On CNN/SI, Jackie MacMullan discussed the controversy
surrounding 2ball, the new All-Star Weekend event which
pairs NBA and WNBA players: "The players were upset that the
league had not notified them that they were getting rid of
the slam dunk and going to this 2ball set, and they also
felt a little chagrined that the NBA, who of course is
controlling the WNBA, was using their venue to promote the
women's basketball. And so there was some talk this week
... of actually boycotting this event. Now, the league and
the players and the union all got together and I think the
players have decided that this isn't the battle that the
union wants to fight. ... But clearly, it's just a preview
of the skirmishes to come ("This Week In The NBA," 1/11).
THE BUTLER DID IT: Riverdale, NY, high school
basketball player Niesha Butler said yesterday that she will
likely attend GA Tech in the fall, where she "would
consider" playing one year before challenging the WNBA's
eligibility requirements, according to Ron Dicker of the
N.Y. TIMES. The WNBA requires players meet one of four
criteria to be eligible for its draft: Players must be at
least 22- years- old, complete college eligibility, have a
college degree or complete at least two seasons in another
professional league (N.Y. TIMES, 1/12). Butler added that
even if she played in the WNBA, she would still attend
classes during the school year (N.Y. POST, 1/12).
