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HAPPY BLACK HISTORY MONTH!
Hi Hoops Fans!
We want to start by wishing everyone a happy and enlightened Black History Month!
DID YOU KNOW?
Black History Month dates back as far as 1926 when Carter G. Woodson established “Negro History Week”
In 1976, President Gerald Ford established Black History Month
At Black Rosie Media, we believe every day is an opportunity to learn about United States history through the eyes of communities who oft contribute the most to our society with the least fanfare.
As important as “Black firsts” are, history is measured by impact. I want Black Rosie Media to be a beacon of light for comprehensive news on women’s basketball past, present, and future.
To that end, I’d like to introduce you to Luisa “Lucy” Harris, the main subject of the 2022 Oscar-winning documentary ‘The Queen of Basketball’ by The New York Times.
Stephen Curry and Shaquille O’Neil were among the executive directors who helped make the documentary possible. O’Neil, director Ben Proudfoot, and Harris’ daughter Crystal Washington participated in a virtual Q&A one week after Lucy’s passing to discuss the film.
Finally, we know a lot is happening with the WNBA free agency, so expect a separate newsletter with the latest news.
With love,
Erica L. Ayala, Head Black Rosie in Charge (HBIC)
WHAT WE’RE READING!
At Black Rosie Media, we love to give flowers to other writers and creators in women’s basketball.
Here’s what we’re reading:
I’ve covered hundreds of pro basketball games. Unrivaled was unlike any other. by Noa Dalzell for Breakaway
2025 WNBA Free Agency: How Courtney Vandersloot can elevate the Chicago Sky—especially Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso by Zachary Draves for Swish Appeal
No. 1 UCLA Bruins, No. 4 USC Trojans on track for LA-based battle for Big Ten supremacy by Edwin Garcia for Swish Appeal
Where do the New York Liberty stand after free agency signing day? by Jackie Powell for The Next
Madison Keys’ Mental Shift Leads to Grand Slam Glory by Shlomo Sprung for Boardroom
Beyoncé's Album Cover Makes Complete Sense to Black Texans by Taylor Crumpton for Bloomberg
Reasons you should be a Locked On NBA insider
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🦉 HOOTY-HOO! LUNAR OWLS UNDEFEATED
Napheesa Collier and Lunar Owls BC remain at the top of the standings after defeating Laces BC on Friday. The Laces have now dropped their first two games, meaning the Owls have separation at the top of the table.
After what looked like a promising start, Vinyl BC is now on a four-game skid. The top four teams will make the playoffs in March. Who will be in, and who will be out?
Here are the current Unrivaled standings:
Unrivaled Standings: Lunar Owls (6-0), Laces (4-2), Mist (2-4), Phantom (2-4), Rose (2-4), Vinyl (2-4).
Key Performers:
Once again, Napheesa Collier leads in points and rebounds. Her Minnesota Lynx teammate Kayla McBride is the only player within five points of Phee’s league-leading scoring average.
ONE MORE THING!
Unrivaled has released the 1-on-1 Tournament Bracket. Surprisingly, neither Collier nor McBride were given a first-round bye. Instead, Jewell Loyd and Arike Ogunbowale have byes.
The total prize pool for the tournament is $350,000. The champion will take home $200,000 and earn $10,000 each for their Unrivaled clubmates. The tournament runner-up will pocket $50,000, and the two semi-finalists who do not advance will earn $25,000
📻 BRM PODCAST NETWORK…
It’s been a low-key free agency for the reigning WNBA Champions. The New York Liberty didn’t land Satou Sabally and saw Courtney Vandersloot return to the Chicago Sky, but business is still booming in BK.
On February 1, the team announced that Kennedy Burke would return to New York in 2025.
Announcing the news, Liberty General Manager Jonathan Kolb had this to say about the former UCLA Bruin
“KB is a vital piece to our roster and culture alike - and building off her success in 2024 - she’s poised to take on a larger role this year and further showcase her versality.”
The champs signed training camp contracts with Raquel Carrera and Esmery Martinez. Carrera is working her way back from a ruptured right ACL, and Martinez impressed the coaching staff at camp last season. Depth is the key to the Liberty’s success and the
They also re-signed a key member of the 2024 bench.
On the latest edition of Gotta Get Up, Erica and I broke down KB’s 2024 and what to expect from her in 2025
As we draw closer to training camp, it will be fun to see how KB does in a new, expanded role.
The Seattle Storm are in a new era. Though the Storm haven’t made many off-season moves, though Nneka Ogwumike may be the first domino to fall. Once again, Chiney Ogwumike broke the news of her sister (re-)signing with Seattle on ESPN. The next decision Storm fans will eagerly await is whether Gabby Williams will accept the core designation.
Either way, Jordan Horston figures to play a big role in their plans for 2025 and beyond. On the latest edition of Tempestade Talk, Erica and Roberta Rodrigues took a deep dive into Horston’s season.
The future is cloudy for the Storm, but Horston will brighten their days.
A PAIR OF 22s INTO THE RAFTERS
Image via the University of South Carolina Twitter account.
February 2 was a special day in women’s college basketball. We saw the jersey retirements of both A’ja Wilson in South Carolina and Caitlin Clark in Iowa.
Wilson and Clark will go down as the two greatest players at their respective universities. They both inspire tons of basketball fans at home and around the world with their excellence on and off the court.
They’ve taken their NCAA success and built on it under the bright lights of WNBA competition. They’ve also handled all the pressure and responsibility of being a women’s signature athlete and made the sneaker space more inclusive and welcoming.
Image via the University of Iowa Twitter account.
The WNBA has gained plenty of momentum in recent years, and with Wilson and Clark leading the way, the game will continue its rise and enter the stratosphere. What will come next?
Well, it’s her first signature shoe for Wilson, and Clark isn’t far behind.
WATCH the jersey retirement speeches here:
💰MONEY MOVES
Expanding to the Summitt?
Image via the University of Tennessee.
The WNBA continues to expand, and we’ve got some exciting new contenders for Team 16.
Other cities such as Austin, Milwaukee, Cleveland, and Kansas City also placed bids. However, one bid stands out among the rest.
University of Tennessee icons Candace Parker and Peyton Manning are part of an ownership group to bring the WNBA to Tennessee. The prospective new team would be based in Nashville, and the name is in honor of legendary basketball coach Pat Summitt.
MUSIC CITY MADNESS: A group led by former TN Gov. Bill Haslam, with VFL Peyton Manning, player Candace Parker and entertainers Tim McGraw and Faith Hill are making a bid to bring a WNBA franchise to the state, calling the team the 'Tennessee Summitt' to honor late Lady Vols Coach Pat Summitt.
— Local 3 News (@local3news.bsky.social) 2025-01-30T22:03:02.566Z
Outside of Atlanta, the WNBA hasn’t had much of a footprint in the Southeastern part of the United States so that this move would be a welcome addition to the league.
Of course, it’s bigger than just that, as Jordan Horston noted in a recent interview:
“I went to Tennessee so I know that this is a great place for any women's sports. I love the team's name. Of course, I'm playing for Seattle and that's where my loyalty is, but I was like, 'Dang, the Summitt; that would be nice. It just shows what has happened over the years and all Pat has done, not just in sports but for women in general.”
📈 AP TOP 25 - WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
It’s all UCLA again at the top! The Bruins are doing so well that many wonder if Lauren Betts has a real chance at winning National Player of the Year. Here is an excellent story on how the Bruins center regained her confidence.
USC dropped a few spots after a loss to Iowa on the day Caitlin Clark saw her jersey rise into the rafters.
AP Rankings (as of February 3):
1 UCLA
2 South Carolina
3 Notre Dame
4 Texas (↑2)
5 UConn
6 LSU (↓2)
7 Southern California (↓3)
8 Ohio State (↑4)
9 TCU
10 Duke (↑4)
11 Kentucky (↑1)
12 Kansas State (↓1)
13 North Carolina
14 North Carolina State (↑3)
15 Oklahoma (↓2)
16 Maryland (↓2)
17 Georgia Tech (↑3)
18 West Virginia (↑3)
19 Tennessee (↓1)
20 Michigan State (↓4)
21 California (↓2)
22 Florida State (↑3)
23 Alabama (↓1)
24 Vanderbilt (↓1)
25 Oklahoma State (↓1)
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