The WNBA is set to kick off its regular season Friday, and with several former Duke women’s basketball players seeing preseason action, the Blue Zone takes a look at their performances:
Reigan Richardson
Following three strong seasons in Durham, guard Reigan Richardson signed a training camp contract with the Minnesota Lynx after going undrafted. The Charlotte native saw action in both preseason games for the team, but failed to register any points, rebounds or assists in 13 minutes. On May 11, she was waived by the team and will likely look for other professional opportunities.
Haley Peters
After playing five years in France’s top women’s league, former Duke forward Haley Peters made her return to the WNBA, earning a roster spot with the Connecticut Sun. In her first game back, the Red Bank, N.J., native started and played a team-high 25 minutes, going 4-of-5 from the field and 3-for-3 from behind the arc to earn 11 points, four rebounds, one assist and two steals. In the Sun’s second preseason game, Peters played a key role in defeating the reigning-champion New York Liberty, registering two points, five assists and two rebounds in 16 minutes off the bench. She will look to build on this momentum as Connecticut opens its regular season on May 18 against the Washington Mystics.
Chelsea Gray
Veteran guard Chelsea Gray is back for her 11th year as a pro and her fifth with the Las Vegas Aces. After missing the opening of last season due to a foot injury, the former Blue Devil star has returned to full strength as a key part of an Aces team vying for another title. In a season-opening 34-point win over the Dallas Wings, Gray scored 13 points and tallied three rebounds, three assists and three steals. Four days later, she recorded 10 points along with five rebounds, six assists and two steals as Las Vegas grabbed an 85-84 victory over the Phoenix Mercury. The six-time All-Star and her team start the new campaign Saturday with a marquee matchup against the Liberty.
Lexie Brown
After three years with the Los Angeles Sparks, guard Lexie Brown was traded to the Seattle Storm in exchange for a first and second-round draft pick. Now an eight-year league veteran, Brown will continue to serve as an off-the-bench threat for her new team. The Boston native recorded her first minutes with Seattle in the Storm’s lone preseason game, a 20-point win over the Sun, notching three points, a rebound and five assists in 13 minutes of play. Seattle will begin its season Saturday in a late-night date with the Mercury.
Elizabeth Williams
As center Elizabeth Williams enters her 11th season in the league, she has firmly established herself as an experienced veteran. The Virginia Beach, Va., native participated in each of the Chicago Sky’s three preseason games. Facing off against the Brazilian national team and twice against the Lynx, Williams tallied at least six points in each contest. The Sky will open their regular season Saturday, and Williams will likely remain a secondary scoring option to young star Kamilla Cardoso in the frontcourt.
Leaonna Odom
Forward Leaonna Odom is back in action, returning to New York after three years away from the league and a brief stint in Phoenix. The Lampoc, Calif., native logged double-digit minutes in the Liberty’s two preseason games, scoring eight total points along with a rebound, three assists and two blocks. Odom will continue to battle for minutes on a star-studded squad that has its sights set on a title.
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