BIG shout out to Ashley Perez, who secured a spot on the Puerto Rico national team! Congrats to Ash Money!

Also saw Jazmon Gwathmey play a bit in the Fever-Sparks game the other night. She didn't play much, but she looks GREAT! She's put on some muscle since she left JMU and looks really strong. Wishing her the best!

Tamera Young is in her 9th year as a pro (yikes that makes me feel old since I remember when she came to JMU as a freshman!) and is currently with the Chicago Sky. She is a starter and averages right around 30 minutes a game.

I saw Kirby Burkholder last night. She is in Harrisonburg for the summer and then plans to return to Hungary to play professional basketball for another year. She seems to be very happy playing overseas.

(06-29-2017 08:35 AM)LovethoseDukes Wrote:  I saw Kirby Burkholder last night. She is in Harrisonburg for the summer and then plans to return to Hungary to play professional basketball for another year. She seems to be very happy playing overseas.

I'm not sure if this is as true for the women's game, but I've read about men playing in leagues in Europe and Asia and they almost always seem to love the experience, apart from missing family and friends. They make enough to live if they're smart about spending, and they get the experience of the different culture and travel, as well as continuing to play the game they love. At that age it would seem like a great way to spend a few years.

You can vote for Tamera and Jaz for the all-star game by following the link below. Let's go Dukes!

http://www.wnba.com/players/

Apparently you can also vote on Twitter and Facebook, but I'm not sure how that works.

Ashley Perez is playing for the Puerto Rico national team in the FIBA AmeriCup. That team distinguished itself yesterday by beating Cuba for the first time in history, 70-67, and on Saturday will try to qualify for their first semifinal ever. Let's send Ashley and her teammates lots of positive thoughts!

(08-10-2017 06:34 PM)orange-to-purple Wrote:  Ashley Perez is playing for the Puerto Rico national team in the FIBA AmeriCup. That team distinguished itself yesterday by beating Cuba for the first time in history, 70-67, and on Saturday will try to qualify for their first semifinal ever. Let's send Ashley and her teammates lots of positive thoughts!

How are you finding out updates about this? Ashley is a great team player. She made a mistake by not coming to JMU out of HS, but certainly made a huge impact when she finally arrived. I wish for nothing but the best for her in life and her immediate need of a strong game as she makes her way with the PR Nationals.

(08-11-2017 05:26 AM)BleedingPurple Wrote:  

(08-10-2017 06:34 PM)orange-to-purple Wrote:  Ashley Perez is playing for the Puerto Rico national team in the FIBA AmeriCup. That team distinguished itself yesterday by beating Cuba for the first time in history, 70-67, and on Saturday will try to qualify for their first semifinal ever. Let's send Ashley and her teammates lots of positive thoughts!

How are you finding out updates about this? Ashley is a great team player. She made a mistake by not coming to JMU out of HS, but certainly made a huge impact when she finally arrived. I wish for nothing but the best for her in life and her immediate need of a strong game as she makes her way with the PR Nationals.

Easiest way to find out updates is to go to the Women's Basketball page on JMUSports.com. Ashley's story is right on top and there is a link to FIBA Women's AmeriCup.

I am so happy Ashley and her team are doing so well. She was a great contributor to our team, both as a player and in her assistant role for a bit and she is also one of the nicest people you would ever want to meet. Her mother is a wonderful woman as well.

(08-11-2017 07:35 AM)LovethoseDukes Wrote:  

(08-11-2017 05:26 AM)BleedingPurple Wrote:  

(08-10-2017 06:34 PM)orange-to-purple Wrote:  Ashley Perez is playing for the Puerto Rico national team in the FIBA AmeriCup. That team distinguished itself yesterday by beating Cuba for the first time in history, 70-67, and on Saturday will try to qualify for their first semifinal ever. Let's send Ashley and her teammates lots of positive thoughts!

How are you finding out updates about this? Ashley is a great team player. She made a mistake by not coming to JMU out of HS, but certainly made a huge impact when she finally arrived. I wish for nothing but the best for her in life and her immediate need of a strong game as she makes her way with the PR Nationals.

Easiest way to find out updates is to go to the Women's Basketball page on JMUSports.com. Ashley's story is right on top and there is a link to FIBA Women's AmeriCup.

I am so happy Ashley and her team are doing so well. She was a great contributor to our team, both as a player and in her assistant role for a bit and she is also one of the nicest people you would ever want to meet. Her mother is a wonderful woman as well.

Thanks! Question, was this ever on the front page of jmusports.com.? Maybe I missed it when it was. If not, how would someone know to go search for a story like this? I've sort of stopped going to jmusports since the format change except when necessary to do so. I like using my laptop much more than my phone and stories are all over the page. I was much more likely to read about our athletics or our athletes when the site was well organized. It's horrible!

I follow Ashley on Twitter, also follow Jaz Gwathmey. That helps a lot. Plus I read several different basketball boards and most of the team boards. You could say I'm a WBB junkie! But I found out about the Cuba victory on Twitter.

Puerto Rico lost to Argentina in the semis, 48-44, so they will play Brazil for third place tonight. Brazil got absolutely scorched by Canada, 84-45, and will be smarting. Go Puerto Rico, go Ashley! (BTW, Canada is expected to win the whole thing in a walk.)

Puerto Rico beat Brazil to win the bronze in the Americup and thus qualified for the FIBA World Championships for the first time EVER! JMU fans should be PROUD of our girl Ashley and support her all the way!

Walfish tweeted this last night...

Josh Walfish @Josh_DNRSports 12h 12 hours ago ✡️

Retweeted Bridgette
#JMU picked up a big commitment for the 2018 class from its top target.

Anybody care to elaborate with more info???

Sounds great.

(09-18-2017 06:49 AM)Wear Purple Wrote:  Walfish tweeted this last night...

Josh Walfish @Josh_DNRSports 12h 12 hours ago ✡️

Retweeted Bridgette
#JMU picked up a big commitment for the 2018 class from its top target.

Anybody care to elaborate with more info???

Sounds great.

Just saw this on Twitter - not sure if same person: Eleanore Marciszewski

COACH D @coach_dosmann 14 hours ago

So proud of my lil'sis Eleanore Marciszewski who just committed to James Madison University @JMUWBasketball #TheMarathonContinues ??

(09-18-2017 07:15 AM)JMUrcc06 Wrote:  

(09-18-2017 06:49 AM)Wear Purple Wrote:  Walfish tweeted this last night...

Josh Walfish @Josh_DNRSports 12h 12 hours ago ✡️

Retweeted Bridgette
#JMU picked up a big commitment for the 2018 class from its top target.

Anybody care to elaborate with more info???

Sounds great.

Just saw this on Twitter - not sure if same person: Eleanore Marciszewski

COACH D @coach_dosmann 14 hours ago

So proud of my lil'sis Eleanore Marciszewski who just committed to James Madison University @JMUWBasketball #TheMarathonContinues ??

Thanks. Good digging.

Looks like a 5'11" guard from Quebec... http://crownscoutgirls.com/profile/elean...ciszewski/

http://crownscoutgirls.com/latest-news/2...ankings/2/

is this the #2 ranked player in ALL of Canada?

or just Quebec area?

either one. sounds like she might be a great get.

(09-18-2017 08:36 AM)Duke Dawg Wrote:  http://crownscoutgirls.com/latest-news/2...ankings/2/

is this the #2 ranked player in ALL of Canada?

or just Quebec area?

either one. sounds like she might be a great get.

Interesting that in Walfish's tweet, the words "its top (recruiting) target" were used. That speaks volumes.

Zowie! We are definitely stretching beyond our borders now. And apparently not just ANY foreign player, but a *good* one. Kudos to Coach O & company.