Crystal Dangerfield

Dangerfield attended Blackman High School, where she belonged to the collegiate academy, and was an honor roll student for four years.{{cite web|title=Crystal Dangerfield|url=https://www.usab.com/basketball/players/womens/d/dangerfield-crystal.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150626005413/http://www.usab.com/basketball/players/womens/d/dangerfield-crystal.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 26, 2015|date=August 1, 2017|access-date=August 22, 2020|publisher=USA Basketball}} She was Blackman's starting point guard for four years, when the school won state titles in 2015 and 2016.{{cite web|url=https://uconnhuskies.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/crystal-dangerfield/10265|title=2019-20 Women's Basketball Roster: Crystal Dangerfield|access-date=August 21, 2020|publisher=Sidearm Sports (CBS Sports Digital)}}

She played USA Basketball, winning a gold medal in 2013 and 2015. Dangerfield was named Miss Basketball Tennessee in her junior and senior years.{{cite news|author=Jennings, Chantel|date=August 19, 2020|title=Crystal Dangerfield's been building toward her WNBA moment since the fifth grade|work=The Athletic |url=https://theathletic.com/2008085/2020/08/19/crystal-dangerfields-been-building-toward-her-wnba-moment-since-the-fifth-grade/|access-date=August 20, 2020}} She was three times the Tennessee Gatorade Player of the Year. She was a finalist for the Naismith Prep Player of the Year Award and Gatorade national awards. She was The Tennessean girls basketball player of the year in three consecutive years. In 2016, she was a McDonald's and Jordan Brand Classic All-American, and Morgan Wootten National Player of the Year.{{cite news|title=Dangerfield is Girls Basketball Player of the Year|author=Joyce, Cecil and Sam Brown|work=The Tennessean |date=April 17, 2016|access-date=August 21, 2020|url=https://www.tennessean.com/story/sports/2016/04/17/dangerfield-girls-basketball-player-year/82666876/}}

Among the women's class of 2016, ESPNW ranked Dangerfield as the best point guard{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/high-school/girls-basketball/recruiting/player/_/id/166860/crystal-dangerfield|title=Crystal Dangerfield|publisher= ESPN Internet Ventures|access-date=August 22, 2020}} and third overall of 100 women players (behind Lauren Cox and ahead of Sabrina Ionescu).{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/high-school/girls-basketball/recruiting/rankings/_/class/2016|title=2016 HoopGurlz Recruiting Rankings - espnW 100|author=Olson, Dan|access-date=August 22, 2020|publisher=ESPN Internet Ventures}}

Dangerfield was recruited by the UConn Huskies, and she studied business and majored in communication.{{cite web|url=http://www.seniorclassaward.com/athletes/Crystal_Dangerfield/|title=Crystal Dangerfield|access-date=August 22, 2020|publisher=Senior Class Award: Premier Sports Management}}{{cite tweet |author=Dangerfield, Crystal |user=crystald2 |number=730213637483339777 |date=May 10, 2016 |title=I'm Crystal 🎈 #UConn2020 ⚪️🔵 Freshman🤓 Business Major💸📑 Student Athlete 📝⛹🏾 |access-date=August 27, 2020}} When Dangerfield arrived, the Huskies had won a record 11 total and 4 straight NCAA championships, but during the period she played for them they were to lose three and have one canceled due to COVID-19.{{cite web|url=https://uconnhuskies.com/sports/2018/6/12/trads-national-champions-html.aspx|title=National Championship Teams|publisher=Sidearm Sports (CBS Sports Digital)}} and {{Cite web|url=https://news.yahoo.com/ncaa-cancels-march-madness-tournaments-202400190.html|title=NCAA cancels March Madness tournaments, all other winter and spring championships|website=news.yahoo.com|language=en-US|access-date=August 27, 2020}}

Dangerfield had offseason hip surgeries in 2016 and 2019. In 2018, she said her quads had gotten too big and she was bothered by shin splints during 2017, her sophomore year.{{cite web|title=WATCH: UConn Rising Junior Crystal Dangerfield Interview|url=https://www.theuconnblog.com/2018/7/3/17532708/uconn-huskies-womens-basketball-rising-junior-crystal-dangerfield-interview|author=Bethune, Ian|date=July 3, 2018|access-date=August 22, 2020|publisher=SB Nation (Vox Media)}} After surgery in 2019, she experienced back spasms and at one point her team had only eight healthy players.{{cite news|title=UConn point guard Crystal Dangerfield out with back spasms|author=Bonjour, Doug|date=November 26, 2019|access-date=September 3, 2020|url=https://www.nhregister.com/uconn/article/UConn-point-guard-Crystal-Dangerfield-out-with-14865075.php|work=New Haven Register}} The Associated Press said in her senior year at UConn that she was "expected to be the team's leader."{{cite news|url=https://www.espn.in/womens-college-basketball/story/_/id/26913009/uconn-dangerfield-westbrook-surgery|title=UConn's Dangerfield, Westbrook have surgery|agency=Associated Press|access-date=August 22, 2020|date=June 6, 2019|publisher=ESPN}}

Following the 2019–20 season, Dangerfield was named an Honorable Mention All-American by the Associated Press. She was selected for the American Athletic Conference 2017 All-Freshman Team, 2018 All-Tournament Team, 2018 Third Team, 2019 All-Tournament Team, 2019 First Team, 2020 All-Tournament Team, and 2020 First Team; and the 2019 NCAA Regional All-Tournament Team.

Dangerfield ranks 6th in assists and 9th in three pointers made all-time among UConn women's basketball players.

Dangerfield was drafted with the 16th overall pick in the 2nd round of the 2020 WNBA draft by the Minnesota Lynx. Lynx coaches had explained to her that her rookie's role would be as a sub to provide relief for a few minutes per game. By midseason, due to multiple WNBA injuries{{cite news|author=Voepel, Mechelle|date=August 17, 2020|title=WNBA Power Rankings: Who's the MVP favorite?|publisher=ESPN|url=https://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/id/29676312/wnba-power-rankings-mvp-favorite|access-date=August 26, 2020}} and Odyssey Sims return from maternity leave,{{cite news|author=Mizutani, Diane|date=April 21, 2020|title=With Odyssey Sims out, Crystal Dangerfield is the point guard Lynx need|work=Pioneer Press |url=https://www.twincities.com/2020/04/21/crystal-dangerfield-gives-lynx-point-guard-they-need-with-odyssey-sims-out/|access-date=August 26, 2020}} Dangerfield was the starting point guard, averaging 14.3 points per game,{{cite web|title=Player Averages|url=https://www.wnba.com/stats/player-stats/|access-date=August 20, 2020|publisher=WNBA}} shooting 47.1% from the field, and was considered a candidate for WNBA Rookie of the Year,{{cite news|author=Ligons, Jordan|date=August 20, 2020|title=The 12 Players to Watch for in the Second Half of the WNBA Season|work=The Ringer|url=https://www.theringer.com/2020/8/20/21376644/wnba-second-half-odyssey-sims-erica-wheeler-brittney-sykes|access-date=August 20, 2020}}{{cite news|author=Pickman, Ben|date=August 21, 2020|title=Wubble, Baby, Wubble: WNBA Midseason Check-in|work=Sports Illustrated |url=https://www.si.com/wnba/2020/08/21/midseason-check-in-wubble-breanna-stewart-crystal-dangerfield|access-date=September 3, 2020}}{{cite news|author=Hansen, Mitchell|date=August 21, 2020|title=Crystal Dangerfield is Making a Strong Case for 2020 Rookie of the Year|publisher=Zone Coverage|url=https://zonecoverage.com/2020/lynx/crystal-dangerfield-is-making-a-strong-case-for-2020-rookie-of-the-year/|access-date=September 3, 2020}} the lowest draft pick ever officially considered for the honor.{{cite news|author=Voeple, Mechelle|date=September 14, 2020|title=Picking WNBA MVP, Rookie of the Year and other big awards|publisher=ESPN|url=https://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/id/29883619/picking-wnba-mvp-rookie-year-other-big-awards|access-date=September 19, 2020}}

For August, she gained WNBA's formal recognition with a Rookie of the Month award for her record of 18.1 points per game, 3.5 assists per game and 2.0 rebounds per game.{{cite news|date=September 1, 2020|title=Crystal Dangerfield Earns Rookie of the Month Honors|publisher=WNBA |url=https://www.wnba.com/news/crystal-dangerfield-earns-rookie-of-the-month-honors/|access-date=September 1, 2020}} She repeated as Rookie of the Month in September with 17.4 points per game, 5.0 assists per game and 2.0 rebounds per game.{{cite news|date=September 15, 2020|title=Crystal Dangerfield Earns Rookie of the Month|publisher=WNBA |url=https://www.wnba.com/news/crystal-dangerfield-earns-rookie-of-the-month/|access-date=September 15, 2020}}

In her rookie season, Dangerfield was named to the 2020 AP All-Rookie team. She won the Associated Press Rookie of the Year,{{Cite web|title=Crystal Dangerfield is Rookie of Year, Cheryl Reeve top coach in media WNBA awards|url=https://www.startribune.com/crystal-dangerfield-rookie-of-year-cheryl-reeve-top-coach-in-ap-wnba-awards/572417282/|access-date=2020-09-17|website=Star Tribune}} ESPN Rookie of the Year, and WNBA Rookie of the Year.{{Cite web|title=Crystal Dangerfield Named WNBA Rookie Of The Year|url=https://www.wnba.com/news/crystal-dangerfield-named-wnba-rookie-of-the-year/|access-date=2020-09-18|publisher=WNBA|language=en}} She was the Lynx leading scorer for the year with 16.2 points per game.

On 3 May 2022, Dangerfield was waived by the Lynx.{{Cite web |title=Lynx Sign Guard Odyssey Sims |url=https://lynx.wnba.com/news/lynx-sign-guard-odyssey-sims-22/ |access-date=2022-05-05 |website=Minnesota Lynx |language=en}}

On 6 May 2022, Dangerfield signed a hardship exception contract with the Indiana Fever.{{Cite web |title=Indiana Fever Sign 2020 WNBA Rookie of the Year Crystal Dangerfield to Hardship Exception Contract |url=https://fever.wnba.com/news/indiana-fever-sign-2020-wnba-rookie-of-the-year-crystal-dangerfield-to-hardship-exception-contract/ |access-date=2022-05-06 |website=Indiana Fever |language=en}}

On May 21, 2022, Dangerfield signed a hardship exception contract with the Liberty.{{cite web | url=https://www.sportsnaut.com/liberty-sign-former-top-rookie-crystal-dangerfield/amp/ | title=Liberty sign former top rookie Crystal Dangerfield | date=May 21, 2022 }}

On June 7, 2022, the Liberty ended Dangerfield's contract, but signed a second hardship exception contract two days later.,{{cite web | url=https://liberty.wnba.com/news/liberty-re-sign-crystal-dangerfield-to-hardship-contract/ | title=Liberty Re-sign Crystal Dangerfield to Hardship Contract }} but then she was released on June 26. On July 3, 2022, the Liberty signed Dangerfield to a rest of season contract.

On January 16, 2023, Dangerfield was traded to the Dallas Wings as part of a three-team deal.{{cite web |title=Dallas Wings Acquire Natasha Howard and Crystal Dangerfield |url=https://wings.wnba.com/news/dallas-wings-acquire-natasha-howard-and-crystal-dangerfield/ |website=wings.wnba.com |publisher=WNBA |access-date=17 January 2023}}

On May 4, 2024, the Wings traded Dangerfield to the Atlanta Dream in exchange for a 2025 draft pick.{{cite web |title=Dallas Wings Announce Roster Transaction |url=https://wings.wnba.com/news/dallas-wings-announce-roster-transaction-2/ |website=wings.wnba.com |publisher=WNBA |access-date=4 May 2024}} After appearing in fifteen games for the Dream, she was waived on June 26, 2024.{{cite tweet|number=1805994444023271931|user=ATLDreamPR|date=June 26, 2024|access-date=June 26, 2024|title=The Atlanta Dream have waived guard Crystal Dangerfield, the organization announced today.}}

On July 4, 2024, Dangerfield signed a 7-day hardship contract with the Los Angeles Sparks.{{Cite web |title=Sparks Sign Guard Crystal Dangerfield to Hardship Contract |url=https://sparks.wnba.com/news/sparks-sign-guard-crystal-dangerfield-to-hardship-contract/ |access-date=2024-07-05 |website=Los Angeles Sparks |language=en}} On July 13, 2024, Dangerfield signed a second 7-day hardship contract.

{{WNBA player statistics legend}}

Stats current through end of 2024 season

{{WNBA player statistics start|caption=WNBA regular season statistics{{cite web |title=

Crystal Dangerfield WNBA Stats |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/wnba/players/d/dangecr01w.html |website=Basketball Reference}}}}

|-

| style='text-align:left;'|2020

| style='text-align:left;'|Minnesota

| 21 || 19 || 30.0 || .471 || .333 || .922 || 2.0 || 3.6 || 0.9 || 0.0 || 2.6 || 16.2

|-

| style='text-align:left;'|2021

| style='text-align:left;'|Minnesota

| 31 || 10 || 20.1 || .388 || .359 || .857 || 2.0 || 2.8 || 0.7 || 0.1 || 1.4 || 7.7

|-

| style='text-align:left;' rowspan=2 | 2022

| style='text-align:left;'|Indiana

| 3 || 0 || 16.3 || .429 || .333 || 1.000 || 1.0 || 3.3 || 0.0 || 0.7 || 1.0 || 6.0

|-

| style='text-align:left;'|New York

| 30 || 27 || 22.1 || .395 || .323 || .700 || 2.1 || 2.5 || 0.6 || 0.1 || 0.9 || 5.4

|-

| style='text-align:left;'|2023

| style='text-align:left;'|Dallas

| 35 || 32 || 27.8 || .425 || .290 || .815 || 2.9 || 3.1 || 0.9 || 0.2 || 1.2 || 8.2

|-

| rowspan=2 style='text-align:left;'|2024

| style='text-align:left;'|Atlanta

| 15 || 0 || 14.1 || .278 || .217 || 1.000 || 1.1 || 1.7 || 0.3 || 0.2 || 0.6 || 3.1

|-

|style='text-align:left;'|Los Angeles

|18||5||12.8||.286||.308||.667||1.0||2.0||0.4||0.2||0.9||3.3

|- class="sortbottom"

| style='text-align:left;'| Career

| style='text-align:left;'| 6 years, 6 teams

| 153 || 93 || 22.1 || .407 || .318 || .853 || 2.0 || 2.7 || 0.7 || 0.1 || 1.3 || 7.5

{{s-end}}

{{WNBA player statistics start|caption=WNBA playoff statistics}}

|-

| style='text-align:left;'|2020

| style='text-align:left;'|Minnesota

| 4 || 4 || 34.0 || .340 || .250 || .636 || 2.8 || 3.8 || 1.0 || 0.0 || 2.0 || 11.8

|-

| style='text-align:left;'|2021

| style='text-align:left;'|Minnesota

| 1 || 0 || 24.0 || .200 || .000 || — || 1.0 || 2.0 || 1.0 || 0.0 || 2.0 || 2.0

|-

| style='text-align:left;'|2022

| style='text-align:left;'|New York

| 3 || 2 || 9.0 || .273 || .250 || — || 0.3 || 0.3 || 0.0 || 0.0 || 0.7 || 2.3

|-

| style='text-align:left;'|2022

| style='text-align:left;'|Dallas

| 5 || 3 || 11.6 || .533 || .333 || 1.000 || 1.4 || 1.0 || 0.2 || 0.0 || 0.2 || 4.6

|- class="sortbottom"

| style='text-align:left;'| Career

| style='text-align:left;'| 4 years, 3 teams

| 8 || 6 || 23.4 || .319 || .227 || .636 || 1.6 || 2.3 || 0.6 || 0.0 || 1.5 || 7.0

{{s-end}}

{{WNBA player statistics start|caption=NCAA statistics{{cite web |title=Crystal Dangerfield College Stats |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/crystal-dangerfield-1.html |work=Sports Reference}}}}

|-

|2016–17

|align=left| UConn

|31||6||24.0||.403||.317||.593||2.2||3.7||0.9|||0.0||1.7||6.1

|-

|2017–18

|align=left| UConn

|35||35||28.7||.454||.449||.806||2.1||4.1||1.7||0.0||1.5||9.5

|-

|2018–19

|align=left| UConn

|38||38||34.9||.431||.352||.924||3.3||5.9||1.6||0.1||1.9||13.4

|-

|2019–20

|align=left| UConn

|30||30||35.4||.463||.410||.860||3.7||3.9||1.8||0.1||1.7||14.9

|- class="sortbottom"

|colspan=2; align=center| Career

|134||109||30.9||.441||.385||.833||2.8||4.5||1.5||0.1||1.7||11.0

|}

Dangerfield is the youngest daughter of Christopher and Davonna Dangerfield of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. She has an older brother, Komar, and one sister, Brooke. Both parents served in the U.S. Army. She has played basketball since she was 5. Her favorite players are Kobe Bryant and Maya Moore.

Dangerfield has participated in numerous charities such as Let's Move!, Foundation for Life “Bikes for Kids,” Athletes for Hope, and food banks. In college, she helped Bags of Love provide toiletries to homeless people in Connecticut.

{{reflist}}

• {{Basketballstats}} and [http://stats.ncaa.org/player/index?game_sport_year_ctl_id=14320&org_id=164&stats_player_seq=1847339 NCAA.org]
• {{commonscatinline}}

{{WNBA Rookies of the Year}}

{{2020 WNBA draft}}

{{Morgan Wootten Player of the Year}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Dangerfield, Crystal}}

Category:1998 births

Category:Living people

Category:American women's basketball players

Category:Atlanta Dream players

Category:Basketball players from Tennessee

Category:Dallas Wings players

Category:Indiana Fever players

Category:LGBTQ basketball players

Category:LGBTQ people from Tennessee

Category:American lesbian sportswomen

Category:McDonald's High School All-Americans

Category:Minnesota Lynx draft picks

Category:Minnesota Lynx players

Category:New York Liberty players

Category:Sportspeople from Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Category:Point guards

Category:UConn Huskies women's basketball players

Category:21st-century American sportswomen