BYU assistant coach cut from Utah Starzz

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    By Michelle Taft

    BYU womens’ basketball assistant coach, Alli Bills, was cut from the Starzz roster Thursday, May 25, after making a tough run at a competitive guard position.

    Bills, a native Utahn and former University of Utah point guard, was one of two guards cut from this season’s roster along with ex-Ute teammate Julie Krommenhoek.

    The Starzz roster now exists with 13 players. The WNBA allows for an 11-player roster and two additional injured players. Head Coach Fred Williams will have to cut one more player from the roster before the deadline Sunday at 3 pm MST.

    Star player and starting guard Jennifer Azzi will remain as a player on the injured list after incurring an injury to her right hand in the first preseason game May 14 against Portland. Azzi had surgery to put a plate in her right hand Thursday and is unexpected to play for at least six weeks.

    Korie Hlede, also a guard for the Utah Starzz, was injured in Wednesday night’s game in the Delta Center, receiving a gash above her right eye and then spraining her ankle later in the game. Hlede was given 10 stitches and is expected to return to practice this week.

    Although the Starzz were equipped with a plethora of guard players, these injuries allowed Bills and Krommenhoek playing time to prove their value as free agents for the Starzz team.

    Bills played 10 minutes in game four after Hlede was injured, scoring 3 points. Bills finished pre-season play with 30 minutes, 12 points, and 6 assists.

    “Everything has fallen my way to at least get a fair shot,” said Bills in a press conference after game four. “I’ve made it a hard decision for Coach Williams.”

    Williams felt that eliminating players from the roster was an unfortunate process, but would be best for the team in the long run.

    The Starzz open their season Wednesday in Los Angeles and make their season debut in the Delta Center June 1 against Portland.

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