Mo’Ne Davis heads to WNBA conference finals

DOUG FEINBERG
AP Basketball Writer

Little League World Series sensation Mo’Ne Davis is heading to the conference finals in Minnesota on Sunday.

The 13-year-old star pitcher from Philadelphia became the 18th girl to play in the Little League World Series and the first to win a game on the mound. She has said her dream is to play for UConn and then eventually in the WNBA.

She’ll sit with WNBA president Laurel J. Richie and meet both teams, including former UConn stars Diana Taurasi and Maya Moore before the game starts.

“Mo’ne Davis has captured many hearts — including mine — with her outstanding performance on the mound in the Little League World Series games,” Richie told The Associated Press. “She truly was an inspiration to us all this summer and it is my great pleasure to host Mo’ne and her family at the WNBA Western Conference game on Sunday in Minnesota.”

Davis, who recently graced the cover of Sports Illustrated, will attend the game with her mother and stepfather.

The right-handed pitcher and infielder captured a lot of hearts while leading the East Region champion Philadelphia Taney Dragons on an entertaining ride through the Little League World Series.

Before she was dazzling on the mound, Davis was impressing on the basketball court.

“She’s Steve Nash,” said her basketball coach Steve Bandura earlier this month. “She sees the floor and analyzes better than all the high school kids. She’s amazing. She manipulates the defense to open passing lanes. She plays chess when everybody else is playing checkers.”

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Federal News Network Logo
Log in to your WTOP account for notifications and alerts customized for you.

Sign up