Silver Stars point guard Becky Hammon spent most of Wednesday’s workout affixed to a courtside bench.
She chatted with coaches, staff and teammates. She watched intently as her teammates prepared for Saturday’s season opener at Sacramento.
It was Hammon’s first day at training camp, and already she likes what she has seen.
“Coach (Dan) Hughes, he’s been putting quite the team together,” Hammon said. “He’s put a bunch of winners on this team, so now we just have to go out there and make a little bit of magic happen out on the court, keep our nose to the grind, and keep working toward that championship.”
That might be easier said than done. While Hammon was at practice Wednesday, off-season signees Ann Wauters and Edwige Lawson-Wade are dealing with visa issues.
Also, returning starters Sophia Young and Vickie Johnson didn’t complete their season with Galatasaray of the Turkish Basketball League until Wednesday, and should arrive in town this week.
Hammon, though, is confident the Silver Stars can make another strong push at the WNBA title.
“We have a lot that we want to accomplish,” she said. “We have the same goals for this team, and everyone’s pressing on to get that championship.”
Crossley sidelined : Shanna Crossley, perhaps the Silver Stars’ best perimeter shooter, will miss the season after tearing her left ACL.
She will have surgery on May 22.
A 5-foot-10 guard, Crossley suffered the injury about two minutes into Monday’s exhibition against Detroit in Lubbock.
In two seasons with the Silver Stars, Crossley is already first in franchise history in 3-pointers attempted (308), and second in 3-pointers made (122).
May I take your order? Five Silver Stars players will be at various McDonald’s today, helping the food chain unveil its new Southern Style chicken sandwich.
Becky Hammon, Ruth Riley, Erin Buescher, Helen Darling and Crossley will sign autographs and take pictures with customers and serve samples of the new chicken sandwich between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m.
Hammon will be at the McDonald’s at 4720 Broadway, Riley at 5235 DeZavala Road, Buescher at 721 San Pedro Avenue, Darling at 2646 N. Pan Am Expressway and Crossley at 330 Valley Hi Road.