBA Draft presented by State Farm, just how green the perceivably unflappable superstar really is. Virtually speechless during an interview with ESPN's Holly Rowe after she was selected -- despite the fact that her status as No. 1 pick was never in question -- and visibly star struck earlier in the day when ESPN cameras caught her meeting X-Games legend Tony Hawk, her facade began to disappear.

"The real Brittney has definitely come out," Griner said. "Earlier today, shedding tears, crying, just goofing off, being a big kid. I have a lot of personality. I got speechless today and couldn't talk, and you know, everybody just thinks I'm this hard person from the way I play on the court or I'm just a certain way, but I'm just the biggest kid."

To those that only know her by her measurables and her aggressive style of play, this may come as a surprise.

"I've had a lot of people come up to me this weekend and during this whole experience and tell me 'you are a kid'' and I'm like 'yes, I am'," Griner said with a laugh. "I'm just a kid having fun and just soaking it in right now."

Griner's personality was also reflected in her outfit. The NCAAs all-time leader in blocked shots accentuated her white suit jacket with a gold watch and a pair of orange, blue and green argyle socks. And then there was the nail polish -- bright orange -- for the Mercury, of course.

The juxtaposition of the Griner that walked the halls of ESPN excitedly congratulating other draftees with the fearsome player you see on the court is quite stark. It's also refreshing. Refreshing to see a transcendent female athlete so comfortable with who she is.

And, given that she is now a headliner among her peers, Griner hopes that she'll be able to instill that self-worth in others.

What would be her message?

"Just never backing down from a challenge, always embracing your own image," Griner said. "I'm a different player. I'm a different person -- large feet, big hands. I don't have a soft voice. People say I have a deep voice, and yeah, I do. I'm just so comfortable with it and if I can just give that back to the younger generation and younger girls, and younger guys that are different as well. Anybody that's different, be who you are. You never want to change that."

So who is Brittney Griner when she's not playing above the rim?

"When I'm not playing basketball I could be doing a lot of things," Griner said. "Honestly, I could sit on the couch, kick my feet up, play some video games -- some Modern Warfare. I used to go longboarding -- not anymore. Just go out on trails, go walk trails. I'll be out in water, canoeing, kayaking, hunting, I could go fishing. I do all that. Shoot, I can go out and just go mudding.

I'm a country girl, I'll go climb a tree."

Luckily for Griner, she's been told that Phoenix will afford her plenty of options for outdoor activity. It will also offer her a chance for some great team basketball indoors. With a roster that already includes stars such as Diana Taurasi, Penny Taylor, DeWanna Bonner and Candice Dupree, many, including ESPN Analyst Rebecca Lobo, think the Mercury have become the favorite to win the WNBA title with the addition of Griner.

"It's a big expectation, but definitely one where I can see why she says that," the three-time All-American said. "We're kind of like the Miami Heat of the women's league."

That kind of success -- and that kind of talk -- will only make Griner even more visible, though that's normally not a problem for her. The 6-foot-8 Houston native was not hard to spot on the ESPN campus Monday night, having at any time up to 15 media members or other officials following her every move.

It was an incredibly long day for Griner -- one that started before 8 a.m. and included appearances all over ESPN's family of networks and continued past 10:45 p.m. as she went to do one last interview -- but all the while she remained in good spirits.

As she walked up a flight of stairs during one of her loops around campus, Griner -- who consistently brisked past her entourage because of her long strides -- looked back and chided her army of trailers.

"Hurry up, slow pokes," she joked.

Yes, she may still be a kid.

But everyone else is still just trying to play catch up.

Griner Selected No. 1 Overall

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 22:26:00 ET

BRISTOL, Conn., April 15, 2012 --- The "3 to See" did not stay on the board for long. The Phoenix Mercury selected Baylor's Brittney Griner with the No. 1 overall pick of the 2013 WNBA Draft presented by State Farm. The Chicago Sky tapped Elena Delle Donne of Delaware with the second overall selection, and the Tulsa Shock picked Notre Dame's Skylar Diggins third.

A 6-8 center, Griner was a dominant presence at Baylor, finishing her collegiate career ranked first all time in Women's NCAA Division 1 history in blocks (748) and dunks (18), and second in points (3,283) and double-figure scoring games (146 of 148). Her blocks total actually paces both women and men -- topping the 564 of Mississippi State's Jarvis Varnado -- while her 18 dunks account for over 50 percent of the 33 total dunks by college women.

A 6-5 guard/forward, Delle Donne led the nation in scoring as a junior, finished second as a senior and completed her college career as the fifth-leading scorer in NCAA history (3,039). Diggins, a four-time All-America, finished her career as Notre Dame's career leader in points and steals, ranks second in assists. The 5-9 guard joins the Sky already established as a social media celebrity, with over 300,000 followers on Twitter (@SkyDigg4).

With the fifth overall pick, the Washington Mystics selected Ohio State's Tyler Hill, a 5-10 guard and defensive stalwart, who averaged 20-plus points in both her junior and senior years. The New York Liberty, the lone team with multiple picks in the first round, picked Texas A&M's Kelsey Bone, a 6-4 center, with the fifth overall selection and Oklahoma State's Toni Young, a 6-2 forward, with the seventh pick. Bone earned All-SEC First Team honors while Young was a unanimous All-Big 12 pick sandwiched between the Liberty's two picks, the Seattle Storm used the sixth overall selection on Maryland's Tianna Hawkins, a 6-3 forward and an All-ACC First Team pick after leading the league in scoring..

The San Antonio Silver Stars selected 6-4 center Kayla Alexander from Syracuse with the eighth pick of the first round; Alexander is the only player in school history to top 2,000 points (2,024). The Indiana Fever used the ninth selection on Cal's Layshia Clarendon, a 5-9 guard who earned All-Pac-12 First Team honors as a senior. With the 10th pick, the Los Angeles Sparks tapped Kentucky's A'dia Matthies, a 5-9 guard and the first Wildcats' player (male or female) to post 1,900 points, 600 rebounds, 300 assists, 300 steals in a career. The Connecticut Sun selected UConn's Kelly Faris, a 5-11 guard and All-BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year, with the 11th overall pick. With the 12th and final pick of the first round, the Minnesota Lynx took Nebraska's 5-9 guard Lindsey Moore and two-time finalist for the Nancy Lieberman Award (given to the nation's top Division I point guard).

A complete round-by-round recap will be issued following the conclusion of the 2013 WNBA Draft presented by State Farm.

Remember the Name

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 16:41:00 ET

BRISTOL, Conn. -- Consider this your final warning, basketball fans. There's a new show in town.

With Baylor's Brittney Griner -- yes, the same Brittney Griner that's been spotted above a rim near you -- expected to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2013 WNBA Draft presented by State Farm on Monday, night, she will be taking her gravity- and logic-defying act to Phoenix.

And it'll be like nothing we've ever seen before.

Possessing an uncanny, fluid athleticism for a woman standing 6-foot-8, and blessed with improbable leaping ability, Griner's talents render her beyond compare. With Griner, there's no point of reference. She is, plainly, the prototype. And it's time for us to enjoy her now, for it might be a while before the next incarnation.

"She's unlike any other player we've seen," said ESPN Women's Basketball Analyst and former WNBA player Rebecca Lobo. "We're not going to see one like her because there's not 6-foot-8 females with her athletic ability. It's not like we're going to see more of her. They don't exist." What does exist is unprecedented hype for Griner's ascension into the WNBA. The WNBA Draft Lottery was televised for the first time ever back in September and Monday's draft will be broadcast on ESPN2 in prime time, another first.

"I think what Brittney Griner alone can bring and can do has never been done in women's sports," said WNBA legend Sheryl Swoopes. "I honestly don't even know if you can put into words the excitement that this draft class is about to bring, not only to the WNBA, but to women's sports."

Griner is forcing us rethink our conceptions of female athletes, doing things on the basketball court that no female has ever done -- or may even ever thought to do. For example, during Sunday's WNBA Fit Clinic in Bristol, Conn., Griner grabbed a ball from the free-throw line in the middle of a demonstration, took three steps and effortlessly elevated to throw down an emphatic two-handed dunk, hanging on the rim for a second or two, suspended in a display of equal parts power and grace.

The most remarkable thing? Nobody was shocked. Sure there were your �oohs' and �ahhs' from her adoring fans, but this is just what we've come to expect from Griner. Greatness has become the norm. Boundaries blurred. The unexpected, routine.

Griner, who appears to be enjoying the heightened attention on her and this draft class as much as anyone, is not shy about her love for the game and the art of dunking. In her four years at Baylor, she dunked a record 18 times, far exceeding any of her predecessors. And Griner thinks that her aerial pursuits are just the beginning.

"It's definitely going above the rim," said Griner of the WNBA game. She then went on to tell a story about Oklahoma State's Toni Young, a projected first-round pick in this year's draft, breaking her arm on the rim on a dunk attempt her sophomore year. "But there's some other girls that can dunk too and I encourage all of them to start doing it. If you get a fast break, and you just feel it, go up. Even if you get hung, just the excitement of like, �yo, she just tried to dunk on her,' is good."

So what does this all mean?

The game is forever changed. There's no coming back from Brittney Griner -- and that's a good thing. Future success in this league, and in all of women's basketball for that matter, may well be decided by teams being able to compete above the rim. To compete on Griner's level. Or to change entirely.

Griner personifies the evolving women's game and it's no coincidence that the WNBA recently re-branded, changing its "Logowoman" to a more modern silhouette that better reflects the attributes of today's player. This change came in response to the faster pace of the game in an era full of stronger, more athletic players. Griner, of course, is the textbook example.

"She's a transcender. She's just doing things that women have not been able to historically do," said Chicago Sky center and 12-year veteran Ruth Riley. "It just shows how far this game has come. A lot of the critics have said that the game is below the rim and I think Brittney breaks that in many ways."

Griner's WNBA debut has drawn references to when the 7-foot-2 Lew Alcindor entered the NBA in 1969. Alcindor, who later changed his name to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, could perform feats that that nobody else at that time could. There was no recipe to stop him. He was Superman with no Kryptonite. Sports Illustrated recently made the Griner-Alcindor comparison, and it appears Griner's dominance and impact on the game could be even more profound than Alcindor's.

"The difference is, after Lew Alcindor, there were more 7-foot guys who had his mobility and who could try to have that type of a game," Lobo said. "That's not the case on the women's side. But in terms of trying to figure out how to stop her, I think it's a similar comparison."

As a result, Griner figures to be an immediate impact player in the league, and the prevailing wisdom of the WNBA, which just extended its TV partnership with ESPN to 2022, is that the popularity of this year's draft class -- the "3 to See" of Griner, Delaware's Elena Delle Donne and Notre Dame's Skylar Diggins specifically -- will attract new fans and help make the WNBA an even more visible league. "There's so much potential for them to take the game to another level and a place that we've never been before," Swoopes said.

And if you ask Griner, the key is getting fans to come out and witness these never-before-seen talents first hand.

"Everybody says we're not exciting and then I ask them �how many games you been to?' and they're like, �uhhh'," Griner said. "So we have to get them out there and get them in the stands and us doing all these crazy things on the court is definitely going to help us out."

The potential on the court this season in Phoenix is virtually limitless. The Mercury are already loaded with stars -- Diana Taurasi, Penny Taylor, DeWanna Bonner, Candice Dupree -- and the addition of Griner makes the Mercury must-watch TV for any basketball fan, man or woman, boy or girl.

"It's exciting not only to see how she is going to play against other top players," Lobo said. "But what is it going to be like to watch Diana Taurasi playing on a court with Griner for a coach that already plays a brand of basketball that is already the most entertaining style in the game with the way they go up and down. It's going to be great, great fun."

Throughout the whole draft process, the 22-year-old Griner is already having fun. She is genuine with the media. She's famously sweet to her fans. She has an infectious smile and she can make those around her laugh.

She can also dunk.

"I'm ready to put on a show and give the crowd what they want," Griner said.

And maybe more so than any other women's basketball player in history -- she'll have an audience.

2013 WNBA Mock Draft

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 17:06:00 ET

1. Phoenix Mercury -- Brittney Griner: Let's be honest, the 2013 WNBA Draft Lottery was essentially the Brittney Griner Sweepstakes. While several other players in this draft class -- especially Elena Delle Donne and Skylar Diggins -- are truly game-changing prospects in their own right, Griner is a once-in-a-lifetime player. And, in what is women's basketball's worst-kept secret at the moment, the Mercury will select Griner with this pick. Phoenix coach Corey Gaines has said it without really saying it and Griner has alluded to it as well. With this pick, and with Diana Taurasi and Penny Taylor returning from injury, Phoenix immediately becomes a favorite to win it all next year.

2. Chicago Sky -- Elena Delle Donne: It's been debated -- well on both sides -- who Chicago should take here. I'm going with Elena Delle Donne. Her unique talents are too much to pass up, and if it wasn't for the presence of Griner, the 6-foot-5 Delaware product would be the crowned jewel of just about any other class. Also, the Sky already have a productive point guard in Epiphanny Prnce, so they're less likely to target Diggins. If Chicago does indeed take Delle Donne, they'll have a fearsome combo of Prince running the point, Delle Donne on the wing and Sylvia Fowles down low. That's a team that could vie to be the best team in the East.

3. Tulsa Shock -- Skylar Diggins: With Griner and Delle Donne off the board, the obvious pick here is Skylar Diggins, and Tulsa should feel fortunate to get a player of Diggins' caliber at No. 3. A proven winner, Diggins figures to step right in to a young Tulsa locker room and assume a leadership role. On the court, she can not only be a team's primary distributor, but she can also stretch defenses with her perimeter and mid-range shot. She's a tough defender and the Notre Dame product will give Tulsa instant credibility. And, she will give the Shock a whole new legion of fans. This pick makes even more sense for Tulsa because it lost guards Temeka Johnson and Ivory Latta this offseason.

4. Washington Mystics -- Kelsey Bone: Washington head coach Mike Thibault joked that he has the "first pick in the other draft" -- and he has a point. With the first three picks all but a given, the rest of the first round will take shape after the Mystics make their selection. They are really the first domino to fall. If Thibault opts for a perimeter player, then Ohio State's Tayler Hill is probably the pick, but Thibault's decision will likely be a toss-up between Texas A&M's Kelsey Bone and Maryland's Tianna Hawkins. While Hawkins, a 6-foot-3 rebounding machine, has shown the ability to dominate in the ACC, the common refrain in the WNBA Pre-Draft Conference Call was that the league is getting bigger, faster and stronger. That's why the 6-foot-4 Kelsey Bone is the pick here. In her pre-draft Q&A, when Bone was asked what three qualities best describe her game she said: Powerful, Physical, Strong. Enough said.

*UPDATE: With the Mystics acquiring center Quanitra Hollingsworth from the Liberty on Monday, this may be an indication that Washington is actually looking for a guard with this pick. Ohio State's Tayler Hill becomes a more viable option here.

5. New York Liberty -- Tianna Hawkins: If Thibault passes on Bone, then she doesn't make it past this pick. But, if Washington opts for the Maryland product, then Liberty coach Bill Laimbeer will likely take a big that many people hold in the same regard: Tianna Hawkins. Hawikins has the ability to be an impact player in this is league. She relentlessly attacked the glass in college -- she's one of only three Terrapins to grab 1,000 rebounds (Crystal Langhorne, Marissa Coleman) -- and with Laimbeer's tutelage that could translate well to the WNBA. Tayler Hill will also be an option with this pick, but the prevailing wisdom is that the Liberty will try to grab a big with the first of their two first rounders.

6. Seattle Storm -- Toni Young: This is a slightly unconventional pick, but Young fits in nicely with Seattle's plan. While they could still look for a perimeter player, their biggest need is in the frontcourt with Lauren Jackson and Ann Wauters not returning this season. Seattle coach Brian Agler also hinted that given those departures, as well as Sue Bird's season-ending injury, that this Seattle team could be in a bit of a transition year, therefore they could potentially look for a player with more upside. That's where Young comes in. Outside of the "3 to See", maybe no player has more upside than the 6-foot-2 Young. She didn't even play basketball until her second year of high school and she doubles as a track star. An unbelievable talent, she averaged 16.0 points and 10.1 rebounds per game her senior year. It might not be in 2013, but Young, once she adds to her frame, could be a future All-Star.

7. New York Liberty --Tayler Hill: The Liberty will be thrilled if Tayler Hill slips this far. Laimbeer spoke very highly of her during the WNBA Pre-Draft Conference Call -- praising her versatility -- and she appears to be the right fit for Laimbeer's system and a potential potent complement to Cappie Pondexter in the backcourt. Despite dealing with complications of strep throat much of last year, Hill still averaged 21.1 points per game last season. She is the top perimeter scorer in this draft outside of the "3 to See".

8. San Antonio Silver Stars -- Kayla Alexander: Kayla Alexander obliterated the Orange record books and finished her career strong by averaging 17.7 points, 8.7 rebounds and 2.9 blocks her senior year. At 6-foot-4, her size will be coveted and San Antonio could use some extra muscle in the paint. The Silver Stars finished ninth in the league in rebounding differential last year and they will be without leading rebounder Sophia Young for most if not all of 2013 with an injury. So, the Silver Stars are going to look for size, and at this point, with many of the top bigs already off the board, Alexander is the best bet.

9. Indiana Fever -- Kelly Faris: Indiana, with no discernible weaknesses, can really go any direction with this pick. If Kayla Alexander is on the board, she's a possibility, but I think a team with championship mettle will go after a player with the same makeup. Enter Kelly Faris. The UConn product is lauded for her work ethic and for her ability to be a good teammate. She would fit right in with the Fever and would provide them some versatility and some young legs in the backcourt. She's also an Indiana native, so it would be a homecoming for her.

10. Los Angeles Sparks -- Layshia Clarendon: Where do the Sparks have a pressing need? The answer: nowhere. So, with a balanced and veteran team, the Sparks will probably just be looking for best player available with the 10th pick. An intriguing player when using that mentality is California native Layshia Clarendon. The Cal guard shined in the NCAA Tournament -- taking the Golden Bears to their first-ever Final Four -- and she has the potential to develop into a lethal scorer. She averaged 16.4 points as a senior and her Mohawk would look good in yellow and purple. Georgetown's Sugar Rodgers is another potential option that fits this mold.

11. Connecticut Sun -- Carolyn Davis: The Sun have said they would like to get a post player or a 3-point shooter with this pick. Unfortunately, many of their best options in both these categories will be taken by No. 11. Therefore, Kansas' Carolyn Davis becomes a possibility here. At 6-foot-3, she represents the size that the Sun will be looking for, especially since Asjha Jones will miss the entire 2013 season. Davis averaged 15.8 points and 6.6 rebounds her senior year and she shot 68.3 percent for her career. Other options, if they choose to go for a shooter, could be Penn State's Alex Bentley or Georgetown's Rodgers.

12. Minnesota Lynx -- Lindsey Moore: The Lynx, still void of true weakness, really only have one place on their roster for a new player -- and that's backup point guard. In a trade this offseason, Minnesota parlayed Candice Wiggins into Janel McCarville, who essentially replaces the retired Taj McWilliams-Franklin in the post, leaving a void in the backcourt. Monica Wright may be ready for a bigger role, but another steady ballhandler off the bench could benefit this team. If they choose Lindsey Moore, who is coming off an impressive NCAA Tournament run, Minnesota could have an heir apparent to Lindsay Whalen. A few other backcourt options that could be in play are Kentucky's A'dia Mathies and Penn State's Bentley, but Moore is the best fit.

Staley Honored by Hall of Fame Nod

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 09:49:00 ET

Dawn Staley is a three-time Olympic Gold Medalist and is recognized as one of the top 15 WNBA players to have ever played the game. Now a women's basketball coach at the University of South Carolina, she chatted with WNBA.com about this week's announcement that she would be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame this year.

Aman Ali, WNBA.com: Can you walk me through how you found out about the announcement?

Staley: I got the call last Wednesday. I actually was doing the end-of-the-year readings with my players. In between meetings, I got a text from one of my former players who keeps up with the sports world asking if I got in. I didn't really think about it and she made me look through my missed calls, and saw I got a call from the Hall of Fame. So I called them back and that's when I got the shocking news that I am going to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.

WNBA.com: You made consecutive Final Four appearances playing basketball at Virginia, won multiple Gold Medals and are considered one of the greatest WNBA players to have ever played the game. Where does this Hall of Fame nod rank among your accomplishments?

Staley: I think it ranks number one. Because of what it stands for and the people that are selecting who goes in. To be considered among greatness, that has got to go at the top of the list.

WNBA.com: When you decided to walk away from playing basketball, you didn't wander too far from the court by pursuing a career in coaching. What keeps you involved in the game of basketball?

Staley: It is what I love. It is my passion and my livelihood. It's the one stable force in my life that I can always count on being there. It just feels natural. It feels like what I'm supposed to do - to play the game and coach the game and build my life around the game. It hasn't failed me yet, so logically basketball picked the right person to embrace it.

WNBA.com: At 42, you're also one of the youngest people to get inducted into the Hall of Fame. Now that you've been inducted as a player, is it one of your goals to get inducted one day for your coaching?

Staley: Anytime that you can get inducted into the Hall of Fame, that means you made a great sacrifice for the game and persevered throughout whatever basketball has thrown at you. If my coaching allows me to persevere through those things and get into the Hall of Fame as a coach, then I welcome it. I welcome all those challenges that come along with that.

WNBA.com: We're days away from the WNBA Draft, which features one of the most exciting draft classes the league has ever seen. How has the game grown since when you first entered the league and what are your thoughts on the upcoming draft class?

Staley: Because of the national exposure of the game now, it has allowed the game to welcome players like Brittney Griner, Elena Delle Donne and Skylar Diggins to be great and become household names and recognizable. I want to welcome all the draftees into the league and wish them the best of luck in their careers. I think it goes to show you that when women get the opportunity to play basketball and be exposed in such a way, it opens up the door for girls to realize their dreams.

WNBA.com: You're recognized as one of the pioneers that has helped women's basketball become a mainstream sport. Is that an honor you embrace?

Staley: I've been around the game long enough and I've been called a pioneer and an ambassador of the game. I don't take that lightly. It's my passion and I've built my life around it. If I can build my name and help the game continue to grow, then I will do that because it has helped me.

Big Day for the WNBA

Fri, 29 Mar 2013 10:37:00 ET

NEW YORK, NY -- With two landmark announcements today, the WNBA ushered in a new era for the league that's about to enter its 17th season.The first order of business was stating that the WNBA and ESPN are extending and broadening their current partnership. The second was that the league unveiled its new brand identity.

Present for the proceedings in New York was WNBA Commissioner Laurel Richie, President of ESPN Inc. John Skipper, NBA Deputy Commissioner Adam Silver, current WNBA player Swin Cash, current New York Liberty coach Bill Laimbeer and several other executives from both ESPN and the WNBA as well as media members. ESPN's Hannah Storm hosted the event.

It is an exciting time for the WNBA as the league prepares for maybe it most hyped season since the league's inception. With three game-changing superstars in Brittney Griner, Skylar Diggins and Elena Delle Donne set to join the league in this year's draft and with an enhanced broadcasting deal in place, the league is as visible as ever. With that comes an opportunity, via the league's new logo, to re-enforce to the WNBA's ever-growing fanbase what a current player in this league is actually like.

PARTNERSHIP WITH ESPN

Its been a partner from the very beginning an it'll be a partner until at least 2022. ESPN, making a big statement in its investment in both the WNBA and female athletics, announced that is has agreed to extend and expand upon its partnership with the longest active running women's professional sports league. By the time of the deal's completion, these two entities will have been partners for at least 26 years.

In what Skipper called a "propitious time," to strike a deal, both ESPN and the WNBA are leveraging the popularity of Griner, Diggins and Delle Donne and giving the trio's current fans more chances to watch them in the WNBA.

"We're not just announcing an extension and a continued business relationship," Skipper said. "What we want to do is take advantage of this moment in time with these three transcendent superstars coming into the league to relaunch and restart what we're doing."

The deal also includes provisions for ESPN to use referee cams, to give ESPN more access to practices and shootarounds and for current and former NBA players to give their perspective on the WNBA game.

THE NEW LOGO

Refreshed. Modernized. Sleek

Those were the words being thrown around when talking about the WNBA's new brand identity embodied in the new "Logowoman". Given the evolution of the WNBA game -- today's players now display more athleticism and diversity as ever before -- this updated logo better portrays the attributes that today's players possess. Keeping with the league's legacy, however, the new logo incorporates the distinctive orange-and-oatmeal color scheme of the league's iconic game ball, making this logo a fusion of old-school and new school.

"For me the most exciting part of it, in addition to the color that's true to the WNBA, really is that silhouette," Richie said. "When I think of Swin and Diana and Tamika, I just feel like the logo woman now is a woman who reflects all that I see when I go to our games. We're thrilled to be bringing that out."

Now, the only thing left to debate is, who is Logowoman? Players and fans will be encouraged to post shots and photos of themselves going to the basket using #iamlogowoman on Twitter.

CLOSING THOUGHTS

John Skipper: "Where we want to help lead the way is we want to be supporters of women's sports and the WNBA is a signature league for us. We've been partners since the league started. this new deal is a sign of our commitment to continue in that partnership. We wanted to be, sort of, unreserved about our enthusiasm for the league, we wanted to show our commitment early and that's what this is all about."

Laurel Richie: "I'm sure all of you have been watching a lot of basketball and a lot of women's basketball on ESPN. So when you have a night when Brittney Griner scores 50 points, Skylar Diggins takes Notre Dame to triple overtime, and then Elena and Brittney play their final home game in college, you see three dunks, you just think that this is a moment in time that we collectively are poised and primed to capitalize on."

Bill Laimbeer: "I came in 2002. Fortunately having players like Swin on my team we won in 2003. The difference now to then is the talent level. The talent level is phenomenal coming in every year. You can see it's so hard to make a team right now. Getting a roster spot is brutal. The players are bigger, faster, stronger, smarter, better coached."

Swin Cash: "It means a lot. I think it makes you really feel valued. ... Now with ESPN making this commitment to us, I look at Elena Delle Donne, Brittney Griner and Skylar Diggins, the fans will have accessibility to now see them in the WNBA. As players it's great to feel that commitment not only financially from ESPN but the visibility."

Preseason Schedule Announced

Fri, 29 Mar 2013 10:30:00 ET

NEW YORK, March 19, 2013 -- The WNBA will tip off the 2013 campaign with a slate of 14 preseason games in 14 cities, competing against league and international teams, beginning on May 9 when the Tulsa Shock hosts the Atlanta Dream at the BOK Center. For the fourth consecutive year WNBA teams will face international competition during the preseason as both the Brazilian and Japanese Women's National Teams are scheduled to visit.

The Phoenix Mercury, owner of the first overall selection in the 2013 WNBA Draft presented by State Farm, will host the Japanese National Women's Basketball Team on May 19, while the Brazilian National Women's Basketball Team will visit both the Atlanta Dream (May 13) and the Washington Mystics (May 15).

The new-look Shock, who will select third overall in the draft, will take to the court after acquiring a pair of accomplished veterans in a three-team trade this winter -- Nicole Powell (from New York) and Candice Wiggins (from Minnesota). In addition to hosting Atlanta, Tulsa will visit the Seattle Storm on May 17 and the Los Angeles Sparks on May 19. The Chicago Sky, owner of the No. 2 overall pick in the Draft, will host the New York Liberty (May 15 at Chicago State University).

The defending WNBA champion Indiana Fever, led by 2012 WNBA Finals MVP Tamika Catchings, will play a home-and-away series against the San Antonio Silver Stars. The All-Star laden Minnesota Lynx, featuring Maya Moore, Seimone Augustus, Lindsay Whalen, and Rebekkah Brunson, will prepare for a run at a third consecutive WNBA Finals presented by Boost Mobile appearance by hosting Washington on May 18 in Bismarck, N.D. and closing out the WNBA's preseason at home vs. Connecticut on May 21.

Los Angeles, which reached the Western Conference Finals last season behind All-Star Candace Parker, WNBA Rookie of the Year Nneka Ogwumike, and WNBA Most Improved Player Kristi Toliver, added veteran free agent Lindsey Harding to the mix and will host a pair of games in Southern California -- Seattle (May 12 at Long Beach State) and Tulsa (May 19 at the University of California-Riverside).

The 2013 preseason will also mark the return of a pair of head coaches with WNBA championships to their credit. Bill Laimbeer, head coach and general manager of the Liberty, will lead his new team in a pair of preseason tilts against the Connecticut Sun, who are led by new head coach Anne Donovan. Laimbeer coached the Detroit Shock to WNBA titles in 2003, 2006, and 2008, and Donovan guided the Seattle Storm to the championship in 2004. New York first visits Connecticut on May 11 and the two teams will meet again on May 18 in Newark, N.J.

The WNBA will open its 17th regular season as part of WNBA Tip-Off 2013 presented by Boost Mobile on Friday, May 24, when Catchings leads the Fever into San Antonio to face the Silver Stars. WNBA Tip-Off 2013 presented by Boost Mobile will feature a total of six games including a nationally televised doubleheader on ESPN2 on Memorial Day, Monday, May 27, featuring the Mystics at the Shock (3 p.m. ET) followed by the Sky at the Mercury (5 p.m. ET). The Memorial Day games are likely to include the debuts of the top four picks from the highly anticipated 2013 WNBA Draft presented by State Farm, widely considered to be one of the most anticipated draft classes ever.

Bird To Miss 2013 Season

Thu, 28 Mar 2013 17:14:00 ET

SEATTLE - Point guard Sue Bird will undergo surgery on her right knee this spring and will miss the 2013 WNBA season, Seattle Storm Head Coach and General Manager Brian Agler announced today.

Bird, who completed her 11th season with the Storm last year, will have surgery to address a cyst that was discovered at the end of 2012. The decision to move forward with surgery was decided recently and although a specific date for surgery has not been announced, the estimated rehabilitation is six months. Following the initial recovery time, Bird will spend the summer in Seattle with her Storm teammates.

The cyst was discovered by Dr. Michael Joyce, her physician at the University of Connecticut, prior to her departure for Russia. Because Bird is not currently experiencing any pain in her right knee, she will continue her overseas commitment with UMMC Ekaterinburg.

"We support and agree with the decision to address the issue with Sue's knee now," Agler said. "It is important for us all to take a long term view in situations like this. We want Sue to return to full health and be healthy enough to play in 2014 and for many more seasons with the Storm. We are focused on putting our team together and look forward to another competitive WNBA season."

"It is with great disappointment I share that I have developed a cyst in my right knee and this spring, I will be undergoing preventative surgery," Bird said. "The doctors have informed me that I will be in recovery and intense physical therapy for approximately six months, which means I will be forced to miss this upcoming WNBA season. The doctors feel very strongly that if I take care of this as soon as I complete my current tour in Europe, it will ward off future debilitating consequences.

"While I may not be on the court in 2013 for the Storm," Bird continued, "I will be in Seattle, cheering from the sidelines and doing whatever it takes to support the team throughout the season."

Named as one of the WNBA's Top 15 Players of All-Time, Bird led the Storm to WNBA titles in 2004 and 2010. She has made seven All-Star appearances and is a four-time All-WNBA First Team selection.

The Storm recently signed guards Temeka Johnson and Noelle Quinn and forward Nakia Sanford. Training camp invitations have been extended to Alysha Clark, Chay Shegog and Cierra Bravard. Veterans Lauren Jackson and Ann Wauters will not play the 2013 season in Seattle. Training camp is scheduled to begin May 5.

The Storm opens the 2013 season on the road, at Los Angeles, May 26. The home opener is June 2 versus Phoenix.

One Nnek Of A Year

Thu, 28 Mar 2013 13:47:00 ET

Just 11 months ago, Nneka Ogwumike was playing for Stanford and preparing to play in her fourth consecutive Final Four.

Since then, the Sparks forward who's currently starring half a world away for CCC Polkowice in Poland during the WNBA offseason, has been living in fast-forward.

"The transitions have been quick and I've had to really get used to a different type of lifestyle so quickly," Ogwumike said. "But it's been so much fun going from playing my senior year, playing in the Final Four, then going straight to L.A. to play for the Sparks, then going straight from L.A. to Poland.

"It's been quite a whirlwind."

Apparently they teach the power of the understatement at Stanford, as well.

In this highly compressed year, Ogwumike's accomplishments are staggering. NCAA First-Team All-American. The first pick in the WNBA Draft. WNBA Rookie of the Year. Several Player of the Week awards in Poland.

All the while, it may be easy to forget that the 22-year-old's been making the transition that all college graduates have to after leaving the comfy confines of their college campuses -- from being a student to being a professional.

"Now it's just so weird because it's like, OK, they're paying you to do something that I've been doing for 10 years," Ogwumike said. "It's odd to think of this as my job, really, when I just go to practice, I play, I go to games. At the same time, you also have to realize that without the organized system that the university level provides, you have to do a lot of things on your own that you don't realize you have to do. You're more of a professional now in so many ways."

Ogwumike admits playing on the payroll carries a little "extra pressure", but that she doesn't let that get to her. Instead, she focuses on the parts of the game that she loves.

While her basketball future is obviously bright -- she's averaging 18.2 points, 8.7 rebounds and is shooting 56 percent from the floor in Poland -- Ogwumike's experiences this year have opened her eyes to other avenues away from the court that she'd like to pursue both during and after her playing career.

"I definitely want to get a Master's in Business and so that'll be some work to do while I'm overseas," Ogwumike said. "Ultimately I definitely want to be involved in sports, maybe more so on the public relations end of things, but I've also expressed a little interest in being an analyst and understanding in-studio type experiences, so I'm just trying to figure out where I'd fit in, what I'd be good at, or what I'm willing to work on to be better at."

Judging by her pedigree, there doesn't appear to be much she can't do. And if her Stanford degree is any indication, her success off the court should rival that of hers on it.

Playing overseas for the first time has also helped the 6-foot-2 Ogwumike, who plays mostly power forward for the Sparks, round out her game.

"I'm playing a little bit of three, so my ball handling is getting a little better," Ogwumike said. "I have more confidence with my outside shot and that is definitely allowing me the opportunity to work on my game and expand myself from the post to the perimeter. I'm working hard every day and when you get to not just practice those types of moves or skills in practice, but also in the games, it really helps."

Ogwumike is hoping that the evolution in her game that's started to take place in Poland will carry over to Los Angeles.

"I want to be more of a threat for (the Sparks) as we come back and I think I'm doing well at learning to expand my game over here," Ogwumike said. "You get a lot of time to work on your game when you're overseas. "

Before jetting to Poland, Ogwumike credited veterans like Candace Parker, Alana Beard and DeLisha Milton Jones for helping her during her rookie season, a campaign where she averaged 14 points and more than seven rebounds while shooting 54 percent from the field. She claims her rookie year, despite facing lofty expectations from both herself and her teammates, "could not have gone better." Ogwumike also believes the Sparks are liable to improve off of last season's "re-modeling year" where the team went 24-10 record and lost in the Western Conference Finals after experiencing a substantial amount of roster turnover and adjusting to a new head coach.

"It was really eye-opening to be able to be a part of that success and to be able to look ahead and think, you know, that the future for this team is very bright," Ogwumike said.

The same can be said for Ogwukmike, both on and off the court.

Five Games to Watch in 2013

Wed, 27 Mar 2013 17:40:00 ET

The schedule may have just been released, but it's not to early to take a look at some of the most anticipated matchups of the 2013 season. Player movement may alter the meaning of some of these games, but as we stand now, here are five games that are a must-watch for any WNBA fan.

It wasn't easy to restrict this to just five games -- there are plenty more games with substantial intrigue -- but here's five that absolutely jump off the page.

May 27: Chicago at Phoenix: All eyes will be on this game as it will be the debut game -- barring trades -- for the top two picks in the highly anticipated 2013 WNBA Draft. The game will be televised on ESPN2 and it could potentially be the first WNBA game for current Baylor senior Brittney Griner, which would be sure to generate a national buzz.

This game will also be an opportunity for each of these teams to show off what they can do at full strength. Both Phoenix and Chicago suffered setbacks due to injuries last season -- hence why they are in the lottery -- as Phoenix lost Diana Taurasi and Penny Taylor, among others, for most or all of the season while Chicago played without Epiphanny Prince and Sylvia Fowles for extended time. This will be the first look at each retooled, healthy roster as it pits two teams that will be among the favorites to win their respective conferences.

June 7: New York at Atlanta: Perhaps no two players mean more to their teams than Cappie Pondexter does to the Liberty and Angel McCoughtry does to the Dream. Also two of the league's most explosive players, Pondexter and McCoughtry are a must-watch every time they step on the floor. So, when they meet for the first time in this early-season tilt, you can expect their to be a bit of a scoring duel.

The intrigue only increases because the two stars in question were teammates on Turkish club Fenerbahce this offseason. When talking to WNBA.com, the two were effusive in their praise about each other. Cappie said Angel is a "great teammate" and "can jump out of the gym". McCoughtry said she'd love to have Cappie in Atlanta. Nonetheless, you can expect there to be a little added motivation when these two now find themselves on opposing sides.

July 11: Indiana at Minnesota: We have to wait until mid-July for our first WNBA Finals rematch, so Minnesota will be thirsty for revenge since the Fever upset the Lynx in four games and ended the team's quest for a repeat championship last October. The faces will be familiar as Indiana just locked up several of its key players, including Tamika Catchings, while Minnesota's core is expected to go largely unchanged.

We'll also get to see Maya Moore versus Tamika Catchings again. Much of the hype surrounding the WNBA Finals was Catchings metaphorically passing the torch of being thought of as the best all-around player in the WNBA to the rising superstar Moore. Catchings got the best of her good friend Moore in the Finals, but Moore, fresh off a title in China, may be ready to take that title from the veteran in 2013.

September 12: Minnesota at Los Angeles: While Minnesota was the heavy favorite to emerge from the Western Conference last year, the prevailing wisdom was that the Sparks had the best shot of eliminating the Lynx. Now, while the West is hardly a two-horse race this year, the Sparks, with the addition of Lindsay Harding, are only going to be even stronger competition for the Lynx.

Both Minnesota and L.A. have only one regular season game after this rematch of the 2012 Western Conference Finals so there is a strong chance there will be playoff implications on the line. Plus, when you get the likes of Candace Parker, Maya Moore, Seimone Augustus, Lindsay Whalen and Nneka Ogwumike, among others, on the floor at the same time, you're sure to see WNBA basketball at its finest.

September 15: Indiana at Connecticut: If this season plays out anything like last, this matchup on the last day of the season could carry a lot of intrigue. Indiana and Connecticut finished atop the Eastern Conference last year and even met in the Eastern Conference Finals in 2012, so this matchup could very well decide not only playoff seeding, but which team have homecourt advantage throughout the playoffs.

On top of that, it will serve as one last regular season meeting between the last two MVPs, Tina Charles (2012) and Tamika Catchings (2011). If both teams are in contention for top seed in the East, they could yet again be dueling it out for the league's top individual honor.

Tomorrow's Stars: Mar. 14

Thu, 14 Mar 2013 16:39:00 ET

For the laundry list of accomplishments and milestones in Skylar Diggins' career at Notre Dame, you might be surprised that one accolade alluded her: Big East Tournament title.

Until this year, that is.

On Tuesday, March 12, in yet another classic battle between Notre Dame and UConn -- the rivalry that has become the new version of UConn-Tennessee -- Diggins and Notre Dame defeated UConn, 61-59, in the final. Her stat line wasn't as eye-popping as the ones that have become regular for Brittney Griner and Elena Delle Donne, but she made a crucial steal on UConn's last possession of the game and then pushed the ball almost the length of the floor, while absorbing contact, to eventually dish the game-winning assist in the final seconds.

It was a fitting end for Diggins' last Big East game. Similarly, Griner led Baylor to a Big 12 Tournament title, while Delle Donne's quest for a tournament title has yet to begin.

ELENA DELLE DONNE

Analysis: Elena Delle Donne played only one game since our last edition of Tomorrow's Stars, but that game was Delaware's Senior Night at the Bob Carpenter Center. It was an emotional night for Delle Donne, the hometown hero, who transferred to Delaware from Connecticut and subsequently took this program to heights its never seen before. It was also special because she was able to share the moment with her sister, Lizzie.

Oh, and she scored 24 points in Delaware's win, the teams 22nd straight victory, tying a school record. Watch the video from Delaware senior night.

What They're Saying: In an ESPNW article by Graham Hays, St. Bonaventure coach Jim Crowley was quoted saying this about Delle Donne.

"For our game, she's changing it. I just think the way she can do so many things, and it appears so effortless -- obviously, she's put an incredible amount of time into her game and getting better, but she elevates over people, she moves without the ball, she does all that stuff within a 6-foot-5 really athletic skill set.

"I think that's the progression. It's not a kid doing all those things who is 5-foot-8. It's a kid doing all those things at 6-foot-5."

SKYLAR DIGGINS

Analysis: Before Skylar Diggins stepped foot on campus, the Notre Dame-UConn rivalry was, for the most part, lopsided. Connecticut resided over the Big East with an iron fist and few teams could match their firepower. None consistently. Diggins, for the time being, has changed that. In fact, in the last eight meetings between these two teams, the Irish have won seven of them. And the win in the Big East Tournament Championship Game was not only Notre Dame's first-ever conference tournament title, but it ended Notre Dame's six-game drought against UConn in that same championship game.

With the sweep of the Big East regular and postseason titles, Notre Dame also single-handedly ended a run of 19 straight seasons where Connecticut had won at least one of those titles.

What They're Saying: After the historical victory, it was time for reflection on the senior's stellar career.

In the AP recap of the game, Diggins was quoted as saying: "I've had a lot of big wins in my years here - wins against UConn to go to national championship games, it definitely is up there. It means a lot not only to me, means a lot to coach and our program."

In the postgame press conference, Notre Dame Head Coach Muffet McGraw said: "Her legacy is going to be unmatched, certainly unparalleled for decades to come."

BRITTNEY GRINER

Analysis: If you need to see how far Brittney Griner has tipped the scales of competitive balance in women's college basketball, look no further than the Big 12 Tournament Championship Game where Griner had 23 points by halftime, which was 10 more points than the entire Iowa State team had. Keep in mind, Iowa State has won 23 games this season.

But, since the conference tournament three-peat was seemingly an inevitability, all people really want to focus on now is the all-time scoring record. Sitting with 3,203 points, Griner is only 190 points behind Jackie Stiles. If Baylor is to make it to the NCAA Tournament Championship Game, which would mean six more games for her, she would need to average 31.7 points a game to tie the record. For the season, Griner's averaging 23.6 a night.

What They're Saying: Jonathan Tjarks of RealGM wrote this about Griner's potentially revolutionary game.

"Brittney Griner, Baylor's 6'8 senior center, towers above her sport (literally and metaphorically) in ways even LeBron James and Kevin Durant cannot. Not only is she the tallest player in the women's game, she's as fast and as skilled as anyone in the country as well."

Tomorrow's Stars: March 4

Tue, 5 Mar 2013 17:03:00 ET

On Monday, March 4, we saw the future of the WNBA in action.

The future is bright.

In Waco, Texas, Baylor's Brittney Griner reminded us all -- as if we needed it -- that she is unlike any player we've ever seen in the women's game.

Forget the fact that against Kansas State she scored a career-high 50 points on 21-for-28 shooting. Forget the fact that she moved into second place all-time on the NCAA women's scoring list. Forget every other accomplishment that the walking milestone reached.

What everyone wants to talk about is her dunk.

Sure, Griner has dunked an NCAA record 14 times in her career, but this one was special for two reasons. 1) In an article in the Waco-Tribune last week, Griner talked about how she wanted to dunk at home, something she hadn't done since her freshman year. Then, in her last ever regular season game in front of her home crowd, she delivered. Translation: It's almost as if she can do it at will. 2) Maybe even more important was the ease at which she dunked. In the history of the game, in-game dunks for women were widely reserved for wide-open fast breaks. With Griner, as seen in Monday's dunk, all she needs is a drop-step.

The proof is in the highlights. The game, as far as we know it, has been changed. And that is why Griner is as hyped a draft prospect in WNBA history.

Meanwhile, in South Bend, Indiana, about 1,100 miles away from the scene of Griner's heroics, Notre Dame's Skylar Diggins was adding yet another chapter to her ever-growing legend by leading the Fighting Irish to a thrilling, three-OT win over arch-rival Connecticut on national TV.

Yes, women's college basketball stole the headlines on Monday. Time to take a closer look at all three of our game-changing prospects.

ELENA DELLE DONNE

Analysis: With Delaware's win against Drexel on March 3, the Blue Hens clinched their second straight Colonial Athletic Association regular-season title. Delle Donne struggled a bit with her shot in that game, going 9-for-22 from the floor, but she was able to get to the line and be effective from there, hitting all nine of her attempts from the charity stripe. Powered by Delle Donne, the Blue Hens have now won 21 straight games, which not only tied a school record, but is the third longest active win streak in NCAA Division I (behind only Baylor and Notre Dame). In addition, Delaware has won its last 36 conference games.

Averaging 25.6 points per game on the year, Delle Donne is currently second in the nation in scoring. In the past four games, however, she is just shy of 30 points per night, signifying that she appears to be peaking for the tournament stretch run.

What They're Saying: On Monday, Delle Donne tweeted this, underscoring her excitement for postseason play.

"Happy Monday! Its MARCH... #themadnessisapproaching"

SKYLAR DIGGINS

Analysis: We're running out of superlatives to describe Diggins' ability to lead her to team to wins. In yet another gritty effort, the South Bend native, on Senior Night no less, played all 55 minutes of a three-OT victory over No. 3 Connecticut. In the process, the Irish clinched the BIG EAST regular-season title for the second straight year. Diggins finished with 29 points and 11 rebounds in her last game in front of her hometown crowd. While her shot wasn't always falling on Monday, the defensive intensity that she brought was inspiring to both her teammates and the home crowd.

With the win, Diggins continued her dominance over UConn, having defeated the Huskies six of the last seven times they've faced. The last team to win at least six out of seven games against the UConn was Villanova in the 1980s.

What They're Saying: Graham Hays of espnW wrote this about the thrilling triple-overtime game.

"It was the kind of game worthy of settling a championship, worthy of a capacity crowd and worthy of national audience. It was a game worthy of what Diggins did for her program the past four seasons."

BRITTNEY GRINER

Analysis: We've already discussed Griner's performance on Monday from a contextual sense. Now, it's time to look at it through a statistical lens. Her 50 points were not only a career-high, but also a Big-12 record. Maybe more importantly, the outburst put her one point ahead of Patricia Hoskins of Mississippi Valley State for second on the all-time scoring list, making her 270 points shy of Missouri State's Jackie Stiles for the all-time record.

Can Griner break Stiles' mark? It won't be easy, but then again, would anything surprise you with Griner? With a maximum nine games left -- which would mean Baylor makes both the Big 12 Tournament Final and NCAA Tournament Final, something the team is largely expected to do -- Griner would need to average exactly 30 points a night to equal the record. If Monday is any indication, it's certainly possible. At the very least, it's just another subplot to a highly anticipated women's basketball postseason.

What They're Saying: Michelle Voepel of espnW wrote this about Griner's performance on Monday.

"Monday was very special, and yet in a way it was actually ... almost routine. Because being spectacular is pretty much just what Griner does."