Welcome to the WNBA - Women's Basketball Weekly - Caitlin Clark, Chennedy Carter and the WNBA

Welcome to another exciting episode of Women's Basketball Weekly! We've got a jam-packed episode covering everything you need to know from this past week, including an incredible rookie race, the Connecticut Sun's historic start, and a controversial foul that's got everyone talking. Let's dive in!

Chapters:

00:00 - Intro

00:30 - Rookie Update

6:10 - Angel Reese

7:15 - Caitlin Clark

7:55 - Connecticut

12:09 - Chennedy Carter and Caitlin Clark

14:40 - Chennedy Carter speaks out

17:25 - Chennedy and the refs are at fault

18:50 - Players do not hate Caitlin

20:35 - Welcome to the league

23:01 - Candace Parker as a rookie

24:45 - Malice in the Palace

26:46 - Lisa Leslie on the mele

30:24 - The WNBA is not easy

34:19 - Commissioner's Cup

38:15 - Vegas Aces transactions

47:06 - Seattle Storm transactions

49:30 - Unrivaled

Rookie Watch: The Race for Rookie of the Year

The WNBA rookies are making their mark early this season, with Caitlin Clark and Cameron Brink leading the pack. But they're not the only ones shining. Here’s a quick look at the rookie leaderboard so far.

Points Per Game:

Caitlin Clark - 15.6 ppg

Angel Reese - 10.6 ppg

Rickea Jackson - 10 ppg

Rebounds:

Angel Reese - 8.9 rpg

Cameron Brink - 5.4 rpg

Caitlin Clark - 5.1 rpg

Assists:

Caitlin Clark - 6.4 apg

Cameron Brink - 2.1 apg

Angel Reese - 1.9 apg

Blocks:

Cameron Brink - 2.6 bpg

Caitlin Clark - 1 bpg

Aaliyah Edwards - 0.9 bpg

Connecticut Sun's Dominance

The Connecticut Sun continue their impressive run, now sitting at 8-0, marking the 7th best start in WNBA history. Teams with similar starts have historically made it to the finals, hinting at a promising season for the Sun.

Their recent win against the Dallas Wings was a nail-biter, secured by Alyssa Thomas' crucial block and Ty Harris's game-winning free throws. The Sun's core, including Thomas, DeWanna Bonner, and Brionna Jones, is performing at an elite level, making them a formidable opponent this season.

Chennedy Carter's Controversial Foul on Caitlin Clark

The foul heard around the world! Chennedy Carter's hit on Caitlin Clark during the Sky vs. Fever game has sparked intense debate. Initially called just a foul, it was later upgraded to a Flagrant 1 by the WNBA. Both players and coaches have weighed in, emphasizing sportsmanship and learning from mistakes.

WNBA Brawl Flashback: Candace Parker's Rookie Season

Let's take a trip down memory lane to Candace Parker's rookie season in 2008. Parker faced intense physical play, culminating in a brawl with Plenette Pierson. This incident, known as "Malice in the Palace Pt. 2," highlighted the league's tough nature and Parker's resilience as a rookie.

Commissioner's Cup Overview

The Commissioner’s Cup is in full swing, bringing additional excitement to the regular season. With significant monetary prizes for both players and charities, this in-season competition is set to culminate on June 25th. Stay tuned to see which teams will face off in the championship!

Roster Moves and Waivers

Teams are making strategic moves as the season progresses. The Las Vegas Aces waived Dyaisha Fair and signed the veteran Tiffany Hayes, adding both experience and skill. Meanwhile, the Seattle Storm brought back Joyner Holmes to strengthen their roster. These adjustments could play pivotal roles in their playoff runs.

Introducing Unrivaled: A New Women's Basketball League

A new professional league, Unrivaled, co-founded by Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart, is set to debut in January 2024. Featuring 3x3 basketball and top WNBA players, this league promises to bring more opportunities and excitement to women's basketball in the U.S.

What do you think about these developments? Let us know in the comments! Don't forget to like, share, and subscribe for more updates on women's basketball. See you next week!