#WNBA Indiana Summer Fever | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

hcsiqs · 2 months

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hii could u write caitlin x reader where they used to date in hs but then they broke up and now years later they got back in touch and they have feelings again? pls and thank u

| feels like a fever, like i’m burning alive

• pairing: caitlin clark x ex!girlfriend

• summary: ^^

• warnings: erm angst? idk man

You had just placed the last box into the trunk of your dad’s car. Today was the day you’d be leaving to drive to South Carolina, a sixteen hour drive from Des Moines, Iowa to there.

When you had picked to go to USC you had never really realized how far away from your family and Caitlin you would be and it was all now just hitting you. You were gonna be in a brand new state without knowing anyone and you would have to make friends all over again.

You felt the tears form in your eyes as you closed the trunk and took time to notice that this would be the last moment you would get to be with Caitlin. Once you both had committed to college and recognized the seventeen hour travel distance, you knew that staying together wouldn’t be an option. With her busy basketball schedule and you being on the pre-med track, it was obvious that you wouldn’t be able to make time for each other. Especially since for you, traveling back home for holidays would be hard, which just meant you would only ever see your girlfriend over summer. You both decided it would cause too much stress for the both of you.

You used the back of your hand to wipe away the tears from your eyes before turning around and seeing the beautiful brunette standing there, hands in her hoodie pocket and her head adorned with the hood. You slowly walked over to her and as soon as you were in arms reach she pulled you in with all of her strength, causing you to slightly bounce back. Her hands wrapped around your shoulders, one of her hands gripping at the back of your neck, trying to savor the smell of you for one last moment. “Please don’t go,” she whispered, her voice breaking as her grip tightened.

“I have to,” your hands went under her hoodie, wrapping your arms around her bare waist.

“Please Y/N,” she begged and you could hear the sadness in her voice as her tears soaked your USC sweatshirt.

“I’m sorry baby,” you dropped your forehead into her shoulder, your arms pulling her stomach against your own leaving no room. You pulled back, your hands traveled up to her perfect face that now had tear stains covering it. “You’re gonna do amazing things at Iowa,” your thumb ran against her cheek.

“It won’t be worth it without you,” her lips formed into a deeper frown, attempting to stop herself from crying.

“Yes it will,” you nodded your head, “You’re gonna change the game, I know it,” you smiled, but your face still held all of the sadness you felt right on the barrier.

“I love you,” she sniffled, pulling you in once more.

“I love you more,” you squeezed her waist before hearing your dad call for you. You reluctantly pulled back and then placed a soft kiss on CC’s lips, tasting the salt from her tears. You then moved away from her, her hands lingering on your waist until you were out of reach and they fell to her side.

“We’re gonna be together again. Someday,” she spoke up as she watched you walk towards the car.

“I know,” you smiled sadly before getting into the backseat of the car. Your dad quickly pulled out of the driveway leaving Caitlin standing there in her Iowa Hawkeye sweatshirt.

From never ending classes, due to you taking them even in summer, you had been able to graduate earlier from USC and were now working as a medical intern for the Indiana Fever. Lucky for you Aliyah Boston had been drafted by them the same year and you two had developed a strong relationship as you were also a medical intern for the Gamecocks women’s basketball team during your college education.

And even though you worked for the WNBA you tried to stay out of the basketball scene, not paying much attention to it as you wanted to separate your life and work. So, while you had an idea of all the amazing things your ex girlfriend had accomplished during her college career you weren’t really too knowledgeable on it. You hadn’t even watched the draft so the first day back on the job you weren’t expecting to see Caitlin Clark walk through the doors. You had just finished going over basic medical history with the other rookies, Celeste Taylor and Leilani Correa.

“Hi I’m Dr. Y/L/N, but you can just call me Y/N,” you said to the person who walked in, not looking up from your work just yet.

“I’m pretty sure I already know your name,” a familiar voice entered your ears making you look up so fast you swore you could have given yourself whiplash. You felt your heart freeze as you looked at the girl in front you, wearing all Fever practice clothes. You blinked hard several times to make sure this wasn’t just some cruel prank your brain was playing on you.

“Caitlin,” your voice trailed off as you stood up to look at her. She looked the same since the last time you saw her, but also didn’t at the same time. Her muscles were more prominent, her hair long and now changed to a middle part, but she still had that same smile on her face that you had fallen in love with when you were a teenager.

“Miss me?” she asked, even though it had the most obvious answer. You stood up from your chair tackling her in a hug. Her skin was just as soft as you had remembered it being and her embrace was just as warm. It really was Caitlin standing in front of you.

“I didn’t know you got drafted here!” you revealed, stepping back to look at the tall girl in front of you.

“First pick,” she smiled, and your hands slapped to your face. She let out a noise that you had missed hearing all these years, her laugh.

“I’m so proud of you Cait,” you beamed and you felt yourself wanting to slip back into that past state of you two. Wanting to just pull her in for a kiss and never let go. “So how's everything going? Dating anyone?” you asked, but then immediately wanted to slap yourself in the face for asking that.

Caitlin awkwardly coughed into her hand before answering, “Um yeah I’m dating this guy I met at Iowa,” she answered, her eyes falling to the floor like she wanted to melt into it.

“Oh cool, cool,” you nodded, walking back to your little desk to sit back down at.

“Yeah,” she nodded her head, walking over to the chair across from the desk, “How bout you? You dating?”

“Um no,” you shook your head, “So! Let’s get into this medical history,” you so desperately wanted to change the topic.

“Right, yeah,” Caitlin agreed, sitting down in the chair.

It had now been three months since Caitlin had joined the W and she somehow always found a way to get into your office during a practice even if she didn’t need to be there. Your guy’s connection had immediately come back, almost like y’all hadn’t been separated for those four years of college.

And as you had spent these months together, you noticed those familiar feelings rise once again. Your heart always started beating faster when she was near and you found yourself unable to think sometimes just because her green eyes were looking at you. And now you would be sharing a hotel room during All Star Weekend in Arizona because she had decided to take you as her plus one.

She had broken up with her boyfriend only a couple weeks ago, so you figured that’s why your emotions and feelings were going crazy every time you looked at her, just because there was even a slight possibility that you could be back together.

The All Star game had just ended and Caitlin was running your way, emotionally high on the win she had just gotten against the USA olympic team. She practically crushed you as she brought you into the tightest hug.

“Almost broke Sue’s record,” you giggled into her ear.

“Almost,” she pulled back. Her eyes scanned your whole face, glancing at your lips a little too long here and there.

“So, what does this All Star wanna do tonight?” you asked, a smile tugging at your lips.

“Go back to the hotel,” she smiled.

“Really? I thought you’d wanna go out?” your eyebrows knitted together as you looked up at her.

“I just wanna hang out with you,” she smiled and placed a kiss on your forehead before being called over by the WNBA team to take pictures to celebrate their win. But once she was done with photos and media, as well as had gotten her stuff from the locker room she had the two of you get into a car to drive you back to the hotel.

“To you and all your amazing accomplishments,” you giggled, holding up a shot that was in the back of the car. Caitlin did the same, you two clinked them together before downing them and then a few more after. And once the car came to a park, the two of you sluggishly got out of the car and stumbled your way back to your room.

Once inside Caitlin dropped all her bags to the floor and her hands found your hips, pushing you against the door. “I really wanna kiss you,” she whispered against your lips.

“Please,” you nodded eagerly. Her lips crashed against your own, your hands pulling her face closer to yours as her body pinned you against the hotel door. There was literally no space between the two of you, both so hungry for one another. CC pulled back to take a breath but before she could go back in for another kiss you stopped her, “I’ve missed this so much.”

“Me too baby, me too,” she smiled, bringing you into another deep kiss, her hands going under your top. “So much,” she smiled against your lips and walked you over to the bed.

allies corner

this is lowkey long and i can’t tell if it’s trash or not

#wnba #iowa women’s basketball #wnba basketball #caitlin clark x reader #caitlin clark #caitlin clark fluff #caitlin clark angst #iowa wbb #university of iowa #iowa hawkeyes #indiana fever #fever basketball #feverwbb

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razorroy · 5 months

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A Date To Remember

On June 9, 1978 the NBA held their thirty second annual entry draft. The sixth pick in the first round that year was foward Larry Bird of Indiana State, selected by the Boston Celtics. Bird stayed one more seaon at Indiana State. His senior year. The Boston Celtics would have to wait one more year for their new addition.

The follwing year on June 25, 1979 the first selection of the thirty third NBA draft was a point guard named Ervin "Magic" Johnson Jr. from Michigan State. The Los Angeles Lakers held the rights to the first overall selection and thus selected the 6 foot 9 inch future Hall of Famer Johnson to pair with their other future NBA Hall of Famer Kareem Abdul Jabbar.

The 1979 NBA season saw the begining of the famous rivalry between the two NBA greats Magic Johnson, and Larry Bird. A rivalry that lasted for more than a decade. Producing a combined: eight NBA championships, six NBA MVP season awards, five NBA MVP finals awards, 24 NBA All-Star game selections, three NBA All-Star MVP awards, and eighteen All-NBA First Team selections. Both were elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

Sunday, April 7, 2024 saw the conclusion of the 2024 NCAA division 1 women's basketball tournament. A tournament that was supported by record television viewership. The final between the undefeated South Carolina Gamecocks and Iowa Hawkeyes featuring Caitlin Clark, averaged approximately 18.7 million viewers. A combined 24 million viewers between two networks: ABC and ESPN! This day also recorded for the very first time, the women's title game outdrawing the men's final in viewership!

An enormous success assured. But what comes next? Obviously the start of the WNBA season. However, the WNBA hasn't ever come close to the viewership numbers achieved by the 2024 women's NCAA tournament. Change however is about to happen.

Monday, April 15, 2024 was the day Caitlin Clark of the Iowa Hackeyes was drafted by the WNBA's Indiana Fever. A moment that could very well be the beganing of a golden generation for the women's national basketball association.

Now I'm not suggesting that we will see 18 to 24 million tune in to see a WNBA regular season game. Yet I do feel there will be a spike in ratings that has nothing to do with curiosity. The WNBA is a league that already has well established stars and is now about to get an injection of exciting new talent. Caitlin Clark may be the most recognizable name to enter the league this season. But she isn't the only skilled player joining the league this season. Kamilla Cardoso, Rickea Jackson, Cameron Brink, Angel Reese, and Aaliyah Edwards are just a few of the talented players that are about to begin applying their talents this season. A season that launches on May 14th.

Add the 2024 Paris Olympic games this summer. The women's Olympic basketball tournament opens play on July 28th. Some of the WNBA's best will be on showcase for team USA. Players like: Ariel Atkins/Washington Mystics, Aliyah Boston/Indiana Fever , Napheesa Collier/Minnesota Lynx, Kahleah Copper/Phoenix Mercury, Rhyne Howard/Atlanta Dream, Sabrina Ionescu/New York Liberty, Jewell Loyd/Seattle Storm, Kelsey Plum/Las Vegas Aces, Breanna Stewart/New York Liberty, Diana Taurasi/Phoenix Mercury, Alyssa Thomas/Connecticut Sun and Jackie Young/Las Vegas Aces. For those who miss the start of the WNBA season. Or for those that didn't watch the women's NCAA basketball tournament, but do watch and cheer on the United States during the Olympics. The cheering doesn't have to stop, once the Paris games have concluded. The WNBA will be entering the final month of their regular season when the Paris games conclude. A chance for many to jump on board just in time for the playoffs.

The Caitlin Clark frenzy for her final collegiate season that began on November 6, 2023 didn't end on April 7, 2024. Clark may be the spearhead for the heightened interest in women's basketball. But she isn't the only reason for the sudden enthusiasm.

Magic Johnson needed Larry Bird. Larry Bird needed Magic Johnson. Caitlin Clark's rivals are still to be determined. Those rivalries will create drama and increase television ratings and attendance. An overall increase in popularity for the WNBA. Which equates to money. Money = Everyone wins. And this is the date so many are waiting for.

#Caitlin Clark #WNBA #Paris 2024 #2024 Summer Olympics #2024 Olympic Games #2024 NCAA division 1 women's basketball tournament #Razor Roy #Razor Roy Matthews #Roy Matthews

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news4usonline · 3 months

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USA hoops got it right on Caitlin Clark

The USA Olympic selection committee created a media frenzy when they decided to leave Caitlin Clark off the national team for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. The move to keep one of the biggest star athletes on the planet back at home has been heavily criticized across sports media. "This is about what I will personally label the idiocy of Team USA women's basketball. How dare you make this decision. It's stupid," said Stephen A. Smith during a rant on his ESPN show First Take.

Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark is seen here in a game against the Los Angeles Sparks early in the 2024 WNBA season. Photo credit: Carlos Jones/News4usonline The WNBA has seen a substantial increase in viewership and attendance during Clark's rookie season, and nothing shows the rise in popularity more clearly than the 2024 All-Star voting results. A'ja Wilson led all players last year with 95,860 votes. This year, Clark led the way with 700,735 votes. While Clark would have helped attract more eyes, it was the right decision not to include her this time around. "I think it just gives me something to work for. It's a dream, so hopefully, one day, I can be there. I think it's just a little more motivation; you remember that, and hopefully, when four years come back around, I can be there," said Clark. The simple and best reason Clark will have to wait to be a member of the Olympic team is that she is not better than any of the players who made the roster. All 12 women that will represent the United States are far more established and developed at this point in their careers. 15 Olympic gold medals. 22 World Cup titles. 55 All-Star appearances combined. This 2024 ?? #USABWNT roster is loaded with experience.— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) June 11, 2024 Clark is an All-Star caliber WNBA player but is not all-world at this point. Just because she is more popular than the other names on the team does not mean she is more deserving. "Why are you taking away these player's experiences? They might not be able to experience the Olympics again. (Clark) is gonna be on the next Olympic team," said Sparks' guard Lexie Brown. "Who are you all taking off the list?" The WNBA is relying on the popularity of Clark and her draft classmate Angel Reese to continue to build the league's brand, but the Olympics is not the WNBA, and a lot is already being asked of the two. The Olympics is a big enough event that sells itself, and there is no better time to heighten the stock of other players not named Clark or Reese. If Clark were on the team, it would become all about her instead of how dominant the US women's basketball team is. The WNBA All-Star game has a direct effect on the league, and it will now be that much more interesting with Clark being left off the national team. Clark and Reese will team up for the first time and have the opportunity to try to beat the players who will be representing the country. The two playing together would already have been a monumental moment, and with them facing the Olympians, the game now has a chance to be the most competitive and entertaining All-Star game in all of sports. The name that has been thrown around as to who Clark could have potentially replaced on the roster is Diana Taurasi. Often referred to as the GOAT, her production has declined in recent years, and at 42 years old, she is not the player she once was. The only basketball athlete to compete in 6 Olympics ? pic.twitter.com/vCvTFYMVju— Phoenix Mercury (@PhoenixMercury) July 3, 2024 It is silly to think Taurasi should not be on the team, and it comes off as a desperate play to include Clark. Taurasi is a five-time gold medalist and the captain of the team. She has more experience than anyone making the trip to Paris, and an argument could be made her presence in the locker room makes her the team's most valuable player. "I'd venture to say that in every single camp I've been to, the best player is always DT. She leads, she makes everyone around her better, and she makes it fun but competitive, and she can try to get the other great players off their game by talking trash," said USA basketball assistant and Sparks' head coach Curt Miller. Taurasi is fourth all-time in Olympic scoring and second all-time on the FIBA basketball scoring list. Leaving a player of her status off the team would be like leaving LeBron James off the men's team due to his older age. No one would argue James should not make the roster because they know the value of his leadership, and when the most accomplished player sets the example, everyone else follows. "It's the things that she's willing to do when other people aren't around; just day after day, her commitment to her craft is second to none," said Mercury head coach Nate Tibbetts of Taurasi. "The shooting pre and post-practice, the 10,000-hour rule, just doing things over and over that is going to help perfect your craft." Even Caitlin Clark would probably agree that Diana Taurasi should make the squad ahead of her, and she simply is not at the level yet to take any of the other players' spots. The Olympics is still about winning medals above all else, and the rest of the world is considerably better than when the games were last held in 2021. This will only motivate Clark to keep improving her game. Her coach, Christie Sides, claims, "They woke a monster," and we have already seen Clark elevate her game since the announcement. Just recently, she became the first rookie in league history to record a triple-double. Read the full article

#CaitlinClark #Olympics #USABasketball #WNBA

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labelleperfumery · 4 months

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Caitlin Clark Left Off Women's Olympic Basketball Team, Fans Pissed

Caitlin Clark will not be a part of the Team USA squad that goes for a record 8th-straight gold medal at the Summer Olympics in Paris, and basketball fans are puzzled by the move! According to multiple reports, 22-year-old Clark, the most famous… from TMZ.com https://www.tmz.com/2024/06/08/caitlin-clark-left-off-womens-summer-olympic-basketball-team-paris-snubbed-wnba-indiana-fever/

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#TMZ.com

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lilbukatnews · 4 months

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Caitlin Clark Left Off Women's Olympic Basketball Team, Fans Pissed

Caitlin Clark, arguably the most popular basketball player in the world, was left off the women’s Olympic basketball roster, leaving many fans confused by the decision. — Leer en www.tmz.com/2024/06/08/caitlin-clark-left-off-womens-summer-olympic-basketball-team-paris-snubbed-wnba-indiana-fever/

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wikiuntamed · 5 months

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Top 5 @Wikipedia pages from yesterday: Tuesday, 16th April 2024

Welcome, chào mừng, добродошли (dobrodošli), bem-vindo 🤗 What were the top pages visited on @Wikipedia (16th April 2024) 🏆🌟🔥?

1️⃣: Indian Premier League "The Indian Premier League (IPL), also known as the TATA IPL for sponsorship reasons, is a men's Twenty20 (T20) cricket league held annually in India. Founded by the BCCI in 2007, the league features ten city-based franchise teams. The IPL usually takes place during the summer, between March and May..."

2️⃣: Fallout (American TV series) "Fallout is an American post-apocalyptic drama television series created by Graham Wagner and Geneva Robertson-Dworet for Amazon Prime Video. Based on the role-playing video game franchise created by Tim Cain and Leonard Boyarsky, the series stars Ella Purnell, Aaron Moten, Kyle MacLachlan, Moisés..."

3️⃣: 2024 Indian Premier League "The 2024 Indian Premier League (also known as IPL 17 and branded as TATA IPL 2024) is the 17th edition of the Indian Premier League, a franchise Twenty20 cricket league in India, organized by the Board of Control for Cricket in India. The tournament features ten teams competing 74 matches from 22..."

4️⃣: UEFA Champions League "The UEFA Champions League (previously known as the European Cup, abbreviated as UCL, or sometimes, UEFA CL) is an annual club association football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) and contested by top-division European clubs, deciding the competition..."

5️⃣: Caitlin Clark "Caitlin Clark (born January 22, 2002) is an American professional basketball player for the Indiana Fever of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). She played college basketball for the Iowa Hawkeyes and is regarded as one of the greatest collegiate players of all time. Clark is the..."

Image licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0? by John Mac

#TopWikiPages #WikiUntamed #WhatDoesWikiSay #GemsOfWikipedia

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alzindiana · 9 months

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Looking back on the fight to end Alzheimer's in 2023

2023 was another momentous year in the fight against Alzheimer’s and other dementia. Take a look back at some of the year's top stories – here in Indiana and across the country.

January

The year got off to a great start as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted accelerated approval of Leqembi (lecanemab) for the treatment of patients diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or early stage Alzheimer’s disease. It was the second disease-modifying drug to receive accelerated approval.

February

The Alzheimer’s Association State Advocacy Day was held at the Indiana Statehouse in downtown Indianapolis. Governor Eric Holcomb and several state legislators spoke to volunteers from across the state who came to make their voices heard in support of HB 1422 establishing a dementia care specialist program. The bill later passed with overwhelming bipartisan support.

The care and support team kicked off a series of Community Forums, beginning in Lafayette. Additional Community Forums were held throughout the year in Columbus, Kokomo, and Indianapolis. These forums resulted in new program delivery and the addition of several support groups.

The family of Bruce Willis bravely shared that he has been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia. By speaking out, they have helped to raise awareness of the disease.

March

Volunteer advocates from Indiana and across the country traveled to Washington D.C. to meet with members of Congress and advocate for policies to help those affected by Alzheimer’s. They also rallied for treatment access at the White House.

April

The Alzheimer’s Association Greater Indiana Chapter announced ALZ Equity for Indiana, a four-year initiative to reach underserved communities. It was made possible with a generous $1.2 million donation from Judy and Michael Harrington. The gift is the largest donation focused on diversity, equity and inclusion made to the Alzheimer’s Association and the largest single donation of any kind to the Greater Indiana Chapter.

The Indianapolis Airport Authority (IAA) hosted the annual Community Leaders Gathering at the Indianapolis International Airport. Tamika Catchings, retired Indiana Fever player and WNBA champion, basketball hall of famer, four-time Olympic gold medalist, founder of the Catch the Stars Foundation, owner of Tea's Me Café, and IAA board member was the featured speaker. A former Lady Volunteer at the University of Tennessee, Catchings spoke about her coach, mentor and friend, the legendary Pat Summitt, who died of younger-onset Alzheimer’s disease at the age of 64.

Funding for HB 1422 establishing a dementia care specialist program was added to the Indiana budget, marking the first time that dementia-specific funding has been included in the state budget.

June

Building on the momentum of the White House rally earlier in the year, advocates across the country rallied for treatment access in their own communities. In Indiana, a rally was held on Monument Circle in downtown Indianapolis.

For the second year in a row, the Greater Indiana Chapter was a proud sponsor of the Indy Pride festival. Staff and volunteers also provided attendees with information about the impact of the disease on the LGBTQ+ community and resources to help.

The Longest Day was held on the summer solstice – the longest day of the year. Indianapolis and Fort Wayne landmarks went purple to mark the occasion. Participants raised funds and awareness on this day and throughout the year. By the end of the 2023 campaign, they raised a total of more than $397,000.

July

In a momentous decision, the FDA granted traditional approval to Leqembi - making it the first traditional approval for an Alzheimer’s treatment that changes the underlying course of the disease. While not a cure, the treatment can give people in the early stages of Alzheimer’s more time to maintain their independence and do the things they love.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) also announced a plan to enable access to FDA traditionally approved Alzheimer’s treatments. The announcement came after extensive efforts by the Alzheimer’s Association, bipartisan members of Congress, state attorneys general, clinicians, and, most importantly, advocates from communities all across the country.

The Greater Indiana Chapter was a proud sponsor of the Indiana Black & Minority Health Fair and provided information about the resources available to help those affected by Alzheimer’s and dementia.

The 2023 Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC) was held in Amsterdam, Netherlands and online. Indiana-based Eli Lilly reported full Phase 3 data from the clinical trial of donanemab. The results showed that donanemab significantly slowed cognitive and functional decline in people with early symptomatic Alzheimer’s disease.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced an initiative known as the Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience (GUIDE) Model. The initiative will improve the way dementia care is delivered.

Legendary singer Tony Bennett passed away. He and his family had announced his Alzheimer’s diagnosis in 2021, helping to raise awareness and inspiring all those affected by the disease.

August

The Greater Indiana Chapter partnered with The National Center for Racial Equity and Inclusion at Martin University to host the Public Health Summit Series: Alzheimer's Community Forum.

The Alzheimer’s Association presented State Senator Vaneta Becker (R – Evansville) and State Representative Gregory Porter (D – Indianapolis) with Legislative Champion Awards for their work in making Indiana a more dementia-capable state.

September

The 2023 Walk to End Alzheimer’s season kicked off in Greater Indiana and continued through October. Walks were held in East Central Indiana (Richmond), Lake County, Michiana, Heartland (Muncie/Anderson), Terre Haute, Indianapolis, Kokomo, Bloomington, Porter County, Fort Wayne, LaPorte County, Columbus, and Greater Lafayette. In all, more than 1,000 teams and 8,000 participants raised over $2 million.

The Greater Indiana Chapter sponsored the 2023 Indiana Latino Expo. Staff and volunteers also provided information about resources offered in English and Spanish, including the 24/7 Helpline, which offers assistance through bilingual staff and an interpreter service that accommodates more than 200 languages.

October

Kate Foley, Ph.D., a post-doctoral fellow at Indiana University, was named the inaugural Dr. Mel Perelman Fellow for Alzheimer's Research.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced it will cover PET imaging for Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis.

November

The Alzheimer’s Association announced a milestone investment of $100 million in research initiatives in 2023 — the largest single-year investment since the organization was founded in 1980.

The annual Indiana Life Sciences Summit focused on Indiana's role in the fight against Alzheimer's and all other dementia. Greater Indiana Chapter board member Dr. Bruce Lamb was presented with the 2023 Watanabe Life Sciences Champion award.

Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter passed away. Her family had bravely shared her dementia diagnosis in May. For decades, Ms. Carter worked to improve the health and wellbeing of family caregivers through the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers.

December

Former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor passed away. In a letter to the American people in 2018, she bravely shared her dementia diagnosis. She also played an important role in making Alzheimer’s the national priority it is today, driven by her own experience as a caregiver for her husband who had the disease.

Thank you

Thank you to everyone who helped make this year a success. If you’re interested in getting involved in the fight to end Alzheimer’s in 2024, visit alz.org/Indiana/volunteer and fill out our interest form.

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petnews2day · 2 years

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WNBA style rankings: Sue Bird wears stylish image of … Sue Bird

New Post has been published on https://is.gd/x5Wjsp

WNBA style rankings: Sue Bird wears stylish image of … Sue Bird

It’s Edition 3 of WNBA style power rankings, and the trends are emerging as are the style stars. We’ve had some regulars on this list, and I’ve been enjoying watching players embrace the tunnel as a means to show off streetwear and beyond.

We’re a few weeks into the summer season. The sunburns are scorching, and the ice cream is melting, so some of the vibes are reflective of that. Thank you, WNBA players, for cooperating with some fun looks that give me a case of severe vacation FOMO and have me ready to hop on a plane.

10. Stef Dolson

Libs bringing that 🔥HEAT🔥@snipes_usa #OwntheCrown 3/3 pic.twitter.com/2ydiJOFLX1

— New York Liberty (@nyliberty) June 5, 2022

Dolson cracks this list for giving us summer accessory inspiration. The scarf paired with these sunglasses is giving me all the motivation I need to book a trip to Capri or lounge on a boat in the Mediterranean all summer long. Aperol spritz or San Pelligrino in hand, of course.

9. Ezi Magbegor

Dressed for success. 🔥#TakeCover pic.twitter.com/Qq8VO9vCnR

— Seattle Storm (@seattlestorm) June 5, 2022

The ’70s vibes of this Canadian tuxedo are immaculate.

8. Jonquel Jones

Game day fits are the name of the game here, but what about when a player’s method of entrance steals the show? Is that worth adding to the ranking? I mean a Onewheel is an accessory at its very core, is it not? Or at least it is in my convoluted way of thinking. It makes a statement and makes Jones look cool. So yeah, this may be open to interpretation as a style, but the effect is not.

7. Ruthy Hebard

#skytown pic.twitter.com/GHvyGBkswh

— Chicago Sky (@chicagosky) June 5, 2022

We’re big fans of the leather flare pants and this top. I never partook in hitting up a club during the peak Y2K era but got to watch and feel like an outside participant because of the big screen. Hebard brings it up to date and offers some fun going-out inspiration for our own times.

6. Skylar Diggins-Smith

Diggins-Smith is becoming a consistent presence on this list, and she leaves us asking, how the heck do we only pick one of her outfits for this ranking? I’m going to need her style secrets because the looks are what I strive for: classic but with a twist. Because I need to select only one here, I’m going with a black leather jumpsuit. Jumpsuits may scream “Top Gun,” but in this fabric, it’s all too cool for the Phoenix heat.

5. DiDi Richards

💜 @Deauzya (🔁: @sydney_b_21) pic.twitter.com/WlEqe4VaNH

— GQ Sports (@GQSports) June 7, 2022

DiDi Richards may not currently be able to play with the Liberty because of injury, but she’s ready to assist and with a fashionable look reminiscent of Daphne from Scooby-Doo. She won’t be stuck on the sideline and left saying “jinkies” in this look. Richards makes a serious case for all of us to buy the nearest scarf or steal one out of grandma’s closet and style it with a cropped top.

4. Arike Ogunbowale

This fit would go hard in Chicago. @Arike_O | #WNBAAllStar pic.twitter.com/0oG0EUMt9q

— Dallas Wings (@DallasWings) June 10, 2022

If you photoshop Ogunbowale out of this tunnel and onto a runway, I’d believe it was legit. That’s how hard this picture goes. Ogunbowale just looks so cool with this top featuring Outkast’s André 3000 and Big Boi.

3. Sue Bird

Rocking yourself on a t-shirt, boss move 🥶 pic.twitter.com/ykodEs2xFY

— WNBA (@WNBA) June 5, 2022

It’s pretty badass and a boss move to wear your own face on your own shirt. But then again, Bird is exactly that. And yes, the only acceptable pairing is retro shorts. Sign us up.

2. Destanni Henderson

Henny fit strikes again 🥵 pic.twitter.com/BvMtwbTMH0

— Indiana Fever ⛹️‍♀️🏀 (@IndianaFever) May 31, 2022

Immediately humming the “Jaws” theme upon seeing this look, and I wouldn’t be mad if that shark got me and I got to keep this bag. Though the teeth might draw you in, this look keeps getting better and better with closer inspection. Just peep the iconic horror film faces on the shorts. You’re gonna need a bigger closet after scooping up all of Henderson’s pieces.

1. Dearica Hamby

It’s giving real life Barbie 💅@dearicamarie // #WNBAAllStar pic.twitter.com/3p5kLSSBz7

— Las Vegas Aces (@LVAces) June 5, 2022

It’s as if Elle Woods and Barbie merged in the present. The result is Hamby’s spandex/latex ensemble. Monochrome. Hot pink. Stretch. Adding in a Louis Vuitton printed basketball purse with a matching color chain is just the perfect little extra. It’s an eye-popping and No. 1-worthy look.

(Photo of Destanni Henderson: Erica Denhoff / Icon Sportswire via Associated Press)

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junker-town · 2 years

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WNBA mock draft 2022: Projecting all 36 picks

The top prospects look to move past disappointing NCAA Tournament showings at the first in-person WNBA Draft in three years.

With the 2022 WNBA Draft less than a week away, it’s officially time to start projecting where basketball’s brightest young stars will be competing this summer.

The Indiana Fever, with WNBA pioneer and championship-winning head coach Lin Dunn now serving as the team’s general manager, will have four picks in the first round, making them the team with the most opportunity to build through the draft. The Atlanta Dream will also have a chance to add building blocks to their rebuild, while the Washington Mystics have the No. 1 overall pick in the draft.

Without further ado, here is Swish Appeal’s official 2022 WNBA Mock Draft, complete with predictions and analysis for all three rounds and all 36 picks.

1. Atlanta Dream: Rhyne Howard, G/F (Kentucky)

Howard has been surrounded by an aura of stardom since early in her collegiate career, and three first-team All-American selections would suggest that she’s more than ready to make an impact in the pros. At 6’2, Howard has great size as a perimeter player, and while it’s easy to focus on her scoring (20-plus points per game in three-straight seasons), she can also make plays out of the pick-and-roll and has a high ceiling as a help defender. Simply put, Howard is the type of elite talent a team — the Dream, in this case — can build around for years to come.

2. Indiana Fever: NaLyssa Smith, F (Baylor)

Listed at 6’4, Smith is a highly physical power forward who has an athletic advantage over the vast majority of her individual matchups. A strong face-up game and a relentless motor make Smith quite a handful on the boards and at the rim; her senior averages of 22.1 points and 11.5 points per game amounted to one of the best individual seasons in Baylor history, and if the Fever take her at No. 2 overall, they’ll be getting a quality play finisher whose game has even more room to grow as a professional.

3. Washington Mystics: Shakira Austin, C (Ole Miss)

A two-time All-SEC first-teamer, Austin dragged a rebuilding Ole Miss program into relevance upon her transfer from Maryland. With a massive wingspan and good lateral movement for her size, Austin can protect the paint as well as comfortably switch onto perimeter players, and at 6’5, she’s going to grab her fair share of rebounds (28.2 percent defensive rebounding rate as a senior). Perhaps the most intriguing facet of her game is how smoothly she handles the basketball as a center; Washington doesn’t have much in terms of two-way bigs, so Austin would make a good building block for future Mystics teams.

4. Indiana Fever: Kierstan Bell, F (FGCU)

Bell scored nearly 1,100 points in just two seasons at FGCU, quickly proving to be a perfect fit in the Eagles’ 3-point-heavy offense. She operated mainly as a small-ball forward there, feasting on Atlantic Sun competition en route to a pair of conference player of the year awards. Although Bell’s role will likely be different on whichever WNBA team she lands on, there’s no question she has both the skill and the body to be a successful pro, and the Fever’s recent commitment to overhauling their roster suggest that they wouldn’t mind taking a flier on a player with Bell’s athletic ceiling.

5. New York Liberty: Emily Engstler, F (Louisville)

Engstler enjoyed a career renaissance at Louisville, thriving as a roaming defender in the Cardinals’ ultra-aggressive man-to-man scheme. According to Her Hoop Stats, she was the only rotation player in Division I to record a steal rate of at least five percent and a block rate of at least seven percent; no other player, going all the way back to the 2009-10 season, has ever met both of those thresholds. The Liberty ranked 10th in the WNBA in forcing turnovers last season, and while Engstler may not be big enough to defend the taller centers in the league, her defensive instincts and activity would nevertheless be highly valued in New York.

6. Indiana Fever: Nyara Sabally, C (Oregon)

Sabally’s career at Oregon was limited to just two seasons due to multiple ACL injuries, but when healthy, she showed several of the same skills that made her older sister Satou a can’t-miss WNBA prospect — handling the ball and finishing plays in transition, in particular. Although Sabally is more limited to the low post, she’s plenty skilled around the basket, shooting 62.2 percent there (Synergy Sports), and she’s regarded highly in international basketball circles, having competed for the German national team since 2015. The Fever have enough first-round picks to take a chance here and hope Sabally pans out.

7. Dallas Wings: Destanni Henderson, G (South Carolina)

The Wings don’t seem to need much on paper, but it’s conceivable that they move on from one of Moriah Jefferson or Ty Harris sooner rather than later, in which case Henderson would be an ideal replacement. A steady outside shooter (40.5 percent on 3-pointers as an upperclassman) with a penchant for making big plays, Henderson could slot in next to any other Wings guard and contribute either as a point guard or an off-ball threat.

8. Minnesota Lynx: Elissa Cunane, C (NC State)

Cunane has been the focal point of an NC State program that has consistently been one of the country’s best in recent seasons. The fulcrum of the Wolfpack’s four-out, one-in offense, Cunane has excellent footwork in the post and can finish at the rim with either hand, though the prospect of her developing a reliable 3-point shot (42-of-100 on 3-pointers over the past three seasons) may be more appealing to pro coaches; Sylvia Fowles will be calling it a career after the 2022 WNBA season, so the Lynx may be looking to add frontcourt depth here.

9. Los Angeles Sparks: Christyn Williams, G (UConn)

Williams is a 5’11 guard with a powerful base and is one of the better two-way perimeter players in the class. The winner of the 2022 Ann Meyers Drysdale Award given to the nation’s best shooting guard, Williams excels at slashing to the hoop and shot well above 50 percent on 2-pointers in each of her four seasons at UConn. The Sparks have plenty of dynamic ball handlers on their roster, and Williams would make a good complement to that star power.

10. Indiana Fever: Veronica Burton, G (Northwestern)

A three-time Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year who amassed 394 steals in four collegiate seasons, Burton was often tasked with carrying the lion’s share of the playmaking for an offensively limited Northwestern team; although she plays with the push needed from WNBA point guards, she wouldn’t be overtaxed in Indiana, and her ability to set the tone of a game on defense would be a welcome addition to a backcourt that lacks a point-of-attack defender.

11. Las Vegas Aces: Rae Burrell, G/F (Tennessee)

Burrell’s highly-anticipated senior season got off to a rocky start when she sustained a leg injury, one that kept her out for a good chunk of the season and limited her athletically after she returned to the court. Although this undoubtedly hurt Burrell’s draft stock, she’s still worthy of a gamble in the late first round; as a 6’1 wing who shot 40.2 percent on 3-pointers as a junior, Burrell would fit nicely on an Aces roster that’s currently short on perimeter players.

12. Connecticut Sun: Sika Kone, C (Mali)

Widely regarded as one of the top international prospects in the class, Kone averaged an impressive 19.7 points and 14.8 rebounds per game for Mali in the 2021 U19 Women’s Basketball World Cup. Kone is just 19 years old and her game is still raw, but her international status makes her a prime candidate to be drafted and “stashed,” especially if the recent knee injury she suffered while playing in Spain keeps her out for the beginning of the 2022 WNBA season. In Connecticut’s case, she’d be a low-risk pick for a team that isn’t otherwise in a position to add much through this year’s draft.

13. Minnesota Lynx: Jade Melbourne, G (Australia)

An up-and-coming young guard who will be a key cog in Australia’s national program for years to come, Melbourne has pick-and-roll chops as both a scorer and a playmaker, as evidenced by her recent play in the U19 World Cup (12.6 points and 3.4 assists per game as the Aussies won a bronze medal). Still just 19 years old, she makes sense for the Lynx to draft and stash, as Minnesota won’t have much room on its 2022 training camp roster.

14. Washington Mystics: Nia Clouden, G (Michigan State)

A score-first point guard who is effective at both finishing at the rim (61.3 percent shooting) and shooting the long ball (39.6 percent on five 3-point attempts per game as a senior), Clouden could very well go higher than this, but if she’s still available at No. 13, the Mystics should take a look. Washington has plenty of strong perimeter defenders to pair with Clouden, such as Natasha Cloud and Ariel Atkins, and her off-the-bounce scoring ability would add a valuable dimension to Washington’s offense.

15. Atlanta Dream: Naz Hillmon, C (Michigan)

One of the most efficient scorers in Big Ten history, Hillmon terrorized the conference as an upperclassman, averaging more than 22 points and 10 rebounds per game in her last two seasons as a Wolverine while shooting nearly 60 percent from the floor. As a center who made the vast majority of her field goals out of post-ups and putbacks, Hillmon’s height (6’2) and lack of defensive stats may cause her to slide a bit in the draft, but she’s also more athletic than she’s given credit for, so we’ll see how much of her game translates and which WNBA team is a believer.

16. Los Angeles Sparks: Hannah Sjerven, C (South Dakota)

Sjerven turned heads in the 2022 NCAA Tournament, leading South Dakota to its first-ever tournament win and Sweet 16 appearance while more than holding her own against some of the bigger names in the class, such as Austin, Smith, and Hillmon. The three-time Summit League Defensive Player of the Year has a steady low-post game and a developing 3-point shot, and though she’ll already be turning 24 years old this summer, her appeal as a fundamentally sound big who can contribute to a team right away would make her a safe pick in the mid-second round.

17. Seattle Storm: Khayla Pointer, G (LSU)

Pointer put up massive all-around numbers as a fifth-year player, averaging 19.6 points, 6.4 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 1.8 steals per game, though her main strength remains her ability to get to the rim off the dribble. Given Sue Bird’s impending retirement and the Storm’s current lack of a long-term replacement, it’s reasonable to think they’ll draft at least one point guard in 2022; Pointer would be a good choice if she’s still on the board at No. 17.

18. Seattle Storm: Kianna Smith, G (Louisville)

Smith quickly became an integral part of Louisville’s success after transferring from California. A steady play finisher, Smith can attack closeouts with balance and poise, and she ranked in the 92nd percentile in midrange shooting efficiency (Synergy Sports) as a redshirt senior. At 6’0, she’d be a solid choice if Seattle wants another perimeter shooter with some height.

19. Los Angeles Sparks: Mya Hollingshed, F (Colorado)

Hollingshed is perhaps the purest “stretch big” in the 2022 draft class. A lean 6’3 forward with a smooth long-range jumpshot, Hollingshed moves like a guard and shoots like one, too, knocking down 39.6 percent of her 3-point shots as a senior. She’ll need to get stronger to have much of an impact inside the perimeter at the WNBA level, but the Sparks already have plenty of that with Nneka Ogwumike and Liz Cambage, and Hollingshed’s shooting ability would complement those players well.

20. Indiana Fever: Lorela Cubaj, F (Georgia Tech)

A two-time ACC Defensive Player of the Year, Cubaj anchored an elite Yellow Jackets defense while also leading the team in assists (4.3 per game) as its starting power forward. Cubaj regularly pursues rebounds outside of her area and has recorded a defensive rebounding rate of 30 percent or better in each of her last two seasons. She’s not an efficient scorer via either spot-up or post-up, which ultimately limits her draft stock, but her potential as a “glue” frontcourt player could put her on the rebuilding Fever’s radar.

21. Seattle Storm: Jasmine Dickey, G/F (Delaware)

A two-time CAA Player of the Year and a 2022 AP All-American Honorable Mention, Dickey ranked third in Division I in scoring (25.3) as a senior. To say she plays taller than her 5’10 frame wouldn’t be inaccurate; Dickey also pulled down 10.2 rebounds per game and attempted 223 total free throws. She won’t be contributing on that kind of volume in the WNBA, but her athleticism alone would make her a worthy addition to the Storm’s training camp roster.

22. Minnesota Lynx: Jordan Lewis, G (Baylor)

Lewis has played a whopping six seasons of college basketball, and she’s excelled at getting to the foul line in each of them, ranking no lower than in the 92nd percentile in free throw rate (Her Hoop Stats). She’s also steady-handed, recording a career-best 2.34 assist/turnover ratio in her lone season at Baylor. It’s no secret that Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve was dissatisfied with Crystal Dangerfield’s play at point guard last season, so Minnesota could be looking to draft another ball handler such as Lewis in 2022.

23. Las Vegas Aces: Olivia Nelson-Ododa, C (UConn)

Nelson-Ododa is one of the more interesting prospects in this class; she profiles as a shot-blocking low-post scorer (66.7 percent shooting on post-ups, per Synergy Sports), but passing is perhaps her greatest strength as a 6’5 center, while her scoring as UConn was largely opportunistic. Playing alongside scorers like A’ja Wilson and Kelsey Plum in Las Vegas would maximize Nelson-Ododa’s passing ability, and she’d fit right into the team’s defensive identity of paint protection.

24. Connecticut Sun: Aisha Sheppard, G (Virginia Tech)

One of the country’s top jumpshooting guards, Sheppard can hit from just about anywhere, and her jumper is more versatile than most, effective while both spotting up and coming off screens. Few players got up more 3-pointers than Sheppard, and she knocked down 96 of them in her fifth season as a Hokie. Connecticut seems committed to adding more shooting to its backcourt this season, so Sheppard would be a good choice if she’s still around at pick No. 24.

25. Indiana Fever: Lexie Hull, G/F (Stanford)

Hull’s main appeal as a WNBA prospect will almost certainly be her outside shooting ability, as she shot 39.3 percent on 4.3 3-pointers per game as a senior. She’s also a stout pick-and-roll defender who navigates screens well; she averaged 2.2 steals per game as a senior and was selected to the Pac-12 All-Defensive Team twice in her collegiate career. There aren’t many WNBA teams that Hull wouldn’t fit well on.

26. Phoenix Mercury: Queen Egbo, C (Baylor)

Egbo has all the makings of a big who brings energy on the boards but needs to be drafted to a team with a patient coaching staff while her offensive game catches up to her hustle — or a team that’s in clear need of another center. Egbo is listed at 6’3, though her wingspan and motor add a couple of theoretical inches to that figure; she recorded a total rebounding rate of at least 18 percent in each of her four seasons at Baylor and blocked a total of 183 shots.

27. Los Angeles Sparks: Kayla Wells, G/F (Texas A&M)

The Aggies crashed back down to Earth in 2021-22, but Wells had a career season, averaging 16 points per game while connecting on 46.1 percent of her 3-pointers, albeit on low volume. At 6’0, Wells brings some size to the perimeter, and is capable of making plays out of the pick-and roll-when asked. She’d be an intriguing late-draft pick for Los Angeles.

28. Minnesota Lynx: Que Morrison, G (Georgia)

Morrison made a name for herself as one of the most tenacious guards in the SEC thanks to aggressive on- and off-ball defense and a motor that never seemed to falter. She was a large part of Georgia’s transition game — 29.2 percent of her offensive possessions came in transition as a graduate student — and was named to the SEC All-Defensive Team three times. She’d be an ideal candidate to push Minnesota’s other guards in training camp.

29. New York Liberty: Jenna Staiti, C (Georgia)

At 6’6, Staiti is one of the most physically imposing players in the class, and she does much of what you’d expect of a center of her height. Staiti shot 65.7 percent around the basket in her final season at Georgia (Synergy Sports), while opponents scored just 0.537 points per possession on post-ups with her as the primary defender. She’ll need to display enough mobility outside of the paint to stick on a WNBA roster, though her height alone might be of interest to the Liberty, who could use another big body on their training camp roster.

30. Dallas Wings: Vivian Gray, F (Texas Tech)

Gray scored more than 2,000 total points in two seasons at Oklahoma State and two at Texas Tech, earning All-Big 12 honors in each of them. At 6’1, she’s larger than most players defending her on the wing, and she leverages that size advantage into numerous trips to the free-throw line. Gray may not be the quickest player on the court, though she did record two steals per game in her final season at Texas Tech, and her size as a perimeter scorer could lessen the typical learning curve when it comes to WNBA physicality.

31. Dallas Wings: Kamila Borkowska, C (Poland)

Borkowska is 19 years old and, unlike some of the other international players in this class, doesn’t have very much experience in a professional league, only playing sparingly for Arka Gdynia in Poland. For this reason, she’s far from a guarantee to be drafted. Borkowska does, though, have massive shot-blocking and rebounding potential at 6’7, and at this stage in the draft, the Wings could afford to use a pick on a player they wouldn’t have to bring over to the WNBA immediately.

32. Phoenix Mercury: Kayla Jones, F (NC State)

On an NC State team full of talent, Jones’ complementary role was crucial, defending multiple positions at 6’1 and finishing plays on high efficiency. She shot 41.6 percent on 3-pointers over her final two seasons with the Wolfpack, and her nose for the basketball earned NC State extra possessions on numerous occasions. Any WNBA team would love to have her in training camp.

33. Seattle Storm: Evina Westbrook, G (UConn)

Westbrook may not have made the impact the Huskies had hoped for when she transferred from Tennessee, but she still has the tools to hang around near the bottom of the draft board. 6’0 ballhandlers are rare, and Westbrook has plus athleticism for her position, so she should be able to compete on most WNBA training camp rosters. Seattle would be a good destination for her.

34. Indiana Fever: Pauline Astier, G (France)

The Fever will have picked six times before this, so unless something wild happens, they probably won’t even be able to roster pick No. 34 in training camp, meaning an international selection will be the way to go. Astier played some terrific basketball for France in last year’s U19 World Cup, averaging 15 points per game on 60.7 percent shooting from the field, and she’s currently a rotation player for Tango Bourges, which recently advanced to the EuroCup Women Final. There’s a chance she turns into a WNBA-level player down the road.

35. Las Vegas Aces: Delicia Washington, G (Clemson)

A shifty guard who is adept at making plays out of the pick-and-roll, Washington earned first-team All-ACC honors in her graduate season at Clemson, showcasing an improved outside jumpshot and a stronger commitment to defense (3.2 percent steal rate; Her Hoop Stats). Washington’s skill with the basketball has never been in question, and with her game becoming more well-rounded as of late, she’s definitely worth a late-round look.

36. Connecticut Sun: Katie Benzan, G (Maryland)

Maryland’s all-time leader in 3-point shooting percentage (47.4 percent), Benzan made 166 3-pointers in just two seasons as a Terrapin. She also took good care of the basketball, recording an assist/turnover ratio of 3.2 in those two seasons. Benzan’s strengths are clearly-defined, making her a safe pick towards the end of the draft.

2022 WNBA Draft: Date, Time, and TV

When: Monday, April 11, 2022 at 7 p.m. ET Where: Spring Studios, New York, NY TV: ESPN

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