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Debate

Can Asia Avinger break the mold and achieve what only 33 have done in WNBA history?

“No one can have it all.” The adage fits right, especially in basketball, where different players have different strengths and weaknesses. On the offensive front, while Golden State Warriors star Steph Curry is known for his exceptional threes, San Antonio Spurs starlet Victor Wembanyama is popular for outsmarting his opponents with his height. Meanwhile, ex-Golden State Warriors player Vince Carter has made a name for himself due to his dunks. But if given a choice, which athlete’s prowess would you choose? Sounds tough, right? But not for Asia Avinger. When asked to choose one superpower from any of the three athletes, Asia Avinger sought to add that weapon to her arsenal, which has only been used 33 times in the WNBA in three decades.

Avinger was present in an exclusive chat with EssentiallySports last week when she was asked to select one skill that could be priced as a possession for her. Avinger instantly gave her answer, which also surprised our host, Brandon Gutman II, who was already starstruck by her presence. Here’s an excerpt from the conversation:

Gutman: “I mean, if you were to… let’s put it this way, as for players. Would you rather have—this is really tough—one, Steph shooting, two, Wemby’s (Victor Wembanyama) height, or three, Vince Carter’s dunk package? And you could actually like DUNK.”

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Asia Avinger: “I’m going with Vince… I got to. Having his package as a female? That would be crazy!”

One year after its conception, the WNBA was incorporated in 1997, and almost 5 years after its inception, W legend Lisa Leslie performed a dunk for the first time in the league against the Miami Sol. The sight is still reminisced about by W fans since Leslie shook the rim with her exceptional balling skills. She was cruising to the opponent’s side when a teammate got hold of a loose rebound and passed the ball to Leslie. Taking note of the golden opportunity, Leslie caught the ball with one hand and slammed a dunk into the basket, which enchanted the spectators at the Staples Center.

Since then, the dunk has been performed almost 33 times in the WNBA. Notable athletes such as Leslie, Sylvia Fowles, and Candace Parker have utilized the magical trick twice, whereas the Queen of Dunk title should go to Brittney Griner for using it a WNBA record number of 23 times. It is to be noted that she developed this skill in high school, where she dunked almost 52 times as a senior. But nonetheless, as seen, the activity still remains at its nascent level in the WNBA when compared to its male counterpart, the NBA. Thus, Avinger acquiring this ability will certainly benefit her in the league. Meanwhile, after she expressed her feelings from the perspective of a player, Avinger was also asked to share her take from a coach’s perspective on Paige Bueckers, Angel Reese, and Caitlin Clark.

After her player’s perspective, Avinger takes on the role of a coach in this question

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When Avinger was asked to indulge in a game of ‘bench, cut, play,’ involving Bueckers, Reese, and Clark, her answer, albeit surprising, subtly enunciated that Bueckers wasn’t to be taken lightly. Though the 22-year-old has returned to the NCAA for a final year, nonetheless, she is one of the major threats to her opponents, and hence she decided to give her a major place on her own dream team.

What’s your perspective on:

Can Asia Avinger break the mold and achieve what only 33 have done in WNBA history?

Have an interesting take?

Asia Avinger: “Okay, okay. I got it, though. I’m gonna start Paige… I’m gonna bench Caitlin and cut Angel.”

With her answers, Avinger has made it clear that she is a fan of dunks, and hopefully she will be able to show her exceptional moves while incorporating that in the future. As for now, Avinger should concentrate on the upcoming games because she sure is a rising star who, if groomed properly, can make a name for herself in the NCAA basketball circuit.

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Stay tuned for more such updates and join us for the exciting second episode of the “Dual Threat Show” as our host, Brandon Gutman II, sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and Mountain West All-Freshman Team Selection, Asia Avinger.