The High 8 Queer Love Tales of 2023’s WNBA All Star Weekend
For those who, like me, have watched Love & Basketball so many instances that you would be able to quote “Who you goin’ to the dance with anyway? Spalding?” and simply so occurred to have additionally grown up homosexual, then final weekend was Massive Information for you.
The 2023 WNBA All Star recreation (held in Las Vegas) was most definitely thrilling for individuals who love — and even perceive — the sport of basketball. It was exhilarating for individuals who love Kehlani. She carried out on the half time present — although ABC fumbled the bag by reducing away from her efficiency after just one music to replay the identical commercials we’d been watching all evening. However it doesn’t matter what the ultimate scoreboard learn,* the true winners right here had been these of us who get pleasure from turning off our brains to the tune of queer celebrities trying lovely and in looooove (ahem, with a bit of gentle gossip on the aspect). And for you I current: the High 8 Queer Love Tales of the 2023 All Star Recreation.
*Workforce Breanna Stewart totally whooped Workforce A’ja Wilson to the tune of greater than 20 factors, for these of you who care concerning the so-called “recreation.” Okay now, for the remainder of us! Vapid Fluff about enticing athletes and their companions! SPORTS!
Brittney and Cherelle Griner
Photograph by Ethan Miller/Getty Photographs
Alright, let’s begin right here with the royal court docket of the WNBA and no, I’m not kidding. I feel Brittney Griner was heavy on everybody’s coronary heart this weekend as a result of it was simply this time final yr the gamers of the All Star recreation all wore her number as a collective motion of solidarity whereas she was wrongful detention in Russia; Cherelle watched from the stands. So having her again — having them each again, as a result of nobody fought tougher for BG than Cherelle Griner — was a balm for our hearts and each time BG smiled or laughed or known as herself an old grandpa of the game, it was just like the solar itself shining. That’s simply reported truth, don’t shoot the messenger.
However Cherelle additionally made the rounds herself, residing the type of Basketball Wives: Lesbian Version fantasy of my desires. Click on by means of for photographs of her with quite a lot of WNBA spouses (together with Chelsea Grey’s spouse, Tipesa, who might be featured later on this roundup, together with Jaelynn Royal, the associate of Phoenix Mercury’s Sug Sutton, and Tia Canon, the spouse of Indiana Fever’s Emma Cannon ). There’s additionally photographs of Cherelle with celebrities comparable to Gabrielle Union and a selected Gray’s Anatomy onscreen couple that I feel just a few of y’all will care about 😉
However, on prime of all the things else, the actual cause BG and Cherelle are first on this checklist is for this temporary video. BG ensuring Cherelle Griner was entrance row for Kehlani (she seems to be the one spouse among the many gamers on the ground?) is High Tier Black Love, and I shall not be advised otherwise.
Chelsea and Tipesa Grey
As soon as once more I have to ask you to scroll by means of the carousel, as a result of on the sixth slide there’s a photograph of Chelsea and Tipesa with BG and Cherelle that made me full on squeal like a young person.
Notice Cherelle’s touch upon the publish itself, “We had a time ♥️” adopted by Chelsea commenting about her spouse, “Lady you positive 😍”
Will I ever recover from watching all these lovely Black {couples} in love? Have you ever met me??
(That is additionally a good time for a reminder that for the Las Vegas Aces Delight Night time in June, Chelsea full-on wore a t-shirt immortalizing her wedding kiss with Tipesa and I’ve merely by no means recovered from that flex.)
Candace Parker and Ana Petrakova-Parker
Candace Parker had a reasonably low-key All Star weekend, however she and her spouse hosted their second annual Ace Occasion (sponsored by Adidas) and if Candace simply, you realize, slowly retires into being the mayor of All Star Weekend Occasion Metropolis — the place she wears completely becoming fits, drinks costly brown liquor, and raps Jay-z lyrics to anybody who will pay attention, residing her finest life — I’d love that search for her.
Breanna Stewart and Marta Xargay
Breanna Stewart not solely received the precise All Star recreation, however Stewie strolling the pink excuse me, orange, carpet together with her spouse Marta, who’s roughly fiftyeleven months pregnant, maybe received your complete weekend.
Marta is due in October. Their first daughter, Ruby (whom Stewie just named a pair of signature Pumas after), was additionally a star of the weekend — I simply gotta say.
Photograph by Jamie Squire/Getty Photographs
Courtney Vandersloot and Allie Quigley
Pay attention okay, Courtney Vandersloot and Allie Quigley will all the time be within the Corridor of Fame, all they must do is present up, as a result of they received a complete ass championship collectively in 2022 whereas enjoying for the Chicago Sky — and who does that???? That could be a film.
VanderQuigs (@Sloot22, @alliequigley) has arrived to the Orange Carpet. #WNBATwitter pic.twitter.com/eFl9Rmo93t
— Her Hoop Stats (@herhoopstats) July 15, 2023
Alyssa Thomas and DeWanna Bonner
Talking of relationships that double as film plots — Alyssa Thomas and DeWanna Bonner usually are not solely girlfriends who each play on the identical staff (actually, not as within the metaphorical homosexual staff of which we’re all a component, they each play for the Connecticut Solar)… oh no, that’s not sufficient for these overachievers! They had been additionally All Star Teammates. Now the place they do this at?!?!
DeWanna Bonner (@DEEBONNER24) and Alyssa Thomas (@athomas_25) make their method on to the Orange Carpet. #WNBATwitter pic.twitter.com/vlwWJyAn1i
— Her Hoop Stats (@herhoopstats) July 15, 2023
And sure, technically this publish of them isn’t All Star weekend associated, however it’s so attractive, I needed to share.
(Additionally congratulations to Alyssa, who along with being a complete vibe is the present document holder for many triple-doubles in a single WNBA season and it’s not even shut.)
Destanni Henderson and Zariah Lynn
Now its time introduce some younger like to our roundup! Destanni Henderson got here to All Star Weekend with just a few different current grads of the South Carolina Gamecocks (my favourite faculty staff, as a result of round right here we’re Daybreak Staley for all times) to help Aliyah Boston, their former South Carolina teammate and the primary Rookie to make a WNBA All Star beginning 5 since 2014!!! All of them rented a home collectively and it was very a lot giving “I’m doing a ladies journey in my early 20s” in each attainable finest method.
I imply, take a look at this photograph??
Photograph courtesy of Zia Cooke on Instagram
Then, watch this TikTok of all of them!?!? Was I ever this younger and free? Did my knees ever get better?
However! We’re right here to speak about Henny and Zariah, who also run a YouTube channel together. I’ve by no means watched a Get Prepared With Me influencer-style video in my life earlier than this second, and for these cuties, younger and in love, I’d do it 20 instances extra.
@zariah.lynn WNBA ALL STAR GAME 💫 #fyp #wnba #allstargame
Nalyssa Smith and DiJonai Carrington
Talking of younger love! I saved Nalyssa and DiJonai for final as a result of I like all the things about their little love story.
NaLyssa Smith (@NaLyssaSmith) and DiJonai Carrington (@DijonaiVictoria) make an look on the Orange Carpet. #WNBATwitter pic.twitter.com/zG8Qy7GecD
— Her Hoop Stats (@herhoopstats) July 15, 2023
First, they met whereas enjoying ball collectively in faculty (I feel they received a nationwide championship collectively for Baylor in 2019? However I haven’t double checked the dates on that). Then, they began relationship final yr, coincidentally additionally across the time of the All Star recreation. And now, right here they’re celebrating their first anniversary and nonetheless going sturdy?
No critically, take a look at these photographs. Learn these captions. Inform me you aren’t prepared to fireplace up Love & Basketball for the roughly thousandth time and begin once more.
Love just isn’t a lie for the subsequent quarter-hour or the time it took you to complete this publish. Inform a good friend. 🏀 ❤️
