Stanford WNBA 2026 - Printable Version
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RE: Stanford WNBA 2026 - M T - 06-15-2026
(06-15-2026, 04:55 PM)Hieronymus Wrote: \I dislike any "per game" stat since it is SO dependent on playing time.
The nose didn’t help but at this point it doesn’t appear to be the story. Smith got pulled from the starting lineup and her last 5 games total only 74 minutes, 15 points and 16 rebounds. So a 5 game avg of 14.8 mpg / 3 ppg / 3.2 rpg. Not sure if this highlights the risks of leaving a good situation, lack of timing from the injury or something else.
But, her shooting is off (FG: 34% vs 48.5%, 3pt 9% vs 33%, 2pt 54% vs 63%). Her FT% is improved from a bad year last year to a more typical number for her. So, on offense, it looks like she's lost her 3pt% as the main scoring issue.
Using per minute played numbers, her rebounding is a bit better than last year. Her assists and steals are close. Her blocking is way down (duh, if you have a broken nose). Her turnovers and fouls are up (worse) a good bit.
To me, that could all be consistent with difficulties that a broken nose and a mask could cause. The mask can disrupt the sighting of the basket. I hope she can recover soon and get back to the shooter & hustler that she has been.
RE: Stanford WNBA 2026 - Hieronymus - 06-16-2026
Very strange Sparks game - no starters with double digits. Not sure I have ever seen that before, and predictably the Sparks lost by 20. Brink with a nice game 10 points on 4/5 shooting and 2 rebounds in only 15 minutes. Fouls were not an issue - she only had 1 foul and also only 1 turnover. Seems like a game where she should have had more minutes, especially in a 20 point loss.
In general, I don’t understand what LA is doing this season. Maybe not Sky bad, but it’s still a roster that is trying to contend and just isn’t close while starting two newly-acquired 35+ year old players. Nneka is still elite, but Wheeler is shooting 32.5%/25.4% this year. But they added Nneka, Wheeler and Atkins (who has also been bad, shooting close to Wheeler’s numbers) this year; so they definitely were trying to contend.
My view is they need to accept that they aren’t close to being contenders and start getting more minutes to younger players. Maybe trade Nneka to a contender, and go into a true rebuild mode. They are likely stuck with Atkins and Wheeler. But what they are doing right now is just stupid. I guess they are hoping that with all the new faces the team eventually comes together. Hope isn’t a plan.
RE: Stanford WNBA 2026 - BillBradley - 06-16-2026
(06-16-2026, 04:20 AM)Hieronymus Wrote: Very strange Sparks game - no starters with double digits. Not sure I have ever seen that before, and predictably the Sparks lost by 20. Brink with a nice game 10 points on 4/5 shooting and 2 rebounds in only 15 minutes. Fouls were not an issue - she only had 1 foul and also only 1 turnover. Seems like a game where she should have had more minutes, especially in a 20 point loss.I've seen most of the Sparks games. I don't think Lynne Roberts has a very good plan for this group. They have the talent, but they do not play well together. Hamby is so inconsistent. Great rebounder, but just not very skilled. She does well when she decides to play hard and the defense lets her go where she wants. IMO, she should come off the bench and be the veteran-in-the-locker-room type. I think Roberts should start Plum at PG, Atkins and Burrell on the wings, and Nneka and Cam as posts. Let that group play together and gel. There's enough talent there to make a playoff run.
In general, I don’t understand what LA is doing this season. Maybe not Sky bad, but it’s still a roster that is trying to contend and just isn’t close while starting two newly-acquired 35+ year old players. Nneka is still elite, but Wheeler is shooting 32.5%/25.4% this year. But they added Nneka, Wheeler and Atkins (who has also been bad, shooting close to Wheeler’s numbers) this year; so they definitely were trying to contend.
My view is they need to accept that they aren’t close to being contenders and start getting more minutes to younger players. Maybe trade Nneka to a contender, and go into a true rebuild mode. They are likely stuck with Atkins and Wheeler. But what they are doing right now is just stupid. I guess they are hoping that with all the new faces the team eventually comes together. Hope isn’t a plan.
As for Cam - she continues to get better and better. This is really only her second season, and with the right coaching and system she will be an all-star. She has the talent on both ends. Not many bigs can defend and alter shots like Cam. Granted, that means 30 mins/game and in order for that to happen she needs to stay out of foul trouble. It's always been her weakness, but you can see she's learning. She needs to clean up the moving screen/offensive foul/over the back fouls and save calls for the plays where she's contending shots. She also needs to shirk this injury bug. I've never seen anyone get hit in the face so much.
Hieronymus - Hieronymus - 06-16-2026
(06-16-2026, 09:31 AM)BillBradley Wrote:I definitely like your lineup better. So maybe fire the coach and see what can be improved. Current state looks stuck at .500 level.(06-16-2026, 04:20 AM)Hieronymus Wrote: Very strange Sparks game - no starters with double digits. Not sure I have ever seen that before, and predictably the Sparks lost by 20. Brink with a nice game 10 points on 4/5 shooting and 2 rebounds in only 15 minutes. Fouls were not an issue - she only had 1 foul and also only 1 turnover. Seems like a game where she should have had more minutes, especially in a 20 point loss.I've seen most of the Sparks games. I don't think Lynne Roberts has a very good plan for this group. They have the talent, but they do not play well together. Hamby is so inconsistent. Great rebounder, but just not very skilled. She does well when she decides to play hard and the defense lets her go where she wants. IMO, she should come off the bench and be the veteran-in-the-locker-room type. I think Roberts should start Plum at PG, Atkins and Burrell on the wings, and Nneka and Cam as posts. Let that group play together and gel. There's enough talent there to make a playoff run.
In general, I don’t understand what LA is doing this season. Maybe not Sky bad, but it’s still a roster that is trying to contend and just isn’t close while starting two newly-acquired 35+ year old players. Nneka is still elite, but Wheeler is shooting 32.5%/25.4% this year. But they added Nneka, Wheeler and Atkins (who has also been bad, shooting close to Wheeler’s numbers) this year; so they definitely were trying to contend.
My view is they need to accept that they aren’t close to being contenders and start getting more minutes to younger players. Maybe trade Nneka to a contender, and go into a true rebuild mode. They are likely stuck with Atkins and Wheeler. But what they are doing right now is just stupid. I guess they are hoping that with all the new faces the team eventually comes together. Hope isn’t a plan.
As for Cam - she continues to get better and better. This is really only her second season, and with the right coaching and system she will be an all-star. She has the talent on both ends. Not many bigs can defend and alter shots like Cam. Granted, that means 30 mins/game and in order for that to happen she needs to stay out of foul trouble. It's always been her weakness, but you can see she's learning. She needs to clean up the moving screen/offensive foul/over the back fouls and save calls for the plays where she's contending shots. She also needs to shirk this injury bug. I've never seen anyone get hit in the face so much.
RE: Stanford WNBA 2026 - Nobadeer - 06-16-2026
Valkyries ran the Sparks off the court in the first few minutes and never looked back. The Chase center crowd loved every minute, especially the Valkyries many steals, most of which were converted to baskets on the other end.
Plum and Ogwumike probably had their worst games of the season so far. Great GSV defense on Plum, who had scored 43 points over the weekend. She had only 8 or 9 points, visibly frustrated, and fouled out. Plum-Wheeler-Ogwumike-Atkins were a combined 12 of 37, incl. just 2 of 18 on threes.
Brink was decent on offense when she was in, not great on defense (only 2 reb and 1 block), bricked a few FTs - then she hurt her ankle in the 4th quarter.
I think I saw Fingall during warmups in pregame and at the half. Despite the blowout win, coach didn't put her in. I didn't see Prechtel suited up but may have missed her.
RE: Stanford WNBA 2026 - OCcardinal - 06-19-2026
Kiana Williams just joined Cam and Nneka in LA!
RE: Stanford WNBA 2026 - Spiny_Norman - 06-21-2026
(06-19-2026, 04:19 PM)OCcardinal Wrote: Kiana Williams just joined Cam and Nneka in LA!
She won't be playing with Brink for a while. Cam is out with an ankle injury.
https://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/id/49098901/sparks-cameron-brink-undetermined-ankle-sprain
RE: Stanford WNBA 2026 - crackpot - 06-21-2026
Happy to have realized that Nneka will be playing for the Sparks in today's 30th season celebration and that she's played in 15 of the W's seasons!
RE: Stanford WNBA 2026 - PalmTree - 06-21-2026
Looks likes Jones is back with Dallas on a developmental contract.
RE: Stanford WNBA 2026 - PVTree - 06-21-2026
(06-21-2026, 05:46 PM)PalmTree Wrote: Looks likes Jones is back with Dallas on a developmental contract.
Out of our recent players, Jones was amongst the highest in my list of players "making it" in the WNBA. The only downside I saw in her was the lack of 3-point shooting prowess.
From her college career, I saw that she's a skilled ball handler (a big guard). She's a good rebounder, can create her own shot, and is a good mid range shooter.
She also seemed to be a positive influence on teammates (although, at the end, she may have become disenchanted with Stanford).
I'm still hoping she finds the right situation for her in the league.
On the other side, who has surprised me with a long WNBA career is Karlie. I thought she was a one-trick pony (3-point shooting) without the quickness or ball handling to play in the league.
She's one of my all-time favorites so I'm very happy that she's had the success that she's earned.
RE: Stanford WNBA 2026 - 2006alum - 06-21-2026
Nneka with the buzzer beating 3 to win the 30th anniversary game and avenge LA's loss to NY 30 years ago on the first day of the W. And a really moving interview with her afterwards. And yet always poised, eloquent, and gracious. Easily my all-time favorite Stanford WBB player.
RE: Stanford WNBA 2026 - old spanish trail - 06-22-2026
(06-21-2026, 05:46 PM)PalmTree Wrote: Looks likes Jones is back with Dallas on a developmental contract.
Good for her. Hope she sticks.
RE: Stanford WNBA 2026 - needle - 06-22-2026
(06-21-2026, 07:28 PM)2006alum Wrote: Nneka with the buzzer beating 3 to win the 30th anniversary game and avenge LA's loss to NY 30 years ago on the first day of the W. And a really moving interview with her afterwards. And yet always poised, eloquent, and gracious. Easily my all-time favorite Stanford WBB player.
I asked Google AI who is the most accomplished Stanford athlete.
Nneka not listed, which is another reminder that AI has a long way to go. Nneka is on par with John Elway in terms of her athletic accomplishments, imo.
If you're curious, Google AI listed: Tiger Woods, Kerri Walsh Jennings, Bob Mathias, Jenny Thompson, Katie Ledecky, Jim Plunkett, Elway and John McEnroe.
RE: Stanford WNBA 2026 - Spiny_Norman - 06-22-2026
(06-22-2026, 08:07 AM)needle Wrote: I asked Google AI who is the most accomplished Stanford athlete.
Nneka not listed, which is another reminder that AI has a long way to go. Nneka is on par with John Elway in terms of her athletic accomplishments, imo.
If you're curious, Google AI listed: Tiger Woods, Kerri Walsh Jennings, Bob Mathias, Jenny Thompson, Katie Ledecky, Jim Plunkett, Elway and John McEnroe.
I asked Google AI for the most accomplished Stanford women's basketball player. It led with Jennifer Azzi followed by Chiney Ogwumike, Cameron Brink and Nneka Ogwumike.
Google AI as might be expected has also missed Ernie Nevers (voted the top football player of all time by Sports Illustrated in 1962) and Hank Luisetti. But good on it for picking up Bob Mathias.
RE: Stanford WNBA 2026 - crackpot - 07-11-2026
Former VP Kamala Harris was at the Sparks game last night.
Mid-game, interviewer asked Harris:
"[On Nneka] what do you see?"
"Well, first of all, in her I see an extraordinary amount of courage. Because being a leader on this level takes a lot in terms of the confidence that is necessary to show other people what is possible. And that is what she has done. She does it with grace. She does it with dignity, and she also does it in a way that is about making sure she's leaving the door open for so many others. I applaud her. I have a great deal of admiration for her professionalism, her courage, and her strength."
Afterward, in the locker room, Nneka thanked Harris for "inspiring all of us."
"You inspire me."
Nneka said that coming off the heels of the CBA, seeing what Harris went through, "We were energized. We're playing with a little bit more value."
RE: Stanford WNBA 2026 - Nobadeer - 07-28-2026
More on the incomparable Nneka Ogwumike - there's a nifty new t-shirt and sweatshirt available that says it all
https://breakingt.com/products/nneka-ogwumike-madam-president-la?_pos=4&_sid=4113d622e&_ss=r
RE: Stanford WNBA 2026 - Hieronymus - 08-02-2026
The Sparks have traded Plum to the Mercury. I wasn’t the only one who decided the plan made no sense and was failing. I feel bad for the 3 Stanford players caught in the mess. It will be interesting to see if Nneka or even Cam also get traded. Cam seems unllikely this year, but I woul think Nneka would have value. WNBA
trades at her level are challenging though to make work ($950k salary for only 1 season).
RE: Stanford WNBA 2026 - 2006alum - 08-02-2026
(08-02-2026, 05:42 AM)Hieronymus Wrote: The Sparks have traded Plum to the Mercury. I wasn’t the only one who decided the plan made no sense and was failing. I feel bad for the 3 Stanford players caught in the mess. It will be interesting to see if Nneka or even Cam also get traded. Cam seems unllikely this year, but I woul think Nneka would have value. WNBAWNBA reporting sources said the Sparks aren't looking to trade Brink, who's still under a restricted contract with LA for one more season after this.
trades at her level are challenging though to make work ($950k salary for only 1 season).
I don't see a trade for Nneka at this point in part because the deadline is 3pm this afternoon and in part because she hasn't expressed, as Plum apparently had, that she was not planning to re-sign at the end of the season. (Nneka is also on a one-year contract.)
But yes - the only way they're going to see success in a Sparks uniform is if they stick around another season because the Sparks are clearly in tank mode now. But at the margins, if they tank badly enough, they could be in a good position to get Juju.
RE: Stanford WNBA 2026 - PVTree - 08-02-2026
(08-02-2026, 09:00 AM)2006alum Wrote:(08-02-2026, 05:42 AM)Hieronymus Wrote: The Sparks have traded Plum to the Mercury. I wasn’t the only one who decided the plan made no sense and was failing. I feel bad for the 3 Stanford players caught in the mess. It will be interesting to see if Nneka or even Cam also get traded. Cam seems unllikely this year, but I woul think Nneka would have value. WNBAWNBA reporting sources said the Sparks aren't looking to trade Brink, who's still under a restricted contract with LA for one more season after this.
trades at her level are challenging though to make work ($950k salary for only 1 season).
I don't see a trade for Nneka at this point in part because the deadline is 3pm this afternoon and in part because she hasn't expressed, as Plum apparently had, that she was not planning to re-sign at the end of the season. (Nneka is also on a one-year contract.)
But yes - the only way they're going to see success in a Sparks uniform is if they stick around another season because the Sparks are clearly in tank mode now. But at the margins, if they tank badly enough, they could be in a good position to get Juju.
Will JuJu be willing to take the pay cut for the chance to stay in LA? She does have endorsement deals to fall back on so she won't be living pay check to pay check.
RE: Stanford WNBA 2026 - 2006alum - 08-02-2026
The lottery for the 2027 draft will be held sometime in the fall. If the Sparks were to get the number 1 pick, I can't see any universe where Juju wouldn't go pro. If they don't - and DC gets the number 1 pick - I could see a universe where she stays in college, especially if U$C doesn't win a natty next year.
But in general, just as she wanted to stay in LA for college I imagine she'd love to stay here as a pro and the Sparks would basically become "her team" from Day 1 since they don't have any young guards to build around. I genuinely hope that happens, because the W is better when the Sparks are a genuine contender and that franchise has been withering on the vine for well over half a decade now.