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/

For WNBPA.com

It’s no question that this year’s incoming WNBA rookie class has the skills, athleticism and passion to compete at the highest level. But that’s not all that comes with the high-profile job.

Recognizing the importance of professional dress and appearance off the court, the WNBA Players Association and the WNBA teamed up to provide the talented group of young woman with the tools they need to present themselves as professionals when they step off the hardwood. As part of the four-day Rookie Transition Program, which concluded with the WNBA Draft at ESPN in Bristol, Conn., a team of fashion stylists and hair/make-up experts provided the ladies with a wealth of knowledge and personal attention to help prepare them for their new careers.

 “I want these ladies to understand that they are entering into a world of professionalism and should take every opportunity to present themselves seriously. Our wardrobe is the first thing people look at besides our face, and your attire gauges how seriously people take you,” said stylist Rachel Johnson, owner of Thomas Faison.

Johnson kicked off the special event by focusing on what the WNBA up and comers would “need in their wardrobe arsenal to look like well quaffed, smart, professional women.”

“Every woman should have a pants suit, skirt suit, sheath, pencil skirt, white blouse and a trench coat in her closet,” said Johnson. “I recommend investing in classic, professional pieces, and spending less money on trendy pieces. And when you make your transition and start your new life, your tailor is your new best friend.”

After learning a number of how-to’s and what-not-to-do’s in the areas of wardrobe, shoes, accessories, makeup application, hair styling and even undergarments, it was time to apply what they learned.

From manicures to make-up applications, bra fittings and more, each lady had the opportunity to work one-on-one with the stylists to prepare for their Draft day look.

“You think you know how to dress as a professional, but this is really eye-opening. I feel like I’m ready to take on the world…this session was very beneficial,” said guard Natalie Novosel out of Notre Dame, selected eighth overall by the Washington Mystics. “The stylists helped me understand how to better flatter my figure, which was very helpful. As athletes, we don’t have a lot of time, but I’ve gained a better appreciation of how little touches can make such a big difference in improving our appearances.”

Adding a nip here and a tuck there, the stylists worked for hours to pull together each lady’s Draft day look and prepare them for the television cameras.

 “I’m like a sponge taking all of this in,” said center Lynetta Kizer out of Maryland who was drafted by the Tulsa Shock. “This session taught me how to dress professionally, while still showing my personality and keeping my look the ‘real me.’ At the court, I come to compete and I don’t think much about my appearance. But now that I’m in a professional environment, it is something I need to think about.”

A tremendous success, the WNBA hopefuls left their fashion seminar with the confidence, know-how and tools to take their appearances as seriously as their balling.

“As a professional athlete, your body is a marketable entity,” added Johnson. “These ladies are walking brands and need to understand the impact their attire and appearance has on that.”

And perhaps forward Nnemkadi Ogwumike from Stanford, selected first overall by the Los Angeles Sparks, summed it up best:

“When you look good, you feel good,” she said. “When you like how you look, it’s easier to go out there and succeed.”

And by the looks of it, these ladies are ready for the challenge.

From All-Stars like Tamika Catchings, Diana Taurasi, Cappie Pondexter, Maya Moore, Liz Cambage, Tina Charles, Swin Cash, Tina Thompson, Ticha Penicheiro, Sue Bird, Lindsay Whalen, Rebekkah Brunson, Becky Hammon, Crystal Langhorne, Katie Douglas, Angel McCoughtry, Penny Taylor, Seimone Augustus, Sylvia Fowles, Renee Montgomery, Essence Carson, Epiphanny Prince, Courtney Vandersloot and Danielle Adams to WNBA legends including Cynthia Cooper, Teresa Weatherspoon, Yolanda Griffith, Dawn Staley and many others, numerous current and past WNBA players helped make the WNBA “Swag Suite” a huge success! 

Check out the Swag Gallery!

 A special thanks to our participating Swag Suite sponsors:

Beats by Dre

Duracell

Ergo Candles

Flex Power

Garnier Maybelline

Ginger & Liz

Indiana Popcorn

Infusium 23

Jamba Juice

Nike

Pooka Pure & Simple

Pop Chips

Schick

Shea Moisturizer

Skin Essence

Soular Therapy

Sports Business Journal

The Athlete’s Foot

Today’s Black Women

Vita Coco

Women’s Heath Magazine

          June 3rd   2011 Regular Season begins 

In your sadness, may there be hope...

In your thoughts, may there be peace...

In your heart, may there be healing.

Rest in Peace. 



This past week, the NBPA, in partnership with Feed The Children, kicked off its “Operation Rebound” efforts in Alabama, where the groups distributed two truck’s worth of food and recovery supplies to more than 200 families at the More Than Conquers Faith Church in Birmingham. These trucks were just two of 23 that are heading to storm-swept communities across Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee and Georgia this week.

Led by NBPA Vice President and Alabama native Theo Ratliff, as well as NBA Legend Purvis Short, the kickoff efforts impacted numerous men, women and children who are in grave need of assistance.

“It means the world to me to be able to come back home to Alabama and give back to those who have been affected by this disaster,” said Ratliff, Los Angeles Lakers center. “Now more than ever, we need to stand together and lend a hand to those who desperately need it. The devastation here is heartbreaking, but I know firsthand how resilient our communities can be. I have no doubt we will rebuild and recover.”

Launched in 2005, in response to the effects of Hurricane Katrina, “Operation Rebound” is a long-term commitment and partnership between the NBPA, Feed The Children and other humanitarian groups to provide disaster relief and assistance in the rebuilding efforts of local communities.

“The City of Birmingham is in recover and rebuild mode after the storm’s devastation, and the NBPA’s ‘Operation Rebound’ will be a part of that effort as we strive to build a better Birmingham,” said Mayor William A. Bell, Sr. “We thank them for their time and support and for just simply giving of themselves to show that they care about the people of Birmingham.”

Many NBPA members have volunteered to travel and deliver supplies to those in the hard-hit areas, while others have contributed to the efforts, including NBA standouts Chris Bosh, Ben Wallace, D.J. White, Antonio McDyess and Josh Childress. The WNBPA Foundation also is a sponsor.

“Just as we did after Hurricane Katrina, we are honored to help with recovery efforts in the South, and humbled by the amazing show of strength we’ve seen in these communities,” said Purvis Short, NBA Legend and current NBPA Director of Player Programs. “We’re grateful to our partners in the local community for making this possible.”
Through numerous initiatives aimed at positively impacting families throughout the globe, the NBPA and its more than 400 players embody the spirit of giving, leading by example and selflessly contributing to the betterment of society.

In addition to outreach initiatives like “Operation Rebound,” the NBPA continues to make an impact, whether it is distributing holiday meals to families in need, contributing to emergency relief efforts, personally delivering food to the people of Kenya, hosting basketball clinics worldwide, and much more.

“The NBPA is committed to keeping community outreach a top priority, and I am proud of our player’s generosity and dedication to the causes we support,” said Billy Hunter, NBPA Executive Director.