NOTES: VanDerveer’s impact carries into WNBA

By W.G. RAMIREZ

She may be retired from coaching, but Tara VanDerveer’s legacy will forever have an impact on the game.

Las Vegas Aces chief development officer Jennifer Azzi (r) played for Tara VanDerveer at Stanford. Azzi and the Aces honored VanDerveer on May 18.

PHOTO: Courtesy Las Vegas Aces “X” account

Las Vegas Aces coach Becky Hammon said there aren't too many colleges where, off the top of her head, she can name a slew of greats who played for one program.

She had no problem rattling off a list of whom played at Stanford.

"Maybe two other colleges, UConn and Tennessee," Hammon said May 18 before her Aces defeated the Los Angeles Sparks, 89-82.

It's a credit, she said, to VanDerveer, the all-time winningest basketball coach for both men and women.

The Aces recently honored VanDerveer, who retired this past season after accumulating a 1,216-271 record in her 45-plus years as a collegiate head coach.

Las Vegas' chief development officer Jennifer Azzi, who played for VanDerveer at Stanford, presented the 70-year-old legend to the capacity crowd on the court.

"I appreciate it," VanDerveer said. "We're all part of a great game, you want to keep growing the game. The WNBA, I think benefits from great college play and vice versa."

VanDerveer is one of four coaches in the history of the sport to win three national titles while her teams won 20 or more games a record 39 times, and has coached a team to 30 wins 17 times.

"They've just been so good for so long, produced so many great players," Hammon said. "We're trying to be what she's been, which is sustained greatness. And she's done it for such a long time."

Of the 12 teams in the WNBA, Stanford is represented on six of the teams, with seven active players.

That Indiana Fever defensive specialist Lexie Hull, who won a national championship under VanDerveer in 2021.

Hull said despite the Fever's rough start, not to mention a shift in playing time now that Caitlin Clark is on the roster, she values the lessons she learned under VanDerveer.

“Everyone, every year has a different role on the team, and Tara definitely helped me learn that every person is very important on the entire team,” Hull said. “So just taking that and riding with that throughout the year, whatever the team needs is what I'm going to bring my best in. So I'm thankful for that perspective."

For some, the fact VanDerveer won't be roaming the sidelines donning Cardinal gear with another power-packed lineup any longer hasn't quite sunk in.

"It's surreal that some of the legends are now retiring," Sparks coach Curt Miller said. "They've meant so much to our game, and Tara's meant so much to our game and mentored so many outstanding women.

"She's impacted people's lives so much through our sport. None of us got into this for money, none of us got into this for prestige, we got into this because we love this game and the ability to impact people's lives. And no one modeled that better than Tara."

VanDerveer marveled at the atmosphere inside Michelob Ultra Arena, with her former star Cameron Brink playing for Los Angeles, and said she was thrilled to see the city behind the women's game.

Asked whether or not the WNBA's next franchise - the Golden State Valkyries - had contacted her to be their first coach, VanDerveer said she'd be in fan mode only when the team enters play next season.

"I'm retired from coaching but I'll be cheering for them," she said. "I'm very excited about the Valkyries. It's gonna be a great franchise and I told (Las Vegas owner) Mark Davis, they'll be giving the Aces a run for their money."

DYNAMITE DEWANNA - On the same day she was named Eastern Conference Player of the Week, Connecticut's DeWanna Bonner led the Sun to a 70-47 blowout of the Phoenix Mercury. En route to a 19-point performance, Bonner registered her 7,000th career point, to go along with three rebounds, three assists, one steal and one block in the win. Bonner joined Diana Taurasi, Tamika Catchings, Tina Thompson and Tina Charles as one of five players in WNBA history to hit 7,000 points during their careers. Bonner and Catchings are the only two players in league history with 7,000 points, 2,800 rebounds and 1,000 assists in a career.

ALSO HONORED - While Bonner took home honors in the East, it was Kahleah Copper of Phoenix Mercury grabbing Western Conference Player of the Week honors after averaging 29.7 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game. Copper is off to the best start of her career, averaging a league third-best 25.5 points per contest through six games. Her previous best start through six games was in 2021 when she averaged 15.6 points per outing for Chicago.

BACK IN ACTION - Isabelle Harrison returned from a knee injury and made her regular season debut with the Chicago Sky on Tuesday in a 77-68 loss to the Seattle Storm. Harrison, who played this past March with Athletes Unlimited in Dallas, joined the Sky last season but missed the season due to injury. Harrison finished with two points, the first regular season points of her Sky career.

ROOKIE ON A ROLL - Also for Chicago in Tuesday's game, Angel Reese recorded the first double-double of her career, with 11 points and a career-high 12 rebounds. Reese leads all rookies with 8.6 rebounds per game, which ranks ninth-best among all players. She also boasts a second-best 10.2 points per contest among first-year players.

CONTINUED IMPROVEMENT - Veteran forward Dearica Hamby leads the pack for an early nod for Most Improved Player. The 10-year veteran recorded her fifth double-double in six games this season and the 31st of her career in Tuesday's 88-82 win over the Fever. Hamby, who tied Maya Moore and MVP-candidate Napheesa Collier for 38th all-time, finished with 17 points and 10 rebounds.

BACK "IN THE PAINT" - The Las Vegas Aces' in-season television show, “In The Paint,” providing viewers with storylines within the organization and stories of the players and coaches, is set to return Wednesday. The season premiere is highlighted by a 20-minute sit-down interview with stars Chelsea Gray and Syd Colson.

"So if it would have been a turnover, then what?" Gray asked Colson about her behind-the-back pass in last year's WNBA Finals.

"Then I'm out the game; then I'm out the league," Colson replied.