Has everyone seen the WNBA scuffle in the Detroit Shock vs. Los Angeles Sparks game?! Initiated by Plenette Pierson, it involved a tangle with rookie sensation, Candace Parker, that actually escalated to an all out brawl. Both players and coaches left the bench and began pushing and throwing punches. Or as Bill Laimbeer was quoted, Rick Mahorn and he left the bench as “peace-makers”.

Probably the most shocking moment, was the fact that Rick Mahorn shoved Lisa Leslie so hard that she flew in the air and fell on the floor. It must have been pretty hard because Lisa Leslie is 6′5 and a strong woman. It is ridiculous that a coach can put his hands on a player like that and only be suspended for 2 games!!!! Unbelievable. (Check out the WNBA website for the list of suspensions.)

This story has received so much press and attention. I am sure that this story is not the national headline that President Donna Orender was hoping, but then again, as they say, whether good or bad, being in the headlines is always good exposure. Also, perhaps more people actually start tuning in. Despite the preconceived notions of women’s sports, maybe word spreads that it is actually very competitive and physical in the WNBA. This is what a lot of people love about sports. However, it will take time to see how this affects the WNBA in the long run.

If you have not seen it already, I highly suggest looking it up on youtube.com and watch this shocking brawl.

I can not tell you how excited I am to play my first Euroleague season! It is where I have wanted to be since I started playing in Europe 6 years ago. I started at the bottom and worked my way up, with nothing being handed to me- a great feeling. Of course, however, now that I will be given this opportunity, there is still a lot left to get done!

A few days ago, FIBA Europe had its draw for the Euroleague teams, including my new team Lotos Gdynia. We will play in Group C with 5 other teams, including Ros Casares (Spain), USK Prague (Czech Republic), Union Halnaut Basket (France), UMMC Ekterinburg (Russia) and JBS Sibenik (Croatia).

I checked out the rosters from various teams and it looks like the whole WNBA is coming to play in Europe again. Of course, my team Lotos Gdynia signed some big names such as Alana Beard, who is among the top scorers in this year’s WNBA season with 18.3 points/game for the Washington Mystics. Also, there is a rumor that our team is after Tamika Catchings as well.

Lotos Gdynia also announced the hiring of its new head coach- Jacek Winnicki. Sounds like it will be an exciting season!  You can check out our teams website for up to date information at:  http://lotospkobp.pl/

It is that time of year again! ….summer camp time that is! After a long season, this year I had asked myself, do I really need to work this summer? Well, not really to be honest! But, the truth is, I really enjoy working with young basketball players and developing talent. There is no better emotional reward for me than helping a young player enhance their game and seeing results.

Of course, I also would like do something again in my hometown, Williamstown, New Jersey. It would be a chance to give back to my community that has given so much to me. However, that is a little complicated right now, and I chalk it up to the idea that there is a time for everything.

Therefore, for the 2nd year in a row, I will work at the Philadelphia 76ers summer basketball camp. The camp is held up in the beautiful Pocono Mountains, which are located in Stoudsburg, Pennsylvania. I had really enjoyed doing this camp last summer and wanted to be a part of it again.

I will help coordinate the girls’ program, which lasts for 2 weeks, from June 29th - July 12th. It is the chance to work with players who come from over 40 countries and also great staff, lead by camp director, Todd Landrey. He runs a great show.

Throughout the week, appearances are made by NBA players, who give motivational speeches for the campers… and the staff too!

Go Sixers! For more information, go to sixerscamps.com

USA basketball. Let’s face it, the odds of making the team are not high for a WNBA player. Even Becky Hammon, an outstanding guard, coming off an “MVP nominee” season in 2007, did not get the nod. She is special type of player that can do it all offensively and makes the players around her better. There should have been room for her at the 1 or 2 spot, but, apparently, that was not case. It seems that USA basketball, just like the WNBA, is a very “political” decision making organization.

So, what is a girl to do? She has a dream to play in the Olympics, of course, preferable for the U.S.A, the country where she was born and grew up living the American dream, but unfortunately, it did not happen. In the mean time, another amazing opportunity to play comes from another country. Becky Hammon accepts. Suddenly, Hammon finds herself in a whirl-wind after her controversial decision to accept a Russian passport and play for team Russia in the upcoming Olympics.

At first, Hammon rejected the thought of playing for Russia. But, with the chance of making the U.S. team so small, she signed a four-year deal worth well more than $2 million. “There’s nothing more American than taking advantage of an opportunity,” she told ESPN, smiling. Also, even more importantly, she had said it was her dream to be an Olympic athlete, and to compete at the most important games in the world.

Of course, USA coach, Anne Donovan, was asked about what she thinks. Donovan told ESPN, “If you play in this country, live in this country, and you grow up in the heartland and you put on a Russian uniform, you are not a patriotic person in my mind.” That is probably because she now has re-occurring nightmare about the even stronger Russian team with Hammon, beating the USA in the Olympics this summer.

Actually, I am sick of reading and hearing about this. This woman was given a wonderful opportunity to not only live her dream, but to secure herself financially. What American would NOT do this? Becky had a good point, let’s face it, her decision was indeed, a VERY American decision. Besides, with the economic state of our country today, I bet that it would be hard to find someone who would honestly turn down this offer. I agree with Becky’s decision and hope that people leave her alone. USA basketball had their chance to give her the respect she deserves. Maybe some people just do not like the fact that she might have the last laugh.

Unfourtunately I am still in Europe - well unfourtunately, because I can’t really watch the WNBA which officially started last night.

The big story: Candace Parker, rookie of the Los Angeles Sparks had 34! points and 12 rebounds in her first WNBA game. I would call this a nice start.

In a high scoring game, which the Los Angeles Sparks won against the Phoenix Mercury 99-94, Candace even decided the game with a nice post move to seal the deal. Looking at the roster of Phoenix, my old team mate at Viterbo, Brooke Smith made the final roster for a WNBA team - congratulations!

What else happened? Not even every player WNBA star, that played in Europe this past season, made it to their team yet or is still injured like Tamika Catchings of the Indiana Fever. Still, her team managed to win against Washington last night 64-53.

Talking about players that don’t come to the WNBA - Penny Taylor. Penny decided to work out with her Olympic team this summer instead of joining the WNBA - that’s what I call national pride!

Short recap of the other WNBA games: Detroit wins at Houston (85-66, Connecticut wins against the new WNBA team Atlanta 100-68, Sacramento wins in San Antonio 73-64 and Seattle wins its forst game of the season against Chicago 67-61.

Besides the Phoenix, ever home team won their game - talking about home court adavantage!