Category Archives: women’s basketball

Athletes Unlimited roster features mix of WNBA veterans, emerging stars

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Athletes Unlimited has announced the final roster for the fifth season of its women’s professional basketball league. The announcement came on Thursday, revealing a talented group that once again features a strong contingent of established WNBA stars, led by Tina Charles.

The 40-player field includes 20 returning players and 20 newcomers for the upcoming season, which will run from February 4 through March 1 at Municipal Auditorium, according to the Associated Press.

Among the notable returners are Tina Charles, the WNBA’s all-time leader in rebounds and made field goals, along with seasoned veterans Ariel Atkins, Alysha Clark, Kia Nurse, Odyssey Sims, Aerial Powers, Kiah Stokes, Brianna Turner, Isabelle Harrison, and Bria Hartley.

Lexie Brown, chair of the AU Pro Basketball Player Executive Committee, will be joined by her father, Dee Brown, who will serve as a player enhancement specialist alongside Danielle Viglione. The coaching staff for this season includes Zak Buncik, Edniesha Curry, Chaz Franklin, and Kia Vaughn.

The roster also highlights younger players and recent standouts such as Aneesah Morrow, NaLyssa Smith, Jacy Sheldon, Te-Hina Paopao, Zia Cooke, Deja Kelly, Kaitlyn Chen, Jaylyn Sherrod, and Aaliyah Nye.

Megan Perry, vice president of basketball for Athletes Unlimited, expressed enthusiasm about the talent pool. “The depth across all 40 spots is exceptional, and it’s going to make this one of the most challenging and compelling seasons we’ve had,” Perry said.

With a mix of seasoned pros and rising stars, this season promises exciting competition and high-level basketball action for fans to enjoy.
https://clutchpoints.com/wnba/wnba-stories/wnba-news-tina-charles-league-stars-hit-court-athletes-unlimited

Lynx rule out Napheesa Collier for WNBA semifinals Game 4 vs. Mercury

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Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier will miss Sunday’s Game 4 against the Phoenix Mercury due to a left ankle injury, the Lynx announced Saturday.

Collier suffered the injury with less than 30 seconds remaining in Minnesota’s 84-76 loss in Game 3. The injury occurred during a consequential sequence that also led to Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve being suspended for Sunday’s contest. Collier appeared to roll her ankle late in the game as she fell to the ground following a steal by Mercury star Alyssa Thomas. She left the game with 21.8 seconds remaining and needed assistance heading to the locker room.

Coach Reeve said afterward that Collier probably has a fracture, though the team has not provided further details about the severity of her injury. This is a significant setback, as Collier missed more than three weeks earlier this season due to a right ankle injury. Minnesota went 5-2 in her absence.

Trailing the best-of-5 series 2-1, the Lynx will have to win Game 4 without their star forward and their head coach on the sideline. The WNBA announced Saturday that Reeve will be suspended for Game 4 due to her conduct and comments during and following Minnesota’s defeat.

The league cited several reasons for the suspension, including Reeve aggressively pursuing and verbally abusing a game official on the court, failure to leave the court in a timely manner upon her ejection with 21.8 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter, inappropriate comments made to fans when exiting the court, and controversial remarks during a post-game press conference.

Lynx lead assistant Eric Thibault is expected to assume Reeve’s role on Sunday.

In terms of lineup changes, reserve forward Jessica Shepard moved into Minnesota’s starting lineup for six of the seven games Collier missed this season, while forward Maria Kliundikova started once. Regardless of who starts, both players are expected to take on a more significant role in Sunday’s elimination game.

The top-seeded Lynx entered the semifinals hoping to reach consecutive WNBA Finals for the first time since 2017. Meanwhile, the Phoenix Mercury have not made the WNBA Finals since 2021.

The series and Minnesota’s playoff hopes now hinge on their ability to overcome these key absences and pull out a victory in Game 4.

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*Minnesota Lynx | Phoenix Mercury | WNBA 2025*
*Provided by The Athletic Media Company*
https://sports.yahoo.com/article/lynx-rule-napheesa-collier-wnba-004605819.html