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 Women's National Basketball Association

WNBA News: July 28, 2016

July 28, 2016 - Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) News Release


WNBA News, a weekly newsletter produced by WNBA Communications, will highlight the latest storylines, key statistics, upcoming events and more from the league's landmark 20th season.

MVP FORM: Only one player in WNBA history has led the league in scoring and rebounding for a season: three-time MVP Lauren Jackson. New York Liberty forward Tina Charles is looking to double that club, as she tops the WNBA with 21.4 points and 9.6 rebounds at the Olympic break. Charles' dominance has resulted in a single-season record six Player of the Week honors in 2016, raising her career total to 20 in seven seasons (second all time behind Tamika Catchings' 22). Powered by Charles, New York has won 14 of its last 18 games and sits atop the Eastern Conference at 18-8.

REMARKABLE ROOKIE: The Seattle Storm's Breanna Stewart is already fulfilling the lofty expectations that come with being the No. 1 overall draft pick. The rookie forward recently was named Western Conference Rookie of the Month for the third straight time, leading all rookies in scoring (20.0 ppg), rebounding (9.3 rpg), assists (4.0 apg) and blocked shots (2.3 bpg) in July. For the season, Stewart ranks fifth among all WNBA players in scoring (19.2 ppg), second in rebounding (9.3 rpg) and third in blocks (2.1 bpg), and among rookies she is second in assists (3.5 apg). No player, rookie or veteran, has ever averaged those numbers for a season in WNBA history. Stewart is also on track to become the first rookie ever to average at least 19 points and nine rebounds.

PREP WORK: The U.S. women's basketball team's exhibition tour is in full swing. Coach Geno Auriemma's squad began its preparations for the Summer Olympics with a thrilling 88-84 victory over the USA Basketball Select Team on Monday, followed by an 84-62 win against France on Wednesday. The tour continues against Canada on Friday in Bridgeport, Conn., and wraps up against Australia on Sunday at Madison Square Garden. The U.S. team, which has won 41 consecutive Olympic games and five straight gold medals, opens the Rio Games against Senegal on Sunday, Aug. 7.

USA Select Team forward Natasha Howard led all scorers with 24 points (on 8-of-13 shooting) in Monday's game against the U.S. national team. In the WNBA, Howard averages 7.3 points and 3.2 rebounds as a reserve forward for the Minnesota Lynx.

In an interview with the New York Times, WNBA President Lisa Borders discussed her youth and leadership style and shared advice for new college graduates.

The Indiana Fever closed the pre-Olympic schedule on a three-game winning streak, including victories over the league-leading Los Angeles Sparks and the East-leading Liberty. Indiana is 12-12 overall.

The Wall Street Journal profiled Storm co-owner Ginny Gilder, a former Olympic rower and an avid cyclist.

Reigning WNBA MVP Elena Delle Donne participated in Scouting Myself, The Players' Tribune's new series in which professional athletes help elite high school athletes break down film and run drills.

Sparks forward Nneka Ogwumike, the Western Conference Player of the Month in June and July, remains on pace to shatter the WNBA single-season record for field goal percentage. Ogwumike is shooting 71.0 percent; the record is 66.8 percent by Tamika Raymond in 2003.

Lynx guard Seimone Augustus (5,037) needs 12 points to pass Tangela Smith (5,048) for 14th place on the WNBA's all-time scoring list.

Bowen, Washington Post: "Just because the WNBA is taking a month off doesn't mean all the players are putting their feet up. The United States women's Olympic basketball team is loaded with WNBA stars."

Sue Bird, Storm guard: "My first Olympics, we had players like Dawn Staley, Lisa Leslie, Sheryl Swoopes. They showed us what it meant to be a part of USA basketball. ... When you get older, you want to pass that on to the new crop coming in. Not only are you honored to be a part of the tradition, you want to make sure you're keeping it up."

Mike Peden, Excelle Sports: "[Tim] Duncan is a fitting comparison for [Atlanta Dream center] Elizabeth Williams, who idolized his consistency in her youth. Assimilating his modest demeanor, she demonstrates her abilities with actions over words."


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Women's National Basketball Association Stories from July 28, 2016


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