Indiana

Clark, Reese headline WNBA All-Star Game roster

Published

6 months ago

July 2, 2024

Clark, Reese headline WNBA All-Star Game roster

The 2024 WNBA All-Star Game rosters are set with Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese making their debuts in the annual showcase later this month.

Clark, the No. 1 pick by the Indiana Fever in this year’s WNBA Draft, received the most votes in the fan-voting portion of the balloting. Having already won Rookie of the Month in May, she is leading all first-year players in scoring (16.2 points per game), assists (6.9 per game), and is second league-wide in 3-pointers made (56).

On Tuesday, Reese, the No. 7 pick to the Chicago Sky, was named Rookie of the Month for June. This past weekend, she set a single-season WNBA record for consecutive double-doubles (10), and she led the WNBA in rebounding entering Tuesday night’s action. Like Clark, Reese finished in the top five of the fan vote.

The countdown begins… ⏳
Get ready to witness the ultimate clash of talent as #WNBAAllStar meets the USA Women’s National Team on July 20th at 8:30pm/ET on ABC 📺 pic.twitter.com/oEyJciHmEx
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— WNBA (@WNBA) July 3, 2024

The two rookies are the only two first-time participants in the exhibition, which is set for July 20 in Phoenix. It is the first time since 2014 that two rookies will take part in the game.

The 12 members of the 2024 U.S. Olympic team were automatically granted spots in the All-Star Game. Phoenix Mercury guard Diana Taurasi, who is appearing in her sixth Olympics, will also be playing in her 11th All-Star Game. Her teammate, center Brittney Griner, will be appearing in her 10th All-Star Game, including 2022 in which she was an honorary participant.

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The initial selection of the All-Stars was conducted through a combination of voting by fans (50 percent), a national panel of media members (25 percent) and current WNBA players (25 percent). Coaches filled out the remainder of the roster.

The format of the game will again be Team USA against Team WNBA. In 2021, the last time this format was used, Team WNBA defeated the U.S. Olympic team.

GO DEEPER

U.S. women’s basketball Olympic roster breakdown: Experience leads hunt for another gold

Team WNBA:

DeWanna Bonner, Connecticut Sun (sixth All-Star Game)
Aliyah Boston, Indiana Fever (second)
Caitlin Clark, Indiana Fever (first)
Allisha Gray, Atlanta Dream (second)
Dearica Hamby, Los Angeles Sparks (third)
Brionna Jones, Connecticut Sun (third)
Jonquel Jones, New York Liberty (fifth)
Kayla McBride, Minnesota Lynx (fourth)
Kelsey Mitchell, Indiana Fever (second)
Arike Ogunbowale, Dallas Wings (fourth)
Nneka Ogwumike, Seattle Storm (ninth)
Angel Reese, Chicago Sky (first)

Team USA:

Napheesa Collier, Minnesota Lynx (fourth)
Kahleah Copper, Phoenix Mercury (fourth)
Chelsea Gray, Las Vegas Aces (sixth)
Brittney Griner, Phoenix Mercury (10th)
Sabrina Ionescu, New York Liberty (10th)
Jewell Loyd, Seattle Storm (sixth)
Kelsey Plum, Las Vegas Aces (third)
Breanna Stewart, New York Liberty (sixth)
Diana Taurasi, Phoenix Mercury (11th)
Alyssa Thomas, Connecticut Sun (fifth)
A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas Aces (sixth)
Jackie Young, Las Vegas Aces (third)

Were there any snubs?

As my colleague Sabreena Merchant and I wrote last week, selecting Team WNBA would always be difficult. Reasonable cases can be made for each of the players selected. And all but one team (Washington Mystics) has at least one player in the exhibition.

Possible snubs, however, include Storm center Ezi Magbegor, Lynx center Alanna Smith and Liberty wing Betnijah Laney-Hamilton. Magbegor is in the running for Defensive Player of the Year honors. She leads the WNBA in total blocks (42), is seventh in rebounds per game (8.7), is third in offensive rebounds per game (2.9), is third in defensive win shares and fourth in overall win shares. Earlier this season, she recorded at least three blocks in eight consecutive games, the second-longest streak in WNBA history.

Smith anchors a Lynx defense that has the WNBA’s best defensive rating (91.3) since 2007. This season, she has recorded new career-highs in points, assists, steals and blocks. She is fourth in defensive win shares and is also shooting a career-best 46.4 percent from 3-point range. Smith and Magbegor are expected to be key members of the Australian national team this summer, but with both of them not making the WNBA All-Star Game, there is only one international player in the contest (Jonquel Jones).

“I thought she had a good chance as well,” Minnesota coach Cheryl Reeve said. “She’s really good for as well and we’re a good team with a good record. … I just know those things aren’t easy.”

Entering Tuesday night’s game against the Lynx, Laney-Hamilton, the versatile wing for New York, led all WNBA players who have appeared in more than five games in net rating (plus-19.9). She is again one of the WNBA’s top defenders.

Fever is most represented franchise on Team WNBA

After not having any players on the U.S. Olympic team, three members of the Fever (Clark, Boston and Mitchell) were named to Team WNBA, the most of any franchise. Boston, who is averaging 13.1 points and 8.3 rebounds per game, finished second in the fan vote and was automatically named to the team as a function of being in the top 10.

Like Boston, Mitchell is appearing in her second consecutive All-Star Game. She is averaging 16.3 points per game and was among the eight players named to the All-Star Game following the coaches’ vote.

McBride, Hamby highlight All-Star returnees

McBride, the Lynx guard, is returning to the All-Star Game for the first since 2019. She is Minnesota’s second-leading scorer with 15.8 points per game, her highest output since 2018, and the Lynx have the Western Conference’s best record entering Tuesday (14-4).

“I’m thrilled,” Reeve said. “I thought it was a bit of a no-brainer, but I’m thrilled when it happens. She’s had an incredible season to this point. Career-high in scoring it and just the ways that we count on (her), defensively, passing, everything that we ask her to do, making plays off the bounce. She’s just doing everything for us.”

Hamby is making her third All-Star appearance and the first since 2022. Having been traded in the 2023 offseason, Hamby is appearing in the game just over a year after the birth of her second child. She leads Los Angeles with career highs of 18.4 points and 10.3 rebounds per game. She will also participate in the Paris Olympics with Team USA’s 3×3 team.

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(Photo: Emilee Chinn / Getty Images)

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Indiana

Obituary for Michael Kacprowicz at Divine Mercy Funeral Home

Published

1 hour ago

January 3, 2025

Press Room

Obituary for Michael Kacprowicz at Divine Mercy Funeral Home

With profound sadness, we share that Mike Kacprowicz, 62, passed away Wednesday, January 1, 2025, in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He was born in Buffalo, New York to Adam and Pearl Stine Kacprowicz. Mikes greatest passion was working with cars. After starting over 40 years ago in the automotive industry, he

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Indiana

What Mike Woodson Said After Indiana’s 84-74 Win Over Rutgers

Published

9 hours ago

January 3, 2025

Press Room

What Mike Woodson Said After Indiana’s 84-74 Win Over Rutgers

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Indiana resumed Big Ten play with a step in the right direction, defeating Rutgers 84-74 Thursday night at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall.

Coach Mike Woodson found contributions all over his roster, led by Myles Rice with 21 points. Oumar Ballo returned to action and scored 17 points, followed by Mackenzie Mgbako with 16, Trey Galloway with 11 and Luke Goode with nine. The Hoosiers improved to 11-3 overall and 2-1 in Big Ten play ahead of Sunday’s game against Penn State at the Palestra in Philadelphia, Penn.

Here’s the full transcript of Woodson’s postgame press conference.

On Oumar Ballo’s play…

Woodson: “I thought he played great. He’s a big part of our team winning tonight. He had 17 and three rebounds, a few blocked shots, plugged the hole up for us like he’s supposed to so I thought he played well.”

On his thoughts on Rutgers guard Ace Bailey, who scored 39 points…

Woodson: “He’s special. He’s a good player and he’s young. If he continues to work, he could be pretty special. I mean, we kind of threw a few things at him, but he made some tough shots tonight and that’s what great players do.”

On if Ballo coming off the bench was for disciplinary or injury-related reasons…

Woodson: “Let’s just talk about his 17 and 12. That’s what I like to focus in on. He came off the bench and he got 17 and 12 for us and two blocks, which is fantastic.”

On Malik Reneau leaving with an injury and how his team adapted…

Woodson: “Well, right now, we just got to evaluate him tomorrow. He couldn’t come back in the game and you know he’s a big piece to the puzzle. Going into this game, he was our leading scorer, so we’ll evaluate him tomorrow through our medical staff and see where he is and if he can’t play, it’s next man up. We just got to continue to go whoever is in uniform.”

On Indiana’s improved 3-point shooting…

Woodson: “Guys stepped up, they made ’em, which was kind of nice to see. That’s probably the most threes we’ve made this season so far and I just hope it continues to be a carryover because I thought in the Winthrop game we got some good looks, we just didn’t make them. Tonight, guys stepped up and they knocked them down which we’re going to need moving forward.”

On Indiana’s 34 second-chance points and 18 offensive rebounds…

Woodson: “Well, I think the fact that they played a lot of zones. It’s kind of hard to block out in zone situations. We were able to sneak guys in and get put-backs or kick it back out for threes. That’s just how it goes when you play zone. You gamble because you do have to rebound out of the zone in order to get down the floor and play offense and we were able to capitalize on it a little bit.”

On if Indiana did anything different in practice after making just one three in its last game…

Woodson: “No, like I told you guys, I mean, as a coach, every time they shoot it, I think it’s going in, especially if you got the right guy shooting it and we did in our last game. You had Gallo shooting some and Goode and Mac. They just didn’t knock them down and tonight they had some of those same looks and they put it in the hole which is kind of nice to see.”

On Anthony Leal’s defense against Ace Bailey and if he expected that matchup…

Woodson: “No, Anthony is one of our best defenders and when I got to go to someone off the bench to guard a key guy, because I thought in that one stretch right before the half, I think he only scored one point against Anthony. He had done all his damage early and… but again, he’s a hell of a player. He did a lot of good things for his ball club tonight.”

On if this game was Indiana’s best in terms of its depth top to bottom…

Woodson: “I think so but we got a long way to go. I got to help our bench more somehow. I just got to get them comfortable having fun and flying around and doing things on both ends of the floor that we’re supposed to do and we’re not there yet.”

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Much of Indiana under winter storm watches for snow, sleet, freezing rain

Published

17 hours ago

January 2, 2025

Press Room

Much of Indiana under winter storm watches for snow, sleet, freezing rain

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — A winter storm watch has been issued for much of central and southern Indiana from Saturday night into Monday night.

The bigger snowstorm will follow a smaller one expected to hit parts of Indiana on Thursday night and early Friday morning.

Here are details on the three separate winter storms watches, issued Thursday afternoon, that include Indiana.

Central Indiana

The National Weather Service at Indianapolis says to expect 6 inches of snow or more, with a potential accumulations of sleet and freezing rain around southern portions of central Indiana.

The storm was expected to bring slick and hazardous roadways, and snow on trees could bring down power lines.

The watch says, “Persons should consider delaying all travel. If travel is absolutely necessary, drive with extreme caution. Consider taking a winter storm kit along with you, including such items as tire chains, booster cables, flashlight, shovel, blankets and extra clothing. Also take water, a first aid kit, and anything else that would help you survive in case you become stranded.”

Indiana counties in the watch issued from the Indianapolis weather service office are Bartholomew, Boone, Brown, Carroll, Clinton, Clay, Daviess, Decatur, Delaware, Fountain, Greene, Hamilton, Hancock, Hendricks, Henry, Howard, Jackson, Jennings, Johnson, Knox, Lawrence, Madison, Marion, Martin, Monroe, Montgomery, Morgan, Owen, Parke, Putnam, Randolph, Rush, Shelby, Sullivan, Tippecanoe, Tipton, Vermillion, and Vigo.

Southeastern Indiana

The National Weather Service at Louisville, Kentucky, says to expect a wintry mix of snow, sleet, and freezing rain from late Saturday night through Monday afternoon. Snow and sleet amounts of greater than 4 inches and significant ice accumulations of greater than a quarter of an inch are expected in the watch area that includes southern Indiana.

Indiana counties in the watch area from the Louisville weather office are Clark, Crawford, Dubois, Floyd, Jefferson, Harrison, Orange, Perry, Scott, Washington. The watch from the Louisville weather officer also extends into Kentucky.

Southwestern Indiana

The National Weather Service at Paducah, Kentucky, says heavy mixed precipitation is possible from late Saturday night into late Sunday night. Snow and sleet accumulations of 4 inches or more, and ice accumulations of one-quarter inch or more are possible.

Indiana counties in the watch area from the Paducah weather office are Gibson, Pike, Posey, Spencer, Vanderburgh, and Warrick. The watch also includes parts of Illinois and Kentucky.

Statement

“The Indianapolis Department of Public Works (Indy DPW) is prepared for the forecasted winter weather conditions, including a strong winter system this weekend. Starting tonight, Indy DPW will dispatch over 80 crew members to begin pre-treating roadways, bridges, and overpasses across Marion County for a snow event set to start later this evening. Indy DPW crews will operate on rotating 12-hour shifts throughout the snow event, which Indy DPW officials expect to bring up to an inch of snowfall with potential freezing overnight.
“‘Our crews are prepared to address the weather expected to impact our community this week and will continue to monitor and respond to any changes in the forecast’ said Indy DPW Interim Director Sam Beres. ‘In partnership with AFSCME Local 725, we will remain focused on addressing roadway conditions throughout the duration of the expected weather impacts. We remind residents to give our snowplow and salt truck drivers space to work safely.’
“Looking ahead to the weekend, several weather models show the potential for a strong winter system (Sunday AM through Monday AM) that is expected to impact several Midwestern states, including Indiana. While it is too soon to determine the exact track of the system and snowfall totals at this time, Indy DPW is preparing for the possibility of hazardous conditions and significant travel impacts.
“Indy DPW reminds drivers to follow best practices when traveling in winter weather including:

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Staying informed: Before leaving home, find out about the road conditions. Drivers need to know the weather and their limits. Follow the National Weather Service (NWS) and local media to help you stay on top of the latest conditions and forecasts.

Time and space: Leave plenty of time to reach your destination safely. Remember to drive below the posted speed limit and leave plenty of room between cars and Indy DPW vehicles. Always watch out for pedestrians.

Pack extra resources: Stock your vehicle with extra resources that may be useful. Some resources include water, blankets, chargers for devices, extra clothes, and salt.

“Indianapolis constituents can stay up to date on winter weather events online by following us on Twitter @IndySnowForce and @IndyDPW. The Indy Snow Force Viewer will also be activated for this winter weather event, identifying roads located along standard routes that have been recently plowed or treated with salt during a snow event.
“For more information, please visit the Indy DPW Snow Force webpage at: indy.gov/snow“
Indianapolis Department of Public Works