Public Radio for the Piedmont and High Country
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

The Greensboro Groove brings professional women's basketball to the Gate City

Upshot League co-founder Donna Orender fields questions during a press conference.
Courtesy Fox8 Live Stream
Greensboro City Council Mayor Pro Tem Marikay Abuzuaiter looks on as Upshot League co-founder and past WNBA President Donna Orender fields questions following the Greensboro Groove's reveal ceremony.

At a reveal ceremony today, the Piedmont Triad’s newest professional sports team was announced: the Greensboro Groove.

The women’s basketball team will compete in the recently formed Upshot League. The Groove will join the Charlotte Crown, Savannah Steel and Jacksonville Waves in the 40-game regular season.

Janice Washington was named the team’s head coach. She brings 20 years of experience and, two years ago, was named Division II College Basketball Coach of the Year by the National Sports Media Association.

At 4 feet 8 inches tall, Washington’s entry into the world of competitive basketball was an unlikely one. 

"I had trained for 13 years to be a gymnast," says Washington. "And the reason that I quit was because someone told me that I couldn't play basketball because I was too little. They told me that there was nothing for us in women's sports. There was no future. And I said, ‘Well, I love a challenge.’"

Upshot League co-founder and past WNBA President Donna Orender says there are expansion teams in the pipeline that will be announced in the next four months, with several more to follow.

The Greensboro Groove tips off in May 2026.

Before his arrival in the Triad, David had already established himself as a fixture in the Austin, Texas arts scene as a radio host for Classical 89.5 KMFA. During his tenure there, he produced and hosted hundreds of programs including Mind Your Music, The Basics and T.G.I.F. Thank Goodness, It's Familiar, which each won international awards in the Fine Arts Radio Competition. As a radio journalist with 88.5 WFDD, his features have been recognized by the Associated Press, Public Radio News Directors Inc., Catholic Academy of Communication Professionals, and Radio Television Digital News Association of the Carolinas. David has written and produced national stories for NPR, KUSC and CPRN in Los Angeles and conducted interviews for Minnesota Public Radio's Weekend America.

Support quality journalism, like the story above,
with your gift right now.

Donate