Congratulations Indiana Fever!!!

The 2012 WNBA Champions 

Game 1
Fever 76 Lynx 70 

Game 2
Lynx 83 Fever 71

Game 3
Fever 76 Lynx 59

Game 4
Fever 87 Lynx 78 

WNBPA President, Tamika Catchings receives the MVP Award 

WNBA LEGEND CHASITY MELVIN SHINES AS FIRST WNBA PLAYER TO TAKE THE SPOTLIGHT AT SPORTSCASTER U.

Melvin Joins NBA Players In Learning The Ins & Outs of Broadcasting During NBPA Program at Syracuse University

Syracuse, NY – Twelve-year NBA veteran Chasity Melvin already has proven herself as a talented competitor on the court. But this week, she’s trying her hand at broadcasting during the NBPA’s Sportscaster U. program at the Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University. The very first WNBA player to participate in Sportscaster U., which is in its fifth year, Melvin joins NBA players Jarron Collins, Richard Jefferson and Quentin Richardson in this year’s program.

A three-day interactive seminar geared toward NBA and WNBPA players interested in pursuing a post-playing career in broadcast journalism, Sportscaster U. offers its participants hands-on experience in broadcast basics, game coverage, interviewing techniques, studio performance and equipment technology.

Melvin will join the ranks of numerous NBA players as Sportscaster U. graduates, including Shaquille O’Neal, Vince Carter, Malik Rose, Eric Snow, Andre Iguodala and many others.

“We are thrilled that Chasity is taking advantage of this tremendous program and proud that she will be the first of many WNBA players to experience and benefit from Sportscaster U.,” said Pamela Wheeler, Director of WNBPA Operations. “Many NBA players who participated in the program have gone on to find great success in broadcast journalism, and I am sure Chasity will do so as well if she chooses to pursue a post-playing career in front of the camera.”

ABOUT CHASITY MELVIN
A 12-year NBA veteran, Chasity Melvin is a 6’3 forward/center in the WNBA. Selected by the Cleveland Rockers in the 1999 WNBA Draft, Melvin played five seasons in Cleveland before joining the Washington Mystics and the Chicago Sky. Originally from North Carolina, she attended and played basketball for North Carolina State University, where she was named an All-American. Melvin also has played professionally in China, Italy, Israel, Spain, Poland and Russia.

###

Welcome to the WNBA

In preparation for their new lives in the pros, a group of up and coming rookies recently participated in the 2012 WNBA Player Orientation in Connecticut. Presented by the WNBPA and WNBA, the program exists to assist the women in transitioning to the league and understanding the challenges they may face, on and off the court.

The ladies heard from a number of compelling speakers, including WNBA stars Tamika Catchings, Kara Lawson, Shannon Bobbitt, Kalana Greene and Carolyn Swords, as well as WNBPA Director of Operations Pam Wheeler and WNBA President Laurel Richie. A number of topics also were addressed by experts in areas like financial planning, security, domestic violence, health, nutrition, image and the media. They were even treated to a special fashion and hair/makeup session, which was a huge success!

In addition to the interactive seminars, the group traveled to ESPN studios in Bristol, Conn., to hold a basketball clinic and meet with network executives and talent before heading into the studio for the live WNBA Draft. With their families by their side, each of the 15 women had their names called and learned where in the country their WNBA careers would take them.

Check out the photos from Draft day: http://www.wnbpa.org/photo-galleries/draft-day-2012/