Global Women's Basketball Association

The Global Women’s Basketball Association (GWBA) is a professional basketball league in North America, currently operating in the Midwest region. The league was established in 2016 by former James Madison University Women’s Basketball athlete Sonya Nichols of Chicago, Illinois. Per Sonya “my motivation for starting this league was for players to have a quality and professional league post their collegiate tenure as an alternative to the WNBA. I also wanted to bridge the gap with international teams for an opportunity to compete against elite Women basketball players here in the United States.” The GWBA currently features four of the top teams in the United States outside of the WNBA. Our player pool consists of former local collegiate stars, former WNBA players and accomplished international players. The GWBA provides an opportunity for athletes to continue and pursue their professional careers beyond their collegiate tenure, during their summer “off season” from their Overseas schedule. The league operates with a salary cap, televised and streamed games, and continues to experience tremendous growth in both talent and infrastructure. Currently, the GWBA operates with four teams: Flint Monarchs, Detroit Queens, St. Louis Surge & Wisconsin Glo. The GWBA began in 2016 with the Flint Monarchs, Milwaukee Aces, Akron Innovators and Illinois Starletz. The Flint Monarchs finished the 2016 season 7-0 and were crowned champions of the Global Women’s Basketball Association (GWBA) by defeating the Akron Innovators 99-52 in front of a home crowd at Mott Community College. Former Marquette University and Flint Hamady High School star Arlesia Mores was named Finals MVP of the National Championship after recording a game high 26 points and 13 rebounds. The Flint Monarchs finished the 2017 season 6-2 and were crowned champions of the Global Women’s Basketball Association (GWBA) by defeating the Milwaukee Aces 83-68 on the road at Alverno College.  Crystal Bradford was named Finals MVP of the national championship game after scoring a game-high 23 points, 13 rebounds, five assists and four steals while going 4-for-8 from the 3-point line. In August 2018 the Flint Monarchs defeated the Indianapolis Bandits 107-69 at home to close its regular season 7-1. The 2019 season saw the addition of two powerhouse teams from Oshkosh WI and St. Louis, MO in the GLO & SURGE. The two teams added to the profile of the league with deep rosters and pro-style offenses that suited the up-tempo pace in the GWBA. The Wisconsin GLO secured a perfect regular season record & headed into the playoffs as the favorite to win it all.

REGULAR SEASON

Wisconsin GLO 12-0 6-0 GWBA

St. Louis Surge 4-4 3-3 GWBA

Flint Monarchs 6-6 3-3 GWBA

Music City Icons 0-7 0-6 GWBA

2019 GWBA PLAYERS OF THE WEEK - REGULAR SEASON:

The 2019 Playoffs were held at Menominee Nation Arena in Wisconsin. The GWBA also introduced its first annual Fan Fest with music, food, drinks and outdoor attractions including a free petting zoo, inflatables & basketball hoops. In the Championship Game, The Glo beat the three-time reigning champs, Flint Monarchs, 80-78 in a thrilling game. Jessica Lindstrom was named MVP of the Finals, while Dan Carey of the Wisconsin Glo was honored as Coach of the Year for leading his squad to an undefeated season (14-0).

2020 - NO SEASON DUE TO COVID

2021 Season

The 2021 season was in the backdrop of a global pandemic. Completing the season was a noteworthy accomplishment. The league added the Detroit Dodgers to go along with its three staple franchises. St Louis reloaded with an impressive array of talent and claimed the Regular Season title. The Playoffs were hosted in St. Louis.

REGULAR SEASON

St. Louis Surge 11-1

Wisconsin GLO 10-2

Flint Monarchs 6-4

Detroit Dodgers 0-8

Unfortunately, the Playoffs were affected by COVID as Detroit was unable to field a team and had to forfeit. St. Louis moved on to the Championship game. The Glo had a hard-fought contest, but advanced, defeating the Monarchs 97-84. In the final game, the Glo & Surge traded punches until the GLO erupted in the second half, The Glo were led by Kelly Moten’s 30 points; a feat that earned her MVP honors. Both teams started strong offensively in the second half, as the two teams were tied at 54 with a little more than six minutes left in the period. The Glo, however, closed the 3Q on a 19-5 run, claiming a 73-59 advantage, and never looked back en route to back-to-back championships.

FINALS MVP

2016: Arlesia Morse Flint Monarchs

2017: Crystal Bradford Flint Monarchs

2018: Crystal Bradford Flint Monarchs

2019: Jessica Lindstrom Wisconsin Glo

2020: Season postponed - COVID

2021: Kelly Moten Wisconsin Glo 2019 GWBA 2019 ALL-LEAGUE TEAM

GWBA 2019 ALL-LEAGUE TEAM

Rebecca Harris, St. Louis Surge- For the regular season averaged 18.0 pts, 5.0 reb, 6.7 ast, 0.8 stl, 47% FG, 48.7% 3 PT and 70.6% FT, set a league 3-point record with nine three-point field goals made in a game, twice named Player of the Week and her team finished the regular season tied for 2nd place at 3-3. Also, Harris was named the 2019 MVP of the regular season.

Jolene Anderson, Wisconsin Glo- For the regular season averaged 15.4 pts, 5.2 reb, 2.2 ast, 1.2 stl, twice named Player of the Week and her team finished 1st place at 6-0. Crystal Bradford, Flint Monarchs- For the regular season averaged 17.0 pts, 7.5 reb, 3.3 ast, 58% FG, 35% 3PT, 82% FT, once named Player of the Week and her team finished the regular season tied for 2nd place at 3-3.

Arlesia Morse, Flint Monarchs- For the regular season averaged 17.2 pts, 5.8 reb, 0.8 ast, 51% FG, 42% 3PT, 89% FT, once named Player of the Week and her team finished the regular season tied for 2nd place at 3-3.

Gabbi Ortiz, Wisconsin Glo- For the regular season averaged 13.1 pts, 4.1 reb, 3.0 ast, 0.4 stl, once named Player of the Week and her team finished the regular season 1st place at 6-0. Champions TEAM PAGE with team pic & roster 2016: Flint Monarchs - 99 Akron Innovators - 52 2017: Flint Monarchs - 83 Milwaukee Aces - 68 2018: Flint Monarchs - 96 Chicago Breeze - 85 2019: Wisconsin GLO - 80 Flint Monarchs - 78 2020: Season postponed - COVID 2021: Wisconsin GLO - 93 St. Louis Surge – 77 GWBA Champions

GWBA Champions

2016: Flint Monarchs - 99 Akron Innovators - 52

2017: Flint Monarchs - 83 Milwaukee Aces - 68

2018: Flint Monarchs - 96 Chicago Breeze - 85

2019: Wisconsin GLO - 80 Flint Monarchs - 78

2020: Season postponed - COVID

2021: Wisconsin GLO - 93 St. Louis Surge - 77