The Women's National Basketball Association tipped off its seventh season on May 22, 2003. The league's 34-game regular season runs from May through August, with the WNBA Playoffs 2003 starting on August 28. Like the NBA, the WNBA holds an annual draft where teams select new talent, as well as an All-Star Game featuring the league's top players (July 12). The WNBA consists of 14 teams that are part of either the Eastern Conference or Western Conference.

WNBA rules are very similar to those in the NBA except for some minor variations.

Duration of Game: The WNBA plays two 20-minute halves and the NBA plays four 12-minute quarters.

Markham, Ontario native Tammy Sutton-Brown is a centre for the WNBA's Charlotte Sting.

Shot Clock: The WNBA shot clock is 30 seconds long, modelled after the college game. In the NBA, players have only 24 seconds to attempt a shot.

Three-Point Line: The NBA three-point line is 22 feet on the baseline and 23 feet nine inches at the top of the key, while the WNBA three-point line is a bit closer at just more than 20 feet six inches around the arc.

Fouls: After the eighth team foul in each half, the offended player will be awarded two free throws. In the final minute of each half, if a team has not reached eight fouls, it will be permitted one more without penalty; on the second foul, the offended player will be awarded two free throws.

Stoppage of Timing Devices: In the WNBA, the clock stops in the last minute of each half and/or overtime following a successful field goal attempt.

WNBA games tend to be lower in scoring than NBA contests due to the WNBA's shorter game (40 minutes) and longer shot clock (therefore less shots are attempted and made).

Two Canadians are shooting hoops in the WNBA in 2003. Tammy Sutton-Brown of Markham, Ontario is a centre for the Charlotte Sting, while Stacey Dales-Schuman of Brockville, Ontario is a guard for the Washington Mystics.