Latest news with #womensbasketball
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Angel Reese Dealt 'Brutal Truth' In Rivalry With Caitlin Clark
Angel Reese Dealt 'Brutal Truth' In Rivalry With Caitlin Clark originally appeared on The Spun. Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark have been rivals dating back to their time at the college basketball level. Reese, starring at LSU, and Clark, starring at Iowa, twice faced off in the NCAA Tournament. Reese and the Tigers topped Clark and the Hawkeyes in the 2023 national championship game. Clark and the Hawkeyes got revenge in the Elite Eight in 2024. The two have since become two of the biggest stars in the WNBA, with Reese starring for the Chicago Sky and Clark starring for the Indiana Fever. While Clark has been getting a lot of credit for the WNBA's growth, Reese has made it clear that she believes she deserves a lot of credit, too. "People are talking about women's basketball, you never would think they'd be talking about women's basketball," Reese said in 2024. "People are pulling up to games. We got celebrities coming to games and sold-out arenas just because of one single game. Just looking at that, I'll take that role. I'll take the bad guy role, and I'll continue to take that on and be that for my teammates. I know I'll go down in history. I'll look back in 20 years and be like, the reason why we're watching women's basketball is not just because of one person. It's because of me, too. I want y'all to realize that." But while that might be true to an extent, Ice Cube recently made it clear that when it comes to people being interested in Clark or Reese, there's not much of a debate. Ice Cube, who offered Caitlin Clark $5 million to play in his BIG3 League, admitted that when he spoke to investors and advertisers, there wasn't much of a debate between Clark and Reese. The league's sponsors suggested that Clark, not Reese, would make the biggest impact. While an offer was made to Clark, no such offer was made to Reese. 'They didn't tell us the same thing about Angel Reese,' Cube informed TMZ Sports. 'I don't know if we can make that same offer.' Ice Cube added the door has probably been closed on Clark. Meanwhile, it never seemed to open for Reese. Angel Reese Dealt 'Brutal Truth' In Rivalry With Caitlin Clark first appeared on The Spun on Jul 28, 2025 This story was originally reported by The Spun on Jul 28, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Grand Canyon women's basketball coach Winston Gandy begins rebuild
Grand Canyon's women's basketball team set school records in Molly Miller's last season as coach of the program. But with so many departures, including Miller going to Arizona State, and the start of the Mountain West era, new coach Winston Gandy went into the transfer portal to reconstruct his first team following the program's 32-3 season and first trip to the NCAA Tournament. What the former South Carolina assistant coach wants to see in March is a team that has developed into a conference contender, one that improved in all areas of the game to the point where it could get to March Madness for a second straight year. "I don't want to put a number on wins and losses," Gandy said. "How we start the season, I don't want to recognize our team at the end of the season." The schedule has yet to come out, but GCU is building a strong non-conference schedule to go with its first Mountain West Conference season. To contend, Gandy will need to see a roster full of newcomers come together, as they prepare under a coach who has never led a Division I program until now. Point guard Chloe Mann, a sophomore point guard who played in all 28 games as a freshman at Cincinnati, can't wait to play for Gandy. "He's going to make us better," said Mann, who helped Duncanville win the Texas state championship during her high school career. Indiana-transfer guard Julianna LaMendola appreciates that Gandy is "brutally honest." "This is his first group of kids," LaMendola said. "It's been fun. He really does believe in you. We call come different schools. We all need that boost in confidence." LaMendola, a 6-foot-1 junior, appeared in 30 games, making five starts last season at Indiana, averaging 3.4 points and 2.1 rebounds in 10.9 minutes. A new start has been good for everybody as they mesh during six weeks of practice together under Gandy and his staff. The roster includes three graduate players — Ale'jah Douglas (Oklahoma State), Casey Valenti-Paea (Virginia) and Favor Ayodele (Tennessee) — along with four freshmen, three sophomores and four juniors. "It's been great," said Mann, whose father played football at Kansas State and mother ran track and field there. "I feel like it's shaping up to have a good season this year. The coaching staff is amazing. The players are amazing. I'm looking forward to this season." Gandy left South Carolina with a strong reputation for relating to the players, helping the guards develop. He learned under Hall of Fame coach Dawn Staley, who led the Gamecocks to the national title two seasons ago and to the national championship game last season. Gandy was part of both of those teams. He has brought South Carolina assistant Chloe Rice with him to GCU. She was on three Final Four teams under Staley. "I was blessed to be with Dawn for as many years as I was," Gandy said. "There are some areas of overlap. Part of what makes South Carolina is that's who they are. Every team is going to have their own identity. You may have some similar principles and elements but there's only one South Carolina and there's only one GCU. I do hope there is some overlap, but we'll have our own brand of basketball." Richard Obert has been covering high school sports since the 1980s for The Arizona Republic. He also covers Grand Canyon University athletics and the Arizona Rattlers. To suggest human-interest story ideas and other news, reach Obert at or 602-316-8827. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter:@azc_obert This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: GCU women's basketball coach Winston Gandy starts rebuild
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
How Ta'Niya Latson's reunion with Raven Johnson smooths transfer to South Carolina basketball
COLUMBIA — It's only been roughly two weeks of summer workouts and practices, but Ta'Niya Latson already knows at least one thing. "I got my point guard back," she said with a smile. Latson and South Carolina women's basketball fifth-year point guard Raven Johnson have history. The duo were dynamite in high school in Atlanta and played AAU together, but they were separated across two teams and two conferences until now. After three years at Florida State, the 5-foot-8 Latson has her former floor general, also 5-8, back by her side. How did that first assist from Johnson in practice feel for Latson? Great. "Me and Raven are just trying to build that chemistry again," Latson said. "Taking it day by day." Latson entered the portal on March 27, and Johnson wasn't shy about saying she would try to help recruit her to Columbia. Johnson didn't announce she was using her extra year of eligibility until Latson announced she was transferring to South Carolina. Johnson's social media message on April 8 was centered around finding success with Latson at the college level. For the two guards of mirroring heights who won three state championships together, something that has always clicked is reading one another. Anticipating the other's next move, knowing what kind of pass they want in a certain spot. It's a main point of their chemistry. Johnson will be without both Te-Hina Paopao and Bree Hall, who started on each side of her for the past two seasons. "We've been reading each other like that since high school," Latson said. "She knows my spots, I know her spots, and I know her confidence is getting back to where she needs to be, and also she's given me that confidence, too, to be myself." The Seminoles finished 24-9 last season and Latson averaged a nation high 25.2 points per game, with two teammates averaging 17 and 15 points per game. Latson isn't the only player who Johnson will look for this upcoming season, as coach Dawn Staley has a stacked roster filled with guards and post players who can dominate on offense. At times, the Gamecocks could have used a consistent go-to scorer like Latson last season. That said, they bought into the idea that any given night, any of Staley's players could've been the star or leading scorer, and it carried them all the way to the national championship game. Latson is aware she is coming into a different system in South Carolina, one with multiple offensive assets, but she knows some of her new teammates already, making some of the typical transfer portal rust nonexistent. GOLD MEDAL WINNER: South Carolina's Joyce Edwards wins gold at FIBA AmeriCup, 2 other Dawn Staley players win silver Sophomore Joyce Edwards, last year's leading scorer, played AAU with Latson, as did senior forward Ashlyn Watkins. "We were such a talented AAU team so when I went from that to Florida State, it was a big change for me," Latson said. "That was the biggest change for me, taking all those shots, honestly. But now I know what I need, and I know what the WNBA scouts want. I know how important it is to be under control, efficient, and also being able to spread the floor and get make good passes for my teammates." Lulu Kesin covers South Carolina athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email her at lkesin@ and follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, @Lulukesin This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Ta'Niya Latson, Raven Johnson reunite at South Carolina women's basketball
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ashlyn Watkins taking season off, won't play for South Carolina women's basketball in 2025-26
COLUMBIA — South Carolina women's basketball forward Ashlyn Watkins is taking a year off and will not play for coach Dawn Staley during the 2025-26 season. The 6-foot-3 Watkins has one season of eligibility remaining. 'As most of you know, this past year has been a roller coaster for me,' she wrote in a statement on social media July 25. ' I usually like to keep my personal life private, but every time I step out into the community, I realize I'm not alone in this journey. So many of you have shown me love and encouragement, and because of that, I feel like l owe you a little insight into what's been going on." 'I also want the younger ones who look up to me to know that tough times don't define you, they make you stronger. With everything that's happened this year, I'm going to take some time off to focus on myself, my community, my faith, and my family, so that I can grow as an individual and attempt to master this journey of life. I'm so grateful for my coaches, the USC medical team, my teammates, and everyone who's supported me along the way. For now, I'll be cheering on my team and working hard to come back even stronger in the 2026-27 season.' On Jan. 5, Watkins tore her ACL against Mississippi State and missed the remainder of the season. She wasn't practicing in June when the summer session began and wasn't expected to be ready for the opener. In a statement given to The Greenville News, Staley said, 'Everyone in our program is valued as the whole of who they are, not just as a player or coach or staff member and not just for the time they are on our team. We will support Ashlyn as she works through getting her body and mind stronger; and we will be here when she is ready to return.' Last August, Watkins was arrested on charges of first-degree assault and battery and kidnapping. Following her arrest, she was suspended from all team activities. She was reinstated after completing a pre-trial intervention program. The charges were dropped and she returned to practices on Nov. 8 after missing the season opener. She played in her first game of the season against NC State on Nov. 10 and in total, Watkins played just 14 games as a junior. She averaged 7.2 points and 6.1 rebounds, to go with one dunk on Dec. 8 against TCU. Though South Carolina made it all the way to the national championship game without Watkins, her absence was missed at times, especially in terms of rebounding. Looking ahead to this season, Staley has quality post players and height both in her starting lineup and on the bench, but Watkins still would be a great benefit. If Staley starts Chloe Kitts (6-2) and forward Joyce Edwards, who is 6-3 and led the Gamecocks in scoring last year as a freshman, she will still have options coming off the bench. She can bring in 6-6 Madina Okot as a traditional center, and shift either Kitts or Edwards to a true forward spot. In addition, Staley has options in 6-5 Adhel Tac and 6-4 Maryam Dauda. As a sophomore in 2023-24 Watkins averaged 20.6 minutes, 9.2 points, 7.4 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game. In the 2024 Final Four, she had a career-high 20 rebounds against NC State. She brought down 280 total rebounds and finished with 10 or more rebounds in a game 18 different times. NEW: South Carolina's Joyce Edwards reunites with MiLaysia Fulwiley on USA 3×3 Nations League team Lulu Kesin covers South Carolina athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email her at lkesin@ and follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, @Lulukesin This article originally appeared on Greenville News: South Carolina women's basketball: Ashlyn Watkins to miss season
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
South Carolina women's basketball star Ta'Niya Latson signs NIL deal with Unrivaled
South Carolina women's basketball player Ta'Niya Latson is among a group of 14 college basketball players signing NIL deals with Unrivaled, the league announced on July 19. The "Future is Unrivaled" group of college stars signed to NIL deal include Latson, former South Carolina player MiLaysia Fulwiley (who transferred to LSU this offseason), UCLA center Lauren Betts, UConn stars Azzi Fudd and Sarah Strong, Southern California star Juju Watkins and others. Unrivaled is a 3-on-3 league founded by Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier that completed its first season during the spring and featured a long list of WNBA players including Collier, Stewart, Rhyne Howard, Sabrina Ionescu and more. Latson, an incoming senior, transferred to South Carolina from Florida State in the offseason after three straight seasons averaging 20 or more points per game. She is expected to give a major scoring boost to the Gamecocks' 2025-26 team after Fulwiley's transfer to LSU. The start of the women's college basketball season is less than four months away, though South Carolina's season opener has not yet been announced. Announced non-conference matchups for 2025-26 include trips to Southern California, South Florida and Louisville along with Players Era Tournament games against Duke and either UCLA or Texas in Las Vegas. BIG ADDITION: Ta'Niya Latson reveals why she picked South Carolina, Dawn Staley over UConn, LSU, Tennessee This article originally appeared on Greenville News: South Carolina women's basketball star Ta'Niya Latson signs NIL deal with Unrivaled
