Marina Mabrey’s Historic Game Earns Diana Taurasi Comparison From Sandy Brondello
Marina Mabrey’s Historic Game Earns Diana Taurasi Comparison From Sandy Brondello
Marina Mabrey was unstoppable. Elaine Blum|
It’s not often that a player can be compared to Diana Taurasi, the WNBA’s all-time leading scorer and three-time champion, and come out on top. But that’s exactly what happened to Marina Mabrey after her 53-point performance in the Toronto Tempo’s 125-97 win against the Los Angeles Sparks.
“What Marina did was something special,” Tempo coach Sandy Brondello said in the postgame press conference, per a video on the team’s YouTube channel. “I’ve been doing this for quite some time. I’ve never seen that. Even Diana Taurasi, and she could shoot it really well, so it was special to be a part of that, to witness that.”
Mabrey tied A’ja Wilson and Liz Cambage for the WNBA’s single-game scoring record, and is now only the fourth player in league history to crack the 50-point mark after Wilson, Cambage, and Riquna Williams, who scored 51 in 2013. Taurasi got close with 47 points in 2006 and with 44 in 2010—years before Brondello coached her—but never cracked the 50-point mark.
Mabrey got off to a quick start against the Sparks and never slowed down
Mabrey scored 19 points in the first quarter, sinking a few quick 3-pointers and getting to the free-throw line. Her quick start helped the Tempo get out to a 38-24 lead, leaving the Sparks so far behind that they never managed to close the gap despite 21-point performances from Nneka Ogwumike and Dearica Hamby.
Mabrey had found her rhythm in that first quarter, and the Sparks just had no answer. She shot 17-28 from the field, 9-18 from deep, and 10-12 from the free-throw line on her way to 53 points. It was an efficient outing, especially considering how many 3-pointers Mabrey took.
Mabrey may just be a 35.1% 3-point shooter for her career, but once she gets going, there’s little that can slow her down again. Earlier this year, she made 10 3-pointers on her way to 47 points to set the Unrivaled single-game scoring record on a historic night in Philadelphia.
Julie Allemand put together a playmaking masterclass
Marina Mabrey may have been the star of the show—and deservedly so—but Julie Allemand also tied a WNBA record. She finished the game with 13 points on 100% shooting from the field and from deep, 14 assists, 2 steals, 1 block, and 0 turnovers.
Allemand is now tied with Veronica Burton, Leila Lacan, and Jennifer Rizzotti for the most assists with 0 turnovers in a WNBA game. The Belgian star regularly found Mabrey and admitted after the game that she was specifically looking to get her as many shots as possible.
Most assists with 0 turnovers in a game in WNBA history:
— Underdog WNBA (@UnderdogWNBA) June 26, 2026
Julie Allemand - 14 (tonight)
Veronica Burton - 14
Leila Lacan - 14
Jennifer Rizzotti - 14
Another record tied in Toronto. pic.twitter.com/je1FepiDyb
Mabrey will have to continue to step up if the Tempo are to survive Brittney Sykes’s injury, but others will have to help. So, it’s great to see Allemand with a strong game as well. Maria Conde and Laura Juskaite were also very impactful. Conde made three 3-pointers on her way to 13 points, and Juskaite recorded a double-double.
Published 37 minutes ago
ELAINE BLUMElaine Blum covers women’s basketball for On SI from Europe. She has been writing about women's hoops since 2023 and holds a Bachelor’s degree in English and Journalism and a master’s degree in American Studies with a focus on women’s and gender studies. She started playing basketball when she was 10 years old and won several league and state championships at the youth and senior level.
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Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price subsidising their life by livestreaming
Venezuela Fury and her husband Noah Price look to be making their own way in the world by raking it in from their lucrative social media accounts.
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury, 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year.
Since getting married and moving in together the couple have been earning thousands of pounds a month, livestreaming their life as newlyweds in their static caravan in the East Riding of Yorkshire.
And fans can't get enough of their regular life updates on TikTok and Kick, which have proved to be very profitable for the pair.
They look to be supporting themselves after Noah denied that he was given £5million by Venezuela's family as a wedding gift.
Despite his wife's huge family wealth, an estimated combined £160 million, Noah recently told his Kick followers that he 'pays for everything' for the couple.
Making light of the claims about Venezuela's millionaire financial status, Noah said: 'I actually pay for everything unfortunately. You'd expect the millionaire to pay for it wouldn't you.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price are earning thousands livestreaming their caravan life - after her new groom insisted he pays all the bills and denied he had £5m handout from her dad
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury , 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year
Venezuela then asked their fans: 'Do you think I am a millionaire?'
Noah joked: 'She isn't a secret millionaire guys', before she broke into song and sang: 'But I live like a millionaire!'
But it seems according to estimated calculations from their social media work, Noah and Venezuela can more than afford to support themselves.
Noah has been livestreaming on platforms such as Kick and TikTok, where viewers can send paid gifts or donations.
He was previously encouraging viewers to send gifts on his honeymoon during livestreams, suggesting this is one revenue stream.
Both Noah and Venezuela have built substantial followings on Instagram and TikTok. They can potentially earn money through sponsored posts, brand collaborations, affiliate links and creator payouts.
Kick allows its creators to take home 95 per cent of the £4.99 subscription cost that fans pay.
Streamers keep 100 per cent of direct tips and donations, minus minor standard payment processing fees.
It is unclear how many subscribers Noah currently has because this information is hidden, but he does have 7,200 followers which is publicly viewable.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million
In one video on their honeymoon, Noah asked his followers if they'd give them some more gifts now that they were married.
In a TikTok live viewed by 20,000 he said: 'Keep liking our videos people, keep sending gifts.'
After saying thank you to several of his followers he joked they should stick around on the livestream and 'watch Venezuela punch me in the mouth'.
The other half of the honeymooning couple said: 'I am, honestly!'
Noah previously confirmed that the pair don't share their finances after they were asked whether they have a shared bank account.
'She earns her money, I earn mine,' said Noah, as Venezuela joked: 'Yeah, what you gonna do about it.'
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'.
Meanwhile Venezuela is being eyed up by executives for a fly on the wall TV series.
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'
Boasting 1.3 million TikTok followers, Venezuela is already entertaining fans with her honest musings and candid moments, from cooking to kitting out her and Noah's static caravan home.
And following the success of the Netflix series At Home With The Furys, it is no wonder bosses are wanting to draw on the Fury popularity.
A TV insider said: 'The couple are not A-list celebrities but everyone has become obsessed with their love story.
'People are genuinely intrigued by them. Whether it’s the fact they have married so young, Venezuela’s famous family or their gypsy lifestyle, they have the ‘X factor'.
'Several TV executives think a proper fly-on-the-wall series following their lives as newlyweds in the gypsy community would be fascinating,' they told The Sun.
It is thought Netflix would be likely to produce the series due to their already established relationship with the Furys.
Venezuela's representatives told The Daily Mail: 'We have many offers on the table regarding Venezuela which we are discussing.'
