Bigs become bigger

There’s been a growth spurt in women’s basketball.

Fans watching the NCAA women’s tournament will see more versatile 6-foot-3 or taller players than ever, a couple playing above the rim and plenty facing the basket with guard skills – their games patterned more after LeBron James than Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

“Back in the day, if you were a big person, you were a back-to-the-basket kind of player,” said Anne Donovan, a 6-8 force who won Olympic gold medals in 1984 and 1988 and was the 1983 college player of the year at Old Dominion. “It was Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in the men’s game, and the women’s game had the same style players.

“Our game has evolved like the men, where we’re not back-to-the-basket for post players any more. I think you started seeing that evolution with (6-5) Lisa Leslie and it’s just continued.”

Coaches say the increasing popularity of the women’s game has resulted in more girls playing at an early age, and these players are more skilled. Though the game is growing, the average woman isn’t – she still stands about 5-4. Women on average have grown just eight-tenths of an inch since the early 1960s, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

A look at rosters from the six major conferences – Big East, Big Ten, Big 12, SEC, ACC and Pacific-10 – from the mid-1990s shows that the number of 6-3 or taller players has nearly doubled in some cases.

This year’s Tennessee team features 12 players 5-10 or taller, including 6-6 center Kelley Cain.

“Just the mobility of the post players throughout the country, it’s amazing to me, compared to let’s say 10 years ago,” Tennessee coach Pat Summitt said.

There are still some back-to-the-basket players like Donovan, now coach of the WNBA’s New York Liberty. But just like in the men’s game, more of the bigs in the women’s game are slashers, with quick moves, crossover dribbles and showtime passes.

“You’re seeing more kids 6-3, 6-4, 6-5. You’re seeing them in all dimensions,” said Kim Mulkey, 6-8 freshman Brittany Griner’s coach at Baylor. “You’re seeing them broad and then you’re seeing them long and athletic. You’re seeing a variety.”

ACC champion Duke has won with a frontcourt that plays mostly with their backs to the basket – 6-4 Krystal Thomas and 6-5 freshman Allison Vernerey.

Duke coach Joanne P. McCallie said tall players are playing more positions.

“Sometimes it’s hard to find the traditional post because so many post players want to step out and shoot the 3,” she said. “It’s always exciting to see players who can play with their back to the basket.”

Auburn’s Nell Fortner pointed out teams like No. 4 seed Kentucky that have thrived with comparatively undersized teams. But there is an abundance of big players in the high school ranks, and competition is intense for their services.

“You’re looking at 6-foot point guards,” Fortner said. “You’re just looking at kids that are bigger and they’re bigger at their position.”