12 players invited to the WNBA draft

[DishNSwish]

2064 points 5th all time at Tennessee.

Her quickness and speed gives her a higher WNBA ceiling than several other people in the draft.

 

[Ctpaul0825]

Here's what I tried to post earlier but it did not work - I really doubt Indiana takes Dolson - for this one reason - How many UConn players can you remember playing for the Fever since Linn Dunn took over? I can find proof of any Huskies on the Fever since Schumacher in 2005. Dunn took over in December of 2007.

Would I love to Stef here? Absolutely - I would even offer to take her out to dinner (with my wife of course).

Dunn dislikes Geno very, very strongly and made it clear in a recent tweet regarding an apology from UT to UCONN in order for the teams to play each other again. I cannot stand the woman !

 

[JoePgh]

Isn't Tina an unrestricted free agent? As far as I know, there is no guarantee that she will return to the Sun.

There were also rumors last fall of a Tina-for-Nneka trade between the Sun and the Sparks. I thought it was just waiting until the labor agreement was finalized before it was announced -- or so the rumor said. But that raises the very interesting possibility of the two Ogwumike sisters playing together at the casino. If the Sun have Nneka on their roster, then they will surely draft Chiney, and I think they will do so in any case.

Asjha Jones has been written off for the 2014 season -- she will not be playing for the Sun due to injury.

Lin Dunn was the Seattle coach, if I recall correctly, when Sue Bird was drafted in 2002. I never heard that she was unhappy with Sue. But maybe since then the waters have been poisoned.

 

[bruinbball]

Lin Dunn was the Seattle coach, if I recall correctly, when Sue Bird was drafted in 2002. I never heard that she was unhappy with Sue. But maybe since then the waters have been poisoned.

Not sure she had much with regards to personnel in 2002, but how was Seattle not going to take a UConn player with the #1 overall pick??

 

[rt bb fan]

Projecting needs :
1.Conn-Chiney(compliment Tina).
2.Tulsa-Thomas(compliment Johnson).
3.San Antonio-Dolson(They need a center).
4.New York-Sims(perfect PG to match-up with Pondexter).
5.Hard to project,teams will probably draft best athletes.Drafts are always unpredictable.No harm meant ,but why would Conn.take Sims a PG when Tina needs serious help on the boards?Why would Tulsa take Sims when they have Diggins/Goodrich at the Point?They need a SF.McBride is a better shooter than Thomas,but Thomas is the better all-around player and a stronger re bounder.Will McBride be drafted as a 2-guard or small forward?Per a conversation with San Antonio,I interjected that they would regret not taking Dolson.Just my perspective as an ex-coach.Have fun.

 

[rt bb fan]

San Antonio has Jayne Appel and Kayla Alexander at center, not sure why they would draft Stef

 

[doggydaddy]

I'd like too see Simmons go to the Silver Stars.

Maybe in the second round.

 

[doggydaddy]

Her quickness and speed gives her a higher WNBA ceiling than several other people in the draft.

And the rest of her game brings it closer to the basement.

 

[pinotbear]

2064 points 5th all time at Tennessee.

 

[MarieYLee]

I'd like too see Simmons go to the Silver Stars.

No way she goes #3. Possibly 2nd round, I suppose.

I'll be shocked if Gray slips past the 1st round. If healthy, Gray would have been in the running to be a lottery pick. I would wait a year on the chance that Gray will return back instead of drafting someone like Schimmel or Simmons. I can't see either being a starter in the league, where as Gray plays PG (a premium position in the W) and has the talent to be a really good player. I think Minnesota will draft her if she's available.

Minnesota has the 12th and 15th pick. They are pretty loaded already. Would not be surprised if they draft Achonwa/Hamson/Gray to stash for the future.

Next years draft doesn't look good at all. You have KML who will go first. Then, I suppose Liz Williams...then who else? Yikes! Achonwa and Gray would be like having a 2015 lottery pick. Heck, Hamson looked really impressive as well, and C is the weakest position for them. Plus Gray COULD be groomed to be the PG after Whalen retires (not sure Lindsay Moore is the answer). They would probably be lottery picks in next years draft.

 

[triaddukefan]

I'm sure some team will draft her in the second round. She's well worth the wait of a year.

The team that Gray plays for will become my new favorite WNBA squad.

 

[ed4ourgirls]

I hope someone drafts Gray and let her rehab for a full year..

If she's still available, I hope the Sun take her with the 11th pick.

 

[Aluminny69]

I have two words for you.

Cliff Robinson.

Or Kevin Ollie. ( If I catch your drift correctly.)

 

[doggydaddy]

Or Kevin Ollie. ( If I catch your drift correctly.)

Uncle Cliffy was invited to the draft. He didn't go until 36.

Poor guy sat in the room by himself for a long time before they called his name at the end of the 2nd round.

 

[triaddukefan]

If she's still available, I hope the Sun take her with the 11th pick.

When i first read this I was thinking...........hmm.... a Gray and Taurasi backcourt would be interesting.... then i realized you were talking about Connecticut...

had to go to google to remember the Phoenix franchises name..Mercury. I was gonna say the Monarchs.... then i remembered that was the old Sacramento franchise.

 

[Aluminny69]

Uncle Cliffy was invited to the draft. He didn't go until 36.

Poor guy sat in the room by himself for a long time before they called his name at the end of the 2nd round.

Thanks for the clarification.

Cliff ended up ninth on the all time NBA games played list, a longer career than Michael Jordan, among others. His net worth is estimated at $20 million. I guess it was worth the wait.

 

[hoophuskee]

I doubt Sun will do this but as I thought it about it more- the move should be Sims. Then with the 11th pick take the BYU big girl or go after a big. Chiney will be good in her career but she won't be dominant in the post as her team advances (IF they advance) and it doesn't seem like she'd be very dangerous from the perimeter. But with the number 1 pcik, don't you want more than solid?

If you get Sims you get the follwoing:
1-- Who is going to be the best pg in the WNBA in 3 years? I think Sims in year 3 or 4 will be up there (not saying number 1). Cappie and Lindsay will be 33-34.

2--- I always value teams that have an inside/outside game. With Chiney their strength will predominantly be inside. The balance won't be there of gaurd play with inside play won't be ethere. I love Tina but she isn't DT. She is a beast though- 4th greatest player (about to be 5th as Stewie keeps going.).

3-- You heard them talk about how the game is becoming/is more guard-oriented. So why not take arguably the best pg that has come out since Whalen/Pondexter?

4--- I love Reene but when you look around the WNBA over the past several years most times teams win with at least a "super-two." Indiana won - but that was an exception plus the injury to Whelan imo destroyed Minny. Look at Parker - arguably best in the game - and has Ogwumike. They've been top heavy. Renee would be a fine 3rd option as Sims improves..

5-- While Renee can be a 3rd option with Ogwumike (arguable) but if the game is more friendly for guards, then why not try to have among the best backcourts in the WNBA at some point in the futrue? With these 2 gaurds (that can shoot AND put the ball on the floor) and Tina- you just opened up the floor big time. Pick up a big with the 11th pick. Also see what Indiana did - they were able to pick up a bruiser late in the year they won.

6-- Taking Ogwumike might not be as bad it seems though. After this year Tina may leave. If she leaves and Ct Sun don't get replace with equal value- they may be in the Breanna Stewart sweepstakes. OFC joking because no way one can predict. Just sayin . . .

Take Sims.

 

[JoePgh]

San Antonio has Jayne Appel and Kayla Alexander at center, not sure why they would draft Stef

That is exactly why they would draft Stef. Not exactly strong at that position with those two. I read that they were seriously considering Stef with the third pick. I'm sure her ability to facilitate the entire offense would be a major consideration.

Stef is a better athlete (bigger, faster, stronger) than Jayne and a lot smarter (less mistake-prone) and more versatile than Alexander.

 

[katiecrum1992]

• 
  [ ]Natalie Achonwa, Notre Dame, Forward, 6’3”
  [ ]Stefanie Dolson, Connecticut, Center, 6’5”
  [ ]Markeisha Gatling, North Carolina State, Center, 6’5”
  [ ]Chelsea Gray, Duke,Guard, 5’11”
  [ ]Bria Hartley, Connecticut, Guard, 5’8”
  [ ]Natasha Howard, Florida State, Forward, 6’3”
  [ ]Kayla McBride, Notre Dame, Guard, 5’11”
  [ ]Chiney Ogwumike, Stanford, Forward, 6’4”
  [ ]Shoni Schimmel, Louisville, Guard, 5’9”
  [ ]Meighan Simmons, Tennessee, Guard, 5’9”
  [ ]Odyssey Sims, Baylor, Guard, 5’8”
  [ ]Alyssa Thomas, Maryland, Forward, 6’2”

Don't know who a few of these players are, but this is the strongest draft class I've seen in awhile.

 

[NoelAustin]

Here's a good one - Connecticut picks Odyssey Sims with their 1st draft pick and then immediately trades her to Phoenix for Diana Taurasi. It's a deal that could benefit both teams: Phoenix does not have the personnel or on-court chemistry to overtake Minnesota and LA in the Western Conference. The trade would reunite Sims and Griner, and Phoenix could go into rebuilding mode, with a view toward being dominant within a few years. Taurasi going to the Sun would energize the fan base, and give the Sun an extraordinary 1-2 punch with DT and Tina Charles. Fill in the pieces for Connecticut, but they could be immediate contenders in the East.

 

[JSB60]

I think Stef will go 4th or 5th, but some of the teams that pass on her are going to wish they hadn't.

 

[socal613ws]

Hope ochonwa goes round 1, hope her injury doesn't kill her status.

 

[Striper69]

Here's a good one - Connecticut picks Odyssey Sims with their 1st draft pick and then immediately trades her to Phoenix for Diana Taurasi. It's a deal that could benefit both teams: Phoenix does not have the personnel or on-court chemistry to overtake Minnesota and LA in the Western Conference. The trade would reunite Sims and Griner, and Phoenix could go into rebuilding mode, with a view toward being dominant within a few years. Taurasi going to the Sun would energize the fan base, and give the Sun an extraordinary 1-2 punch with DT and Tina Charles. Fill in the pieces for Connecticut, but they could be immediate contenders in the East.

I like this trade even thogh I think Sims is overrated. She probably still wouldn't be able to fully take advantage of working with Griner. If they ever mastered the pick and roll they'd be unstoppable. A lot depends on the new coach as well.

Taurasi really should go to the Sun. Would they sell out their home games then? Maybe they could also draft Hartley an almost have a UCONN-like WNBA team.

 

[katiecrum1992]

That sounds like a good trade but I highly doubt Phoenix would give up Taurasi very easily.

 

[easttexastrash]

San Antonio has Jayne Appel and Kayla Alexander at center, not sure why they would draft Stef

Because Dolson is better than either of those two. However, I am hoping that Tulsa takes Thomas and that San Antonio takes Sims. I love San Antonio and it would be a good excuse to drive down a few times a season to see Sims and Young play together.