2019 WNBA Draft

[OldAlum]

If it is true that players dont want to be drafted by the Sun, I wonder if there is more to it than location. Is Indianapolis or Minnesota that much more appealing? Or is there something else going on?

I get that eastern CT is not a favored destination for young women of color, but it is not Siberia. The team plays in a casino and there is another a very short distance away. NYC and Boston are not far away. And, of course, the women are only "home" for a relatively small amount of time between traveling to away games and then going overseas. Happily they would even miss CT winters!

So I wonder if there are other problems at the Sun if the perception that it is the last choice for draftees is correct.

And are the Liberty still playing in Westchester?

 

[Dillon77]

If it is true that players dont want to be drafted by the Sun, I wonder if there is more to it than location. Is Indianapolis or Minnesota that much more appealing? Or is there something else going on?

I get that eastern CT is not a favored destination for young women of color, but it is not Siberia. The team plays in a casino and there is another a very short distance away. NYC and Boston are not far away. And, of course, the women are only "home" for a relatively small amount of time between traveling to away games and then going overseas. Happily they would even miss CT winters!

So I wonder if there are other problems at the Sun if the perception that it is the last choice for draftees is correct.

And are the Liberty still playing in Westchester?

The Liberty are playing in White Plains this season, then presumably are moving to play in the Barclay's Center in Brooklyn, since they were purchased (rescued?) by the minority owner of the Brooklyn Nets.
Will be good to get them back in "the city."

 

[bschwartz]

Larry Bird surprises Lou!

Is it really necessary to point out that Larry Bird is an NBA legend?

 

[meyers7]

I can't remember where I saw it, maybe it was a mock draft, but somebody had Collier going to Minnesota. Nothing else need be said. She's been deemed pro ready by Clarendon and other WNBA players and scouts who should know. Of course, WE knew it all along. Napheesa will do well in the land of a thousand lakes. It's going to be fun watching all of these first year players this season.

10,000.

 

[meyers7]

Well if I’m trolling I don’t even realize it. I rarely ever try and troll.

Maybe you're just blessed with that natural ability.

 

[TerpWomenFan]

I was waiting on my Soulvaki and I pulled out my phone and they announced that pick. I wasnt surprised really. The Mystic coach did the NC State 1st and 2nd round games both last year and this year...so he got to see Leslie play up close. Ive said all year long that she was very underrated..... and I cant see why they cant both play Atkins and Leslie together.

I can see why he made that pick. The Mystics didn't have a 2nd round pick so he basically went on need instead of best player available. We'll see how it will turn out. Last year I thought he should have taken Victoria Vivians but Atkins turned out OK. I would have taken Cunningham so we'll see what happens this season. Bad news for Shatori Walker-Kimbrough. Looks like her former teammate is going to kick her out of a roster spot. Payback a *****.

 

[mbr33ct]

Perhaps its the location... . an no offense to any residents of Eastern CT..... but if you are young person... just out of college ... and you had the chance to spend 4-5 spring and summer months in Atlanta, NYC, DC, Chicago, Seattle, LA, Minneapolis, Las Vegas, Dallas, or Norwich. which would you choose?

To be fair, they play in Uncasville...doesn't that sound better than Norwich?

 

[mbr33ct]

Has there been an answer, to an earlier post (same thread), as to whether Muffet was at the draft?

As for Jackie Young, it seems she would not have improved her draft status (next year) if she stayed for her Senior year. I would think she made the right call.

 

[Bama fan]

Louuuuuuuu. Before Pheesa wow, just wow!

Surprised me too. But I am guessing that team needs were at play there. Either way, I am happy for both of our Husky stars.

 

[PacoBlaze]

Surprised me too. But I am guessing that team needs were at play there. Either way, I am happy for both of our Husky stars.

Same here.
I guess some people thought that I was "against" or "anti" Pheesa but I am not, I was just shocked, plain and simple. Actually I thought Pheesa would be the first pick.

 

[boontonbomber]

Excellent call!

well, not too many other 3-time All-Americans in this draft.

 

[Bama fan]

Same here.
I guess some people thought that I was "against" or "anti" Pheesa but I am not, I was just shocked, plain and simple. Actually I thought Pheesa would be the first pick.

Like you , I assumed Pheesa would be chosen first. But I love them both so either way was a pleasant surprise. And I do not believe your response showed favoritism. Sometimes, even on the BY, people mean just what they say!

 

[GiladKatzDeli]

No disrespect to Jackie Young (who is a fine player), but I was surprised she went #1 overall, seeing that she's not even the best player on her own team. I get that the draft is about upside, but when was the last time we saw a #1 overall pick that wasn't even voted first team all conference? (side note: how was she not voted first team all-ACC?)

 

[Jim]

Las Vegas, Seattle, or Dallas, because unlike Atlanta, NYC, DC, Chicago, LA, Minneapolis, and Norwich they have no income tax. So their pay and endorsements don't get taxed as much.

It doesn't work that way. I know that New York taxes players a portion of their salary when they play in NY even if their home is in another state. NY taxes based upon where the income is earned. NY doesn't get to tax endorsement money for out-of-state residents, but everyone who plays at the Garden, or in the Bronx, or at Citi field gets taxed. It is interesting though that since both the Jets and Giants play in the Meadowlands, the pro footballers can avoid NY (but have to deal with New Jersey.)

 

[GDawg]

So with Katie Lou and Naphessa being drafted 4th and 6th respectively this year it means the 2015-16 UConn team had six future Top 6 WNBA selections.

Breanna Stewart (1st 2016)
Moriah Jefferson (2nd 2016)
Morgan Tuck (3rd 2016)
Gabby Williams (4th 2018)
Katie Lou Samuelson (4th 2019)
Napheesa Collier (6th 2019)

To put that in context there are only 4 other schools that have had at least six Top 6 WNBA selections in their school history.

List of schools with 2 or more Top 6 WNBA selections.

View attachment 42172

Why hasn't Overseas College made it to the Final Four in their history??? Fire that coach!

 

[the Q]

It doesn't work that way. I know that New York taxes players a portion of their salary when they play in NY even if their home is in another state. NY taxes based upon where the income is earned. NY doesn't get to tax endorsement money for out-of-state residents, but everyone who plays at the Garden, or in the Bronx, or at Citi field gets taxed. It is interesting though that since both the Jets and Giants play in the Meadowlands, the pro footballers can avoid NY (but have to deal with New Jersey.)

Yup. It’s called the jock tax and it’s a massive overreach that should’ve been corrected years ago.

 

[the Q]

No disrespect to Jackie Young (who is a fine player), but I was surprised she went #1 overall, seeing that she's not even the best player on her own team. I get that the draft is about upside, but when was the last time we saw a #1 overall pick that wasn't even voted first team all conference? (side note: how was she not voted first team all-ACC?)

Biggest loser as a team was Vegas before the draft started. The drop off from superstar franchise player Sabrina to anyone else in the draft was massive.

 

[psconn]

Worst Drafts:

Fever: McCowan, Key – Not a lot of immediate help

Sun: Anigwe, Carleton, McGarity – Not much help, could have done better

Dream: Cazorla, Yueru – Tough drafting 11th, got the big they wanted in trade, Cazorla could surprise

Just curious, specifically how could the Sun have done better?

 

[Orangutan]

Has there been an answer, to an earlier post (same thread), as to whether Muffet was at the draft?

Yes, Muffet was there.

 

[TerpWomenFan]

Biggest loser as a team was Vegas before the draft started. The drop off from superstar franchise player Sabrina to anyone else in the draft was massive.

I said this as soon as Ionescu decided on staying at Oregon. Of course Vegas can win the lottery next season as well.

 

[Orangutan]

I said this as soon as Ionescu decided on staying at Oregon. Of course Vegas can win the lottery next season as well.

If Vegas is in the lottery again this year, something has gone seriously wrong.

 

[bbsamjj]

Just curious, specifically how could the Sun have done better?

I also think the Fever did exactly what they needed to. Their biggest need coming into the draft was a center. They got a 6-7 first team All American who is already ferocious defensively, and many folks think has only scratched the surface offensively. She'll have Dupree/Anchonwa at the 4 too, which should help both of them.

 

[the Q]

I said this as soon as Ionescu decided on staying at Oregon. Of course Vegas can win the lottery next season as well.

True but getting two elite 1-1 talents back to back is a heck of a building block. Sabrina is the best guard prospect in a while.

 

[UcMiami]

Is it really necessary to point out that Larry Bird is an NBA legend?

Well, lets see, he played his last competitive game in 1992, and Lou was born in 1997. Lucky for Lou that her dad had lots of tape of his jump shot to teach Lou how to shoot!

Maybe it is.

 

[PacoBlaze]

Lou and how she became a fan of #33
I think she was shocked when Larry Bird "spoke to her" after she was picked.