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 I almost gave up. I wanted to quit. Literally. I felt like a nobody. Sometimes, I still do. Just because I came short of my childhood goal. I watched the 2016 WNBA Draft with faith and hope that you would call my name. Unfortunately, you did not. I cried myself to sleep that night. I can count on my fingers the amount of people who reached out to me. Just to check on me. Not many. Just a few who really knew me and how much you meant to me. But still, I had faith in you. I waited to receive a call from you. Just one call. Maybe you would offer me a one-day tryout or training camp? That's all I wanted. Just an opportunity. I believed in you. I hated when people would say, "The WNBA is very political." I did not want to believe it. I believed you would give me a chance. I waited for you. For months and now years.. For nothing, but an ending basketball career in the United States. You left me with one option. The ONLY option was to go across the waters. And to be quite honest with you, I think that's pretty damn SAD! I think it’s sad that I have to leave my own country in order to play professional basketball. No disrespect to other professional development leagues in the United States. No disrespect to clubs and teams overseas. But I'm talking to the WNBA. You call a try-out an opportunity? Most players that go into one your “try-outs” are mostly likely going to get cut. You call a training camp an opportunity? Most players that go into your “training camp” are mostly likely going to get cut. Making the WNBA seems damn near impossible. Even for the ones that actually make it through your try-outs and training camps. The players that make it are SUPER inspirational and pretty damn phenomenal for making it into your league under certain circumstances. But what about everyone else? Oh, please don't tell me that I need to play in a higher league in order to get a shot. Do you know how many "Americans" are playing high level basketball overseas? Majority of them will probably never get a shot at your league. Excuse me, a fair shot. I'm sure you're response to that is... "you have to be DIFFERENT." Fair, I totally agree. You have to be pretty damn good in order to play professional basketball, PERIOD. But, there are only 12 teams in the WNBA. There’s an article written by Eli Horowitz called “Welcome to the W.N.B.A.: Good Luck Finding a Job.” Here’s one of my favorite quotes from Horowitz’s article, “Only 144 women will make the 12 W.N.B.A. rosters announced before the regular seasons starts on May 18. Compare that with the N.B.A., where each of the 30 teams can carry up to 15 players, creating 450 roster spots.” You do not have to just be DIFFERENT to earn a spot. You have to know somebody that knows somebody. It's about who you know, not what you know. That's life. That’s definitely sports. How so, Well, ask just about anyone who truly follows women's basketball. Do you know what they say? “They” I mean as in agents, college coaches, former WNBA players, and even WNBA coaches. "It's really hard to make it in the WNBA. You have to be really lucky..” "The WNBA is very political.. it's all about who you know.” Horowitz also says, “Not all of the 36 players selected each season in the three-round W.N.B.A. draft will even make a team. Unlike the N.B.A., which guarantees all first-round picks a two-year contract, nothing is certain for W.N.B.A. draft picks." To be quite honest with you, I am sick and tired of this. Now to be clear, this article is not to be negative or disrespectful to the players, coaches, or the administration in anyway. But from a business perspective, your league is detrimental to women’s basketball. First, let’s address the problem: * There are 347 Division 1 College Basketball Teams, at least 13 players on each team, that’s 4,511 players and only 114 players will make it into your league once a year. Straight up, you’re not providing enough opportunities for female athletes to pursue a professional basketball career in your league. What exactly are you doing wrong? 1. You’re overlooking talent in your own country. (or not even looking) In your defense: please do not bother mentioning Pro Combines as a fair “opportunity.” We all know your coaches go into these combines with their list. In your coaches defense, they can only pick and choose from so much with just 12 teams in the league. Quality over quantity, right? I get it. It’s a business. It all comes down to money at the end of the day. But, I have one solution for you. That might solve your problem. That might bring more people to your games. That I believe will bring great value to your league. Ironically: Me. See, I’m no Maya Moore, Candace Parker, Skylar Diggins, or Sue bird. (to name a few legends) But I am one of the few legends in this game of basketball that you missed. You overlooked. You forgot about me, if you even know me. You delayed my career in the USA. Keyword: delayed Your league is missing a 5’7, 125 pound, dynamic scoring point guard. An all-round person. Silent-assassin. Game speaks for itself type player. A legend. I believe I can give you that. Check me out if you want: |
AuthorTaylor Brown Archives
January 2021
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