BASKETBALL NEWS:fter 13 “Ablessed” WNBA seasons,Thomas of the Los Angeles Sparks retires…
After 13 seasons, veteran guard Jasmine Thomas of the Los Angeles Sparks announced her retirement from the WNBA on Thursday. Thomas, who is 34 years old, leaves a legacy of commitment, talent, and a never-ending love for the game.
“Spent a lot of time and energy learning basketball as a recreational activity to meet new people. I consider myself quite fortunate to have had such a long and fruitful career in tennis. In her Instagram retirement announcement, Thomas said, “I wouldn’t alter anything for anything, and I’m glad for how my journey has moulded me as a person. “To my family, friends, coaches, teammates, staff, venue employees, and fans worldwide—thank you for being a major part of an amazing once-in-a-lifetime experience.”
The Seattle Storm chose Thomas with the 12th overall pick in the first round of the 2011 WNBA Draft. After that, she graced the floor for the following teams: the Los Angeles Sparks (2023), Atlanta Dream (2013–2014), Connecticut Sun (2015–22), and Washington Mystics (2011–12). According to Field Level Media, she finishes her career with averages of nine points, 3.5 assists, and 2.6 rebounds from 390 games, including 309 starts.
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Her most noteworthy period was spent with the Sun, when she set career records and was selected for the 2017 WNBA All-Star Game. Her five WNBA All-Defensive Team selections spoke to the recognition of her defensive prowess. Throughout her 13 seasons in the league, she also made seven appearances in the play-offs. Thomas’s contributions to the WNBA have been noteworthy, despite her poor last season with the Sparks, when she averaged only 2.7 points and 1.3 assists in 32 games (seven starts).
Basketball player Alissa Pili of Utah advances in the most recent WNBA mock draft projection.
SALT LAKE CITY: The 2024 WNBA mock draft suggests that the rest of the nation is catching up to Utah women’s basketball fans, who already know how valuable Alissa Pili has been to the programme.
Thursday afternoon, ESPNW released their most recent draft predictions, moving Pili up to the seventh pick, which would have the Minnesota Lynx selecting her.
In the anticipated Top 10, Pili is in excellent company with players like Angel Reese, Cameron Brink, Kamilla Cardoso, and Caitlin Clark, among others.
More About Alissa Pili, the star of Utah women’s basketball
After joining the Utes in 2022, the former USC Trojan proved to be a surprise for the squad, winning Pac-12 Player of the Year the previous year after setting conference records for scoring and field goal percentage.
Pili played a key role in Utah’s run to the Sweet 16 and their first Pac-12 Championship.
In the 2023–24 campaign, Pili’s stature has increased significantly with his December career-high 37 points against the top-ranked South Carolina team.
Against the Gamecocks, Pili hit 15–23 of her shots from the field, shooting 65.2%.
In that game, Pili also shot a strong 3-6 from outside the arc and 4-4 from the free throw line. In addition, Pili had three steals, one assist, and two rebounds.
While it is clear that Pili has played well in other games as well, that particular one especially appeared to catch WNBA scouts’ attention.
It also played a factor in Pili’s recent induction into the Midseason Wooden Top 25 list.
Michelle Bodkin hosts The Saturday Show (Saturday from 10 a.m.–12 p.m.) on The KSL Sports Zone and is the Utah Utes Insider for KSLsports.com. She is also the host of the Crimson Corner Podcast (SUBSCRIBE). Follow her at @BodkinKSLsports on Threads, Instagram, and X.
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Utah Men’s Basketball Returns to Form Against Oregon State at Home
18 Jan 2024, 8:59 P.M.
Share on KSL Sports with Michelle Bodkin.
SALT LAKE CITY: This weekend, the Runnin’ Utes are returning home to host the Oregon schools, beginning on Thursday night with the Oregon State Beavers.
Utah is hoping to return to winning ways after another difficult road trip last week, this time against Stanford.
Rollie Worster and Lawson Lovering, two important players for Utah, both sustained injuries during the previous week’s games, therefore they were unable to try this.
After a back-and-forth first half, the Utes lead the Beavers 33–22 as they entered the locker room.
Utah maintained its composure in the second half, easily defeating Oregon State 74-47.
Examine Utah’s Schedule Up Front
On Sunday, January 21, the Runnin’ Utes will focus on Oregon. ESPN will broadcast the contest, which begins off at 12:00 pm MT.
Oregon State vs. Runnin’ Utes: Starting Five
Leaders in Utah Men’s Stats Against OSU
Keba Keita led in scoring with eighteen points.
Keba Keita led the rebounders with 14 rebounds.
Leading assister: Deivon Smith with eight assists
Keita scored a team-high 18 points while going 7–12 from the paint, 2–5 from three, and 4–4 from the free throw line. In addition to leading the team in rebounding (15), Keita also had three blocks.
After shooting 6-10 from the field, 2-4 from three, and 3-6 from the line, Branden Carlson finished the game with the second-most points. Carlson contributed ten rebounds as well.
In addition to his team-high eight assists and five more rebounds, Deivon Smith ended the evening third in scoring with 14 points.
Important Utah Men’s Basketball Team Statistics against Beavers
In comparison to their performance against Stanford last Sunday, the Utes shot 44% from the field, 35% from three, and 52% against the Beavers.
In contrast to OSU’s 31 team rebounds, Utah’s 52 team rebounds were good for 15 team assists.
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