From today's Sac Bee:
http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/story/12649561p-13502968c.html
Vet Bolton wants one more year
The original Monarch is still a player without a WNBA team.
By Debbie Arrington -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PST Thursday, March 31, 2005
With training camp only three weeks away, Ruthie Bolton has seen the pattern coast to coast. WNBA teams are passing on veteran free agents to sign younger, less expensive players.
"I've got two (Olympic) gold medals, and I've still got to prove myself," said Bolton, who will turn 38 in May.
The last of the original Monarchs, Bolton hasn't yet been offered a contract. The 5-foot-9 guard wants to play at least one more season.
After eight seasons in Sacramento, Bolton and her agent have talked to several clubs without receiving any offers as teams wait until it's closer to training camp.
Bolton, who averaged 4.7 points and 13.8 minutes in 2004, isn't alone on the waiting list. Out of 51 free agents listed by the WNBA, only 17 have contracts. Six switched teams, including former Monarchs guard Edna Campbell, who signed with the San Antonio Silver Stars.
Only three of 28 unrestricted free agents signed with their 2004 teams. That includes Tangela Smith, who re-signed with the Monarchs but was traded to the Charlotte Sting for Nicole Powell.
Monarchs general manager/coach John Whisenant plans to meet with Bolton after he returns to Sacramento on April 11 following the WNBA's pre-draft combine. No decision has been made, he said.
"Ruthie has been the face of the Sacramento Monarchs, and I want to honor that," Whisenant said. "We'll sit down and talk."
But Whisenant is also juggling to stay under the league's salary cap of $673,000. A team can sign three rookies at $31,200 each for about the same cost as two older veterans at minimum salaries of $45,427. Players with three or fewer seasons can be signed at the rookie rate. The maximum WNBA salary for 2005 is $89,000.
"The salary cap came into real play this season," Whisenant said. "It makes it real hard to keep veteran players unless they're starters. It forces you to take minimum-salaried players to fill out your bench. You can't make the cap if you don't."
Looking for youth, Whisenant is remodeling the Monarchs' aging roster. Besides the Smith-Powell trade, he signed four young international players: China's Sui Feifei and Miao Lijie, and Australia's Carly Wilson and Hollie Grima. In addition, the Monarchs have four picks - starting with No. 9 - in the April 16 WNBA draft.
With several local interests outside the Monarchs, Bolton is firmly rooted in the region. This winter, she coached at William Jessup University, posting a 9-19 record as a last-minute hire.
"It was wonderful. I had a great experience," she said. "I'd like to see how far I can take this program. Coaching has made me look at the game differently, and I think it will make me a better player."
Bolton accepts the challenge of fighting for her WNBA job.
"I understand that the Monarchs want to get younger, but you still need veterans to teach these newcomers," Bolton said. "I'm not afraid of going to camp knowing there's a chance I'll get cut. Nobody is going to outplay me. "Everything is still up in the air," she added. "But I'm trying to stay positive - and pray a lot."
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A part of me thinks ok, if no one's called yet, they ain't gonna call......
But I also think she still has a little fire and I know this is that business thing. So now what??? They still need to see how the Chinese players fair in the WNBA, and the Aussies already play well.
So let her into camp, see how she does, and go from there??
http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/story/12649561p-13502968c.html
Vet Bolton wants one more year
The original Monarch is still a player without a WNBA team.
By Debbie Arrington -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PST Thursday, March 31, 2005
With training camp only three weeks away, Ruthie Bolton has seen the pattern coast to coast. WNBA teams are passing on veteran free agents to sign younger, less expensive players.
"I've got two (Olympic) gold medals, and I've still got to prove myself," said Bolton, who will turn 38 in May.
The last of the original Monarchs, Bolton hasn't yet been offered a contract. The 5-foot-9 guard wants to play at least one more season.
After eight seasons in Sacramento, Bolton and her agent have talked to several clubs without receiving any offers as teams wait until it's closer to training camp.
Bolton, who averaged 4.7 points and 13.8 minutes in 2004, isn't alone on the waiting list. Out of 51 free agents listed by the WNBA, only 17 have contracts. Six switched teams, including former Monarchs guard Edna Campbell, who signed with the San Antonio Silver Stars.
Only three of 28 unrestricted free agents signed with their 2004 teams. That includes Tangela Smith, who re-signed with the Monarchs but was traded to the Charlotte Sting for Nicole Powell.
Monarchs general manager/coach John Whisenant plans to meet with Bolton after he returns to Sacramento on April 11 following the WNBA's pre-draft combine. No decision has been made, he said.
"Ruthie has been the face of the Sacramento Monarchs, and I want to honor that," Whisenant said. "We'll sit down and talk."
But Whisenant is also juggling to stay under the league's salary cap of $673,000. A team can sign three rookies at $31,200 each for about the same cost as two older veterans at minimum salaries of $45,427. Players with three or fewer seasons can be signed at the rookie rate. The maximum WNBA salary for 2005 is $89,000.
"The salary cap came into real play this season," Whisenant said. "It makes it real hard to keep veteran players unless they're starters. It forces you to take minimum-salaried players to fill out your bench. You can't make the cap if you don't."
Looking for youth, Whisenant is remodeling the Monarchs' aging roster. Besides the Smith-Powell trade, he signed four young international players: China's Sui Feifei and Miao Lijie, and Australia's Carly Wilson and Hollie Grima. In addition, the Monarchs have four picks - starting with No. 9 - in the April 16 WNBA draft.
With several local interests outside the Monarchs, Bolton is firmly rooted in the region. This winter, she coached at William Jessup University, posting a 9-19 record as a last-minute hire.
"It was wonderful. I had a great experience," she said. "I'd like to see how far I can take this program. Coaching has made me look at the game differently, and I think it will make me a better player."
Bolton accepts the challenge of fighting for her WNBA job.
"I understand that the Monarchs want to get younger, but you still need veterans to teach these newcomers," Bolton said. "I'm not afraid of going to camp knowing there's a chance I'll get cut. Nobody is going to outplay me. "Everything is still up in the air," she added. "But I'm trying to stay positive - and pray a lot."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
A part of me thinks ok, if no one's called yet, they ain't gonna call......
But I also think she still has a little fire and I know this is that business thing. So now what??? They still need to see how the Chinese players fair in the WNBA, and the Aussies already play well.
So let her into camp, see how she does, and go from there??
