Alex Chambers - @TheWGuy

Kristen Mann reveals her musical side and more

Gracing the pages of Dime Magazine wearing little more than a strategically placed basketball isn’t where you would typically expect to see a WNBA player. But it's exactly where you'll find former Minnesota Lynx forward Kristin Mann.

After checking an older email account that she had long ignored, Mann came across an email from an editor at Dime. After a couple of conversations, Mann was on her way to quite a “revealing” photo shoot.

Murphy and Swords two unlikely heroes for playoff hopeful Chicago

With less than a week left, the Chicago Sky are still in the playoff hunt -- and though Sylvia Fowles and Epiphanny Prince, as expected, have played major roles, injuries to both have thrust reserves Carolyn Swords and Shay Murphy into starring roles.

Tulsa's Temeka Johnson authors children's book

Temeka Johnson is all about hope.

Off the court, the Louisiana native and WNBA champion started a foundation in 2009, named after the very thing she exemplifies. With H.O.P.E. (which stands for Heaven Open People’s Eyes), Johnson’s goal is to inspire youth, and with the publication of her second children’s book Temeka’s Choice, she’s doing just that. Johnson’s book is also a testament to the importance of the 40th anniversary of Title IX, telling the story of a young girl's basketball dream.

Gray-Lawson's journey to the WNBA is a series of hurdles overcome

PHOENIX - Alexis Gray-Lawson is the resilient type, that tough girl next door neighbor that always earned respect from the guys on the court.  Her ability to take a hit and keep going is what we admire about her career. Even as this story was about to go to print, we learned that Lawson had just been waived from the Phoenix Mercury late Friday night.  But from where we sit, it's just another bump in the road that will only make her stronger.

All Access: L.A. Sparks - part 2

In this edition of WNBA All Access, Alex Chambers catches up with Sparks players Nicky Anosike, Alana Beard and the former Maryland teammates Marissa Coleman and Kristi Toliver. 

Find out which member of the LA Sparks desparately needs a pedicure and other hilarious information in All Access LA Sparks - part 2.

All Access: L.A. Sparks - part 1

The Los Angeles Sparks are off to a stong 9-3 start this season under new head coach Carol Ross.  They are comfortably sitting in second place in the Western Conference, two games back from Minnesota and have a huge lead of 5 or more games in the standings over the rest of the West. 

But enough about all that basketball stuff, Alex Chambers took some time to find out what the Sparks are up to off the court in this installment of All Access: L.A. Sparks-part 1.....(yes, there is MORE with All Access with LA next week).

The WNBA minute: June 11, 2012

The Lynx continue to make team history.

The WNBA Minute: June 4, 2012

The Minnesota Lynx are the only undefeated team in the WNBA finishing the week with a perfect 7-0 record and maintain first place in the Western Conference standings.  In the East, both Connecticut and Indiana fell this week spoiling their perfect records.  The Fever lead the Eastern Conference despite having the same 4-1 record as the Sun and Sky. 

The WNBA Minute: May 28th 2012

Games to watch this coming week:

On Thursday a cross-conference match up between Atlanta and Phoenix will also be a battle between Angel McCoughtry and Diana Taurasi, two exciting and offensively minded players. While both teams have gotten off to a slow 1-2 start, watch for the battle between these two Olympic teammates to heat up.

2012 Mercury Preview: Can a revamped roster boost Phoenix back to Western Conference dominance?

“You have to put that time and effort into it. I think that’s going to be huge for us.”

Commenting on teamwork in her squad, Diana Taurasi was in typical direct-and-honest form when she addressed the press on the Phoenix Mercury’s annual media day.  With a retooled roster, her team is looking to do what every team in the WNBA wants to do – win.