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🌟 Good morning to everyone, but especially to …
CAITLIN CLARK AND ANGEL REESE
Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese have already taken the WNBA by storm this season, and they are now officially All-Star teammates after the rosters were announced last night.
Clark and Reese will both represent Team WNBA and will take on Team USA (aka the U.S. Olympic team) over WNBA All-Star weekend, and their popularity was on full display in the fan vote. Clark received 80,000 more votes than the next player on the list, while Reese also found herself in the top five.
1. Caitlin Clark, Fever — 700,735 votes
2. Aliyah Boston, Fever — 618,680 votes
3. A’ja Wilson, Aces — 607,300 votes
4. Breanna Stewart, Liberty — 424,135 votes
5. Angel Reese, Sky — 381,518 votes
It was a big night all around for Reese, whose Sky picked up an 85-77 win over the Dream in extending her record-setting double-double streak to 11 games with 12 points and 19 rebounds. After that spectacular performance, Reese got emotional when talking about her All-Star nod.
- Reese: “I’m just so happy. I know the work I put in. Coming into the league, so many people doubted me and didn’t think my game would translate and I wouldn’t be the player that I was in college. … I can’t thank my teammates and my coaches enough for believing in me and trusting me.”
Clark’s Fever didn’t fare quite as well. The lost to the Aces, 88-69, but Clark did record a double-double of her own with 13 points and 11 assists.
Be sure to check out the full 2024 WNBA All-Star rosters right here.
👍 Honorable mentions
🎾 And not such a good morning for …
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MARKETA VONDROUSOVA
Marketa Vondrousova came into Wimbledon hoping to defend her title after becoming the first unseeded woman to win the tournament last year.
Unfortunately, she made some more history for all the wrong reasons this year. Vondrousova lost to Jessica Bouzas Maneiro, 6-4, 6-2, in the first round. That made Vondrousova the first defending champ to lose in the first round since 1994.
That year, Steffi Graf fell to Lori McNeil after winning the prior year. At least Vondrousova has something in common with the International Tennis Hall of Famer.
Perhaps the most disappointing part of this loss for Vondrousova is the fact that expectations were relatively high for her at the All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club this year. Not only was Vondrousova the reigning champion, but she was also the No. 6 seed.
To make her early exit even more frustrating, Vondrousa fell victim to self-inflicted wounds in the form of three double-faults and 28 unforced errors.
With Vondrousova out of the mix, the rest of the women’s field will be trying to claim her throne as the next Wimbledon champion. No. 2 seed Coco Gauff is off to a good start in that regard after dismantling Caroline Dolehide in the first round.
On the men’s side, reigning Wimbledon champ and No. 2 seed Carlos Alcaraz defeated Mark Lajal in the first round, and Novak Djokovic made quick work of Vit Kopriva.
As the tournament continues this weekend, keep it locked on our updated schedule and results from Wimbledon.
👎 Not so honorable mentions
👀 Top 10 stories to watch for the rest of 2024
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As hard as it may be to believe, 2024 is halfway over. This year has already provided us with some great moments in sports, but the best might be yet to come. We identified the 10 biggest storylines to track in the second half of the year.
Nearly every sport has something to look forward to in the second half of this year, but the NFL has several big stories to follow. Not only will Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs begin their quest to become the first team ever to win three straight Super Bowls, but the Jets will try to shed their losing ways.
CBS Sports’ own Tyler Sullivan explains why the stakes are so high for Aaron Rodgers and the Jets this fall.
- Sullivan: “If they create a wall in front of Rodgers, the four-time MVP has weapons in place to pick apart defenses. And even if Rodgers is only 80% of his former self, that’s better than any quarterback the Jets have had in decades. If he can’t recreate the magic, it’s the latest chapter in what has been a sad state of affairs for the franchise at the position.”
Looking outside the NFL, there is plenty to get excited about, including the Rookie of the Year race in the WNBA. Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese, who keep going back and forth atop the WNBA Rookie Rankings, will be going back and forth for the duration of the season.
Here are a few more of the notable stories to watch throughout the back nine of 2024:
- Can Team USA dominate at the 2024 Paris Olympics?
- Scottie Scheffler is trying to equal Tiger Woods‘ iconic 2000 PGA Tour season.
- How will JJ Redick work with LeBron James (and Bronny James) and the Lakers.
- Will the Yankees end their World Series drought?
- The Mike Tyson–Jake Paul bout, originally scheduled for July 20, is now Nov. 15.
🏀 Kemba Walker announces his retirement
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Kemba Walker is riding off into the sunset after a memorable basketball career. Between his three seasons at UConn and his 12 seasons in the NBA, Walker piled up some impressive accolades.
In the 2010-11 season, Walker led the Huskies to a national title while averaging 23.5 points, 5.4 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game. That year, Walker was the Final Four Most Outstanding Player and a consensus All-American.
That summer, Walker was selected by the then Charlotte Bobcats with the No. 9 overall pick in the NBA Draft. Walker spent the first eight seasons of his NBA career in Charlotte and earned three All-Star nods.
In 2019, Walker signed a big contract with the Celtics and immediately earned third-team All-NBA honors. Injuries derailed Walker’s career from there, and his last NBA season was with the Mavericks in 2022-23.
Walker’s dominance at UConn will never be forgotten, but he may still fall short of a shot in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Our own Cameron Salerno explains that the voters weigh NBA accomplishments more heavily than collegiate ones.
- Salerno: “But Hall of Fame voters rarely give college merits the same recognition as NBA accomplishments. For example, Duke’s Christian Laettner — one of the most decorated college basketball players in the modern era — still lacks an individual spot in the Hall of Fame (though he is enshrined as a member of the 1992 Olympic Dream Team).”
📺 What we’re watching Wednesday
🎾 Wimbledon 2024, 6 a.m. on ESPN
⚾ MLB All-Star Starters Reveal Show, 8 p.m. on ESPN
🏀 Mercury at Wings, 8 p.m. on WNBA League Pass
The WNBA All-Star Game is always a highly anticipated event, showcasing the top talent in women’s basketball. This year, two standout rookies have been selected to represent the league at the All-Star Game: Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese.
Caitlin Clark, a guard for the Indiana Fever, has been turning heads with her impressive scoring ability and playmaking skills. The 21-year-old rookie out of Iowa has quickly established herself as one of the top young players in the league, averaging over 20 points per game in her debut season. Her selection to the All-Star Game is a testament to her impact on the court and her potential for future success in the WNBA.
Angel Reese, a forward for the New York Liberty, has also been making waves in her rookie season. The 20-year-old former Maryland standout has been a force on both ends of the court, averaging a double-double in points and rebounds. Her selection to the All-Star Game is well-deserved recognition for her stellar play and contributions to her team.
In other sports news, Wimbledon’s top seed was upset in a shocking turn of events. The world number one player, who was favored to win the tournament, was defeated by a lower-ranked opponent in a thrilling match that captivated fans around the world. This upset serves as a reminder of the unpredictability of sports and the importance of staying focused and competitive in every match.
Looking ahead to the remainder of 2024, there are several storylines to watch across the sports world. From the upcoming Olympics to the NFL season and everything in between, here are the top 10 stories to keep an eye on:
1. The Tokyo Olympics: After being postponed in 2020, the Summer Olympics are set to take place in Tokyo this year. Athletes from around the world will compete for gold in a wide range of sports, including track and field, swimming, gymnastics, and more.
2. The NFL season: With training camps underway and preseason games on the horizon, football fans are eagerly anticipating the start of the NFL season. Will reigning Super Bowl champions defend their title, or will a new team emerge as the top contender?
3. The NBA playoffs: As the NBA season winds down, teams are jockeying for playoff positioning and preparing for a run at the championship. Will perennial contenders maintain their dominance, or will up-and-coming teams make a splash in the postseason?
4. The MLB pennant race: With the baseball season in full swing, teams are battling it out for a spot in the playoffs. Will division leaders hold onto their leads, or will underdogs make a late-season push for a postseason berth?
5. The PGA Tour: Golf fans have plenty to look forward to in the second half of 2024, with major championships and prestigious tournaments on the schedule. Will established stars continue their success, or will new faces emerge as contenders on the tour?
6. The WNBA playoffs: After the All-Star Game, attention will turn to the WNBA playoffs as teams vie for a shot at the championship. Will established powerhouses maintain their dominance, or will rising stars lead their teams to postseason success?
7. The NHL season: Hockey fans are gearing up for another exciting season on the ice, with teams competing for a chance to hoist the Stanley Cup. Will defending champions repeat their success, or will new contenders emerge as threats in the playoffs?
8. The NCAA football season: College football is back, with teams across the country vying for a spot in the national championship game. Will perennial powerhouses continue their dominance, or will underdog teams make a run at the title?
9. The UFC: Mixed martial arts fans have plenty to look forward to in the coming months, with high-profile fights and championship bouts on the horizon. Will established champions defend their titles, or will new contenders rise to the top of their divisions?
10. The Paralympics: Following the Summer Olympics, athletes with disabilities will take center stage at the Paralympic Games in Tokyo. These inspiring athletes will compete in a wide range of sports, showcasing their talent and determination on the world stage.
As we head into the second half of 2024, sports fans have plenty to look forward to across a wide range of disciplines. From basketball and tennis to football and golf, there are exciting storylines to follow and thrilling competitions to watch unfold. Stay tuned for more updates and highlights as we continue to celebrate the best in sports throughout the year.
