The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

WHILE the country celebrated the achievements of many of its sporting legends, one historic icon took to social media to express her displeasure at a lack of recognition by the Bahamian government.

Waltiea Rolle, the first Bahamian to be drafted into the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) drew attention to her situation as the attention of the local sporting community fixated on the honouring of the 38 legends at the Walk of Fame.

“It’s time I address this. As I stroll down my timeline I see all these athletes and coaches who I’m not saying doesn’t deserve to go up, going down in history being recognised and pictures placed up by the sports center as the first to accomplish something big as a Bahamian. I’m not the type to complain about the government, but I’ve bussed my butt as an athlete representing my country to the fullest. I’ve turned down playing for other countries on the national level for my country but yet they do nothing to recognise me and my accomplishments as the first woman from the Bahamas to be drafted and played in the WNBA,” she posted on Facebook. “I’m tired of being silent. I’m speaking up. No offence to those who have made history because you deserve it, but I’m fed up, it’s down right disrespectful. What a cold way to keep me unrecognised... This government has done absolutely nothing for me. So you mean to tell me all my years of sweat and tears and hardwork goes unrecognised. It’s cool though, but I will address the issue.”

Rolle was a third-round pick (36th overall) by the Minnesota Lynx in the 2013 WNBA Draft and appeared in all three pre-season games with the team, averaging 7.0 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.0 steals per game.

She made a point to clarify that her displeasure was in no way associated with the celebrations surrounding recently drafted Buddy Hield and Jonquel Jones, but a general frustration by the consistent lack of acknowledgement.

“I want to take this time to let everyone know who supported me and my argument that I am very appreciative and thanks for the support. Also for those people who keep bringing up Buddy and Jonquel, what I am saying is nothing against them. I am proud of them and their accomplishments and wish them both nothing but the best,” she said. “I was just clearly stating my concerns, nothing against them. So please stop twisting things around and making it a negative. I’ll really appreciate it.”

The WNBA journey for Rolle ended last off-season when she was waived by the Seattle Storm.

The 6’6” centre and University of North Carolina producct last played with Nymburk, of the Czech Republic’s ZBL League, where she averaged 16.3 points and 10.4 rebounds in 31 games.

In six games with the Storm in 2014, Rolle averaged 3.2 points and 2.8 rebounds per game.

Late in the season, the Storm re-signed Rolle for what was expected to be her second season with the franchise. She signed a series of seven-day contracts late in August 2014.

They signed Rolle for the remainder of the 2014 season after she completed three 10-day contracts with the club.

She made Bahamian basketball history by becoming the first Bahamian to play in the WNBA when she appeared in the Storm’s 80-74 loss to the Tulsa Shock on July 29, 2014.

She signed her first seven-day contract with the Storm on July 21, dressing for all three of Seattle’s games from July 22-26, but did not receive playing time during the three games in that time span.

During the second contract, she received spot duty in three consecutive contests when she scored two points in each outing. She ended the season with five rebounds in a 78-65 loss to the Phoenix Mercury.

After the draft, Rolle then elected to forego the entire 2013 WNBA season in favour of completing her degree in sports administration and exercise sports science at the University of North Carolina, and playing overseas.

For the Lynx, her preseason highlight was when she led the team in scoring with 17 points and five rebounds in their 82-66 triumph over the Australian national team in Minneapolis on May 5.

After completing training camp and the preseason with Minnesota, Rolle was waived last May just prior to the tip-off of the 2014 WNBA season.

A 2013 graduate of North Carolina, Rolle owns two of the top 10 best shot-blocking seasons in school history. Her 89 blocks during the 2013 campaign stand are the sixth best of all-time and her 82 blocks in the 2011 season eighth in North Carolina history.