The Giant Strides of Nneka Ogwumike

By T. Ihidero, Amebor

While the fortunes of women’s basketball in Nigeria continues to dwindle because of official negligence and lack of adequate sporting facilities, a young lady with a Nigerian heritage is making waves on American basketball courts. Step into the world of Nnemkadi Ogwumike. Generally called Nneka by her coaches, the media and her fans ( Her name has been shortened out of courtesy because people find it a bit difficult pronouncing it in full form ), the 6-foot-2 forward’s rise is phenomenal. Currently playing on a full basketball scholarship at Stanford University, Nneka’s success reflects the positive contributions of Nigerian emigration to the Western world. Read more...

Kayla moves up in ranking of Stanford's greatest players

Jake Curtis has moved Kayla up to the fourth team in his list of the alltime greatest Stanford women's basketball players.

Read why here.

Where does Jeanette rank among Stanford's alltime greats?

Jake Curtis is reviewing his list of the top 25 players in Stanford women's basketball history. He discusses whether Jeanette deserves to be on the list in this article.

Chiney and Sara invited to USA U18 trials

Incoming freshmen Chiney Ogwumike and Sara James are two of the 26 elite high school athletes who have accepted invitations to participate in the 2010 USA Basketball Women’s U18 National Team Trials, June 8-11 at the U.S. Olympic Training Center (USOTC) in Colorado Springs.

They will compete for one of 12 roster spots on the 2010 USA Basketball Women’s U18 National Team that will compete in the 2010 FIBA Americas U18 Championship for Women June 23-27 at the USOTC in Colorado Springs.

Chiney tried out for the U18 team two years ago, but didn't make the team. This is Sara's first experience with USA Basketball.

Here is the announcement.

Why Condi loves the WNBA

Condoleezza Rice writes about why she’ll be cheering the WNBA season that started last Saturday—and her basketball career that got away—and her impression of the Stanford/UConn NCAA final in this blog in The Daily Beast.

Why JJ was dismissed

Michelle Smith, Fan House, takes no pleasure in reporting:

Stanford senior guard JJ Hones, who was dismissed from the Cardinal women's basketball team on Monday, was arrested on May 2 for driving under the influence, reckless driving, evading a police officer and resisting arrest on the Stanford campus. Read more...

Wyndam Makowsky, The Stanford Daily, writes that JJ was seen as widely important to Stanford's 2010-11 plans and asks, "Who replaces Hones? Not only must her play be accounted for, but so too must her leadership." Read more...

JJ dismissed from team

Michelle Smith, Fan House, reports a sad event:

Stanford point guard JJ Hones, whose college career has been marred by injury, was dismissed from the Cardinal team Monday by coach Tara VanDerveer for a violation of team rules. Read more ...

A Bittersweet Year

You want memories?

You want hope?

You want a national championship and nothing less?

Read what Stanford Magazine has to say about that here.

Photos from the Giants game

Here are a few photos by Kate Paye from the Giants game, where Kayla and Omar Samhan of the Saint Mary's men's basketball team shared the honor of throwing the first ceremonial pitch.

St. Mary's Omar Samhan is a nice guy! I still think Kayla will throw out a better first pitch!

The team helps Rockies All-Star Todd Helton get focused for batting practice!

Now Jason Giambi wants a pic! The team is popular down here on the field!

Froshies were ready to play under the glare of the night lights. Giants win, great night!