Women’s League To Draft

Wed., June 19, 1996

Compiled From Wire Services

The player draft for the new American Basketball League, which will begin play in eight cities in mid-October, will be completed today.

The ABL is the latest effort to establish a professional women’s basketball league in the United States. Several attempts failed in the 1980s.

Jenni Ruff, formerly of Washington State, is one of the 122 players eligible for today’s draft.

The ABL is one of two new leagues. The other is the WNBA, which will become a summer operation run by the NBA beginning next year. Its plans, which include teams in eight NBA cities to be named, are expected to be announced soon.

Earlier this month at Emory University in Atlanta, about 550 players each paid $200 to try out for a spot in the ABL draft. At week’s end, 122 survived to join a group of pre-signed members of the U.S. Olympic team, including Dawn Staley.

Local journalism is essential.

Give directly to The Spokesman-Review's Northwest Passages community forums series -- which helps to offset the costs of several reporter and editor positions at the newspaper -- by using the easy options below. Gifts processed in this system are tax deductible.

Meet Our Journalists

Jesse Tinsley

Meet Jesse Tinsley. As a certified drone pilot, this veteran Spokesman-Review photographer often can be seen capturing beautiful aerial photographs of our region. Sometimes though, the job requires getting down with the dogs.
Jim Meehan

Jim Meehan is no stranger to Zag Nation. As the lead writer covering the Gonzaga men’s basketball team, he tells the stories behind the game and gets fans a bit closer to their favorite players.
Molly Quinn

There is no artist in Spokane like Molly Quinn. Her whimsical style is instantly recognizable to readers of The Spokesman-Review. She has painted gorgeous illustrations that instantly elevate the journalism accompanying it. She brings to life the stories that defy photography. She makes our pages better.
Rob Curley

Spokesman-Review editor Rob Curley loves to talk with people and learn about their lives, whether it's a best-selling author or a stranger he meets downtown on his walk to lunch. It's that inquisitive nature combined with a playful sense of storytelling that helps make our newspaper different than most.

Women’s League To Draft

Jesse Tinsley

Jim Meehan

Molly Quinn

Rob Curley

Updated: How West Valley sprinter Lauren Matthew is leaving past frustrations behind in her race for gold in 2026

Gonzaga, Duke to meet in Detroit for February nonconference showdown

With no defending champions, Bloomsday elite coordinator Andy LeFriec predicts tight finish at this year's race