Aussie stars in action - WNBA Week 1 Wrap
The 2011 Women’s National Basketball Association season kicked off in the US this week with some of Australia’s best basketball talent taking centre stage.
Seven Aussies began play for their US teams on the weekend including Australian Opals captain and reigning WNBA league MVP Lauren Jackson.
WNBA debutants Jenna O’Hea of the Los Angeles Sparks and current WNBL MVP Liz Cambage of the Tulsa Shock, joined Jackson and Belinda Snell of the Seattle Storm, Penny Taylor of the Phoenix Mercury, Tully Bevilaqua of the San Antonio Silver Stars and Erin Phillips of the Indiana Fever.
Lauren Jackson leads the current WNBA Champions, the Seattle Storm, hoping to bring another title to her club. Joining Jackson at the Storm this year is Australian Opals sharp-shooter Belinda Snell, who is making her return to the WNBA after a season off.
WNBA All-star Penny Taylor is one of the stars of the league with the perennially playoff bound Mercury. The exciting forward spent her off-season recouping in her hometown of Melbourne and is ready for a shot at another WNBA title.
Defensive specialist Tully Bevilaqua joins the Silver Stars for the first time this year after a long career with the Indiana Fever. Bevilaqua captained the West Coast Waves of the WNBL in the 2010/11 season.
Erin Phillips returns to the WNBA this season with the Indiana Fever. The feisty South Australian guard previously spent time in the league with the Connecticut Sun, and is hoping to make the most of every opportunity at the Fever.
Coming off an MVP season in the WNBL, 19-year-old Liz Cambage was chosen number two in the WNBA Draft by the Tulsa Shock and immediately became both the youngest and tallest player in the league. She is also one of the most exciting and is looking to lift the fortunes of her new club.
Cambage’s WNBL team-mate from the past two seasons Jenna O’Hea is another Australian Opal debuting in the WNBA this season. A mature aged Rookie, O’Hea should make an immediate impact among a talented LA Sparks roster.
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Jackson and Taylor go head to head, O’Hea shines in her debut and Cambage sets the bar high.
Here is your ‘Week 1 Update’ of your favourite Australian players in action.
Lauren Jackson (Seattle Storm) WNBA Player Profile
Games this week:
Seattle Storm 78 defeated Phoenix Mercury 71
Stats: 15 points, 7 rebounds
Seattle Storm 74 were defeated by Minnesota Lynx 81
Stats: 9 points, 7 rebounds
Penny Taylor (Phoenix Mercury) WNBA Player Profile
Games this week:
Phoenix Mercury 71 were defeated by Seattle Storm 78
Stats: 13 points, 5 assists
Liz Cambage (Tulsa Shock) WNBA Player Profile
Games this week:
San Antonio Silver Stars 93 defeated Tulsa Shock 73
Stats: 18 points, 10 rebounds
Minnesota Lynx 75 defeated Tulsa Shock 65
Stats: 16 points, 15 rebounds
Jenna O’Hea (LA Sparks) WNBA Player Profile
Games this week:
LA Sparks 82 defeated Minnesota Lynx 74
Stats: 9 points, 2 rebounds
Minnesota Lynx 86 defeated LA Sparks 69
Stats: 5 points, 2 assists
Tully Bevilaqua (San Antonio Silver Stars) WNBA Player Profile
Games this week:
San Antonio Silver Stars 93 defeated Tulsa Shock 73
Stats: 4 assists, 3 rebounds, 2 steals, 2 points
Erin Phillips (Indiana Fever) WNBA Player Profile
Games this week:
Indiana Fever 65 defeated Chicago Sky 57
Stats: 5 points
Belinda Snell (Seattle Storm) WNBA Player Profile
Games this week:
Seattle Storm 78 defeated Phoenix Mercury 71
Stats: DNP (carrying an ankle injury)
Seattle Storm 74 were defeated by Minnesota Lynx 81
Stats: DNP (carrying an ankle injury)
