WNBA Rookies

[Patrick Lilly]

While the 2015 draft wasn't the strongest, the KML post got me thinking: Are any of the newbies performing well? Here are the stats from the first round:

• #1 Jewell Loyd - 22.2 minutes per game / 6.4 ppg / 28.1 field goal % / 3.1 rebounds / 1.3 assists / 0.7 steals
• #2 Amanda Zahui B - 11.5 mpg / 5.1 ppg / 48.2 fg% / 3.7 r / 0.7 a / 0 s
• #3 KML - 6.4 mpg / 2.2 ppg / 35.7 % / 0.3 r / 0 a /0 s
• #4 Elizabeth Williams - 9.9 mpg/ 1.9 ppg / 26.7 % / 2.4 r / 0.4 a / 0.4 s
• #5 Cheyenne Parker - 9.2 mpg / 2.0 ppg / 36.8 % / 2 r / 0 a / 0.4 s
• #6 Dearica Hamby - 24.3 mpg / 10.1 ppg / 45.9 % / 6.3 r / 1.1 a / 0.2 s
• #7 Crystal Bradford - she's not on the Sparks roster and can't find any info
• #8 Ally Malot - 11.8 mpg / 4.3 ppg / 50 % / 1.3 r / 0.5 a / 0.5 s
• #9 Brittany Boyd - 22,5 mpg / 9.9 ppg / 36.2 % / 4 r / 3 a / 1.4 s
• #10 Samantha Logic - 5.8 mpg / 0.8 ppg / 9.1% / 0.8 r / 0.5 a / 0.3 s
• #11 Kiah Stokes - 23.2 / 4.6 / 53.8 % / 6.4 r / 0.7 a / 0.1 s
• #12 Isabelle Harrison - no stats, I believe she is injured

Other notables

• #14 Cierra Burdick - 18.8 mpg / 6.3 ppg / 53.3% / 4.7 r / 0 a / 1 s
• #15 Natasha Cloud - 17.5 mpg / 4.1 ppg/ 26.7 % / 2.7 r / 3.1 a / 0.7 s

Value to team may be determined by minutes per game. In that case the top three rookies are #6 Dearica Hamby, #11 Kiah Stokes, and #9 Brittany Boyd. As it stand right now, I'd say that Dearica Hamby should be the early leader for rookie of the year. I also suspect Jewell's shooting percentage to go up as the season progresses.

I don't think I've ever seen a draft before where the most effective picks were in the 6-15 range.

 

[Orangutan]

Bradford is still recovering from a knee injury.

For the purposes of awards, Achonwa and Gray will be in the race:

Achonwa - 21.6 mpg/ 10.6 ppg/ 53.1% / 4.5 r / 0.5 a / 0.4s
Gray - 16.4 mpg / 9.6 ppg / 51.1% / 1.4 r / 2.0 a/ 1.6 s

 

[Patrick Lilly]

For the purposes of awards, Achonwa and Gray will be in the race:

Achonwa - 21.6 mpg/ 10.6 ppg/ 53.1% / 4.5 r / 0.5 a / 0.4s
Gray - 16.4 mpg / 9.6 ppg / 51.1% / 1.4 r / 2.0 a/ 1.6 s

I didn't include them because they were in last year's draft, but glad you did.

 

[UcMiami]

Not to be negative, because I really like Stokes and think her skill set will be valuable to WNBA teams for years to come, but do want to note that while she is getting more minutes than she did at Uconn, the offensive is not exactly pouring out of her - her coach loves her game, but those predicting a change from a defense first mindset are not seeing it. Early days, but she is taking about 4 shots a game and hitting 50% - not dissimilar to her Uconn production. Maybe it wasn't Geno's fault.

 

[Gus Mahler]

Well, I really, really like Stokes and also think she will be a valuable player for years to come. I'm not one who predicted a big change in her approach--I don't think that's reasonable--but I did think we would see more 15' jump shots and that she would show she could make them.

I didn't get around to posting this before the draft, but I'm going to offer it up now: If I had been a WNBA GM I would have been tempted to draft Stokes ahead of E. Williams. Why? I never saw Williams do anything I didn't think Kiah could do. Moreover, Kiah's healthier and she's used to the rigors of practice and the pressures of UCONN.

At this admittedly early juncture, I'm beginning to sense the warm flow of vindication.

 

[triaddukefan]

I'll keep my thoughts to myself

 

[HuskyFan1125]

At this moment in the season, my ROY is Derica Hamby.

 

[triaddukefan]

At this moment in the season, my ROY is Derica Hamby.

She's #2 on my list

But that shouldnt be a surprise.... I said before the draft that I would take her #1 overall if I were a GM.

 

[DaddyChoc]

I repeat... no rookie is going to come in and take over from seasoned vets. Only BG, Maya, CP3, Tina (EDD?)and DT3 had huge impacts, most will normally just fit in as these guys are doing. learning the ropes

 

[MilfordHusky]

I repeat... no rookie is going to come in and take over from seasoned vets. Only BG, Maya, CP3, Tina (EDD?)and DT3 had huge impacts, most will normally just fit in as these guys are doing. learning the ropes

Definitely EDD was an impact player. I think Nneka was too. But I agree with your point that there are only 2-3 most years. This year, there may be none.

I think the rookie year in the WNBA may be the toughest rookie year in any sport, because the season comes immediately after the college season. The players really have no time to adapt or learn. Pre-season is way too brief for that and there is no real off-season. For most players, their college-level skills won't make them stars; they need to improve, which takes time. Additionally, the rookies are playing almost 80 games in a 9-month span for the first time ever. Their limited stamina may adversely affect their performance in year 1.

 

[UcMiami]

This last year was considered a 'weak' draft class as well because there were none of those obvious 'star' players in the draft and even adding Loyd and Zahui-B didn't change that - those two while very gifted and 'old enough' had a year or more less maturation in college. And at the same time, the talent level in the pro ranks continues to get deeper - this is still a young sport at the pro level and as a career option for athletic girls so each year is adding to the base line talent pool. And the best talent at the pro level plays 10+ years so is around 2.5 times the four year college apprentice pipeline.

On the KML 'fitness' issue - anyone playing 25 minutes at the top level of college ball is plenty fit, and especially anyone going through Uconn practices for a full year. The possible issue with KML is that if she sheds some pounds she might improve her quickness - but the two do not necessarily go hand in hand, and she might decrease her playing strength.

And minutes for the first round picks are not exactly overwhelming based on the list above - yes KML is at the bottom for non-injured players, but only four of 10 are averaging 20+ minutes and the rest are at 12 of less.

 

[Bonpland]

I think that the UCONN experience is similar for incoming freshman to the WNBA experience is for first year players. There is a period of adjustment moving up to a demanding, talent laden environment. Last year I was disappointed with Dolson's start, but as MilfordHusky points out WNBA rookies have several hurdles to clear, not the least of which are the physical demands of that first year. And Daddychoc is right, very few incoming players establish themselves immediately. As fans we hope our girls will excel and by and large they do, but as competive as this program is the WNBA is still the deep end of the pool and there are a lot of good swimmers out there.

I complement the Boneyarders who saw Hamby, Stokes and Boyd as most WNBA ready. In five years Loyd, Zahui B., and KML may be bigger stars, but for right now they are working through their own period of adjustment.

 

[MilfordHusky]

Looking at the video of Tiffany against Cal made me think of Tip's rookie season:

She averaged 23 minutes and 8.6 ppg. That would put her in the top few of the class of 2015. Tiff was the steal of that draft.

 

[VolFan]

Massengale is injured as well. I would have looked for her to make an impact for the Dream. For some reason Shimmel is getting barely any minutes for them. Is she not physically 100%?

 

[JellyBean]

I got Natalie Achonwa as my rookie of the year. She has been pretty impressive.

 

[bbsamjj]

Betnijah Laney (#17 pick) is proving to be a solid reserve for the Sky. She's averaging 16.4mpg, 4.4ppg, 3.4rpg. Not setting the world on fire but not bad for a 2nd round pick.

 

[EricLA]

Achonwa, Gray, Hamby and Boyd are putting up the best numbers, but there are 13 rookie putting up at least 5 PPG this season. For all the "it's a weak class and only stronger now that Zahui and Loyd entered the draft" talk, it seems that is being proven wrong.

Side note, KML and Williams have to be the biggest disappointments at this time - neither are even in the top 20 in any stats... Plenty of time to develop, but they sure have a lot of work to do to really make it in the WNBA...

 

[UcMiami]

Eric - the best classes have players that are real impact players from the beginning - strength is generally determined by the top 3-5 picks and not the percentage of players who stay on teams/contribute.
This class does seem to have some solid depth, just not the obvious superstars.

 

[Striper69]

Achonwa, Gray, Hamby and Boyd are putting up the best numbers, but there are 13 rookie putting up at least 5 PPG this season. For all the "it's a weak class and only stronger now that Zahui and Loyd entered the draft" talk, it seems that is being proven wrong.

Side note, KML and Williams have to be the biggest disappointments at this time - neither are even in the top 20 in any stats... Plenty of time to develop, but they sure have a lot of work to do to really make it in the WNBA...

Williams looked good in the game I watched that she played. Can't complain if the team is #1 in the conference.

KML is in a more difficult position with Renee and O'Hea also in the lineup as established pros. I think they can afford to take their time with her and let her ease into the league.

 

[Orangutan]

First half observation from Sky v. Liberty: Kiah Stokes is really impressive. She spent a lot of time matched with EDD and did very well.

One play, EDD started at the arc, drove left, pulled up from 15 ft, and Kiah blocked her, which I didn't really think was possible.

Granted, she really should almost never shoot anything besides layups, but she is exactly the kind of interior defender the Sky need. I like Cheyenne Parker's potential but Stokes undeniably would have helped Chicago more in the short term.

 

[HuskyFan1125]

First half observation from Sky v. Liberty: Kiah Stokes is really impressive. She spent a lot of time matched with EDD and did very well. One play, EDD started at the arc, drove left, pulled up from 15 ft, and Kiah blocked her, which I didn't really think was possible. Granted, she really should almost never shoot anything besides layups, but she is exactly the kind of interior defender the Sky need. I like Cheyenne Parker's potential but Stokes undeniably would have helped Chicago more in the short term.

I was thinking the SAME thing! The Sky should have taken Stokes or Hamby with that pick instead of Parker!

 

[CamrnCrz1974]

Rookie Performances (June 2015)

Player, Team          W-L   Pts   FG%   Reb  Ast  Stl  Blk
--------------------  ---  ----  ----  ----  ---  ---  ---
Achonwa, Ind.         4-6  10.2  .526   4.6  0.5  0.3  0.6
Gray, Con.            7-2   9.2  .517   1.4  1.9  1.2  0.0
Hamby, S.A.           2-7   9.0  .429   6.1  1.2  0.2  0.3
Boyd, N.Y.            6-4   8.2  .388   3.5  2.7  1.1  0.2
Loyd, Sea.            3-7   8.1  .341   3.4  1.5  0.6  0.0
Tokashiki, Sea.       3-7   7.5  .463   2.5  0.8  0.2  1.3
Francis, Pho.         4-5   7.2  .491   5.0  0.9  0.7  1.1
Hoover, L.A. (6g)     0-7   5.8  .387   1.5  0.7  0.3  0.2
Stokes, N.Y.          6-4   5.8  .595   6.3  0.9  0.3  2.0
Tolo, L.A.            0-7   5.1  .500   3.9  0.7  0.1  0.4
Zahui B., Tul.        8-2   4.8  .422   3.2  0.4  0.0  0.8

 

[triaddukefan]

I was thinking the SAME thing! The Sky should have taken Stokes or Hamby with that pick instead of Parker!

So you would have Hamby as the PF with DelDonne as the SF ?

 

[HuskyFan1125]

So you would have Hamby as the PF with DelDonne as the SF ?

Sure! Sounds excellent to me

 

[Orangutan]

So you would have Hamby as the PF with DelDonne as the SF ?

Sure! Sounds excellent to me

That leaves Chicago with the same problem they have now - no legitimate center. They have Breland for the PF spot next to Delle Donne at SF. But they've been starting games with Breland at C because of a lack of other options. That didn't work for long against NY because Breland (6'3 and thin) was way too small to check Charles. Sasha Goodlett did the best on Charles and you know you have a problem when Goodlett is your best answer.

Chicago needs more quality size in the post. Cheyenne Parker has center size and perhaps will mature into a solid center one day, but her years of getting high at High Point and MTSU have left her behind the curve in terms of development. She is green as grass. Kiah may only be 6'3 but she's stout and plays bigger due to her shot-blocking instincts. And she knows what to do and what not to do on both ends.