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WNBA roster tracker: Live news and updates

The Liberty signed Crystal Dangerfield to a rest-of-season contract. (Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images)

The WNBA regular season is nearly at the halfway point, and rosters continue to fluctuate as teams address injuries, absences and rosters additions while staying under the league’s salary cap.

As teams do their best to balance their lineups, Just Women’s Sports will be tracking who’s in and who’s out.

Tuesday, July 19 — Nikolina Milic signed to rest of season contract by Minnesota

After releasing her from her third seven-day contract, Minnesota opted to re-sign Nikolina Milic to a rest of season contract.

Milic has appeared in 25 games this season for the Lynx, averaging 5.4 points and 2.9 rebounds per game.

Monday, July 18 — Connecticut Sun sign Bria Hartley

Three days after she was cut by Indiana, Bria Hartley has signed with the Connecticut Sun. The former seventh overall pick in the 2014 WNBA Draft, she was signed to a rest of season contract.

She had a particularly good season in 2020, averaging 14.6 points, 2.9 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.2 steals per game while with the Phoenix Mercury. Hartley has spent the last two seasons making her way back from a season-ending knee injury, however, appearing in just 16 games last season (six regular season, 10 playoff).

Friday, July 15 — Indiana Fever waive Bria Hartley, sign Rennia Davis

The Indiana Fever waived Bria Hartley and signed Rennia Davis. Hartley appeared in 10 games for the team this season, averaging 2.5 points, 1.0 assists and 1.0 rebounds per game.

Davis was selected with the No. 9 overall pick by Minnesota in the 2021 draft. She was waived by the team in May after just one game, in which she scored two points and played just three minutes. She sat out last season due to a stress fracture in her foot.

Sunday, July 10 — Jazmine Jones, Joyner Holmes, Nikolina Milic released

Connecticut released Jazmine Jones and Joyner Holmes from their 7-day contracts, while Minnesota also released Nikolina Milic from her 7-day contract.

Monday, July 4 — Evina Westbrook signed to 7-day contract

Evina Westbrook was signed to a second 7-day contract by the Mystics, while Jennie Simms and Reshanda Gray each signed their second 7-day contracts with Phoenix.

Sunday, July 3 — Crystal Dangerfield signed to rest-of-season contract

The New York Liberty signed Crystal Dangerfield to a rest-of-season contract. She had been signed to a hardship contract in early June, then released on June 26 before signing a new contract Sunday.

Minnesota signed Nikolina Milic to another 7-day contract while Joyner Holmes and Jazmine Jones each signed their second 7-day contract with Connecticut.

Friday, July 1 — 2022 draftee Lorela Cubaj cut by New York Liberty

The New York Liberty announced they had waived Lorela Cubaj on Friday. Drafted by Seattle with the 18th overall pick in April’s draft, Cubaj was acquired by the Liberty via a trade on draft night.

Through 11 games for New York, Cubaj averaged eight minutes and contributed 2.1 rebounds and 0.7 points per game. The move was intended to clear enough cap space for the Liberty to re-sign point guard Crystal Dangerfield on Sunday.

Sunday, June 26 — New York releases Crystal Dangerfield from hardship contract

After signing Crystal Dangerfield in late May, the Liberty released the guard but could bring her back in early July with some roster finagling. Dangerfield scored a season-high 11 points while adding two steals on June 12, .

Connecticut re-signed Joyner Holmes and Jazmine Jones to 7-day contracts while Minnesota re-signed Nikolina Milic.

Saturday, June 25 — Phoenix agrees to contract divorce with Tina Charles

On Saturday, the Mercury announced that they had agreed to a contract divorce with Tina Charles.

Charles had made 16 appearances with Phoenix, averaging 17.3 points and 7.3 rebounds per game. It was later announced that she is expected to sign with Seattle.

Friday, June 24 — Minnesota waives Evina Westbrook

A flurry of waives happened Friday, with the Lynx waiving Evina Westbrook.

Connecticut also waived Joyner Holmes and Jazmine Jones while Seattle waived Reshanda Gray. Kristine Anigwe was waived by Phoenix while Washington let go of Kennedy Burke.

Thursday, June 23 — Atlanta signs Yvonne Turner, Minnesota releases Nikolina Milic

With the return of Sylvia Fowles, Minnesota announced that they had released Nikolina Milic from her hardship contract.

Also released on Thursday were Jennie Simms from Phoenix and Destiny Slocum from Atlanta. The Dream later signed Yvonne Turner to a hardship contract.

Tuesday, June 21 — Minnesota releases Elissa Cunane

Minnesota announced Tuesday that they have released Elissa Cunane from her hardship contract.

A former NC State standout, Cunane played limited minutes for the Lynx in three games, scoring just two points and contributing four rebounds.

Cunane initially was drafted by Seattle.

Sunday, June 19 — Las Vegas signs Iliana Rupert to rookie contract

A member of the French national team, Rupert was the 12th overall pick by the Aces in 2021.

After being picked by the Aces, Rupert finished her fourth professional season in France, where she plays for Bourges in the LFB and Euroleague. This past season in the French league, the center averaged 13.1 points and 6.8 rebounds per game. The team won the league championship, with Ruper being named Finals MVP.

Wednesday, June 15 — Connecticut signs Jazmine Jones, Atlanta adds Destiny Slocum

The Connecticut Sun announced Wednesday that it has signed Jazmine Jones. Details of the contract were not released.

A former 12th overall pick, Jones averaged 10.8 points, 4.1 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.4 steals in 20 games during her rookie campaign in 2020. She played in 27 games in 2021, averaging 5.9 points per game.

She was picked up by the Fever in February but waived by the team in late April.

The Dream also signed Destiney Slocum to a hardship contract. A former 14th overall pick in the 2021 WNBA Draft, she’s played in two games so far this season. On the 17th against Chicago, she scored 10 points while adding two rebounds and two assists.

Friday, June 10 — Elissa Cunane, Nikolina Milic signed by Minnesota

NC State standout Elissa Cunane, who was the 17th overall pick in the 2022 WNBA draft, was signed to a hardship contract by Minnesota. The team also signed Nikolina Milic following a knee injury to Sylvia Fowles that will keep her out indefinitely.

Thursday, June 9 — Julie Allemand activated by Chicago

The Chicago Sky activated Julie Allemand. Allemand had been overseas playing in the French LFB and marks the final overseas player to return to the team. Allemand last played in the WNBA in 2020, averaging 8.5 points, 5.8 assists and 4.2 rebounds per game for the Indiana Fever.

Jennie Simms, who last played in the WNBA in 2017, was signed by Phoenix. Through two games so far she’s averaged 4.0 points per game, 2.0 rebounds and 1.0 assists in 10.5 minutes.

New York also re-signed Crystal Dangerfield to a hardship contract.

Wednesday, June 8 — Kristi Toliver activated by Los Angeles

Kristi Toliver, who had been finishing up her coaching with the Dallas Mavericks, was activated by the Sparks. Toliver is a two-time WNBA champion and three-time All-Star.

Marine Johannès was signed by the New York Liberty, marking her return to the WNBA. She helped lead the Liberty to a win over Indiana on Friday, contributing 11 points, six assists and two rebounds.

To open up a roster spot for Johannès, New York traded AD Durr to Atlanta in exchange for Megan Walker and the rights to Raquel Carrera. The team subsequently waived Walker.

Tuesday, June 7 — New York waives Crystal Dangerfield

New York announced that it had waived Crystal Dangerfield, the beginning of a flurry of roster moves. The Liberty re-signed her on Thursday.

Los Angeles waived Amy Atwell, who last played on May 23 and had three points in five minutes. Alaina Coates, who was averaging 3.5 points and 2.8 rebounds in 9.4 minutes per game, was waived by Indiana.

Sunday, June 5 — Indiana signs Emma Cannon

The Indiana Fever signed Emma Cannon to a hardship contract on Sunday. Cannon played 20 total games in 2021, averaging 5.5 points and 3.7 rebounds per game. Earlier this season, she appeared in one game for Phoenix, scoring three points while adding two rebounds and one assist.

Thursday, June 2 — Seattle waives two

Both Kaela Davis and Kiana Williams were released by Seattle on Thursday. They would re-sign Williams the next day before releasing her once again on June 4.

Wednesday, June 1 — Kamiah Smalls signed to hardship contract

A still-struggling Minnesota Lynx signed Kamiah Smalls to a hardship contract on Wednesday. The 28th pick in the 2020 draft, Smalls played in just seven games for Indiana that season averaging 3.9 points and 2.0 assists per game.

She’s played in two games so far this season, registering two points, three rebounds, two assists and two steals.

Tuesday, May 31 — Connecticut signs Stephanie Jones to hardship contract, Minnesota adds Elissa Cunane

The Sun signed Stephanie Jones to a hardship contract, with Jasmine Thomas out for the season with a torn ACL.

Jones signed a training camp contract with the Sun in 2021, making the team roster. During her rookie campaign, she notched 25 points and 22 rebounds through 18 games.

Waived by the team in early May, she was picked up by the Mystics before being waived once again.

Elissa Cunane was signed to a hardship contract by the Lynx after the team announced Moriah Jefferson and Natalie Achonwa will remain out indefinitely due to injuries.

Saturday, May 28 — Storm add Kaela Davis

A four-year WNBA veteran, Davis was picked up by Chicago to begin the season before being cut. The Storm then signed her, with Davis appearing in their May 29 game. She scored 11 points, adding two rebounds and two steals through 18 minutes.

Friday, May 27 — Seattle signs Kiana Williams to hardship contract

Williams was drafted by the Storm with the 18th overall pick in the 2021 WNBA draft. She appeared in the Storm’s game on May 29, scoring five points while adding three assists and two rebounds through 14 minutes.

Wednesday, May 25 — Phoenix signs Karlie Samuelson to hardship contract

As Phoenix continues to deal with illness on the team, the Mercury signed Karlie Samuelson to a hardship contract. The sister of Katie Lou Samuelson, she played in 14 games last season averaging 3.6 points and 1.9 rebounds per game.

Monday, May 23 — Chicago Sky activate Li Yueru

The Chicago Sky activated Li Yueru to their roster. Li has finally made her way to Chicago from China, where there were hangups with her work visa.

As a result, the team released Anneli Maley from her hardship contract.

Saturday, May 21 —  Liberty sign Crystal Dangerfield on hardship contract

The New York Liberty announced that the team has signed 2020 WNBA Rookie of the Year Crystal Dangerfield on a hardship contract.

The team was eligible to bring on Dangerfield without dropping to the emergency hardship threshold as DiDi Richards and Jocelyn Willoughby will be out due to injury for more than three weeks.

Dangerfield played her first two WNBA seasons with Minnesota before being picked up by Indiana in 2022, but the guard was waived by the Fever in May.

Friday, May 20 — Chicago activates Kahleah Copper, releases Tina Krajisnik

The Sky announced that they have activated Kahleah Copper to their roster.

Copper had been with Perfumerias Avenida in Spain, where she won the Spanish League Championship and was crowned league MVP. The 2021 WNBA Finals MVP led Avenida with 21.4 points per game.

In a corresponding move, Chicago released Tina Krajisnik from her hardship exemption contract. Krajisnik played in just one game for the Sky. She pulled down two assists and grabbed one steal in five minutes against the Liberty on May 11.

Wednesday, May 18 — Seattle activates Breanna Stewart, releases Kaela Davis

The Storm announced that Breanna Stewart has been cleared from the health and safety protocols ahead of Wednesday night’s game against the Chicago Sky. As a result, the team released Kaela Davis from her hardship exemption contract.

Originally picked up by the Sky during training camp, Davis appeared in one game for Chicago, recording a rebound and assist against Los Angeles on May 6 before being waived. She did not appear in any games for the Storm.

Monday, May 16 — Washington releases Katie Benzan, Seattle releases Raina Perez

The Washington Mystics released Katie Benzan and activated Kennedy Burke to the roster. Benzan was signed to a hardship contract and made the most of her time with the team, contributing 12 points and two rebounds in the Mystics’ win over Las Vegas.

Raina Perez was cut by the Storm after being picked up four days ago due to the Storm’s COVID-19 situation. She also spent time with the Storm during preseason, appearing in both preseason games for the team.

Sunday, May 15 — Courtney Williams activated by Connecticut

The Sun activated Courtney Williams on Sunday. Both she and DeWanna Bonner are expected to play in Tuesday’s game against New York.

Saturday, May 14 — Seattle signs Kaela Davis to hardship contract

Seattle signed Kaela Davis to a hardship contract on Saturday. The former 10th overall pick in the WNBA draft, Davis was signed by Chicago and later released.

The Connecticut Sun also activated DeWanna Bonner.

Friday, May 13 — Minnesota Lynx sign Moriah Jefferson, Chicago Sky activate Allie Quigley

The Lynx have signed guard Moriah Jefferson amid a slew of roster updates.

The 5-foot-6 guard played for the Wings in their season opener, but she was cut earlier this week. Last season, she averaged 5.4 points, 2.0 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 17.2 minutes per game with Dallas.

Minnesota also restructured the contract of Evina Westbrook, who signed a hardship contract Thursday, per ESPN’s Alexa Philippou. The guard is now on a rest-of-season contract.

The Lynx also re-signed forward Nikolina Milić, guard Yvonne Turner and center Hannah Sjerven to hardship contracts. The team had cut Milić and Turner yesterday and waived Sjerven earlier this month.

Elsewhere, the Chicago Sky announced that they had released Sparkle Taylor and activated the contract of Allie Quigley. Through two games for the Sky, Taylor scored 11 points in 25 minutes total.

Quigley has been out with a knee injury. Chicago coach James Wade said prior to the season’s start that keeping Quigley out was “precautionary.”

“We want to make sure we’re very careful with her,” he said. “She’s probably not at 100 percent, and we want to make sure she’s there.”

Thursday, May 12 — Minnesota Lynx agree to buyout with Angel McCoughtry, sign Evina Westbrook

The Minnesota Lynx have agreed to a contract buyout with forward Angel McCoughtry, the team announced.

The Lynx also mutually parted ways with Odyssey Sims, just over a week after signing the veteran guard to a training camp contract, and released Rennia Davis, Nina Milić and Yvonne Turner from their hardship contracts.

Former UConn guard Evina Westbrook was signed by the Lynx to a hardship contract. Westbrook was initially drafted No. 21 by Seattle before being cut.

The Lynx announced that forward Natalie Achonwa will be out indefinitely with a right hamstring strain.

Wednesday, May 11 — Indiana releases Crystal Dangerfield, activates Alaina Coates and Danielle Robinson

Despite a 10-point performance in the team’s Tuesday win over Minnesota, Crystal Dangerfield was waived. In her place, the Fever activated Alaina Coates and Danielle Robinson.

Coates last played in 2020 for Washington, averaging 2.5 points and 2.8 rebounds per game. Robinson averaged 9.9 points, 3.7 assists and 3.5 rebounds per game through 24 games for Indiana in 2021.

Monday, May 9 — Phoenix makes cuts, Chicago activates Rebekah Gardner

The Sky activated Rebekah Gardner and released Kaela Davis and Anneli Maley from their hardship contracts.

Additionally, the Mercury activated Diamond DeShields and Brianna Turner as they return from overseas play. Emma Cannon and Jennie Simms were released from their hardship contracts as a result.

Dallas waived Moriah Jefferson, while Washington signed Katie Benzan to a hardship contract.

Sunday, May 8 — New York releases Kaila Charles

New York released Kaila Charles from her hardship contract. Charles was signed to a hardship contract for the season opener.

Saturday, May 7 – Chicago, Washington sign players to hardship contracts

The Sky signed four players — Tina Krajisnik, Kaela Davis, Sparkle Taylor and Anneli Maley — to hardship contracts.

Additionally, Washington signed Stephanie Jones to a hardship contract.

Friday, May 6 – Rosters set for opening night

Teams have set their rosters ahead of their season openers, and Friday’s four games to start the season offer plenty of interesting storylines.

Of the 36 rookies selected in this year’s draft, 17 made the cut — plus two undrafted rookies in Maryland’s Katie Benzan and Arizona’s Sam Thomas.

The Fever will take the court with five rookies, the most of any WNBA team. Four of them could crack the starting lineup, including NaLyssa Smith, the No. 2 overall pick.

Thursday, May 5 – Chicago Sky, Dallas Wings make cuts

The Chicago Sky waived Masseny Kaba, Kathleen Doyle and Emmanuelle Tahane.

Kaba signed with the team in April after going undrafted. Tahane also signed after going undrafted out of Rhode Island. While with the Rams, she averaged 13.7 points, 8.9 rebounds and 2.8 assists.

Doyle, meanwhile, was the 14th overall pick in the 2020 draft and spent the offseason in Turkey with Bursa BSB.

Dallas also announced that they had waived Unique Thompson. She was the 19th pick in the 2021 draft out of Auburn.

Wednesday, May 4 – Sparks waive Te’a Cooper, Arella Guirantes and Kianna Smith

Los Angeles cut guards Te’a Cooper, Arella Guirantes and Kianna Smith.

Cooper was a part of the Sparks 2020 and 2021 teams, averaging 9.1 points, 1.4 assists and 1.7 rebounds in 31 games last season. She made 13 starts in 2021.

Guirantes was selected 22nd overall out of Rutgers by Los Angeles in the 2021 draft. The guard averaged 3.2 points, 1.3 rebounds and 11.6 minutes across 25 games in her rookie season.

The Sparks took Smith in the second round of this year’s draft as the No. 16 overall pick. Smith finished her 2021-2022 Louisville campaign with 12 points and a team-leading 2.7 assists per game.

The Connecticut Sun continued to make moves, waiving forwards Stephanie Jones and Beatrice Mompremier.

Mompremier made Connecticut’s 2021 roster after being drafted and then waived by the Sparks in 2020. Playing in all 32 2021 regular-season games, Mompremier averaged 1.8 points and 2.4 rebounds per game.

Jones played 99 minutes in her rookie season with Connecticut, notching a total of 25 points and 22 rebounds.

The Indiana Fever also announced cuts, waiving Lindsay Allen, forward Ameshya Williams-Holliday and forward Erin Whalen.

Allen was drafted by the New York Liberty in 2017 in the second round, before landing in Las Vegas for the 2018 and 2020 seasons, ending up with Indiana in 2021. The guard averaged 5.4 points, three assists and 1.5 rebounds in 32 games last season.

Williams-Holliday of Jackson State was selected in the third round of the 2020 WNBA draft, becoming only the sixth HBCU player to have been drafted since 2002.

Dayton’s Whalen is just one of three Flyers to reach the WNBA, earning a training camp contract from the Fever before being cut.

The Chicago Sky also announced that they had cut Anneli Maley, Kaela Davis, Tina Krajisnik, Sparkle Taylor and Kysre Gonrezick.

Davis was selected 10th overall in the 2017 draft by Dallas, averaging 6.0 points in 19.2 minutes through 33 games. Taylor had been on her second training camp contract with the Sky after signing one last season.

Krasjinik signed a training camp contract with the team and joined on April 30 after spending time with Turkey’s Galatasaray in the FIBA Women’s European Cup. Maley also had a good season overseas, being named the MVP of the Women’s National Basketball League in Australia, averaging 19.8 points, 15.7 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game in the league’s season.

Gondrezick was also cut after joining the team on a training camp contract. She was the No. 4 overall pick by Indiana in the 2021 draft.

The Storm also announced that they released Kennedy Burke, Kiki Herbert Harrigan and Evina Westbrook.

Burke appeared in 23 games with Seattle last season, scoring her 300th career three-pointer last May. Harrigan spent the 2020 WNBA season with Minnesota, averaging 3.8 points and 2.3 rebounds per game while finishing seventh among WNBA rookies with nine blocks. She was later cut by the team and picked up by Seattle.

Westbrook was cut by the Storm after having a huge preseason game in which she notched 15 points and five rebounds against Phoenix. She was selected 21st overall by Seattle in the 2022 draft.

Tuesday, May 3 – Lynx cut Layshia Clarendon, five other players; Mystics waive two players

Minnesota cut Layshia Clarendon, Crystal Dangerfield and four other players. The roster cuts came alongside the signing of Odyssey Sims to a one-year contract.

Washington waived Stephanie Mavunga and Linnae Harper, The Washington Post’s Kareem Copeland reported. Undrafted rookie Katie Benzan remains on the roster.

Monday, May 2 – Aces waive top pick Mya Hollingshed, Sun waive Taj Cole amid flurry of moves across league

The Aces waived Mya Hollingshed, the No. 8 overall pick in this year’s WNBA draft, despite trading up the draft board to acquire the pick.

Las Vegas also waived Khayla Pointer, the No. 13 overall pick. Both selections were acquired in a pre-draft trade with the Minnesota Lynx in exchange for the Aces’ first and second round picks in 2023.

Taj Cole broke the news that she has been waived from the Sun roster via her Twitter account. The former Virginia Tech guard put on a dominant showing during the inaugural Athletes Unlimited basketball season, placing tenth on the league leaderboard.

“Confused not discouraged,” Cole tweeted.

Connecticut also waived guard Kaila Charles, who appeared in 51 games for the team across the last two seasons, as well as Aleksa Gulbe, an undrafted rookie who averaged 11.8 points and 6.3 rebounds per game for Indiana in the 2021-22 NCAA season.

The Minnesota Lynx waived undrafted rookies Chloe Bibby and Moon Ursin, while the Aces waived undrafted rookie Nancy Mulkey.

The Chicago Sky waived Lindsey Pulliam, who was drafted in 2021 by the Atlanta Dream, and the Dallas Wings waived Destinee Walker.

The Seattle Storm cut No. 17 overall pick Elissa Cunane and undrafted rookie Raina Perez, both out of NC State, but added forward Reshanda Gray, signing her to a training camp contract. Gray has played five seasons in the WNBA, averaging 4.2 points and 3.4 rebounds in 114 career games.

For the Liberty, center Kylee Shook will sit out the upcoming season for personal reasons. The No. 13 pick in the 2020 WNBA draft, Shook averaged five points and 3.5 rebounds in her first 50 career games.

Friday, April 29 – Sky, Sparks waive series of players

The Chicago Sky cut Imani McGee-Stafford and Lexi Held.

McGee-Stafford was selected by the Sky as the 10th overall pick in the first round of the 2016 WNBA draft. The center played with Atlanta and Dallas before stepping away from the league to pursue a law degree. In 2022, McGee-Stafford mounted a successful return to the court with Athletes Unlimited.

Held, who starred for DePaul, signed a training camp roster with Chicago in early April.

The Los Angeles Sparks also announced cuts, waiving Lauren Cox, Chantel Horvat and Lexi Gordon.

Cox, the third overall pick in the 2020 draft by the Fever, appeared in 11 games for Indiana in 2021 before being waived and picked up by Los Angeles. She made 15 appearances in a Sparks uniform, notching a career-high 14 points in the team’s August matchup against the Fever.

Thursday, April 28 – Mystics, Sky, Lynx make volley of cuts

The Mystics waived Megan Gustafson, Erica McCall and Lee Seul Kang.

Gustafson averaged 4.0 points per game and 3.6 rebounds per game in 11 appearances with Washington last season, while McCall averaged 4.1 points and 4.3 rebounds in 23 games for the team.

Kang starred for the South Korea national team last summer at the Tokyo Olympics, with 14.3 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game.

The Sky cut Kayla Wells and Kamiah Smalls.

Wells ended her five-year career at Texas A&M with 1,768 career points before signing a training camp contract with Chicago earlier this month. Smalls was drafted by the Fever in 2020 and played in seven games that year but didn’t appear in the league last season.

In other roster moves, the Lynx waved CeCe Hooks, the Sun waived Jordan Lewis, the Dream waived Jaylyn Agnew and the Liberty waived Paris Kea.

Tuesday, April 26 – Wings waive Jazz Bond and Chelsea Dungee

The Dallas Wings have waived Chelsea Dungee and Jazz Bond, the team announced Tuesday.

Dungee was the No. 5 overall pick in the 2021 WNBA draft, averaging 22.3 points, 3.9 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.5 steals during her senior year with Arkansas.

Bond, a forward from North Florida, was selected in the third round of the 2022 WNBA Draft with the 31st overall pick.

Also on Tuesday, the Fever cut guard Haley Gorecki, while the Storm cut forward Lauren Manis.

Monday, April 25 – Mystics waive MeMe Jackson, Dream waive N’dea Jones

The Washington Mystics have waived MeMe Jackson, while the Atlanta Dream have waived N’dea Jones, per the WNBA transactions page.

Jackson appeared in Washington’s preseason game against the Dream on Sunday, notching three points in her 10 minutes on the court.

Jones was selected 23rd overall by the Seattle Storm in the 2021 WNBA draft before she was waived by the team during the preseason. The former Texas A&M player signed a deal to compete for a Dream roster spot back in February.

Friday, April 22 – Phoenix Mercury waive Macee Williams

IUPUI star Macee Williams has been waived by the Phoenix Mercury.

Williams was selected 32nd overall by Phoenix in the third round of the 2022 WNBA draft.

The all-time Jaguars leading scorer and rebounder, Williams was the first IUPUI player to be drafted to the WNBA. The 6-foot-2 forward notched ten double-doubles during the 2021-22 regular season and averaged a double-double with 18.7 points and 10.7 rebounds through 27 appearances.

Thursday, April 21 – Fever cut Ali Patberg, while Chelsey Perry, Bernadett Határ to miss season

Rookie draftee Ali Patberg was cut by the Fever.

Patberg, who played her entire seven-year career at Indiana, was a third-round pick in the 2022 draft. She was one of seven players drafted by the team.

She averaged 11.6 points, 3.4 assists and 3.2 rebounds during the 2021-22 season and finished her career ranked ninth all-time in scoring at Indiana.

The Fever also announced that Chelsey Perry will miss the season for personal reasons, while Bernadett Határ suffered a torn ACL and inner lateral ligament in the final seconds of Sopron Basket’s EuroLeague title win on April 10, according to that club’s website. Határ had signed a training camp contract with the Fever in March.

Wednesday, April 20 – Mystics’ Christyn Williams out with season-ending injury, Fever and Sun make cuts

Christyn Williams, the Washington Mystics’ No. 14 overall pick out of UConn in this year’s WNBA draft, suffered a season-ending knee injury, the team announced. She will undergo surgery and there is no timetable for her return.

“We are heartbroken for Christyn and will miss her greatly,” Mystics coach and general manager Mike Thibault said in a statement. “She was off to a terrific start in training camp, and I know she will work diligently to make a comeback next season.”

The Mystics signed Maryland’s Katie Benzan to a training camp contract.

The Indiana Fever waived guard Micaela Kelly. A second-round pick in the 2021 draft, she was signed by the Fever on Feb. 19 to a training camp contract.

The Connecticut Sun announced their first round of cuts, parting ways with Alexus Dye, Delicia Washington and Keyona Hayes. Dye and Washington received training camp contracts as undrafted rookies, while Hayes has had a strong career in Europe after her finishing her college career at Miami in 2017.

Tuesday, April 19 – Aces waive Faustine Aifuwa, Deja Winters

The Las Vegas Aces announced that they had waived two players: rookies Faustine Aifuwa and Deja Winters. Aifuwa was a third-round selection in the 2022 WNBA draft, while the team signed Winters as a rookie free agent.

Monday, April 18 – Aces waive Kalani Brown, Mercury pick up Emma Cannon

On just the second day of training camp, the Las Vegas Aces announced that they waived center Kalani Brown. Brown was picked up by the team during the Athletes Unlimited basketball season. She finished fifth on the leaderboard during the season, averaging 16.3 points and 7.1 rebounds per game. She ranked second in the league in field goal percentage with 71.4 percent.

The seventh overall pick in the 2019 WNBA draft, Brown played 28 games with the Sparks as a rookie, averaging 5.1 points and 3.5 rebounds. She was then traded to Atlanta, where she played in 10 games before suffering an injury. Brown was then waived last season after appearing in one game.

According to a report from Khristina Williams of Girls Talk Sports TV, Brown has suffered a torn meniscus in her left leg and is expected to be sidelined for at least a month. Because she was signed to a training camp contract, Brown’s medical expenses will be covered, and she could have other expenses covered for up to eight weeks if she chooses to stay in Las Vegas.

With the loss of Brown, the Aces’ training camp roster now sits at 16 players.

The Phoenix Mercury announced Monday that they had signed forward Emma Cannon to a training camp contract. The power forward spent the overseas season with Elitzur Ramla of the Israeli League, averaging a double-double 20.6 points, 12.9 rebounds and 36.9 minutes in 30 games played.

She spent the 2021 season with the Las Vegas Aces, Connecticut Sun and the Indiana Fever, becoming the fifth athlete in WNBA history to play for three different teams in the same season. With the Fever, she averaged 6.9 points and 4.5 rebounds through 12 games.

USC’s McKenzie Forbes: From Gap Year to the NCAA Tournament

As part of our 1-v-1 video series, USC’s India Otto sat down to interview her teammate McKenzie Forbes. 

Here are five things to know from our conversation with the graduate transfer from Folsom, California.

#1 Inspired by USC’s Head Coach, Lindsay Gottlieb, McKenzie wants to be a basketball coach or work in the front office in the future.

When weighing in on what makes a good coach, McKenzie said x’s and o’s are important but “Coaching is a lot of relationship managing and people managing. I think you have to be a good people person and be able to build those relationships, but also in that same breath, you can’t be afraid to have people dislike you in moments. I think that’s a big part of leadership.”

#2 McKenzie says the trajectory of her career changed when she made the decision to transfer from Cal to Harvard.

 In order to transfer, she was forced to take a gap year and spend a lot of time in the gym. “I completely transformed my body and, going into the Harvard season, felt like I was a completely different player. Going to Harvard and playing in a more mid-major conference, I had the ball in my hands a lot more than I might have if I transferred to another Power 5. It really developed other parts of my game.”

#3 How does McKenzie think USC will do in the Women’s College Basketball Tournament?

“I’m not going to give a typical interview answer. I want a Final Four. We have that potential and capability. Like why not? Why not us? I think we have all the pieces.”

#4 Her older brother, Marcus, was her biggest mentor growing up.

“He was basically my trainer from Elementary school on until he went to college.”

#5 Fun facts about Forbes:

She can juggle and she was the quarterback of her Pop Warner football team. “I was slow but I could throw it!”

Watch the full conversation on the Just Women’s Sports YouTube channel.

Christen Press back training with Angel City FC

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 15: Christen Press #23 of Angel City FC waves to fans following a game between the Portland Thorns and Angel City FC at BMO Stadium on October 15, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Katharine Lotze/Getty Images)

Christen Press continues to inch her way back to a return, having returned to training with her club team Angel City. 

Angel City FC coach Becki Tweed said on Wednesday that Press is back with the team full-time as she continues to make her way back from an ACL injury. While she’s still working on rehab, her being back with the team gives staff a better picture of her progress. 

"Christen [Press] is back with us full time which is amazing,” she said. “Having her in and around the team every day, continuing to work hard on rehab ... she's in a space where being in with the team is really important to her and her progression as well.”

The status update comes days after Press posted videos to social media that featured her doing lateral movement in cleats on grass. 

“Look out world she’s on the move !” Press captioned it. 

Press has been sidelined with an ACL injury since 2022, which caused her to miss the 2023 World Cup. She’s since had four separate surgeries to help repair her ACL.

Press told The Athletic a month ago that she’s been “relentless” in her optimism with her recovery despite it being a “slow process.”

“I have a bit of relentless optimism,” she told The Athletic. “I never, ever doubted that I would make it back on any of the timelines I’ve been on."

"Every single time I’ve heard, ‘You have to have surgery,’ I’m completely shocked,” she said. “When somebody asks me how it’s going, I’m like, ‘It’s going great. And it was going great every time. So I don’t know what to tell you anymore!’”

Sophia Smith re-signs with Portland on record deal

(Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports)

Sophia Smith is now the NWSL’s highest-paid player. 

The Portland Thorns announced on Wednesday that they have signed Smith to a new contract through the 2025 season, with an option for 2026. While the terms of the deal were not disclosed, the team did reveal that Smith is now the highest-paid player in the league on an annual basis.

It’s the latest in what has been a series of record-breaking contracts in the NWSL offseason. 

Chicago Red Stars forward Mallory Swanson, Bay FC forward Racheal Kundananji, and Orlando Pride forward Barbra Banda all signed multi-year deals worth between $2 million and $2.5 million in total. While Smith’s contract is shorter and not worth as much over the long-term, the annual worth is higher. 

“We are over the moon to have Soph commit again to the Thorns. She is a proven, world-class talent and one that we are excited to have contribute to the team’s continued success,” said head coach Mike Norris in a statement. “We look forward to working with her in a Thorns jersey as she continues to shine as one of the top strikers in the world.”

In just four seasons in the NWSL, Smith has led the Thorns to five trophies – including the 2022 NWSL championship – while winning league and championship MVP in 2022. In 61 appearances with Portland, she has 34 goals – including a brace to start this season against Kansas City. 

She’s also a member of the USWNT, having scored 16 goals in 44 international appearances.  Set to become a free agent at the end of this season, she told ESPN she “thought of all the options” but ultimately Portland felt like the right decision.

"There is no place like Portland," Smith said in a small roundtable interview that included ESPN. "I don't believe there's an environment like Portland to play in and it's a city that's so special to me and a city that I feel like I've grown up in almost and become who I am."

She also told ESPN that the team’s new ownership “changes everything.” The club is now led by the Bhathal family, who bought the club after Merritt Paulson was forced to sell it following his part in the NWSL’s abuse scandal. 

"Since I've been here there has been a lot of things going on with this club -- a lot of not-great things going on with this club -- and I have just been waiting for some stability and some reassurance that this club is headed in the right direction, and the Bhathal family coming in is doing exactly that, if not more,” Smith said. 

"Their vision for this club is so exciting, and you can just tell how passionate they are about making this what it should be and continuing to push the standard in women's soccer globally.”

Caitlin Clark offered $5 million to compete in Ice Cube’s league

IOWA CITY, IOWA- MARCH 25: Guard Caitlin Clark #22 of the Iowa Hawkeyes celebrates as time runs out in the second half against the West Virginia Mountaineers during their second round match-up in the 2024 NCAA Division 1 Women's Basketball Championship at Carver-Hawkeye Arena on March 25, 2024 in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images)

Caitlin Clark has been offered $5 million to play in Ice Cube's Big3 league, he confirmed on social media Wednesday after the offer leaked.

"We intended the offer to remain private while Caitlin Clark plays for the championship," Ice Cube wrote on social media. "But I won't deny what's now already out there: BIG3 made a historic offer to Caitlin Clark. Why wouldn't we? Caitlin is a generational athlete who can achieve tremendous success in the BIG3."

While there has yet to be a women's player in the league, both Nancy Lieberman and Lisa Leslie have been part of the league as coaches and won championships.

"The skeptics laughed when we made Nancy Lieberman the first female coach of a men's pro team, and she won the championship in her first year," Ice Cube continued. "Then Lisa Leslie won it all in year two. With our offer, Caitlin Clark can make history and break down even more barriers for women athletes."

Ice Cube, whose name is O’Shea Jackson, says that the offer was made with the intention that Clark be able to compete in the WNBA “offseason.” Clark is largely expected to be the No. 1 overall pick in the WNBA draft in April. But it’s unclear how the scheduling of the two leagues would work. 

The 2024 Big3 season is set to tip off on June 15, with 10 games spanning through mid-August. The WNBA regular season, meanwhile, begins on May 14 and ends on Sept. 19.

On “The Pat McAfee Show” on Wednesday, Jackson said that the league has yet to hear back from Clark. 

“We just need an answer, as soon as they are ready to give it to us,” he said. “It’s always 50-50 till we get a no. At the end of the day, it’s a generous offer.”

The offer – as well as the confusion on Jackson’s part about the timing of the WNBA season – caused some current WNBA players to react. 

"It's funny cause I be seeing his son at W games.. they don't talk?" wrote former No. 1 pick Rhyne Howard

"So no other women's basketball player has came to mind in the last 7 years?" wrote Lexie Brown, adding that she'd support if Ice Cube wanted to build a women's iteration of the league. She later discussed it on the Gils Arena Show, noting that his reasoning of wanting to “uplift and support WNBA players and women athletes” is a “cop out.”

Kalani Brown, meanwhile, told Clark to "take that money" and start a women's Big3.

WNBA salaries has been a talking point in recent months as more collegiate stars declare for the league. WNBA stars have often made more money playing abroad than they have in the WNBA. Clark is expected to be the No. 1 pick in the WNBA draft on April 15, with a rookie salary of $76,535 for lottery draft picks (Nos. 1-4) that rises to $97,582 by her fourth season. But she also has an NIL valuation of almost $3.5 million.

Diana Taurasi famously skipped the 2015 WNBA season at the request of her Russian club, who paid her more to sit out than she would have made in the W. Her contract with the club was reportedly near $1.5 million per year.

Jackson also seemed to suggest that his league could be an alternative to going abroad

“America’s women athletes should not be forced to spend their off seasons playing in often dismal and dubious foreign countries just to make ends meet,” he wrote. Although it’s unclear whether or not the rapper intends to make offers to additional WNBA players. 

While the league does hold prioritization rules in its CBA, those typically apply only to players playing in overseas leagues. It’s unclear whether or not that would prevent Clark’s participation in the Big3 league.

WNBA players that don’t want to go overseas currently have the option of playing in Athletes Unlimited, which competes in the WNBA offseason.

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