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Blue Devils on the Hardwood July 16 Update
7/16/2018 11:30:00 AM | Women's Basketball
DURHAM, N.C. – With the 2018 All-Star selections to be announced this Tuesday, Duke alumnae capped of the week by making notable last impressions for voters. Each week, GoDuke.com will update how the Blue Devils are faring in the professional ranks --
Standings Update
With the regular season now well past its midpoint, the Seattle Storm pace the league with a 16-6 record. As for teams sporting Duke alumnae, the Los Angeles Sparks lead the way at 14-9 and in sole possession of third place. Right behind the Sparks are the Washington Mystics, whose 13-9 resume has them in fourth. The Dallas Wings and Atlanta Dream begin the week with identical 12-9 records, residing in the fifth and sixth positions, respectively. The Connecticut Sun have fallen to seventh place in the league, albeit with a reputable 12-10 record.
Gray Makes Final Push for Minneapolis
In an attempt to stake her claim for All-Star candidacy, Chelsea Gray continued to perform at an elite level over the Sparks' previous five contests. In a close loss to the Mystics on July 7, Gray had a team-leading 23 points and also chipped in two rebounds, two assists, and one steal. She delivered another double digit effort in a win over the Storm on July 10, going for 11 points, five rebounds, and three assists. In what might have been her most impressive performance this season, Gray shot nine-for-nine from the field and finished with 22 points in a June 15 win over the Las Vegas Aces.
We all know @cgray209 is a BALLER!🏀 So make sure she gets to the All-Star game so she can ball out there too!💪 #WNBAVOTE #GoSparks #All4LA pic.twitter.com/lgQMy11Cl9
— Los Angeles Sparks (@LA_Sparks) July 8, 2018
.@cgray209 making it rain in Seattle yesterday!😎
— Los Angeles Sparks (@LA_Sparks) July 11, 2018
She should make it rain in Minnesota for the #WNBAAllStar game! RT to get her there!🙌 #WNBAVOTE #GoSparks #All4LA pic.twitter.com/gwtkN3Gxf5
.@cgray209 goals 💯 #WatchMeWork pic.twitter.com/zDDzKfKaBm
— WNBA (@WNBA) July 13, 2018
.@cgray209 finished 9-9 from the field, scoring 22 PTS in the @LA_Sparks victory 🔥#WatchMeWork pic.twitter.com/AAw9QJHD7d
— WNBA (@WNBA) July 16, 2018
Williams Stuffing the Opposition
Elizabeth Williams continues to stump opposing shooters, evidenced by an incredible six-block game in a Dream victory over the Phoenix Mercury last week. She also added 10 points and four rebounds in the win. Keeping with the trend, Williams blocked three more shots, while tallying eight points and six rebounds as the Dream topped the Mystics on June 11. In the Dream's two most recent games, Williams blocked one shot in each while posting a 14-point effort in a June 13 victory over the Indiana Fever.
Make that two #BlockParties now 💁🏾♀️💁🏾♀️@E_Williams_1 #WNBAVote pic.twitter.com/lcE9OLfoUj
— Atlanta Dream (@AtlantaDream) July 8, 2018
Our @CocaCola Player of the Game: @E_Williams_1
— Atlanta Dream (@AtlantaDream) July 8, 2018
🏀 10 points
🏀 6 blocks
🏀 2 assists pic.twitter.com/jLrAcudncP
WAY TO FINISH E!@E_Williams_1 x #WNBAVote pic.twitter.com/NwEB17kTw6
— Atlanta Dream (@AtlantaDream) July 11, 2018
Thomas Keeping Sunny Side Up
Although the Sun have found themselves in the midst of a rough patch, Jasmine Thomas is doing all that she can to help the team return to its winning ways. She recorded eight points and eight assists against the Aces on July 7, while reaching double digits in scoring versus the New York Liberty on July 11 (12 points, two rebounds, and two assists). Thomas followed that up with two additional games with 10+ points against the Mercury on June 13 (14 points, two rebounds, three assists, four steals) and the Minnesota Lynx on June 15 (11 points, four rebounds, four assists, two steals).
Steal, then coast 2⃣coast for @jaszthomas! Sun slowly chipping away at the lead, down 22-15 after 1. #GetSun pic.twitter.com/KsCmyohlMB
— Connecticut Sun (@ConnecticutSun) July 8, 2018
Jasmine?
— Connecticut Sun (@ConnecticutSun) July 11, 2018
More like YASSSSmine.#GetSun pic.twitter.com/nGV2FFb23Q
.@jaszthomas gets the @ConnecticutSun bucket yet again off the dribble! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/PA2Dxb65an
— WNBA (@WNBA) July 11, 2018
Don't worry, y'all; @jaszthomas has this one. #GetSun pic.twitter.com/Yxvkez3kOU
— Connecticut Sun (@ConnecticutSun) July 16, 2018
Beard's Strong Play Interrupted by Injury
Although her teammate Chelsea Gray may be stealing the headlines, Alana Beard has been an integral element in the Sparks' winning formula. The WNBA's reigning Defensive Player of the Year was having a solid week until she sustained a groin injury in a July 12 tilt against the Wings. Prior to the injury, Beard contributed 11 points, five rebounds, and three assists in the Sparks' win over the Storm on July 10.
Clutch? Yes, that was @Alanabeard20 yesterday!💪
— Los Angeles Sparks (@LA_Sparks) July 11, 2018
Let's get her to the #WNBAAllStar game!#WNBAVOTE #GoSparks #All4LA pic.twitter.com/jUGrAShUwh
Alana Beard's clutch shooting in OT stands out. Savvy; took what Seattle defense gave. She has a crunch-time mentality that has always been impressive, and been so important to Sparks' success.
— Mechelle Voepel (@MechelleV) July 10, 2018
Alana Beard tells me that she has no update regarding her injury (strained groin) or turnaround time but that she is, “understanding” of how the process with injuries works and that at the end of the day, it's not about her, it's about the team winning. @LA_Sparks #LASparks
— Delmy Barillas (@DelmyBarillas) July 16, 2018
Mystics Powered by Mo Bench Minutes
Providing valuable minutes off the bench, Monique Currie is helping the Mystics remain in the hunt. Appearing in each of the Mystics' five games this past week and a half, Currie's biggest performance came on July 15 when she provided 12 points and eight rebounds off the bench.
.@Mocurrie25 for threeeeee 👌#MysticsDream #WNBAVote pic.twitter.com/d4LBD5R8AK
— Washington Mystics (@WashMystics) July 11, 2018
Mo Currie, mo steals!#MysticsSky #TogetherDC pic.twitter.com/M8LVph2lFr
— Washington Mystics (@WashMystics) July 13, 2018
Pre-Game Trickery
Prior to the Sun's showdown with the Aces last week, Jasmine Thomas took some time to practice her half-court shot.
.@jaszthomas was Aces from halfcourt this morning. #GetSun #wnbavote pic.twitter.com/mYM1HCmP31
— Connecticut Sun (@ConnecticutSun) July 7, 2018
Blue Devils Among League Leaders
Following last week's action, several former Blue Devils saw movement into the WNBA's league leaders. Chelsea Gary now appears in the top-10 in the league in four different statistical categories: 5.2 assists (fourth), 1.6 steals (fifth), 32.0 minutes (10th), and a 41.5% three-point shooting percentage (ninth). Joining Gray among the league leaders in assists is Jasmine Thomas, whose average of 4.3 ranks ninth. Alana Beard also moved into a tie for sixth in steals, as she increased her output to 1.5 per game. Elizabeth Williams, who has been blocking shots all season long, remains in fourth place with 1.8 rejections.
Eight Blue Devils Open on WNBA Rosters
This season, a total of eight Duke alumnae made final roster cuts across five different WNBA teams: Alana Beard (L.A. Sparks), Lexie Brown (Connecticut Sun), Karima Christmas-Kelly (Dallas Wings), Monique Currie (Washington Mystics), Chelsea Gray (L.A. Sparks), Jasmine Thomas (Connecticut Sun), Krystal Thomas (Washington Mystics), and Elizabeth Williams (Atlanta Dream).
Duke Sports Second-Most Players in WNBA
With final rosters being trimmed down on May 17, Duke opened the season with eight alumnae playing for WNBA teams. This is the second-most of any school in the NCAA, trailing only UConn, who has 17. The teams of former Duke players are 9-4 through week one.
Games to Watch
Featuring a total of three former Blue Devils, July 17's match-up between the Dream and the Sun is the only upcoming contest with Duke alumnae competing head-to-head. On July 19, the Mystics will travel to Dallas to take on the Wings at 8pm in a game that will be viewable on ESPN 2.
Up Next
Tuesday, July 17 – New York at Dallas at 1pm (live on Twitter)
Tuesday, July 17 – Atlanta at Connecticut at 7pm
Thursday, July 19 – New York at Atlanta at 7pm (ESPN 3)
Thursday, July 19 – Washington at Dallas at 8pm (ESPN 2)
Friday, July 20 – Seattle at Connecticut at 7pm
Friday, July 20 – Dallas at Chicago at 9pm
Friday, July 20 – Indiana at Los Angeles at 10:30pm
Saturday, July 21 – Washington at New York at 3pm
Sunday, July 22 – Seattle at Atlanta at 3pm
Sunday, July 22 – Connecticut at Dallas at 4pm
Sunday, July 22 – Los Angeles at Chicago at 6pm
#GoDuke
Players Mentioned
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