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An unforgettable night, an unforgettable girl

An accepting high school gave Rachel Cooperstein, a student with Down syndrome, an opportunity. She gave them an experience they'll never forget.

May 31 | By Michelle Smith

Don't expect too much from Maya Moore

While the WNBA rookie expressed displeasure with her preseason debut, there's no doubt she will get better. Just don't expect her to dominate.

May 30 | By Michelle Smith

Cheerleading has changed, so should our attitudes

A new version of cheer is athletic, competitive and demanding -- and maybe it's time to consider it a sport.

May 23 | By Michelle Smith

Smith: Renel Brooks-Moon a Bay Area fixture

May 18 | By Michelle Smith

That voice! Sounds like a Bay Area fixture

Renel Brooks-Moon, a familiar voice to San Francisco Giants fans, is the only female public address announcer in Major League Baseball.

May 17 | By Michelle Smith

Five things to know about WNBA training camp

It's time to get to work in the WNBA, with players starting the fight for roster spots. It's also time for coaches to begin forming their rotations and strategies for the season. Here's what you need to watch for in camp.

May 17 | By Michelle Smith

U.S. women healthy for a change

Candace Parker, Seimone Augustus and Candice Wiggins missed last year's World Championship because of injuries. All are back and rarin' to go.

May 12 | By Michelle Smith

Can a woman shoot for the NBA?

NBA commissioner David Stern is optimistic about the possibility of a woman in his league, but many coaches and players are skeptical, citing disparity in size and strength between the sexes.

May 12 | By Michelle Smith

Diana Taurasi eager to get on floor

Doping allegations led to a five-month break from the game. She's vindicated, and coaches say the layoff has helped her.

May 11 | By Michelle Smith

Brittney Griner a little starstruck at camp

Surrounded by players she looks up to, the Baylor star is tentative in her first day at the U.S. national team training camp.

May 10 | By Michelle Smith

New baseball policy helps players take leave

Baseball players used to have to choose between staying with their team or being with their wife or partner for the birth of a child. A new MLB policy, a first for a major pro league, encourages players to be with their families.

May 4 3:37 PM ET | By Michelle Smith

Laurel Richie embraces WNBA challenge

The new president will be called on to sell the game to potential fans and sponsors. And that's right up her alley.

Apr 26 | By Michelle Smith

WNBA names Laurel Richie president

Unlike past presidents, she has no basketball on her bio, but Laurel Richie has plenty of business acumen. Her last job was chief marketing officer of the Girl Scouts of America.

Apr 21 3:35 PM ET | By Michelle Smith

Emptying the notebook after a long draft day

At the 2011 WNBA draft, the players and interesting personalities provided plenty of sound bites and interesting stories. espnW was there for all of them, and is sharing some of the best after a long day on ESPN's campus.

Apr 11 8:45 PM ET | By Michelle Smith

WNBA draftees jump into new life

There's more involved to the WNBA draft than than just hearing your name called today. The players have been busy all weekend preparing for their professional lives.

Apr 11 8:39 PM ET | By Michelle Smith

Aggies teammates stick together at draft

Less than a week after winning Texas A&M's first national championship, Aggies stars Danielle Adams and Sydney Colson found themselves at another life-changing event -- the WNBA draft.

Apr 11 8:40 PM ET | By Michelle Smith

Family and friends support players

While players primp, family and friends soak in the atmosphere at ESPN headquarters. Players have been working all of their lives for this moment -- and it's finally here.

Apr 11 3:25 PM ET | By Michelle Smith

Excitement mounts as start of draft nears

Fifteen accomplished athletes are gathered for the WNBA draft, waiting nervously to hear their names called. Well, most of them are nervous. Then there's Maya Moore, the expected No. 1 pick, calm as ever.

Apr 11 2:59 PM ET | By Michelle Smith

Now that it's over, what did we learn?

Gary Blair can coach, Skylar Diggins can play, and there's more to women's college basketball than Stanford, Connecticut, Tennessee and Baylor. And that's a good thing.

Apr 7 7:21 AM ET | By Michelle Smith

A&M's Danielle Adams stars on biggest stage

Aggies star senior center Danielle Adams took the rare route to college basketball stardom, through junior college. Now, she's on top of the college basketball world.

Apr 5 | By Michelle Smith

Questions upon questions in Indianapolis

Tuesday's women's national title game matchup pitting Notre Dame against Texas A&M is making the college basketball world question itself a bit. Is having fresh blood playing for the championship a good thing?

Apr 4 | By Michelle Smith

Tara VanDerveer honored on a 'tough morning'

The day after her team lost a heartbreaking game in the Final Four semifinals, the Stanford coach was named to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. The timing of the announcement caused mixed emotions.

Apr 4 2:50 PM ET | By Michelle Smith

Notre Dame, A&M deliver Final Four upsets

There will not be a No. 1 seed in Tuesday's women's NCAA championship game, as the Aggies and Irish played spoiler for Connecticut and Stanford.

Apr 4 1:14 AM ET | By Michelle Smith

Final Four coaches, players learn to mesh well

The secret of success for this year's Final Four teams is blending personalities.

Apr 2 | By Michelle Smith