WNBA to use optical tracking to enhance player analysis

The WNBA will become the first women’s professional sports league in the U.S. to have league-wide optical tracking after entering a multi-year deal with Second Spectrum, a Genius Sports technology solution. With this deal, the WNBA will have access to 3D tracking data that will allow teams to use real-time advance stats that can measure categories such as shot quality, shooter impact and paint touches. It can also gauge a player’s maximum speed and total distance covered in a game. WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert says the technology "will deliver rich data to our teams that they can leverage to enhance player performance while informing in-game strategy.”