:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67101921/1226490005.jpg.0.jpg)
Six former Maryland women’s basketball players will be featured in the start of the WNBA season this weekend as the return of sports gets in full swing.
The league is conducting its delayed season out of what has been deemed the “Wubble” in Bradenton, Florida at IMG Academy. There will only be 22 regular-season games, followed by the normal playoff format.
One of the biggest storylines for Terrapin fans this year is the Connecticut Sun trio, which features first-year pro Kaila Charles, Alyssa Thomas and Brionna Jones. The team made it to the WNBA Finals last season, but lost to the Washington Mystics.
One of the team’s stars, center Jonquel Jones, decided to sit out the season, making room for Brionna Jones to play a bigger role. Thomas has secured herself as one of the team’s stars, and Charles will look to find her place as a rookie.
Kristi Toliver, who helped lead the Mystics to that title, signed with the Los Angeles Sparks this offseason. However, she opted to sit out of the 2020 season due to health concerns.
Here’s what Maryland fans should keep an eye on this weekend:
Games to watch
| Matchup | Day | Time (ET) | Players | Channel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Matchup | Day | Time (ET) | Players | Channel |
| Seattle Storm vs New York Liberty | Saturday | 12 p.m. | Crystal Langhorne (Storm) | ESPN |
| Phoenix Mercury vs Los Angeles Sparks | Saturday | 3 p.m. | Shatori Walker-Kimbrough (Mercury) | ABC |
| Washington Mystics vs Indiana Fever | Saturday | 5 p.m. | Tianna Hawkins (Mystics) | CBS Sports Network |
| Connecticut Sun vs Minnesota Lynx | Sunday | 12 p.m. | Alyssa Thomas, Breonna Jones, Kaila Charles (Sun) | ESPN |
In other news
Mike profiled freshman running back Peny Boone Thursday as we continue our Maryland football 2020 season preview series.
Maryland Athletics launched its VoTerp initiative Thursday.
Educate. Activate. Vote.
— Maryland Terrapins (@umterps) July 23, 2020
Maryland Athletics has launched the “VoTERP” initiative, a student-athlete and staff-led campaign developed to provide Maryland student-athletes and staff with non-partisan resources to educate, active and vote! https://t.co/rRauQSLpcz
Former Maryland running backs Anthony McFarland Jr. and Javon Leake have officially signed their rookie NFL contracts.
Official @AnttMacc_ and @TwanDoee signing their first NFL contracts! pic.twitter.com/NHTcNGLLvi
— Maryland Football (@TerpsFootball) July 23, 2020
Maryland men’s basketball brought fans back to when Walt Williams dropped 30-points in seven straight games in 1992.
The Wizard had the ACC under his spell @WaltTheWizard42 had SEVEN straight 30-point games back in '92. Outrageous.#TBT pic.twitter.com/miwXUv5ddv
— Maryland Basketball (@TerrapinHoops) July 23, 2020
Maryland women’s basketball head coach Brenda Frese introduced Terp fans to transfer guard Chloe Bibby.
“She’s just a winner and very, very competitive.”@BrendaFrese introduces the playmaker, @chloelbibby #FearTheTurtle pic.twitter.com/anRYyIoz6F
— Maryland Women’s Basketball (@umdwbb) July 23, 2020
Former Terp Kaila Charles signed with Under Armour.
Former @umdwbb star Kaila Charles has signed a multi-year deal with Under Armour. @__KC5 will wear Under Armour’s first ever basketball performance sneakers specifically designed for female athletes.
— Matt Levine (@MattLevine__) July 23, 2020
(via @UnderArmour) pic.twitter.com/riLhqu8zBT
Several former Maryland lacrosse players are gearing up for the upcoming PLL season.
@PLLWaterdogs
— Maryland Lacrosse (@TerpsMLax) July 23, 2020
@PLLRedwoods
@PLLChrome
@PLLArchers #BeTheBest pic.twitter.com/UerylReDLw
Maryland women’s lacrosse brought us back to the day Zoe Stukenberg won the 2017 Tewaaraton award.
"To every Terp I've ever played with, thank you so much. You've all meant so much to me. We did it!"#TBT to the day Zoe Stukenberg won the @Tewaaraton! pic.twitter.com/Ae2FreFe1L
— Maryland Women's Lacrosse (@MarylandWLax) July 23, 2020