By: Bill Allen
On Thursday, July 11, The New York Association of Black Journalists (NYABJ) held a joint mixer with the Rochester Association of Black Journalists (RABJ) to see the WNBA’s New York Liberty. The current Eastern Conference leader and playoff-bound team play the Chicago Sky.
Chicago is also a playoff-bound team and has gained attention due to the new rookie, former college NCAA Champion and contender for 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year, Angel Reese. She attended Louisiana State University and was the seventh overall pick in the 2024 WNBA draft.
This particular game was special because Angel Reese extended her record double-double streak to 15 straight games and finished with 10 points and 10 rebounds. The sold-out crowd at Brooklyn Barclay’s Center was a sight to be seen! The WNBA has not experienced this much attention to drafted players in years.
The last time a rookie or any player in the WNBA brought this much attention to the league was in the late 80’s. A player named Sheryl Swoops from Texas Tech University. At that time Sheryl was called the Michael Jordan of women's basketball. She was a NCAA Champion, Olympic Champion and WNBA Champion and is in the Basketball Hall Of Fame and the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame.
The Liberty struggled in a close game with the Sky, with injuries hampering and almost allowing a close game to slip away.
The New York Liberty’s mascot, Big Elle, signature dance moves, and bounce seemed to give the Liberty what they needed. Their energy was lifted in the start of the third quarter, and it was like a brand-new game. Liberty prevailed against Sky 91-76.
The joint event showed unity between the 2 NY chapters, and a perfect way to lead into the NABJ Convention later this month.
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