KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — With a couple more weeks under their belts, former Lady Vols keep ramping up their respective games in the WNBA. At some point during the last two weeks of contests, every LVFL scored in double digits in at least one game, including a double-double by Seattle’s Mercedes Russell, who tallied 15 points and recorded 11 rebounds against the Washington Mystics on June 14.
Along with her double-double performance, Russell also scored 13 points and recorded eight rebounds in an 84-82 win over Indiana on June 13. She now has started in five of nine games for the Storm and has been averaging 7.6 ppg, 6.2 rpg and 24.6 mpg.
Diamond DeShields posted two 20+ point games for the Chicago Sky with 24 points against Washington on June 5 and a season high of 25 points against Phoenix on June 11. The Sky went 1-1 when DeShields scored more than 20 points. She is currently leading her team in scoring with an average of 14.0, ranking her 16th in the league overall. DeShields continues action on June 19 at the New York Liberty at 7 p.m. (League Pass).
Isabelle Harrison and Glory Johnson have been representing UT on the Dallas Wings and both have recorded a double-digit scoring performance this season. Harrison scored 18 points against Indiana on June 7 and also reeled in seven rebounds in a 79-64 loss. Johnson responded the next game with nearly a double-double with 15 points and nine rebounds in an 86-82 loss against Washington on June 9.
Shekinna Stricklen recorded three double-digit scoring efforts in the last two weeks, including 16-point performances in back-to-back games for the Connecticut Sun. The team is currently first in the league standings and sits at 8-1 overall.
Candace Parker, meanwhile, remains sidelined. The L.A. Sparks star is recovering from a hamstring injury that has plagued her since the preseason, but she could return any day now. She most recently competed in a full scrimmage last week during practice.
Diamond DeShields
Chicago Sky | G | 2nd Season
DeShields has started in all six of the Chicago Sky’s games this season. She is averaging 14.0 ppg. and 4.7 rpg. thus far. She leads the team in scoring and is currently ranked 16th in the league. Her next game is June 19 against the New York Liberty at 7 p.m. ET (League Pass).
Isabelle Harrison
Dallas Wings | F/C | 4th Season
After sitting out all of last season due to medical reasons, Harrison has been averaging a little over 21 minutes a game and tallying 6.4 ppg. and 4.0 rpg. She recently scored 18 points in 25 minutes and collected seven rebounds against the Indiana Fever. The next game for her is on June 20 against the Phoenix Mercury beginning at 8 p.m. (CBS Sports Network).
Glory Johnson
Dallas Wings | F | 7th Season
Johnson has started in five of six contests played for the Dallas Wings this season. In just under 25 minutes of action per game, she has produced 6.7 ppg. and 7.0 rpg. After nearly having a double-double against Washington, she also helped the Wings to their first win of the season against Atlanta on June 15 with five points, two steals, four assists and five rebounds.
Candace Parker
Los Angeles Sparks | F/C | 12th Season
Parker has been sidelined with a hamstring injury since the preseason. She is slowly recovering and could return to action any day now.
Mercedes Russell
Seattle Storm | C | 2nd Season
Russell has already played in nine games this season and averages 24.6 minutes per contest. With more time on the court compared to last season, she has been contributing 7.6 ppg. and 6.2 rpg. The Seattle Storm continues its season June 21 against the LA Sparks (CBS Sports Network) at 10:30 p.m.
Shekinna Stricklen
Connecticut Sun | G/F | 8th Season
Stricklen has started in all nine games so far this season for the Connecticut Sun and has scored in double digits in four of the past five games. She is sitting at 10.4 ppg. and has chipped in 1.6 rpg. while playing 24.1 mpg. so far this season. Stricklen also has been shooting an impressive 83.3 percent on free throws. Her next game is June 21 against Atlanta at 7:30 p.m. (League Pass).
-UT Athletics
