Wednesday, December 21st, 2011 at 2:42 pm  |  17 responses

A League of Their Own

The WUBA is writing a new chapter for women’s basketball.

by Drey Wingate / @ProStatus85

Over the years, women’s basketball has continued to make its presence felt in the professional sports world, dating back to the days when players like Sheryl Swoopes, Dawn Staley, Cynthia Cooper, Rebecca Lobo Tina Thompson, and a slew of other great female ballers were dominating the courts year after year with championship rings and gold medals.

The expansion of the WNBA has brought even more attention to women’s hoops, and it’s great to see how far the professional league has come since it started after 15 seasons. And it keeps getting better when you see talent like Maya Moore, Courtney Vandersloot and Tina Charles. But just like every other sport, women’s basketball has great, under-the-radar players.

As hoop fans, we know that minor league sports (with the exception of the NBA D-League) don’t receive a lot of attention. But, it has been proven time and time again that there are very talented players in these establishments. But who would have thought there would be a new minor league for women that contained so much talent in its first official season? The WUBA (Universal Women’s Basketball Association) is on its way to writing a new chapter for women’s basketball.

The WUBA was created to give women who don’t play in the WNBA or overseas an opportunity to showcase their skills. In order to launch a new market, especially in professional sports, you need stars and Patechia Hartman and Shantel Ragin are answering the call. Both players have professional experience overseas and are now looked upon as the best backcourt duo in the WUBA.

Patechia Hartman has one hell of a resume. While at Georgia State, Hartman was named All-CAA Player of the Year twice. She was also named Associated Press NCAA All-American her senior year and was nominated for the Frances Pomeroy Naismith Award. At the end of her tenure at GSU, her jersey was retired and she was labeled as the best women’s player ever at Georgia State. After playing four years at Georgia State University, Hartman signed a two-year contract with Szolnok-NKK (Hungary) where she led the team in scoring and was third in the league in assists.

After a respectable two-year start to her professional career, Hartman attended two WNBA camps and had short stints in other leagues before joining the WUBA. The 27-year-old Atlanta product is currently averaging over 20 points a game and leading the league in assists with 12 per.

Assisting Hartman in the backcourt is Clayton State University product Shantel Ragin. While in college, Ragin was ranked in the top 10 in scoring, rebounds and assists. More than anything though, Ragin is a winner. During her two seasons at Clayton State, she helped lead the Lady Lakers to an incredible 56-9 record. She finished her college career with an average of 16 ppg 8 rpg and 5 apg and was named to the All-Peach Belt First-Team both years. Ragin started her professional career in the Ukraine and wasted no time letting the world know who she was. She averaged a double-double right of the bat with stats of 22 ppg and 11 rpg. And you can add Eurobasket Import Player of the Year and league MVP to that list of achievements too.

Both Ragin and Hartman were making it happen before their debut in the WUBA. But, a simple change of scenery was very positive for both players. Looks like this new league has great plans for their players; it’s always good to see a stage being set for under-the-radar ballers.

  • Add a Comment
  • Share
  • RSS

Tags: , , ,

  • JB.08 Posted: Dec.21 at 3:37 pm
    Phat is the best female player I have even seen in my life. It’s like watching a man play the point guard in a females body. She should have been a WNBA player easy but God is perfect. So happy to see her in the new league. 19ppg D1, All-Import in Europe. My girl has major game. Ragin is a star. How do you win Eurobasket.com Player of the year and Eurobasket SUmmer League MVP in one year. Ray is that deal and I love watching them both. Disciples baby.lol

  • Rob Burns Posted: Dec.21 at 5:22 pm
    JB, if she’s so good, why is she not IN the WNBA? Not knocking your comment, just wondering.

  • JB.08 Posted: Dec.21 at 7:55 pm
    Well well well. Look what we have here. Not even 24 hours go by and we have a hater. smh. Mr. Rob I know you don’t play basketball because if you did you would know there’s way more to the game (then just the game). Come to Atlanta and ask about Miss Hartman and the basketball convo is over. She played in top league in Europe (All-Import). And sir this is not the NBA (men make more money). “Women make more money playing in Europe”, the WNBA doesn’t pay well. So guess what Rob, I would have went overseas also. But again you know nothing. After she returned she being coaching (her passion). An if anyone knows miss hartman they know that shes about people (changing lives). To her basketball was a gift so she used it to help. No self gain in her. But yet when ever she steps on the floor no one is in her league. Period. So sir you are knocking my comment. So if your going to hate, go to page 5 where GayBron James is and do that. Stop being a crab. And last time I checked D1 schools don’t retire the jersey of scrubs. All-American sir. That means your the best of the best. Don’t worry I’ll wait on your weak come back.

  • ballislife Posted: Dec.21 at 9:16 pm
    lol JB is a troll nd last I checked “Gaybron” has accomplished more in his life than Hartman. Don’t get angered at ppl trolling when u do such a great job of it urself. Dude was asking a question.

  • SMS2013 Posted: Dec.22 at 7:37 am
    I agree with JB. Phat is awesome. Ragin is very good also. Both play at a very high level. ALso I like the fact that the UBA has formed a womens league to help. I think we always miss the point. This is about chaging lives. People judge way to fast. Who ever this rob guy is has to be a idiot. Has to be. Just look these two women up and he would understand. And JB made a very good point. The WNBA salaries are very low unless you are a star. Europe is the way to go for these ladies. Keep up the great work Hartman and Ragin. Love this write up SLAM

  • Coach Dolan Posted: Dec.22 at 8:52 am
    First of off their is something called politics some of the best players in the world Men and Women are not in the NBA and WNBA.2nd is that God has a plan for everyone and the plan seems to have been to have Phat to use here talents to touch the lives of others in a different way. I am with JB here they do not retire just anyones jersey in D1.Phat avg double digit in scoring all 4 year at Georgia State (NCAA1). JB also made another great point Women make more money for the most part in Europe then they do in the United States playing in the WNBA and that is a fact. My last point is the UBA has taken over the Men’s Minor Baskeball World but the WUBA is only a couple months old and already is the best Minor League out their for woman and Phat is a main reason that the WUBA is at the top in a short amount of time.

  • Ashton Washington Posted: Dec.22 at 9:09 am
    This is not only for women’s basketball but basketball in general–the way it has evolved and open the doors for so many athletes. Only thing I dont like about this feature is the “under the radar” comment. Step anywhere in Atlanta and in most cases outside of Atlanta and everyone knows who Patechia is—Every single gym and I havent met the other young lady (Ragin) but her accolades speak for itself. Being an avid fan/player of the game, Ive seen my share of talent, having played with several current WNBA basketball players from high school to AAU to probasketball and Patechia is by far the best point guard and the fierest competitor to date. Million dollar question: Why is she not in the WNBA? Personally, I think the Atlanta Dream made a huge mistake by not having her on the roster. However, I do believe the man above places us in positions where we can impact the most and I think why not have THE BEST start the new chapter of this good book. This story is just beginning :)

  • p.dukes Posted: Dec.22 at 9:14 am
    P hartman is a beast. I’ve actually had the pleasure of getting crossed up by her and the handle is legit lol. Keep up the good work. Southside behind ya!

  • Tiki Posted: Dec.22 at 9:25 am
    Pat was the business in high school. She has major skills. WNBA is slipping on this chick. I agree JB. She’s a kind person and an amazing ball player. i pray she finally makes it to the top

  • hoopsquad22 Posted: Dec.22 at 5:05 pm
    What is a troll?lol. And to call JB one is too funny. Talking about the guy who has sent over 70 players overseas (me being one of them). How abt this ballislife, say your real name like he does. On anther note Phat is a WNBA talent. period. Man people are such haters. And I dont think the fight was that “Gaybrone” James hasn’t done anything. the point is he’s rich and sucks in the 4th and calls himself the KIng. Not the case here. Were talking about a great women and player. Stop being a girl ballislife. And still would love to know who you are.

  • JB.08 Posted: Dec.22 at 5:15 pm
    Troll. Trolling.lol. WTH his a troll.lol. I have no problem with how you personally feelings about me. So what. But one thing about JB, Im fair. If your good your good. Phat just happens to be that good. But a troll and all that gay stuff. Who cares. Thanks hoopsaquad. bc i agree, if its that personal just say who you are. You know who I am. Moving on. Hartman and Ragin are awesome. Let’s not make this a personal thing when it’s about these 2 ladies. My email is JermaineBarnes1@yahoo.com. You can drop me your personal feelings whenever you like. But leave the ladies out of it. Steve Dolan your a cheater by the way (Antonio Webb). And who is hoopsquad?

  • DWallESL Posted: Dec.22 at 5:33 pm
    let him live JB.lmao. man these guys don’t understand you. I know your just joking and giving the facts, their personal.lol. However, miss hartman was and is a WNBA talent. I know this to be true because i covered her. it’s my job. ragin is a big time talent. but like jb said, this isn’t about you. this is about them. if you have to come on her to get your feelings out and it’s not positive them just read and move on. smh. black folk man i tell you. jb call me it’s wall.

  • JB.08 Posted: Dec.22 at 5:45 pm
    lol. I love it. Will do

  • Basketlove Posted: Dec.23 at 8:45 am
    I show Shantel at Clayton. She good. to win Euro league MVP says alot. So mad respect. I looked Hartman up. wow. That’s all I can say. I agree with JB 100%

  • stargame24 Posted: Dec.23 at 8:54 am
    JB you keep people mad.lol. But your right. period. Great job Ladies. Both are damn good

  • BBall Fan Posted: Dec.23 at 10:13 am
    Great article. I enjoy watching the sport for Men and Women. Can someone tell me how to catch these players and games in person?

  • Ben Njie Posted: Dec.30 at 10:08 am
    Phat is one unbelievable player, ive know her for years and seen here put alot of dudes to shame, im glad shes getting the shine she deserves.

Comments




The comments section is a place to further discuss the topics in this post. Commenters who seek to accomplish any of the following may be banned: - Personally attack other commenters. - Make derogatory comments regarding race, ethnicity, language, gender, sexual orientation or religion. - Troll, or comment with the intention of creating problems. Trolling includes, but isn't limited to, baiting people to flame at you, encouraging people to leave the site, spamming and using alternate IDs.
Fullcourt.com