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Your Day in Women’s Basketball, July 7: Seven players test positive for coronavirus

By Spencer Nusbaum

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JULY 18: Forward Isabelle Harrison #20 of the Dallas Wings looks to pass the ball in the game against the Los Angeles Sparks at Staples Center on July 18, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JULY 18: Forward Isabelle Harrison #20 of the Dallas Wings looks to pass the ball in the game against the Los Angeles Sparks at Staples Center on July 18, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images) /
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Players test positive for COVID while some assistants opt-out

Seven of 137 WNBA players tested positive for COVID-19, according to a statement released by the WNBA on Monday. As The Next’s Howard Megdal reported, no staff or coaches tested positive for the virus. But the league must continue to provide extensive care and safety for its players and staff at the IMG Academy.

Some players are enjoying their time in the bubble, but it isn’t quite the resort that the players deserve.

While player identities have not been revealed, we do know the Fever will delay their travel to Florida after two players tested positive for the coronavirus. All seven players who tested positive will have to self-isolate until they meet physician requirements.

More from Chicago Sky

Dallas Wings forward Isabelle Harrison has spent the past month posting empowering social justice messages on her social media pages, which was new for her and her followers.

“My hope moving forward is for actual laws to change and I’ve been seeing a lot of celebratory news in the  media lately as far as street signs changing, actors getting proper roles in Hollywood and those things,” Harrison said, “but I truly believe the only thing that people want is laws to be changed and consequences to be held against anyone in power that distributes and play into racial discrimination.”

Out in the desert, Chastity Melvin will take over as an assistant coach for the Phoenix Mercury. She replaces Penny Taylor, who is forgoing the season to take care of her and Mercury star Diana Taurasi’s 2-year-old son.

Melvin took the offer despite being pessimistic about the season starting and will hope to aid a Mercury roster that brings back Taurasi and adds veteran Skylar Diggins-Smith.

The Mercury aren’t the only team down an assistant: Chicago Sky assistant coach Bridget Pettis resigned this past weekend over coronavirus safety concerns. She will spend the season helping out at her non-profit, Project Roots AZ.

The WNBA announced it will be dedicating the season to social justice and honoring the Black Lives Matter movement.

In the 2020 WNBA Simulation, Washington successfully defended its title (including a nail-biter of a game 5), moving EDD even higher into the GOAT pantheon and reminding us why we all love this game.

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