What WNBA players, coaches and teams have said since protesting the police shooting of Jacob Blake
Players chose not to play in games scheduled on Wednesday and Thursday.
The six WNBA teams slated to play games on Wednesday night chose not to in protest of police brutality and the shooting of Jacob Blake, a Black man shot seven times by police as he tried to enter his car with three of his children inside in Kenosha, Wisconsin on Sunday. On Thursday, the players of the WNBA took a day to reflect, and the six other teams chose not to play in their games.
Here’s what the WNBA’s players, coaches, and others around the league have said over the last 48 hours.
The Mystics wore t-shirts spelling Jacob Blake’s name on the front. The holes on the back represented the seven times he was shot by police.
Players and coaches from the four teams set to play in the first two games on Wednesday, kneeled and locked arms together
Elizabeth Williams gave a powerful statement on ESPN
Center @E_Williams_1 reads statement on @espn as the representative for all @WNBA players. Tonight's games have been cancelled.
Mystics guard Ariel Atkins explained the players’ decision not to play
"We're not just basketball players. We're so much more than that."
Ariel Atkins with a powerful statement on the unified decision to not play tonight.
#BlackLivesMatter
Nneka Ogwumike, Sparks star and president of the WNBPA, spoke about the players’ decision
“We’re trying to also figure out what actionable items can come out of this because we stand in solidarity with our brethren.” - @Nnemkadi30 on the boycotting of today's contest.
From the Aces
From the Dream
From the Fever
From the Liberty
From the Lynx
From the Mercury
From the Mystics
This isn't just about basketball.
Doing this unified as a league - it looks different. ✊🏽✊🏾✊🏿
#TogetherWeStand #ApplyPressure
From the Sky
From the Sparks
From the Storm
From the Sun
From the Wings
From Chicago Sky head coach James Wade
"If Jacob Blake was a dog, and the police were to shoot him seven times in the same spot, we would have a lot more people up in arms. So what does that tell you about my value" @coachjameswade
The WNBA bubble participated in a candlelight vigil on Wednesday night
After games were boycotted Wednesday night, the entire @WNBA bubble organized and participated in a candlelight vigil. People were encouraged to speak their heart. They are in this together.
Ogwumike, Layshia Clarendon, Sue Bird, Williams and Natalie Achonwa, members of the WNBPA’s executive committee, spoke with Holly Rowe on Thursday about their decision, and what they want to do moving forward. The entire league locked arms together.
Here’s what WNBA players have said on Twitter and Instagram:
Don’t even feel right talking about basketball. It is my job...but as a human being and black woman, it seems like I need to be doing more.
That could’ve been my husband. He’s 29 like Jacob Blake.
Our son is 1...at what age does he stop being “cute” and start being “threatening” and “intimidating”?
my heart is heavy. but i find comfort in the fact that we stood up for something we believe in TOGETHER.
I’m not one to ever be speechless. But damn. I have no words, this world is beyond messed up. & it just keeps happening and happening and happening...
Kenosha, WI is 35 miles south of the Milwaukee Bucks' home arena in case people are curious the connection. Not that they needed a connection but in case you needed one.
#EqualityCantWait
Links:
Satou Sabally Is a Unicorn, by Erica Ayala of Sports Illustrated