Nneka ogwumike gay
The WNBA has historically been the most forward-thinking sports league in America when it comes to gay rights. The league has actively courted LGBTQ fans for several years (, if anything), has had several star players appear out of the closet with tiny controversy, and generally been ahead of the NBA, its relatively socially steady parent league, on every related issue. While the WNBA hasn’t always made the LGBTQ society proud with how it chooses to promote and accommodate its gay players, it’s fair to say that they’ve made meaningful strides. There’s a level of acceptance on the court, in locker rooms, and in the stands that virtually every other pro league in the Combined States cannot match.
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One prominent retired WNBA player says that culture consequently makes it complex for straight players to thrive. Candice Wiggins, the No. 3 pick in the 2008 WNBA Draft and a champion in 2011 with the Minnesota Lynx, announced her retirement last Protest. In a modern interview with the San Diego Union-Tribune, Wiggins says that “98 percent” of the WNBA is gay and that she would possess played two more years
I’m going to permit you in on an open classified among basketball fans: All-Star Games aren’t usually worth watching. Sure, the game gets a lot of hype — especially on the men’s side — but the games are rarely competitive or have any stakes associated with them. Players are weary of getting hurt before returning for the second half of the season, so they don’t over-exert themselves too much, especially on the defensive end. At most, the best you can hope for is an repulsive showcase, including the occasional dunk. But this year, the WNBA is making its annual All-Star Game count.
Tonight, Team USA will meet Team WNBA, a collection of All-Stars selected by the league’s coaches from a pool voted on by fans, media and the players. It’ll be the first of three exhibition games before Team USA’s Olympic competition begins. There’s not period for lackadaisical defense: with just two weeks until their opening round game, every game is crucial. If Team USA wants to continue their Olympic dominance, they’ll contain to start with beating their teammates.
Before tonight’s tip-off, two basketball obsessed Southern gals got together and chatted
On this suuuuuper gay episode, Big Citrus celebrates Lgbtq+ fest with a PowerPoint Party! Each member of Giant Citrus does a presentation on the intersection of women’s sports and LGBTQ issues. Plus, a steep school grad in a different league than her peers, the night when hockey dreams come genuine, and a story that reminds us - once again - that sports are political.
See the adorable Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd moment here
The WNBA schedule is here
And view Skylar Diggins gush about Nneka Ogwumike here
See the 2006, 2007, and 2008 WNBA Draft class photos
And see a photo of producer Mish in their straight-passing days here
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WNBA MVP leads with inclusivity -- and she's coming back in 2017 even stronger
Nina Mandell | USA TODAY Sports
For WNBA players' union president and reigning MVP Nneka Ogwumike, leadership is a lot about camaraderie.
While she plays an ocean away from home, it's about camaraderie with her fellow WNBA players on her team there.
Ogwumike plays on a team with Epiphanny Prince (New York Liberty) and Angel McCoughtry (Atlanta Dream). They like catching up on television shows together -- Ogwumike is addicted to ABC's Thursday night lineup -- and making potluck dinners.
She spoke to For The Win on behalf of Women's History Month -- a month meant to watch at women's advancements across history -- but one that lay in a smaller context, can remind us of the history she made in the 2016 season. She was the most efficient shooter ever in professional basketball. She brought home a title to Los Angeles -- the team's first. And she was elected to succeed Tamika Catchings as the players' union president -- the first age the union has had a new president since 2004.
Already, as president, leadership and camaraderie has meant dealing with tough situations from an ocean awa