Amber signs with Italian team

Amber has signed with Italian club Pallacanestro Vigarano for the upcoming 2015-16 season.

Vigarano is in northeastern Italy, about 75 miles south of Venice [map]

Amber is expected to arrive in Vigarano early in September, soon after the team has gathered for the season.

Here is the announcement from Vigarano: Amber Orrange è la seconda USA di Vigarano. (La prima USA è Samantha Ostarello, Purdue '13.)

I suggest that you open the announcement with Chrome and request that it be translated to English. As is always the case with Google translations, the result is both informative and amusing. Vigarno expects that Amber will provide, "... quality shooting and rebounding presence, although not in possession of too many centimeters."

Chiney rises to the challenge

Chiney has been told by her surgeon that she's not to play basketball at all this season — that's at least three more months than she had anticipated.

Peter Ogwumike, Chiney's father, is not surprised at how she has handled the news. He said, “You need to throw a challenge at them (Chiney and Nneka) and see how they respond and what they do ... They will rise to the occasion.”

Unable to play, Chiney is an ambassador for the Connecticut Sun, an unofficial assistant coach, a sports commmentator, whatever someone asks of her ...

Read more in Marc Allard's story for the Norwich Bulletin: Connecticut Sun's Chiney Ogwumke branches out during time off court

Mikaela's sensational season

Mikaela is enjoying a very successful season as the starting forward for two teams in Tasmania.

On weekends, Mikaela plays in the Southeastern Australia Basketball League (SEABL), which is one of five Australian State Leagues.

The SEABL season runs from mid-April to mid-August, with playoffs extending to mid-September.

There are 14 teams in the SEABL. Mikaela plays for the Launceston (aka Heritage Isle) Tornadoes. The Tornadoes are currently ranked fifth in the SEABL with a 9-4 win-loss record.

Mikaela is the leading rebounder in the league, with 13.5 per game, and she averages 15.9 points and 3.6 assists. She has tallied a double-double in every game, except the one where she was sidelined with a possible concussion. (Story: Timely return for Tornadoes).

She was recently named the SEABL Player of the Week, and was also named to the halfway SEABL all-star team.

On Tuesdays, Mikaela and three of her Tornado teammates drive about 75 miles to play in the Northwestern Basketball Union (NWBU). (Story: Trio sticks together for NWBU road trips).

The NWBU season runs from mid-February to mid-July, with playoffs extending to mid-August.

There are eight Senior Coastal Women's teams in the NWBU. Mikaela plays for the Ulverstone Red Hoppers, who lead the league with a 16-3 win-loss record. Mikaela joined the Hoppers in April after her season with Sydney Uni Flames in the Australian National Women's Basketball League (NWBL). (Story: Ruef gives Hoppers extra kick)

Mikaela is the leading rebounder in this league too with 17.5 per game and is the Hoppers' leading scorer with 20.3 points per game. Her performance at the free throw line is equally impressive — she is fouled more than any other Hopper and has made 78% of her free throws!

A recent game report from Ulverstone said, "Mikaela Ruef was sensational again," and with good reason — she scored 32 points and grabbed 28 rebounds. (Story: Ulverstone firm for flag after big win)

Ros celebrates Warrior championship

Mindi Bach ‏@MBachCSN tweets:

What a season for @ROSGO21 as well! But girl, always take a rain jacket to the playoffs! #rookiemove :) Next time!

Click here for champagne shower video

Graduation Day Photos

by Stanford Athletics

Ros wins an Emmy!

Congratulations!

The 44th Annual Northern California Area Emmy® Awards were presented Saturday evening, June 6 at the SFJAZZ Center in San Francisco.

The Emmy® Award honors excellence in all fields of television and on-line production by The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.

Among the recipients were:

On-Camera Talent-Anchor-Sports-Play by Play/Analyst
    “Warriors Talent Composite,” Comcast SportsNet Bay Area
        BOB FITZGERALD, Play-by-Play Announcer;
        ROSALYN GOLD-ONWUDE, Sideline Reporter

Click here for the complete announcement.

Jillian leads Otago Goldrush to championship

The Otago Goldrush has won the 2015 New Zealand Women's Basketball Championship, largely due to Jillian's efforts.

Jillian led her team in scoring (14.1 ppg), rebounding (10.6 rpg) and assists (2.5 apg) during the three-month twelve-team competition. She tallied 14 points, 12 rebounds, four steals and an assist in the championship game and was named the MVP.

Otago head coach Todd Marshall said, “Having the competitions leading player, Jillian Harmon in the team was a major factor in the team’s success. It certainly adds a bit of spice to it. When you already have a good team a player of that quality turns you into a stunning team.”

Here are reports of the championship game:

• Oceania Gold Rush Otago the 2015 WBC Champions
• Second title for Goldrush
• Tall Fern Harmon key to success

Jillian will join the Tall Ferns (the New Zealand Women's Basketball National Team) in July for a trial camp, after which a 12-player roster will be named to further prepare for the 2015 FIBA Oceania Women's Championship vs Australia on August 15-17.

Then Jillian will head to Lucca, Italy for the 2015-16 season.

Chiney is out for the season

The Connecticut Sun has announced that Chiney won't be back this year after undergoing microfracture surgery on her right knee in January. The team hoped she could return this year, but opted to exercise caution and think long-term.

Read more:

• Sun lose more than opener as Ogwumike is officially out for season by Ned Griffen (The Day)
• Sun's injuries lead to uncertainty by Jeff Jacobs (Hartford Courant)

Ros' dream comes true

Sara Weissman (Jewish news weekly of Northern California) writes about Ros and her mother, Patricia Gold: Season a ‘dream come true’ for Warriors’ rookie sideline reporter