😟 JONQUEL OUT OF ACTION

The New York Liberty will be without the 2024 Finals MVP for a while.

On June 19, Jonquel Jones left the Liberty game against the Phoenix Mercury after injuring her right ankle. It was the same ankle she injured earlier in the season that caused her to miss some time. Over the weekend, we found out how long JJ will be out this time.

Per a statement from the team:

“After further imaging and evaluation, Jonquel avoided long-term injury, and she is projected to return to game action in approximately four-to-six weeks. Further updates will be provided as appropriate.”

If everything goes according to plan, the soonest we will see Jones back on the court will be after the All-Star break. While she recovers, the Liberty will turn to Nyara Sabally and Isabelle Harrison as the main centers. Breanna Stewart often gets minutes at center, so she will pick up some of the slack as well.

Jones is an integral part of this Liberty team and her absence will be felt. Erica and I discussed this news on the latest episode of Gotta Get Up:

All the best to JJ!

🇸🇳 A CONCERNING DEVELOPMENT FOR 2028

The 2028 Olympics are scheduled to take place in Los Angeles, California. It will be the first time the Summer Games have been in the States since Atlanta in 1996. Countries from all around the world will send their best to compete and bring gold back home. We’ve got a few years to go before the Games begin, but the current environment in the USA is deeply, deeply concerning.

Across the United States, the government has been increasingly targeting non-white people since the inauguration of the current President in January. The government has raided schools, threatened to send American citizens to prison in El Salvador, attempted to use the Dodgers Stadium parking lot as a staging ground for federal agents, arrested people who attempt to help immigrants, is actively attempting to deport residents who are critical of the government and its allies’ actions in Gaza, etc.

With the FIFA World Cup scheduled to take place in the USA in 2026, the Vice President “joked” that he would send visitors to the games to the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security if they stayed in the US too long. All in all, the motives of this administration are crystal clear. Unfortunately for the Senegalese Women’s National Team, they’re currently caught in the crosshairs.

On June 18, it was reported that the US Embassy refused visas for five players on the team and 13 staff members. The US has not officially given a reason as to why the visas were rejected, but many suspect it is related to the US Government pushing for a travel ban for African countries, including Senegal.

Despite this setback, Senegal was able to have their entire team and staff train and prepare for competition at their home capital of Dakar. This incident has emphasized the importance of cooperation between nations for Senegal.

“We clearly and firmly reaffirm our new cooperation doctrine: free, balanced cooperation based on mutual respect and shared benefit, Senegalese Prime Minister Ousmane Sonku said in a Facebook post.

The Olympics are a long way away, and the political climate in the US has become increasingly fraught. Hopefully things improve for the better.

📰 WHAT WE’RE READING

At Black Rosie Media, we love to give flowers to other writers and creators in the women’s basketball community.

Here’s what we’re reading:

• Natasha Cloud Focused on Growth with Liberty by Kenny Saint-Vil for Sports Illustrated

• Ten Things To Know: A FIBA Women’s EuroBasket 2025 Primer by Antonia Peresson for Winsidr

• WNBA Refereeing Needs to Get Better — And So Does the Way We Talk About It | WNBA Podcast by Jackie Powell featuring Lucas Kaplan for The Next

• The WNBA’s Officiating Problem Is Bigger Than Caitlin Clark by Emma Baccelleri for Sports Illustrated

• How American Sports Leagues Sold Out and Shattered Sports Culture by Joon Lee for the New York Times

⛹🏽‍♀️ UPCOMING GAMES

Here’s the schedule for the next few days (Eastern Standard Time)

💰 MONEY MOVES

GEARING UP FOR INDY

We are a few weeks away from this year’s All Star Game, and the first batch of voting results are in! Here’s where everything stood as of June 20:

As expected, Caitlin Clark leads the way in voting, especially with the game being in her city. Clark is expected to take part in her first Three Point Contest after previously declining an offer from the NBA earlier this year. She’s been the center of attention since entering the W last year, and this All-Star weekend is shaping up to be something special for the sophomore superstar.

Napheesa Collier is second in voting, and the early MVP favorite has had a spectacular start to the season. The Lynx currently have the WNBA’s best record, will be hosting the Commissioner’s Cup Final on July 2, and have all around good vibes with Phee leading the way. On the men’s side, All-Star Weekend has historically been a time for players to debut their new shoes in front of a big national TV audience. Will Jordan Brand have something special for their new signature athlete? Only time will tell.

Perhaps the most surprising name in the top ten of fan voting is Kiki Iriafen. The Mystics rookie is top five in rebounding, is among the double double leaders in the W, and has provided Mystics fans with plenty of excitement as they build towards a new future.

The big game is on Saturday, July 19. Should be a great one!

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