WNBA basketball

FILE - Las Vegas Aces' A'ja Wilson (22) looks to pass during the second half in Game 4 of a WNBA basketball final playoff series against the New York Liberty, Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2023, in New York. WNBA champion A'ja Wilson is coming back to the South Carolina Gamecocks arena where her statue sits when the Las Vegas Aces play Puerto Rico's national team in an exhibition game on May 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II, File)

Two-time defending champion Aces become the 1st WNBA team to sell out allotted season tickets

The two-time defending champion Las Vegas Aces are the first WNBA team to sell out its allotted season tickets.

FILE - Commissioner Cathy Engelbert speaks at the WNBA basketball draft Monday, April 10, 2023, in New York. The WNBA Draft will have a new home this year and for the first time in eight seasons have the space for 1,000 fans to attend. “We are focused on creating elevated events that WNBA fans won’t want to miss, at a time when the energy for the WNBA has never been higher,” Engelbert said.(AP Photo/Adam Hunger, File)

WNBA to use optical tracking to enhance player analysis

Iowa guard Caitlin Clark (22) points after an Iowa basket scored during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Minnesota, Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

WNBA teams see increase in ticket sales after Caitlin Clark announces plans to enter draft

FILE - Commissioner Cathy Engelbert speaks at the WNBA basketball draft Monday, April 10, 2023, in New York. The WNBA Draft will have a new home this year and for the first time in eight seasons have the space for 1,000 fans to attend. “We are focused on creating elevated events that WNBA fans won’t want to miss, at a time when the energy for the WNBA has never been higher,” Engelbert said.(AP Photo/Adam Hunger, File)

WNBA Draft moves to Brooklyn and will have space for 1,000 fans to attend

FILE - New York Liberty's Breanna Stewart (30) shoots over Las Vegas Aces' Kelsey Plum (7) during the second half in Game 3 of a WNBA basketball final playoff series Oct. 15, 2023, in New York. Reigning WNBA MVP Stewart re-signed with the Liberty, the team announced Monday, Feb. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II, File)

Reigning WNBA MVP Breanna Stewart re-signs with New York Liberty

WNBA players endure commercial flights

The New York Liberty had a 13-hour travel day from Connecticut to Las Vegas during a recent three-game road trip. The Associated Press accompanied the team on the trip, which required two bus rides, two commercial flights and a few hours in three airports. (July 5)

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WNBA to play preseason game in Canada for second straight year

The WNBA will play a preseason game in Canada for the second consecutive year with the Los Angeles Sparks facing the Seattle Storm on May 5 in Edmonton, Alberta.

Wings forward Sabally has shoulder procedure after getting hurt with Germany in Olympic qualifier

Dallas Wings forward Satou Sabally had what the team called a shoulder procedure after getting hurt playing for Germany in an Olympic qualifying tournament earlier this month.

New Seattle Storm players Nneka Ogwumike (3) and Skylar Diggins-Smith (4) attend a press conference in Seattle, Monday, Feb. 19, 2024. (Erika Schultz/The Seattle Times via AP)

Diggins-Smith finds a fresh start with the Storm. She’ll get to play with Ogwumike and Loyd

Skylar Diggins-Smith knew she needed a fresh start. Now, she will get to have it while playing alongside WNBA scoring champion Jewell Loyd, former MVP Nneka Ogwumike and rising star Ezi Magbegor in her first season with the Seattle Storm.

WNBA posts A grades in racial and gender hiring in diversity report card

The WNBA continues to post top-tier grades in an annual report studying diversity hiring throughout the league.

FILE - Washington Mystics' Elena Delle Donne (11) looks on during a break in the action in the first half of a WNBA basketball game against the Indiana Fever, Friday, May 6, 2022, in Washington. The Mystics star, a two-time WNBA MVP, might step away from basketball for an undetermined period of time, according to multiple reports. ESPN, citing anonymous sources, reported Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024, that Delle Donne does not intend to sign the one-year supermax deal the Mystics have offered her. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams, File)

Mystics star Elena Delle Donne taking break from basketball, AP source says

Washington Mystics star Elena Delle Donne is stepping away from basketball, potentially for the entire season.

FILE - Las Vegas Aces forward Candace Parker (3) reacts during the first half of a WNBA basketball game against the Seattle Storm, Saturday, May 20, 2023, in Seattle. The Las Vegas Aces announced Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024, they re-signed Candace Parker. She is a two-time league MVP and three-time WNBA champion. The Aces have won back-to-back titles (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson, File)

Aces re-sign Candace Parker in bid to win 3rd WNBA title in a row

The Las Vegas Aces have re-signed two-time MVP Candace Parker. She was a missing piece late last season when they won their second consecutive WNBA championship.

The United States women's national team head coach Cheryl Reeve, second from right, speaks to her players after practice during the team's training camp, Sunday, Feb. 4, 2024, in New York. The U.S. announced their team that will play in a pre-Olympic tournament in Belgium this week. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

Olympic women’s basketball qualifiers set to begin around the world

The U.S. and France have already qualified for the Paris Olympics this summer in women’s basketball.

FILE - Chicago Sky's Kahleah Copper drives to the basket during a WNBA basketball game against the Seattle Storm Friday, July 28, 2023, in Chicago. The Phoenix Mercury acquired 2021 Finals MVP Kahleah Copper from the Chicago Sky for four draft picks, including the No. 3 choice this year. Chicago also will receive Michaela Onyenwere and Brianna Turner from the Mercury . “To my new teammates and coaches: you’re getting all of me,” Copper said on Instagram on Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024. “My hunger, my desire, my competitive spirit. Every. Damn. Possession.”(AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast, File)

Mercury acquire Kahleah Copper from Sky for draft picks, Onyenwere and Turner

The Phoenix Mercury acquired 2021 Finals MVP Kahleah Copper from the Chicago Sky for four draft picks, including the No. 3 choice this year.

FILE - Los Angeles Sparks forward Nneka Ogwumike dribbles the ball during the second half of the team's WNBA basketball basketball game against the Dallas Wings in Arlington, Texas, June 14, 2023. Ogwumike is going to be wearing a new uniform next season as she has told the Sparks that she's going to leave in free agency. Ogwumike has played her entire 12-year career with the Sparks after being drafted No. 1 by the team in 2012. (AP Photo/LM Otero, File)

Former MVP Nneka Ogwumike becomes second big free agent to sign with the Seattle Storm

Former WNBA MVP and eight-time All-Star Nneka Ogwumike signed with the Seattle Storm, the second big splash in free agency for the franchise.

The United States women's national team head coach Cheryl Reeve, second from right, speaks to her players after practice during the team's training camp, Sunday, Feb. 4, 2024, in New York. The U.S. announced their team that will play in a pre-Olympic tournament in Belgium this week. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

Taurasi headlines US women’s basketball team headed to Belgium for pre-Olympic tournament

Five-time Olympic champion Diana Taurasi was selected Sunday as part of the U.S. national team that will play in a pre-Olympic qualifying tournament in Belgium this week.

FILE -Chicago Sky's Courtney Williams drives to the basket during a WNBA basketball game against the Connecticut Sun Wednesday, July 12, 2023, in Chicago. The Minnesota Lynx signed guard Courtney Williams and forward Alanna Smith on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024 adding two former Chicago Sky players in free agency. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast, File)

Lynx sign ex-Sky players Courtney Williams, Alanna Smith in WNBA free agency

The Minnesota Lynx have signed guard Courtney Williams and forward Alanna Smith, adding two former Chicago Sky players in free agency.

FILE - Atlanta Dream guard Aari McDonald (2) plays during a WNBA basketball game against the Las Vegas Aces, Friday, June 2, 2023, in College Park, Ga. The Atlanta Dream acquired two-time WNBA steals leader Jordin Canada in a trade that sent guard Aari McDonald to the Los Angeles Sparks on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Danny Karnik, File)

Dream acquire 2-time WNBA steals leader Canada and send McDonald to Sparks in swap of guards

The Atlanta Dream acquired two-time WNBA steals leader Jordin Canada in a trade that sent guard Aari McDonald to the Los Angeles Sparks.

FILE - Team Stewart's Skylar Diggins-Smith, center, drives to the basket against Team Wilson's Candace Parker, left, and Sylvia Fowles during the first half of a WNBA All-Star basketball game in Chicago, Sunday, July 10, 2022. Seattle signed Skylar Diggins-Smith as WNBA free agency tipped off Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh, File)

Liberty bringing back core of last season’s WNBA Finals run. Diggins-Smith signs with Storm

The New York Liberty are bringing their core group back and trying to add another piece with prized free agent Nneka Ogwumike, while Seattle signed Skylar Diggins-Smith as WNBA free agency tipped off.

Satou Sabally re-signs with Dallas Wings after breakout season

The Dallas Wings have re-signed All-Star Satou Sabally after a breakout season that helped the franchise to its first playoff series victory since moving to Texas eight years ago.

Los Angeles acquires Kia Nurse, fourth-overall pick from Seattle

The Los Angeles Sparks have acquired guard Kia Nurse from Seattle along with the Storm’s fourth-overall pick in April’s WNBA draft.

Sun acquire Tiffany Mitchell and second-round pick from Lynx for Natisha Hiedeman

The Connecticut Sun acquired Tiffany Mitchell and the 19th pick in the WNBA draft from the Minnesota Lynx for guard Natisha Hiedeman.

Jess Smith to lead new Golden State WNBA franchise as team president

The Golden State Warriors expansion WNBA franchise has its first hire with Jess Smith as team president.

FILE - Las Vegas Aces' Sydney Colson (51) plays during the second half in Game 4 of a WNBA basketball final playoff series against the New York Liberty Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2023, in New York. The WNBA and its players are once again a big part of the Athletes Unlimited basketball season. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II, File)

Eighteen current WNBA players on Athletes Unlimited rosters this season

The WNBA and its players are once again a big part of the Athletes Unlimited basketball season. Eighteen players in the 40-person league finished last season on a WNBA roster while 11 others, including two-time Olympic champion Angel McCoughtry, have experience in the league.

FILE - Los Angeles Sparks forward Nneka Ogwumike dribbles the ball during the second half of the team's WNBA basketball basketball game against the Dallas Wings in Arlington, Texas, June 14, 2023. Ogwumike is going to be wearing a new uniform next season as she has told the Sparks that she's going to leave in free agency. Ogwumike has played her entire 12-year career with the Sparks after being drafted No. 1 by the team in 2012. (AP Photo/LM Otero, File)

Nneka Ogwumike tells Sparks she is going to leave as a free agent

Nneka Ogwumike is going to be wearing a new uniform next season as she has told the Los Angeles Sparks that she’s going to leave in free agency.

FILE - Indiana Fever's Aliyah Boston (7) is defended by Connecticut Sun's Olivia Nelson-Ododa, left, during the first half of a WNBA basketball game Aug. 4, 2023, in Indianapolis. The WNBA is using some fresh faces in its Player Marketing Agreement cohort this season. The league's past two Rookie of the Year winners, Boston and Rhyne Howard, of Atlanta, are two of the six players chosen this offseason to take part in the program. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings, File)

Former WNBA rookies of the year Howard, Boston part of league’s Player Marketing Agreements

The WNBA is using some fresh faces in its Player Marketing Agreement cohort this season. The league’s past two Rookie of the Year winners, Aliyah Boston of Indiana and Rhyne Howard of Atlanta,are two of the six players chosen this offseason to take part in the program.

FILE - TCU head coach Raegan Pebley gestures in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Oklahoma, Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2023, in Norman, Okla. The Los Angeles Sparks on Friday, Jan. 5, 2024, hired Pebley as general manager, replacing Karen Bryant who will focus solely on the team’s business operations. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki, File)

Sparks hire former WNBA player Raegan Pebley as new GM. Karen Bryant to focus on business side

The Los Angeles Sparks have hired former WNBA player Raegan Pebley as general manager, replacing Karen Bryant, who will focus on the team’s business operations.

FILE - Olympic rings are set up at Trocadero plaza that overlooks the Eiffel Tower, a day after the official announcement that the 2024 Summer Olympic Games will be in the French capital, in Paris, France, Thursday, Sept. 14, 2017. The WNBA released its schedule on Monday, Dec. 18, 2023, with its usual month-long break for the Olympics. There will be no regular season contests from July 18-Aug. 14 because of the Paris Games. (AP Photo/Michel Euler, File)

WNBA to take its usual month-long break for the Olympics

The WNBA released its schedule on Monday with its usual month-long break for the Olympics. There will be no regular season contests from July 18-Aug. 14 because of the Paris Games.

FILE - Commissioner Cathy Engelbert speaks at the WNBA basketball draft Monday, April 10, 2023, in New York. The WNBA is changing its Commissioner's Cup format, playing half as many games and contesting them all during a two-week period in early June. “The newly designed, concentrated structure for this in-season tournament adds an increased sense of urgency and excitement as we place a particular spotlight on Eastern and Western Conference Commissioner’s Cup play in a two-week window near the tip-off of our regular season.” Engelbert said. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger, File)

WNBA changes Commissioner’s Cup format with each team playing 5 games over 2-week period

The WNBA is changing its Commissioner’s Cup format, playing half as many games and contesting them all during a two-week period in early June.

Tiffany Hayes to retire from the WNBA after 11 seasons

Tiffany Hayes has announced her retirement from the WNBA after 11 seasons. She made the announcement on the “Counted Me Out” podcast.

FILE - Las Vegas Aces forward Angel McCoughtry sets up a play during the first half of a WNBA basketball game, Sept. 29, 2020, in Bradenton, Fla. Two-time Olympic champion McCoughtry will play in the upcoming Athletes Unlimited season. The 2009 No. 1 pick in the WNBA draft has been limited to just three games in the league since 2021 because of injuries. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack, File)

Angel McCoughtry signs on to play in Athletes Unlimited basketball league

Two-time Olympic champion Angel McCoughtry will play in the upcoming Athletes Unlimited season. The 2009 No. 1 pick in the WNBA draft has been limited to just three games in the league since 2021 because of injuries.

Iowa's Caitlin Clark drives past Wisconsin's Sania Copeland during the first half of a women's NCAA college basketball game Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Indiana Fever will choose among talented college stars with another No. 1 pick in WNBA draft

The Indiana Fever won the WNBA draft lottery Sunday and will pick No. 1 for the second straight year.

Washington Mystics C Shakira Austin has surgery on torn labrum; recovery expected to take 4-6 months

Washington Mystics center Shakira Austin had surgery to repair a torn labrum in her left hip. The team says the recovery is expected to take four to six months.

FILE - Washington Mystics guard Kristi Toliver (20) goes to the basket for a lay up during the second half of a WNBA basketball game against the New York Liberty, Friday, May 19, 2023, in Washington. The Phoenix Mercury have hired three-time WNBA All-Star and former NBA assistant Kristi Toliver as associate head coach. Toliver will join the staff of first-year coach Nate Tibbetts in the hiring announced on Friday, Dec. 1, 2023.(AP Photo/Terrance Williams, File)

Mercury hire former WNBA player and NBA assistant Kristi Toliver as associate head coach

The Phoenix Mercury have hired three-time WNBA All-Star and former NBA assistant Kristi Toliver as associate head coach.

FILE - Chicago Sky's Kahleah Copper drives to the basket during a WNBA basketball game against the Seattle Storm Friday, July 28, 2023, in Chicago. Copper is heading home to Rutgers as an assistant on the women's basketball team. The Chicago Sky's star wing will be the team's Director of Athletic Culture and Professional Development.(AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast, File)

Kahleah Copper of WNBA’s Chicago Sky returns to Rutgers as assistant coach

Kahleah Copper is heading back to Rutgers as an assistant on the women’s basketball team. The Chicago Sky’s star wing will be the Director of Athletic Culture and Professional Development.

FILE - Las Vegas Aces forward Candace Parker (3) reacts during the first half of a WNBA basketball game against the Seattle Storm, Saturday, May 20, 2023, in Seattle. Parker plans on playing another season if she's healthy enough to do so. The two-time WNBA MVP missed the Las Vegas Aces run to a second straight league championship after having surgery on her left foot in late July. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson, File)

Candace Parker wants to play next season if she can get healthy

Candace Parker plans on playing another season if she’s healthy enough to do so. The two-time WNBA MVP missed the Las Vegas Aces’ run to a second straight league championship after having surgery on her left foot in late July.