July 31, 2016

Jeanette and Julian wed

Jeanette Pohlen and Julian Mavunga were married yesterday

In attendance were Kayla, Sara, Chiney, Joslyn, Grace, Aaron, Jayne, Lindy, Kerry, Nneka, Ashley, Kate and Hannah.

Everyone had a good time!

July 29, 2016

Nneka, the WNBA's stat-busting new star

Neil Paine (FiveThirtyEight) has written a rave review of Nneka, who is "currently putting on one of the greatest single-season performances in WNBA history," and having "a magical all-around statistical season."

The Rise — And Rise! — Of Nneka Ogwumike

Note: The play button on the podcast icon did not work for me — this is the link. The discussion of Nneka, begins at about 30:45 in the 45-minute podcast.

July 21, 2016

Kish is passionate about basketball

Eric He (Palo Alto Online) tells the story of Kish's (Markisha Coleman '07) love for basketball, all the way from the third grade to Kezar Pavilion:

For ex-Stanford player Markisha Coleman, basketball is still central

July 15, 2016

Ogwumike vs Ogwumike

The Los Angeles Sparks (Nneka) narrowly escaped a huge upset by the Connecticut Sun (Chiney) tonight.

The Sun scored first and held the lead for the first 38 minutes and 4 seconds of the game.

Then, with 1:56 left to play, Nneka sank a three-pointer that gave the Sparks their first lead. The Sun answered with a layup. Nneka came to the Sparks' rescue again with two free throws. Regulation play ended in an 85-85 tie.

In the overtime period, the lead changed five times, during which Chiney fouled out. The Sparks finally won 98-92 and are now 20-1 for the season.

Nneka got into foul trouble and sat on the bench for ten minutes, but still got a double-double of 22 points and 10 rebounds. Chiney got her first double-double of the season — 16 points and 13 rebounds.

Click here for the WNBA geme report, box score, play-by-play, and game highlight videos.

July 13, 2016

Brooke's new career

Brooke Smith ('07) has completed her studies at Stanford and is now an accredited PA (Physician's Assistant).

Brooke will begin her new career as a member of the bone marrow transplant team at Stanford Medical Center.

Almost everything you might want to know about Brooke is contained in this PA Professional cover story: Playing for the Team, Former WNBA player trades in ball for stethoscope.

July 3, 2016

CANDID: with Candice Wiggins

Candice, who graduated from Stanford with a degree in communications, says that she has always wanted to do podcasts.

And now she is – for Ultimate Hoops, whose mission is to inspire all players to #NeverRetire from the game.

Candice will be hosting the show and doing interviews in the future, but the first few episodes are a conversation with Reid Nelson about her entire basketball journey.

In the first episode, Candice talks about the end – her decision to retire from basketball – and the beginning – playing basketball throughout her childhood.

The second episode covers Candice’s high school and college years, and the third one (not yet released) will be about her eight years in the WNBA.

CANDID: with Candice Wiggins

July 2, 2016

Jeanette returns to the Fever

The Indiana Fever have announced the return of reserve guard Jeanette Pohlen, a shooting specialist and veteran of the Fever system including WNBA Finals appearances in 2012 and 2015.

Pohlen’s return to the Fever is effective July 6 per available salary cap space, when the Fever begin a three-game West Coast trip at Los Angeles. A roster spot was made available when rookie guard Brene Moseley was waived June 20.

Waived at the end of training camp in May, Pohlen returns to the franchise for which she has played since 2011. Pohlen is a four-year WNBA veteran and a member of Indiana’s championship team of 2012. Drafted by the Fever No. 9 overall in 2011, she became the first rookie in league history to lead the WNBA in 3-point shooting percentage.

In fact, she owns a career shooting percentage of 42.8 percent and her 42.5 percent clip from 3-point range ranks second in Fever history. Pohlen has averaged 3.7 points and 1.4 rebounds through 107 regular season games with Indiana. She has made appearances in 20 playoff games with the Fever.

July 1, 2016

Nneka keeps making her shots

Yesterday, Excelle Sports posted a great story about Nneka's major growth spurt in her fifth season with the Lost Angeles Sparks: Nneka Ogwumike scoring at unprecedented rate

Then last night, Nneka scored her career-high 38 points, 11 rebounds and five blocks against the Atlantic Dream. She was 13 of 14 from the field and 12 of 14 at the free throw line.

After Atlanta pulled to 76-73 with 2 minutes left, Nneka made a layup and had a block on the Dream’s next possession. She sealed it with six straight free throws in the final minute.

The WNBA's feature story today is: Nneka Ogwumike and the Sparks Are Shining Brighter Than Ever