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johnjohnW
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Rock Hard
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 Posted: 02/27/22 8:11 pm ::: |
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| Has anyone seen the video footage of Ukraine police officers detaining black Africans from leaving the country?
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Iluvacc
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Luuuc
#NATC
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| Posted: 02/28/22 8:59 am ::: |
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I wonder when the news of this situation will reach WNBA HQ, and whether they will care to mention the whereabouts/welfare of their players that are or were competing in that region.
Shouldn't be much longer now so I think I can safely hold my breath and wait for an update ...
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pilight
Joined: 23 Sep 2004
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| Posted: 02/28/22 8:59 am ::: |
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| Rock Hard wrote: |
| Has anyone seen the video footage of Ukraine police officers detaining black Africans from leaving the country? |
I doubt they'd get any better treatment from Russian officials
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FrozenLVFan
Joined: 08 Jul 2014
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| Posted: 02/28/22 10:17 am ::: |
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| pilight wrote: |
| Rock Hard wrote: |
| Has anyone seen the video footage of Ukraine police officers detaining black Africans from leaving the country? |
I doubt they'd get any better treatment from Russian officials |
I've seen plenty of tweets from black African students at the border who are being physically restrained from entering Poland. Most refugees are leaving through Poland, and Poland has declined to accept non-Ukrainians, and other nationalities are being turned back at the border. African embassies have abandoned them, and in the meantime, Ukraine has banned any male citizens of military age from leaving.
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PUmatty
Joined: 10 Nov 2004
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| Posted: 02/28/22 11:10 am ::: |
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| Luuuc wrote: |
I wonder when the news of this situation will reach WNBA HQ, and whether they will care to mention the whereabouts/welfare of their players that are or were competing in that region.
Shouldn't be much longer now so I think I can safely hold my breath and wait for an update ... |
According to this story in ESPN, players actually don't want identified and their status reported yet, for safety reasons.
https://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/id/33388878/several-wnba-players-competing-russia-make-plans-leave-following-invasion-ukraine-agents-say
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Agents asked that their clients who are in Russia not be identified at this point for safety reasons.
Longtime agent Mike Cound explained to ESPN that he had experience himself with needing to be evacuated from overseas, which came when he was working for the United States government during the Gulf War in the early 1990s. Cound put together a document explaining the current situation for his clients, who also shared it with other players.
"For me, it's way past 'considering' leaving," Cound told ESPN on Sunday. "I've been on the phone with two players in the past few minutes working out flights. It's really urgent now in terms of there being a dwindling number of flights leaving Russia, and they are going to be hard to get real soon. They are probably fine if they stay put, but if things get worse, that may not be the case. My idea is, 'Get them out now if we can.' And if we can't, we get them to hunker down and stay safe." |
Also ...
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The WNBA and players' union released statements last week about being in constant communication with players and agents about the situation.
"The few WNBA players who were competing this off-season in Ukraine are no longer in the country," the WNBA said Thursday. "The league has also been in contact with WNBA players who are in Russia, either directly or through their agents. We will continue to closely monitor the situation."
When asked whether the league was advising players to leave Russia, a WNBA spokesman said the league did not want to expand further on its statement.
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BamaEd
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Luuuc
#NATC
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| Posted: 02/28/22 11:56 pm ::: |
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| PUmatty wrote: |
| Luuuc wrote: |
I wonder when the news of this situation will reach WNBA HQ, and whether they will care to mention the whereabouts/welfare of their players that are or were competing in that region.
Shouldn't be much longer now so I think I can safely hold my breath and wait for an update ... |
According to this story in ESPN, players actually don't want identified and their status reported yet, for safety reasons.
https://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/id/33388878/several-wnba-players-competing-russia-make-plans-leave-following-invasion-ukraine-agents-say
| Quote: |
Agents asked that their clients who are in Russia not be identified at this point for safety reasons.
Longtime agent Mike Cound explained to ESPN that he had experience himself with needing to be evacuated from overseas, which came when he was working for the United States government during the Gulf War in the early 1990s. Cound put together a document explaining the current situation for his clients, who also shared it with other players.
"For me, it's way past 'considering' leaving," Cound told ESPN on Sunday. "I've been on the phone with two players in the past few minutes working out flights. It's really urgent now in terms of there being a dwindling number of flights leaving Russia, and they are going to be hard to get real soon. They are probably fine if they stay put, but if things get worse, that may not be the case. My idea is, 'Get them out now if we can.' And if we can't, we get them to hunker down and stay safe." |
Also ...
| Quote: |
The WNBA and players' union released statements last week about being in constant communication with players and agents about the situation.
"The few WNBA players who were competing this off-season in Ukraine are no longer in the country," the WNBA said Thursday. "The league has also been in contact with WNBA players who are in Russia, either directly or through their agents. We will continue to closely monitor the situation."
When asked whether the league was advising players to leave Russia, a WNBA spokesman said the league did not want to expand further on its statement.
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A timely piece by Mechelle. Thanks PUmatty.
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awhom111
Joined: 19 Nov 2014
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| Posted: 03/01/22 12:44 am ::: |
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For reference, here are players not born Russian who either played their team's last game or recently and are either still in Russia or were still there not long ago:
Dynamo Kursk: Natasha Howard, Eva Lisec, Arike Ogunbowale, Epiphanny Prince
Dynamo Moscow: Khaalia Hillsman, Tiana Mangakahia
Dynamo Novosibirsk: Kayla Alexander, Chloe Wells
Ekaterinburg: Alex Bentley, Jonquel Jones, Emma Messeman, Maryia Papova, Allie Quigley, Alba Torrens, Courtney Vandersloot:
Enisey Krasnoyarsk: Julie Vanloo, Laura Zelnyte
Nadezhda Orenburg: Adaora Elonu, Markeisha Gatling, Natisha Hiedeman, Kyara Linskens
Nika Syktyvkar: Hind Ben Abdelkader, Tyasha Harris, Azura Stevens
Samara: Trinity Baptiste, Saicha Grant-Allen, Jennifer O'Neill
Spartak Moscow: Paris Kea, Unique Thompson |
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Richyyy
Joined: 17 Nov 2005
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| Posted: 03/01/22 8:14 am ::: |
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Yeah, the 'not being identified' thing was a bit silly, given that we know exactly who's been playing in Russia. FIFA and UEFA have basically kicked out everyone Russian from their soccer tournaments at this point, and the men's EuroLeague/EuroCup have basically done the same thing in basketball. Hopefully that'll prompt FIBA to do something. I can understand players being reluctant to leave until they really felt they had to, given not just the immediate loss of earnings but that teams can withhold their registration and make it difficult for players to sign elsewhere if the player breaks a contract. FIBA needs to make it clear that they wouldn't let Russian teams do that if players are just trying to get out under these circumstances (maybe they've done that, quietly, but if so I haven't heard it).
If the big teams get thrown out of continental competition, maybe they wouldn't want to retain all their imports just to try to win the Russian League anyway. Everyone on all sides might feel it's better to just send everyone home and hope the diplomatic situation has calmed by next season.
I wonder if any enterprising journos in the San Antonio (or Las Vegas) area has tried to get a comment from Becky Hammon on all this... |
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IM in OC
Joined: 25 Mar 2009
Posts: 999
Location: Orange County, CA
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| Posted: 03/01/22 9:42 am ::: |
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| awhom111 wrote: |
For reference, here are players not born Russian who either played their team's last game or recently and are either still in Russia or were still there not long ago:
Dynamo Kursk: Natasha Howard, Eva Lisec, Arike Ogunbowale, Epiphanny Prince
Dynamo Moscow: Khaalia Hillsman, Tiana Mangakahia
Dynamo Novosibirsk: Kayla Alexander, Chloe Wells
Ekaterinburg: Alex Bentley, Jonquel Jones, Emma Messeman, Maryia Papova, Allie Quigley, Alba Torrens, Courtney Vandersloot:
Enisey Krasnoyarsk: Julie Vanloo, Laura Zelnyte
Nadezhda Orenburg: Adaora Elonu, Markeisha Gatling, Natisha Hiedeman, Kyara Linskens
Nika Syktyvkar: Hind Ben Abdelkader, Tyasha Harris, Azura Stevens
Samara: Trinity Baptiste, Saicha Grant-Allen, Jennifer O'Neill
Spartak Moscow: Paris Kea, Unique Thompson |
Did Griner leave Ekat? I know she hasnt played a game since 1/29/22. Wasnt sure if she left, injured, or what.
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WfanFrJmp
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Richyyy
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PickledGinger
Joined: 04 Oct 2013
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| Posted: 03/01/22 7:02 pm ::: |
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Good. Sad for the players, who probably don't support this war - but it needed to be done.
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awhom111
Joined: 19 Nov 2014
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| Posted: 03/02/22 12:32 am ::: |
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| IM in OC wrote: |
| awhom111 wrote: |
For reference, here are players not born Russian who either played their team's last game or recently and are either still in Russia or were still there not long ago:
Dynamo Kursk: Natasha Howard, Eva Lisec, Arike Ogunbowale, Epiphanny Prince
Dynamo Moscow: Khaalia Hillsman, Tiana Mangakahia
Dynamo Novosibirsk: Kayla Alexander, Chloe Wells
Ekaterinburg: Alex Bentley, Jonquel Jones, Emma Messeman, Maryia Papova, Allie Quigley, Alba Torrens, Courtney Vandersloot:
Enisey Krasnoyarsk: Julie Vanloo, Laura Zelnyte
Nadezhda Orenburg: Adaora Elonu, Markeisha Gatling, Natisha Hiedeman, Kyara Linskens
Nika Syktyvkar: Hind Ben Abdelkader, Tyasha Harris, Azura Stevens
Samara: Trinity Baptiste, Saicha Grant-Allen, Jennifer O'Neill
Spartak Moscow: Paris Kea, Unique Thompson |
Did Griner leave Ekat? I know she hasnt played a game since 1/29/22. Wasnt sure if she left, injured, or what. |
Not sure and I have not seen news on it. Kaila Charles is in the same boat with Dynamo Novosibirsk. If it was an injury that would take a little while to heal, it would certainly not be out of the question for a team to let a player get treatment in the United States.
A lot of foreign players for men's clubs in Russia have been allowed to return home, but some of the teams are not releasing those players yet. Games are still scheduled to continue in all competitions for now. |
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Richyyy
Joined: 17 Nov 2005
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| Posted: 03/02/22 10:24 am ::: |
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| Russian teams officially out of EuroLeague Women, reformatted quarter-finals, and based on social media the exodus of players is in progress. Wonder if any of them get picked up elsewhere. Most of the teams with big budgets would've been expecting that their rosters were finished by now, but you aren't normally handed the possibility to pick up a Jonquel Jones or a Courtney Vandersloot before your playoffs. |
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IM in OC
Joined: 25 Mar 2009
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awhom111
Joined: 19 Nov 2014
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| Posted: 03/03/22 12:49 am ::: |
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Maryia Papova was the only foreign player to suit up for Ekaterinburg as their coaches have also left. Julie Vanloo and Laura Zelnyte both played for Enisey.
The UMMC statement about their removal from EuroLeague:
https://basket.ugmk.com/en/press/news/116071/
In the other game, as has been publicized, Ty Harris and Azura Stevens left, but Hind Ben Abdelkader played for Nika. |
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WfanFrJmp
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johnjohnW
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| Posted: 03/03/22 9:21 pm ::: |
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Not to be tactless, but I genuinely wonder how all of this is going to impact the economics of women's basketball overseas. I have a hard time imagining teams offering bonuses for players to sit out the W season.
Obviously there are more important things here but I do wonder how this will also impact our small corner of the world.
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craigmont
Joined: 14 Sep 2005
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Location: Bing-town
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| Posted: 03/03/22 10:25 pm ::: |
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| johnjohnW wrote: |
Not to be tactless, but I genuinely wonder how all of this is going to impact the economics of women's basketball overseas. I have a hard time imagining teams offering bonuses for players to sit out the W season.
Obviously there are more important things here but I do wonder how this will also impact our small corner of the world. |
No more offseasons making big oligarch money from Russian teams is bound to have economic follow-on effects.
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awhom111
Joined: 19 Nov 2014
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| Posted: 03/04/22 12:48 am ::: |
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Neither Dynamo Novosibirsk or Samara had foreign players in today's game.
| johnjohnW wrote: |
Not to be tactless, but I genuinely wonder how all of this is going to impact the economics of women's basketball overseas. I have a hard time imagining teams offering bonuses for players to sit out the W season.
Obviously there are more important things here but I do wonder how this will also impact our small corner of the world. |
Turkey just announced that they are dropping the number of foreigners allowed per game from four to three so that will also hurt non-Turkish players. The other thing to watch is whether China or South Korea will resume having foreign players. The Korean League can certainly afford it, but most of the Chinese League teams can barely keep their not particularly well-compensated local stars as is without paying a WNBA level post player too. The economics of European women's basketball started to be subject to change once women's soccer started becoming more accepted. |
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awhom111
Joined: 19 Nov 2014
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| Posted: 03/05/22 12:22 am ::: |
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| A few players who were either playing in Ukraine or Russia were announced as signing with other teams this week. Adaora Elonu has signed with Avenida in Spain from Nadezhda Orenburg, Nikolina Babic signed with Izmit in Turkey from Prometey, and Julie Vanloo, who has been in pretty good form recently, signed with Moncalieri in Italy from Enisey Krasnoyarsk. |
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johnjohnW
Joined: 11 Aug 2020
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| Posted: 03/05/22 7:32 am ::: |
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C'mon Athletes Unlimited. Now's your chance. If Russia becomes a less profitable option to start talent, I could see more players opting for Athletes Unlimited. Conversely, if AU becomes too big, I could see the W thearting them.
Who knows, maybe this will be the tipping point that gets the W to shift or lengthen their schedule.
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