Last Week around the Leagues
by Fran Stuchbury
June 30, 2020 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
This past week the National Women's Soccer League started the NWSL Challenge Cup Tournament in Utah, the first professional team sports in the US since March, Wisconsin Herd guard Frank Mason III was named NBA G League Most Valuable Player and twenty-three time Grand Slam champion Venus Williams committed to play for the World TeamTennis' Washington Kastles this season. Highlights from this week are from the NBA G League, NBL Canada, National Women's Soccer League, Major League Rugby and the Canadian Football League.
BASKETBALL
NBA G League
Wisconsin Herd guard Frank Mason III has been named the 2019-20 NBA G League Most Valuable Player, the NBA G League announced. Mason (5-11, 190, Kansas), who signed a two-way contract with the Milwaukee Bucks last July, averaged an NBA G League-high 26.4 points, 5.0 assists and 3.4 rebounds in 23 games with the Herd. Wisconsin went 18-5 with Mason in the lineup and finished with the league's best record (33-10).
Frank Mason has experienced a decorated basketball career and it now includes the 2019-20 NBA G League Most Valuable Player award.
Wisconsin Herd Top 10 Home Dunks During 2019-20 Season
NBA G League Most Valuable Player Frank Mason III of the Wisconsin Herd headlines the 2019-20 All-NBA G League Teams, which were announced today along with the All-Defensive Team and the All-Rookie Team. Mason is joined on the All-NBA G League First Team by Herd guard Jaylen Adams, Salt Lake City Stars forward Jarrell Brantley, South Bay Lakers forward Devontae Cacok and Memphis Hustle forward Jarrod Uthoff. Brantley, Cacok, Mason and Uthoff have played in both the NBA G League and the NBA this season.
Sioux Falls Skyforce guard Gabe Vincent has been named the 2019-20 NBA G League Most Improved Player, the NBA G League announced. In his second NBA G League season, Vincent (6-3, 200, UC Santa Barbara) averaged 20.9 points, 3.1 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 31 games. He made an NBA G League-high 4.2 three-pointers per game and shot 40.3 percent from three-point range.
National Basketball League of Canada
The National Basketball League of Canada announces return to play in late December for tenth milestone season. After being forced to cancel the 2019-20 season at the mid-way point for health and safety concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic, Canada's longest standing professional basketball league officially announces its return to play in December 2020.
NBL Canada All-League Team
SOCCER
National Women's Soccer League
North Carolina Courage forward Lynn Williams scores the game winning goal in the NWSL Challenge Cup opener 2-1 victory over the Portland Thorns FC.
United Soccer League Championship
The USL Championship announced the four groups made up of teams from the Western Conference that will battle for a place in the 2020 USL Championship Playoffs when the league returns to play on Saturday, July 11.
The USL Championship announced the four groups made up of teams from the Eastern Conference that will battle for a place in the 2020 USL Championship Playoffs when the league returns to play on Saturday, July 11.
OTHER SPORTS
World TeamTennis
Twenty-three time Grand Slam champion, four-time Olympic gold medalist and five-time World TeamTennis King Trophy winner, Venus Williams, has committed to play WTT's 45th season for the Washington Kastles. The three-week season is scheduled from July 12-30 at The Greenbrier "America's Resort" in White Sulphur Springs, W.V.
Venus Williams, the 2012 WTT Final MVP, is set to return to the Washington Kastles for her 15th season in World TeamTennis.
Major League Rugby
The Utah Warriors top five tries from the 2020 MLR season.
American Ultimate Disc League
American Ultimate Disc League announced it has cancelled the 2020 AUDL season. This year would have marked the ninth season of professional ultimate in the sports entertainment world.
FOOTBALL
Canadian Football League
Montreal Alouettes running back James Wilder Jr., has retired. Wilder had 3,485 yards from scrimmage and 14 touchdowns over his first three seasons with the Toronto Argonauts. Here are his highlights.
Indoor Football League
Ameer Ismail is returning as Head Coach of the Iowa Barnstormers for the 2021 Indoor Football League (IFL) season, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer John Pettit announced. Ismail first joined the Iowa Barnstormers organization as Head Coach for the 2020 season prior to it's cancellation following the team's Training Camp. Coach Ismail had selected his 25-man roster following a two-week Training Camp and was gearing up for the team's first game when news of the season's uncertain fate broke.
The expansion team in Columbus, Ohio originally was supposed to join the league next season will now be part of the league in the 2022 season.
BASEBALL
Frontier League
The Frontier League has announced that the 2020 championship season has been suspended due to the ongoing gathering and travel restrictions in many of our locations. The League's Board of Directors unanimously voted to suspend the entire 2020 championship season.
Did we miss anything newsworthy or downright fun? Have a nomination for next week's column? Contact us today and let us know.
National Women's Soccer League Stories from June 30, 2020
- Dash Draw 3-3 with Utah Royals FC to Open NWSL Challenge Cup - Houston Dash
- NWSL Challenge Cup Preview: Wednesday, July 1 - Orlando Pride
- Ally Watt Ruled out of NWSL Challenge Cup with Knee Injury - North Carolina Courage
- Utah Royals FC Earns Dramatic Draw in 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup Opener - Utah Royals FC
- Last Week around the Leagues - OSC Original by Fran Stuchbury
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer(s), and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
