Before the WNBA: Next generation of women’s basketball inspired by history-making Milwaukee Does
In Milwaukee, the WNBA’s preseason kicks off with the Indiana Fever facing the Dallas Wings and the Chicago Sky battling the Minnesota Lynx.
Amidst the current buzz around women’s sports, Milwaukee played a significant role in shaping women’s professional basketball. Diane Morales Brooks, a former player for the Milwaukee Does, reminisces while looking at old photos, recalling her journey from being a third-round draft choice out of Bay View High School in Milwaukee to playing for the Does after her tenure at UW Whitewater and representing Puerto Rico in the Pan American Games.
Although short-lived, the Milwaukee Does made history as the city’s first women’s professional basketball team, founded in 1978 as part of the Woman’s Pro Basketball League (WBL). The team’s inaugural game against the Chicago Hustle at Milwaukee Arena, now UWM Panther Arena, marked a milestone, with player Joanie Smith securing the league’s first points.
However, despite initial excitement, the team faced challenges, including fluctuating attendance and sudden team closures during their brief existence. Despite the Milwaukee Does folding in 1980 and the subsequent closure of the WBL, their legacy laid the groundwork for women’s basketball today.
Players like Mary Nellen, inspired by Joanie Smith and the Milwaukee Does, went on to contribute to the sport’s growth. Nellen, who started Pius High School’s first girls basketball team, recalls the impact of witnessing professional players like Smith during her formative years.
Although her own professional basketball experience was challenging, Nellen believes it contributed to the WNBA’s establishment, underscoring the importance of grassroots efforts in fostering the sport’s development. Now, Nellen runs her coaching business, 1-on-1 Milwaukee, mentoring the next generation and emphasizing the value of education alongside athletics.
Players like Hailey Bachmann and Olivia Conway, under Nellen’s guidance, are preparing for their college careers, embodying the continuation of Milwaukee’s basketball legacy and the broader impact of women’s sports.
