New Semi-Pro Women's Basketball Team Calls Michigan Town Home

A'ja Wilson, Aliyah Boston, Angel Reese, Arike Ogunbuwale, Diana Taurasi, Caitlin Clark, Cameron Brink, Brittney Griner, and many other women have helped the sport of Women's basketball climb the ranks. Every year, there is more interest in the WNBA and the quality of basketball that provides their fans which is a great thing for all sports. As they continue to blaze the trails, more young women look to chase their dreams of playing basketball professionally.

Now, there are only 12 WNBA teams, meaning earning a roster spot is super competitive and often means there is tons of talent that doesn't play in the league. Many of them choose to go overseas to continue their careers hoping to get into the WNBA one day while others choose to take a different route. One of those routes is to have a full-time job while playing semi-professional basketball, although this may not be ideal, it's better than nothing. Now, there are women in Michigan who get to have this opportunity as a new team has burst on the scene.

The Women's American Basketball Association is all about providing women an opportunity to play the sport they love at a high level even though they couldn't make it to the pinnacle of the sport, the WNBA but hope to be a feeding system for them eventually. The New Jersey-based league now has 16 teams that stretch all over the Eastside of the country and are working to get up to 24 teams in the coming years as 4 teams will be joining the fold next season.

Although they have 16 teams, their newest team is located in the westernmost city which seems wild considering the team is in Michigan. The Kalamazoo Blaze are the Women's American Basketball Association's newest team that plays their home games at the Douglass Community Association in Kalamazoo's Northside neighborhood. The Kalamazoo Blaze is comprised of somewhere between 10-15 women who have played college ball and live in the Kalamazoo area.

The team is owned and coached by Kalamazoo Central basketball player and graduate Felicia Thomas who is also the current coach of the Kalamazoo Valley Community College Women's basketball team. Thomas played for the Grand Rapids Galaxy before making her way to the sidelines as a coach and that's part of her motivation to provide this opportunity for the current players.

The Kalamazoo Blaze started their season at the beginning of June and playoffs will begin in October. If they play well enough they will have the opportunity to play for the league's championship in Greensboro, North Carolina. As of right now, Kalamazoo Blaze players are not being paid but most of their travel and other expenses are being covered. They are also in no rush to grow and are looking to maintain rather than sell out arenas.

Their next home game will be against the West Michigan Elite Stars on August 24th at 3 pm. They are still in the search for team sponsors and encourage any fans to come out to a game and watch some good basketball.