A little more than a decade ago, Nykesha Sales was flying down the court at the Orlando Arena for the Orlando Miracle, the short-lived WNBA team. She was just coming off setting a career scoring record at UConn.
Sales was the best player for the Miracle, averaging 13.5 points per game in her four years with the Miracle before the team moved to Connecticut to become the Connecticut Sun.
She returned to Orlando after her playing career ended in 2007.
Now she is getting another chance to make an impact with women’s basketball in Orlando. UCF announced she has joined Katie Abrahamson-Henderson’s staff for the upcoming season.
“I am very excited to be a part of the UCF Knights family,” Sales said in a UCF press release. “This position is an amazing opportunity to help build, encourage and empower our talented team. I want to thank Coach Abe for leading me here and I look forward to the success ahead.”
The Knights are trying to rebuild the program more or less from scratch. They finished 7-23 last year and have been at the bottom of the conference for the last several years.
Abrahamson-Henderson is bringing a high-tempo pressing style that was successful at Albany in making the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament last year and upsetting Florida.
It certainly seems like the Knights are trying to create some excitement for their program and change the program around. Sales will have to show her worth as a coach, but has plenty of experience and wisdom to share.
Lineup for Mascot Games announced
The annual Mascot Games will take place next weekend at the Amway Center to benefit New Hope for Kids, featuring mascots from across the country including STUFF of the Orlando Magic, Kingston of Orlando City SC, Knightro of UCF and Shades of the Orlando Solar Bears.
There will be two events in the Mascot Games — Friday, June 17 at 12:30 p.m. and Saturday, June 18 at 2 p.m. Tickets are available at the Amway Center box office for $12 for general admission tickets.
“The collection of Mascots that will be showcased at Amway Center will be unrivaled anywhere in the world,” Dave Joswiak, executive director of New Hope for Kids, told Attractions Magazine. “Our ambassador, Orlando Magic’s Stuff, has invited top notch talents, all who love to compete, and who also love knowing they’re helping kids.
This annual event helps raise money for New Hope for Kids, a charity that helps support children and families grieving the death of loved ones.
Aaron Gordon named to U.S. Select Team
Orlando Magic forward Aaron Gordon will get some run with the U.S. Olympic team.
Gordon was named to the U.S. Select Team, a group of young players brought into the Olympic team system and used to help the Olympic team train before the team heads off to Rio for the games.
