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USA Today
01-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Q&A: Allisha Gray on teaming up with Brittney Griner and WNBA's WNBA's mentorship program
Q&A: Allisha Gray on teaming up with Brittney Griner and WNBA's WNBA's mentorship program Atlanta Dream guard Allisha Gray's million-watt smile and her warm personality are impossible to miss. Gray is starting her ninth season in the WNBA and third with the Dream. After winning a championship with coach Dawn Staley in college, she turned her sights to the pro level, stacking the accolades along the way. Gray is a two-time WNBA All-Star and also won Rookie of the Year in 2017. She even did something last season that no other WNBA player has ever done: win the WNBA 3-Point Contest and Skills Challenge in the same night. By Gray's admission, the honors on her resumé are only a small portion of her story. The South Carolina native says that most people don't know the real her. They only know the basketball side, and that if people really knew her story, they would understand just how resilient she's been through every obstacle in her life. It's why she's recently partnered with the WNBA and its Changemaker Collective to be part of VOICEINSPORT (VIS), a platform dedicated to increasing access, visibility and virtual mentorship for young girls. "I just feel like I can help out a lot of girls and women," Gray told For The Win. "I feel like I'm a positive person. I've been through a lot. I'm pretty sure what they've gone through mentally and physically on the court, I can help them feel comfortable and overcome it." Ahead of the 2025 WNBA season, For The Win sat down with the Dream star to discuss why mentoring young athletes means so much to her, how it feels to have Brittney Griner as her teammate, and so much more from her packed offseason. This interview has been condensed and edited for clarity. Why was it important for you to join the WNBA's VIS initiative? I realized being a woman athlete, it's important to have mentors growing up ... It's always comfortable having that person you can talk to because you don't always want to talk to your parents about everything. So, it's always good to have that non-biased person that you can talk to, and they keep it real with you. What was the most underrated part of Unrivaled? I'll probably say the competitiveness. The competitiveness was very fun. I enjoyed the trash talk and just being competitive and going out there to compete and playing hard every I done played against everybody so none of them was really a surprise. Somebody that's working on their trash talk that [Courtney Williams] is helping is [Napheesa Collier]. Has it sunk in yet that Brittney Griner joined the Atlanta Dream? It's cool. I mean, I've known B.G. for quite a while. So, I always had a relationship with her through USA Basketball and stuff like that. But, I mean, I'll have to see her in training camp, on the same court as me ― on the same side as me ― for me to let it sink in that she's my teammate. I know she's my teammate, but it's just ... I'll feel more settled in when I see her in the uniform. So, that's exciting. How did it feel being one of the first to own A'ja Wilson's A'One shoes? That's just the perks of being the best friend of the person of the shoe. You know I'll take my perks, and I really love the shoe. The shoe is very comfortable. You know, I just got little perks, and I love the perks Are you aware of people calling you adorable, and where does that joy come from? I'm just a smiling, happy person ... I'm me. I always smiled and cheesed. Growing up, I was a smiling person. But I am aware of all the "cute" and "adorable" things that people say. It's funny, but yeah. I've always been like this ― a giggly person. We heard you're a picky eater. What's your food hot take? I'm a texture person. It is a lot of foods out there that I don't like. I stick with the main food groups of chicken, salmon steak. That's pretty much my three go-to meat-wise. How would you describe your relationship with Rhyne Howard using a song or food? Food-wise, I'm going five-star meal ― shoot, to describe our friendship. We have a great friendship. I'll say a good, nice steak at a Michelin-star restaurant.
Indianapolis Star
29-04-2025
- Sport
- Indianapolis Star
WNBA All-Star game 2025 tickets for July 18-19 will be available at 2 p.m. Tuesday
INDIANAPOLIS -- Tickets for the WNBA All-Star 2025 weekend on July 18-19 will be available online at 2 p.m. Tuesday. On Friday, July 18, Indianapolis will host the 3-point contest and the Skills Challenge. The WNBA All-Star game will be on Saturday, July 19. Go to to buy tickets for both events. 'We are excited to showcase our community and our state's love of basketball with fans here at home and all over the world,' said Mel Raines, WNBA All-Star 2025 Host Committee founding chair and Pacers Sports & Entertainment CEO. 'It's going to be a weekend jampacked with fan-focused experiences from the best in women's basketball to music, fashion and more. You won't want to miss this.' Fans can also sign up to receive more information about the weekend, including Fever Fest, at Tuesday, April 29, 2025 at Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle. What is the WNBA All-Star game 2025 schedule? Friday, July 18: 3-point contest and Skills Challenge Saturday, July 19: WNBA All-Star game
Yahoo
24-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Wizards' Brian Keefe provides injury update on Alexandre Sarr
ORLANDO, Fla. -- Washington Wizards rookie Alexandre Sarr was a late scratch from the lineup on Sunday against the Orlando Magic after reaggravating a left ankle sprain, coach Brian Keefe said. Sarr missed eight games from Jan. 29-Feb. 10 with the injury and was eventually cleared to play in the Wizards' last game before the All-Star break on Feb. 12. He tweaked it on Friday in a 104-101 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks at Capital One Arena. The No. 2 pick was initially listed as questionable to play against the Magic but was ruled out of playing on Sunday afternoon. Keefe isn't certain how much time Sarr could potentially miss. "I don't know a timeline on it yet," Keefe said. Sarr is averaging 11.7 points, 6.6 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.6 blocks on 39.4% shooting from the field in 43 appearances. He is third in the rookie class in blocked shots (67) -- and 15th among all players -- and is fourth in rebounding and double-doubles (6). The 7-footer was the Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month in December after leading all first-year players in 3-point percentage (45.5). He was among 10 rookies who competed in the Rising Stars Game and also participated in the Skills Challenge at All-Star Weekend. Sarr is among a crowded draft class for the Wizards, joining fellow first-round picks Bub Carrington, AJ Johnson and Kyshawn George. They are the first team since the Oklahoma City Thunder in the 2021-22 season to have three separate rookies average at least 25 minutes per game. This article originally appeared on Rookie Wire: Wizards news: Brian Keefe provides injury update on Alexandre Sarr
USA Today
23-02-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Wizards' Brian Keefe provides injury update on Alexandre Sarr
Wizards' Brian Keefe provides injury update on Alexandre Sarr ORLANDO, Fla. -- Washington Wizards rookie Alexandre Sarr was a late scratch from the lineup on Sunday against the Orlando Magic after reaggravating a left ankle sprain, coach Brian Keefe said. Sarr missed eight games from Jan. 29-Feb. 10 with the injury and was eventually cleared to play in the Wizards' last game before the All-Star break on Feb. 12. He tweaked it on Friday in a 104-101 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks at Capital One Arena. The No. 2 pick was initially listed as questionable to play against the Magic but was ruled out of playing on Sunday afternoon. Keefe isn't certain how much time Sarr could potentially miss. "I don't know a timeline on it yet," Keefe said. Sarr is averaging 11.7 points, 6.6 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.6 blocks on 39.4% shooting from the field in 43 appearances. He is third in the rookie class in blocked shots (67) -- and 15th among all players -- and is fourth in rebounding and double-doubles (6). The 7-footer was the Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month in December after leading all first-year players in 3-point percentage (45.5). He was among 10 rookies who competed in the Rising Stars Game and also participated in the Skills Challenge at All-Star Weekend. Sarr is among a crowded draft class for the Wizards, joining fellow first-round picks Bub Carrington, AJ Johnson and Kyshawn George. They are the first team since the Oklahoma City Thunder in the 2021-22 season to have three separate rookies average at least 25 minutes per game.
Reuters
19-02-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
Report: NBA ASG ratings plumment to 2nd lowest in history
February 19 - Trying out a new format for the NBA All-Star Game apparently didn't sit well with the masses, with this year's edition of the event bringing in the second-fewest average viewers, Front Office Sports reported Wednesday. Only the 2023 All-Star Game averaged less viewers (4.6 million) than the 4.7 million who tuned into this year's on TNT platforms. There was a 13 percent dip in viewership compared to 2024. Instead of having one singular game, the league ran a four-team tournament that featured three games. The first squad to reach 40 points in each game would be declared the winner, and Team Shaq (coached by Shaquille O'Neal) ended up on top after beating Team Rising Stars and Team Chuck (Charles Barkley as coach). Each of the past three All-Star Games have failed to garner an average audience of six million. No All-Star Game prior to those had come up short of that mark. All-Star festivities on Saturday night -- Skills Challenge, 3-Point Contest, Slam Dunk Contest -- were also a dud. Those events averaged 3.4 million viewers, setting an all-time low.
