Connecticut Sun coach fined, suspended for 'offensive comment' about Las Vegas Aces star Liz Cambage
The Connecticut Sun's general manager and coach Kurt Miller has been fined $ 10,000 and a game will be suspended for comment made during Sunday's game about Las Vegas Aces star Liz Cambage, the WNBA announced on Monday .
Cambage posted a long story on Instagram after the game, stating that Miller tried to dishonor the Sun's favor by mentioning his weight to the referee. According to Cambez, Miller commented to the referee as: "Come on, he's 300 pounds."
In her Instagram post, Cambage corrected her by saying that she is 6-foot-8 and 235 pounds - because she just weighed herself so she could be "right" and "all the facts" - and she was "very proud". Feeling "of being a big B ----."
"I'll never let a man disrespect me, ever, ever, especially a little white," Cambez said, adding later, "Never to disrespect me or any other woman in the league Do not try."
Miller issued a statement on Monday morning apologizing to the Cambage and Aces organization.
"I made an inappropriate and objectionable comment in terms of the height and weight of Liz Cambez. I am sorry for everything I said in the heat of the moment and I want to sincerely apologize to Liz and the entire Aces organization. I I understand the seriousness of his words and have learned from it, ”said Miller.
Miller will serve a suspension against the Seattle Storm in the Sun's Tuesday game, a matchup of two heavy favorites to go to the WNBA Finals.
Jennifer Rizzotti, in her second month as president of the Sun, released a statement for the team on Monday night.
"We do not in any way condemn any behavior or speech that is disrespectful to another person," she said. "Kurt apologizes for his mistake and understands the seriousness of his words."
In her post, Cambez said Miller was "lucky" that the incident happened during a game when she was "doing my job."
The WNBA All-Star stated that she speaks trash during the games, but she considers it different because it is between the players. "But for a coach for another team, shouting, like, guarded misconduct. Because we can't return anything. It's just crazy for me," Cambez said.
He has not yet commented on Miller's apology.
Liberty waive nine-year WNBA veteran Layshia Clarendon
New York Liberty has waived veteran guard Lesia Clarendon, the team announced Thursday morning.
The 30-year-old Clarendon saw just three minutes of action in the team's first three games of the 2021 season.
The former All-Star, who was the first openly non-binary and transgender player in WNBA history and uses multiple pronouns, started and played in 19 of 22 games for Liberty in 2020, and his 11.5 per game. The points were a career high. Clarendon has averaged 7.3 points and 3.0 assists per game in his career.
"NY Liberty would like to thank Lesia for her incredible contribution to our organization inside and outside the court," Liberty said in a statement on social media. "The courage and activism of Lesia inspires all of us. We wish you all the best and look forward to seeing your continued influence in this league and this world."
Clarendon declined to comment.
In addition to being a nine-year WNBA veteran, Clarendon is the league's first vice-president of the players' union and a leader of the Social Justice Council.
Seimone Augustus on retirement: 'Body was saying it couldn't go anymore'
As she was preparing to begin her 16th season at the WNBA, Los Angeles Sparks star Seamon Augustus - who announced her retirement last week and accepted a coaching position with the team - did not feel right.
During a rigorous pre-season workout session, his trainer asked him to do 48 sprints. He barely finished them. Then she knew that the time had come to rethink her future in the league.
"My ego got me through 48 sprints, but then when I got to my car, I couldn't even crank up my car because I was just tired," she said. "I was just so tired. My soul was like, 'What are you doing?' From that day until the day I decided to [retire], I had that constant doubt.
"My body was saying that it can't go on anymore."
When he thought about ending his old playing career, Augustus said he called his mom and dad, who reminded him, "You've done everything."
Augustus has not received some praise. She was an eight-time All-Star, winning four WNBA titles with the Minnesota Lynx. She also won three Olympic gold medals and was a two-time recipient of the Wooden Award as a star at LSU in 2005 and 2006.
Augustus also said that the past year has been difficult for him and the rest of his teammates at the WNBA, which has played an important role in the social justice movement. He said that life inside the league's "double" was also a challenge during the epidemic.
"It really takes a mental and physical toll," Augustus said. "I felt like I got dirt out of my system, but there may still be some remnants for this particular season."
Augustus said she hopes to encourage and advance the players in their new roles. She said she is focusing on coaching right now, but if the WNBA decides to expand her hometown in Baton Rouge, New Orleans near Louisiana, she will also consider contributing.
"If it's a possibility, I'd love to expand there," she said.