HoopsHype.com Rumors

Manchester is to host the USA’s men’s and women’s national teams ahead of the Olympics next year, and an NBA pre-season game in 2013. But first up, a WNBA exhibition game in May. The friendly between the Atlanta Dream and an unconfirmed opponent – potentially Great Britain’s women – will be held at the MEN Arena on May 29, the first time the 20,500-capacity venue has hosted professional basketball since the demise of the Manchester Giants in 2000. The Dream – who reached the WNBA Finals last year – will be taking part in the women’s league’s second-ever excursion outside the USA. If they accept the tie, GB would use the meeting as an additional warm-up fixture ahead of the Eurobasket finals in Poland. MVP 24/7

USA Basketball, WNBA, Great Britain 

Seattle Storm center Lauren Jackson became the third WNBA player to be selected Most Valuable Player three different times, while her coach, Brian Agler, was chosen Coach of the Year, the league announced Thursday. Jackson, a 6-foot-5 center from Australia, outdistanced Indiana Fever forward Tamika Catchings and New York Liberty guard Cappie Pondexter to join Lisa Leslie and Sheryl Swoopes as three-time MVP recipients. Phoenix Mercury guard Diana Taurasi, the 2009 MVP, finished fourth while Washington Mystics forward Crystal Langhorne finished fifth. FanHouse.com

WNBA, Lauren Jackson 

The Los Angeles Sparks' Candace Parker has the top-selling jersey in the WNBA, the league announced late Thursday. Parker has held the distinction of having the top-selling jersey since October 2008. Former Sparks player Lisa Leslie had the third-highest sales figures, the league said. Los Angeles Business Journals

Los Angeles Sparks, Candace Parker, WNBA