The WNBA has reached the July portion of the season, and that means thousands of boisterous children at daytime games, also known as camp days.
To accommodate summer camps in league markets, group tickets are available for purchase at a reduced rate, giving organizations an opportunity to introduce the WNBA to children who might not have been previously exposed to it.
In the old days, this may have been the case. But the old days are the old days for a reason.
During the Chicago Sky’s camp day on Wednesday against the Atlanta Dream, a child was on the court with a representative of the Angel C. Reese Foundation. Her camp was invited to the game by Sky superstar Angel Reese, who used her foundation to assist in making the trip happen.
Unfortunately for the young girl and those in attendance at Wintrust Arena, Reese was ruled out previously with a leg injury.
Gone are the days when these annual events were the first sight of women playing professional basketball. Through the age of social media, smartphones, and high-speed internet, children of all ages are more than likely able to identify the stars of the WNBA.
Like three-time MVP A’ja Wilson, Reese has been one of the most important faces of women’s basketball, inspiring young Black girls from all over to strive for greatness while remaining true to themselves unapologetically.
Storm head coach Noelle Quinn is the sole remaining Black woman at the front of the bench in the WNBA. For as long as she has been leading the Storm, she has advocated for representation amongst the coaching ranks and beyond.
During a pregame press conference last week, she spoke to the importance of camp days, despite the budding concern that the league has outgrown matinee games.
“I think that’s what makes our league unique and different”, said Quinn. “The accessibility and the fact that we’re able to have days like this. The reality of it is that it’s the summertime. Whether it’s camp day or summer camps, kids in general have an option to watch our league and really look up to the players and see them in real time.”
“I’m not sure if that narrative fits, you know, the growth”, Quinn continued. “Kids are important. Kids have dreams. And it’s about representation and visualizing what you can do and who you can be. This is great representation for kids to see.”