Your Day in Women’s Basketball, November 13: Covid strikes again
By James Hyman
Basketball is on hold for many players and teams
When the college basketball season was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there was hope that it would be under control by the time the WNBA season came around. After an unprecedented WNBA campaign, there was some optimism that the college season could be less affected with ample time to prepare.
That optimism has all but vanished. The first conference casualty was announced yesterday, with the Ivy League cancelling the entire winter sports season. This obviously includes women’s basketball, and it is a disappointing but understandable development for many programs with high aspirations.
It is most devastating for the players, who you know just want to get on the court and compete.
Out west, the COVID bug has bitten the Cal State Northridge women’s team. With the NCAA mandating that schools allow players to opt-out of the season, CSUN has had too many players choose not to play, and will not be able to field a team.
The Matadors were 7-9 in the Big West last season and 12-19 overall, but they will unfortunately not see the court this season with only six players on the roster.
The pandemic is not limited to the United States, and two high profile stars will have to miss their National team competitions due to contracting the virus.
Dallas Wings forward Satou Sabally will be unable to play for the German squad in the WNBA offseason, where she was supposed to be a key contributor. She will also miss time with her European club Fenerbahce for the foreseeable future.
Swedish player Amanda Zahui B. also contracted the virus, which will sideline her from playing in the European Championship qualifying match this weekend against Israel. The New York Liberty center will have to watch from afar like the rest of us to see if Sweden will make the 2021 European field.
As COVID numbers continue to rise and the impact is immediately seen throughout the sporting world, remember to be responsible and not to contribute to the spread.