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WNBA Roundup: Finalizing rosters for training camp

By Mike Peden

ATLANTA, GA - AUGUST 16: Damiris Dantas
ATLANTA, GA - AUGUST 16: Damiris Dantas /
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WNBA teams will start their training camps on Sunday, and rosters for that session are in the final stage of assembly.

The Washington Mystics signed five players to their roster, including Ashley Morrissette of Purdue. In her senior season, Morrissette became the seventh player in Purdue history to lead the team in points, assists and steals. She posted career highs in several categories, broke the 40 percent mark in field goal shooting for the first time in her college career, and scored 30 points or more twice.

INDIANAPOLIS, IN – MARCH 04: Purdue Boilermaker guard Ashley Morrissette (1) drives past Ohio State Buckeyes guard Linnae Harper (15) and takes it in for two during the game game between the Ohio State Buckeyes vs Purdue Boilermakers on March 04, 2017, at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, IN. Purdue defeated Ohio State 71-60. (Photo by Jeffrey Brown/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – MARCH 04: Purdue Boilermaker guard Ashley Morrissette (1) drives past Ohio State Buckeyes guard Linnae Harper (15) and takes it in for two during the game game between the Ohio State Buckeyes vs Purdue Boilermakers on March 04, 2017, at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, IN. Purdue defeated Ohio State 71-60. (Photo by Jeffrey Brown/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Morrissette was highly productive in Purdue’s brief but furious run in the NCAA tournament, including a double-double in the second round against Notre Dame. Purdue eventually lost that game in overtime.

In Atlanta, Damiris Dantas is back. The Dream announced the return of the 24-year-old forward on Thursday. Dantas sat out the 2016 season to focus on competing for Brazil at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

“She is a versatile player, who will provide us depth at the four and five positions. She will be an important part of our success in 2017,” Atlanta head coach Michael Cooper said in a statement published by the team.

Dantas has two seasons of WNBA experience. Her career got off to a promising start at Minnesota after being thrust into emergency starting duties. Dantas wasn’t a prolific scorer as a rookie, but her offensive rating of 114 ranked seventh in the league. She was traded to Atlanta a year later as part of the deal that brought Sylvia Fowles to Minnesota.

Dantas played in 16 games for the Dream in 2015. Her minutes rose, but her field goal percentage dropped below the 40 percent mark. Nevertheless, her return could bolster Atlanta’s interior depth and offer a solid complement to Elizabeth Williams, last year’s Most Improved Player.

Finally, the Los Angeles Sparks put out their official training camp roster on Thursday. Most of their returning players will arrive late due to overseas commitments. Notable players who will report to camp on Sunday include Odyssey Sims, who was acquired in a trade with Dallas, first-round draft pick Sydney Wiese, and Riquna Williams.

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