The Town has left a mark on the NBA. Why aren't there Oaklanders in the WNBA?

In the past 15 years, only two women from Oakland, Alexis Gray-Lawson and Oderah Chidom, have reached the WNBA, contrasting sharply with over 20 men from the city who have made it to the NBA. The WNBA's lower roster spots and shorter history contribute to this disparity, but systemic issues like inadequate support for girls' sports exacerbate the problem. Gray-Lawson stated that women lacked the same opportunities as men, who often had better access to competitive platforms. The first woman from Oakland to play professionally was Anna Johnson in 1979, but only a handful of others have followed. Historical migration patterns have also shifted focus away from urban youth sports, impacting women's opportunities.

Paul Brekke-Miesner highlights Oakland's unique sports legacy, yet it remains skewed towards male athletes. With the WNBA's expansion on the horizon, there are calls for increased investment in women's basketball programs. Advocates hope these changes will create a more equitable playing field for future generations of female athletes.